Ski Instructor Course Story: Q&A with Matilda Harding

We caught up with Matilda, who is instructing at Shiga Kogen resort, Japan this season. She is currently on her gap year before starting University and having a blast living in Shiga.

Continue below for the hear about Matilda's story:

If you are interested in spending a gap year skiing in Japan, or to fast track your career as a ski instructor see if you qualify for an instructor course today

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Q) Why did you decide to become an instructor with EA Ski and Snowboard

A) My original plan was to be a chalet host, but then an ad popped up for EA, and thought oh I can do that, and my mum was like just do it, so I submitted my application and it was a great decision.

Q) What resort did you chose to go to and why did you choose that?

A) I choose Shiga Kogen in Japan, and there were a few reasons. Firstly my choice was between Canada or Japan and I wanted to go to Japan as its somewhere new, also Canada is very very cold and that wasn’t for me, and Shiga is the biggest and largest ski field in Japan, so there is a lot of skiing available which I really wanted. The accommodation is shared rooms of two, and some people are on their own, and I was lucky and managed to get my own room.

Q) Why do you think other people should consider an internship? What has been the favourite part of becoming an instructor for you?

A) It is something I always thought was out of reach, I wanted to do it but never considered I could do it, but suddenly I had this opportunity to become an instructor and it was defiantly the best decision I have ever made.

Q) Since becoming an instructor, what opportunities have you had?

A) Mostly, the best thing is just being able to ski everyday if I want to, and also I can come back to Shiga as have worked a ski season, and can work in other ski resorts abroad as I have the experience. Meeting everyone else, other instructors are from everywhere, Europe, USA, Australia so to have lots of people from across the globe is really nice.

Q) What do you enjoy about being an instructor here in Shiga Kogen?

A) The nicest thing is when you have someone who has never skied before and they are terrified, and by the end of the day you have got them skiing, got them turning, and they are going off the lift and are like “this is so much fun”. Its very satisfying.

Q) For those people out there who are considering doing a course with EA, what advice might you give them?

A) Make sure you are certain about the resort you want to go too. If I hadn’t chosen Shiga I may not have had as much fun. I explored all my resorts options very carefully to make sure. Don’t hesitate and just do it. I was hesitating, and my mum convinced me as I would have so much fun, and she was right

Or for more info on Japan, check out our free Japan brochure: https://bit.ly/3Zccc2x