#SnowConnectingPeople at the international course of the Snowsports Academy
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
From April 11th to 22nd, 2023, snow sports enthusiasts from all over the world will once again gather to complete their ski or snowboard instructor training at the Snowsports Academy. This international course will take place for the fifth time on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. A special feature of this course is that all course components can be completed in English.
Diversity in lived practice
The international course is a very special event every year. Where else can you find people from 29 different countries who want to combine their passion with vocational training, as was the case in 2022? In previous years, people from more than 25 different nations, from Europe to South Africa, from America to China, were also guests in the beautiful Alpine region of Zell am See - Kaprun - Kitzsteinhorn.
True to our motto "SnowConnectingPeople", despite all the diversity in culture, language and experience, one thing quickly became clear: In the snow, everyone speaks a common language, works together towards their goals and creates friendships that extend far beyond national borders.
Four different people with four different motivations from the 2022 course told us their stories:
Daniel Sisterna
Origin: Mar del Plata, Argentina. Born: May 29, 1993
I live for snowboarding. I only discovered it when I was 18, but it captivated me immediately. Maybe it's that feeling of freedom: standing on the mountaintop and being able to ride down whenever you want.
My first contact with the sport was during our high school graduation trip to Bariloche in Patagonia. Almost all classes go there, and it's non-stop partying—but one of those ten days is a skiing day. And if your parents give you a certificate saying you're a good snowboarder, you're allowed to snowboard instead of ski. I forged it because I really wanted to snowboard. It was so difficult, and I was constantly falling. But even then, I thought it was incredible. In December 2012, I went to Colorado, USA, to work in a restaurant. That's when I really started snowboarding in my free time.
Martha Kunce
Origin: Riga, Latvia Born: December 31, 1997
Skiing is like breathing for me. I just feel so incredibly comfortable in the snow. If I had to choose between walking somewhere or skiing, I would definitely choose skiing. I like it when gravity does everything by itself.
My parents first took me skiing when I was seven years old; they also love skiing. We were out almost every weekend at home in Latvia and also went on a skiing holiday every year, for example to France, Austria, Italy, Sweden or Switzerland.
Teaching others to ski and snowboard is simply fantastic. You're always out in the fresh air. It's especially great when the sun is shining. If the weather isn't so good, I always try to be extra motivating to give my students positive energy.
Samantha Myths
Origin: Christchurch, New Zealand Born: June 11, 1998
I'm from Christchurch on the North Island of New Zealand. When I was little, my dad said, "Why don't we try skiing?" He'd only tried it a couple of times himself when he was young, so he really started with me. I was six and he was 40. It was a very bonding experience for the two of us. I loved it because I was bad at every other sport as a child and teenager. But I found it wonderful to be in the mountains.
My passion is journalism because I love hearing people's stories and reporting on them. But my medium-term plan is to work abroad as a ski instructor – perhaps in France or Switzerland. Eventually, I'd like to go to Japan for powder skiing and maybe even to teach. That's much closer to New Zealand, and my father can visit me there.
Graeme Hindley
Origin: Blackpool, Great Britain – lives in France. Born: December 7, 1970
I come from a coastal town in the north of England and have always felt a connection to the mountains since I was a child. Blackpool is near the Lake District, but there are only a few hills there. And even in the mountains of Scotland, you can maybe ski for two weeks a year on two or three lifts. So it's not really what you'd imagine a ski resort to be. Twelve years ago, I moved to Morzine in France to live in the Alps because I fell in love with the mountains.
I heard about the Snowsports Academy courses from a friend. She completed a level 1+2 course herself and worked at the Wurzeralm in Upper Austria. The French system is different, and you can practically only teach in France. I don't want that. That's why I opted for the Austrian training. For me, the biggest plus of skiing is definitely the adrenaline rush. If you're good, you can do some really crazy things. It's a bit of yin and yang – the peace of nature and the crazy stuff. And I like both.
The full stories can be read in "Insight Snowsports Magazine":
Numerous people have already registered for the international course from April 11th to 22nd, 2023 at the Kitzsteinhorn. Are you also interested? Then find out more at:
General information about the training courses:
Ski instructor level 1+2: https://www.snowsports.at/post/die-ausbildung-zum-österreichischen-skilehrer
Snowboard instructor level 1+2: https://www.snowsports.at/post/snowboardlehrer-ausbildung
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