A Day in My Life as a Snowboard Instructor

One of the many ways I get to see the world

Hiking to the peak of Niseko, Japan on an afternoon off— ©

I distantly hear my alarm blaring, a shrill sound that I should have changed to something more pleasant long ago. I roll over, my body protesting at every move my muscles make. I smell eggs cooking in the kitchen of our share-house and hear faint conversation flowing from downstairs. I don’t have time to lie here for long, preferring five minutes of extra sleep to a peaceful morning during peak season.

As I get up and push my curtains aside, I am met with the world under an even thicker blanket of snow than yesterday. Here in Japan, it feels like living inside a snow globe that never stops.

I can see my faint reflection in the window, a face covered in freckles and slightly weathered from the cold. As I turn away to start my day, I catch a quick smile forming. Happiness comes easy here.

Peak season in the world of snowboard (or ski) instructing means you work every day for about 30 days straight. Usually over Christmas and New Year's, though it does vary by country. Each day, you get up, put on your thermals and uniform, trudge up to your ski school and prepare for another round of guests.

Sounds monotone right? Except, it is anything but.