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Do you love skiing? Do you feel one or two weeks on the slopes just isn’t long enough?

We suspect most winter sports addicts wish they could spend more time on the mountain.

Putting aside for a second the kind of lifestyle enjoyed by international women and men of leisure, training as a ski or snowboard instructor is probably the easiest way to access the slopes for several months at a time.

Selecting the right school is important. As well as choosing a fun and appropriate location to learn (guaranteed snow coverage is a must). It’s important to choose a reputable and recognized school. After all, it’s no good being certified if you can’t secure an instructor role after your training.

The International Academy is worth considering. This UK-based company started in 1997. They’ve acquired a strong reputation among ski schools in some of the best resorts around the world.

Their 10-week courses are based in Cardrona in New Zealand. With two basins, Cardrona has plenty of wide, open slopes – ideal for practice and learning the best teaching techniques. The area’s variety of black-diamond level runs and it’s freestyle park offer quick learners the opportunity to pick up freestyle skills – a real bonus when applying for jobs.

All the instructors are NZSIA/SBINZ qualified, and participants receive advice on securing employment in European and North American resorts.

Accommodation is in the resort town of Wanaka within easy reach of shops, restaurants, bars and Lake Wanaka.

Beginning on July 13, 2013, the course costs about $12,500 and includes accommodation at the Apollo Lodge with breakfast and weekday evening meals.

Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…

(Image: Ola Matsson | www.skistar.com/trysil)

About the author

Brett AckroydBrett hopes to one day reach the shores of far-flung Tristan da Cunha, the most remote of all the inhabited archipelagos on Earth…as to what he’ll do when he gets there, he hasn’t a clue. Over the last 10 years, London, New York, Cape Town and Pondicherry have all proudly been referred to as home. Now it’s Copenhagen’s turn, where he lends his travel expertise to momondo.com.

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