Find Work in Argentina as a Snowboard Instructor

Argentina probably isn’t the top of your list of places to go and work as a Snowboard Instructor. The industry is less developed than other regions of the world.

The lift systems aren’t as advanced, runs not as well maintained, parks are still developing, and you won’t find crazy après-ski. But you will find some of the best lift accessible back-country in the world.

This guide will show you what qualifications/experience you need and how to get a visa.

You will need to speak good conversational Spanish as a minimum.

Land of great steak

Steak in Argentina is renowned as some of the best in the world. So after shredding back-country all day you can recharge with an awesome steak and a beer, sounds good to me.

Andes

Argentina has the Andes at its border to the west with Chile. The Andes is an incredibly vast and rugged mountain range that has some of the highest peaks in the world. Argentina also boasts some of the worlds best snow conditions, so this makes it an exciting destination for Snowboard Instructors.

There’s a good section on the Snowboard movie “It’s Always Snowing Somewhere” about Argentina.

A view on Argentina

Here are some great questions answered by Mark Madden (BASI 3 Ski Instructor working in Argentina):

Is it possible for someone who doesn’t speak Spanish to work in Argentina?

Impossible.

Which resorts hire International applicants?

Cerro Catedral only, the other resorts are small in comparrison and there is huge competion from the locals who live there and this may be their only source of income for the whole year.

Which resorts are good to work for?

See above.

There is no ‘on-mountain’ accommodation (that you could even call remotely inexpensive. Mountain access is by your own car or bus (which is incredibly over crowded). There is rental housing available, and many hostels for your arrival.

What kind of certifications are recognised?

For internationals it’s BASI, for CASI and AASI they will want you to do their own test.

What is the situation for getting visa/work permits?

Visas are relaxed, unlike USA etc.

It is basically that you enter for 3 months, after that just pop into Chile and back on the same day. There is a way, in Bariloche, where u can get an extension for a further 3 months for 100 paseos.

A big shout out to Mark who took the time to answer my questions.

Resorts in Argentina

• Penitentes
• Las Leñas
• Caviahue
• Batea Mahuida
• Chapelco
• Cerro Bayo
• Cerro Catedral
• La Hoya
• Cerro Castor

Qualifications/Experience

Argentina has a snowsports governing body called AADIDES which roughly translates as “Association Argentina of Instructors of Ski and Snowboard”.

BASI qualifications are recognised, but for other areas of the world: you will have to take the Argentinian test.

You will need to speak Spanish, some resorts will ask that you be fully bilingual.

Visa for Argentina

Visas are quite relaxed in Argentina. You can travel to Argentina and get a visa for 3 months. To renew it you can simply jump across the border into Chile then come back in the same day.

Working Holiday

Argentina currently has a 12 month Working Holiday visa for citizens from New Zealand. You will need to be a citizen of New Zealand and aged 18-30 to apply.

If you would like to apply for this visa then you need to visit “The Embassy Of Argentina In New Zealand”.

Resources

• www.welcomeargentina.com/ski/index_i.html – Information about resorts and ski industry in English
• www.anyworkanywhere.com – General visa information
• http://www.natives.co.uk/downunder/sa.htm – information about Argentina

What’s Next?

This is part of Find a Snowboard Instructor Job 101.

About the author: David Raybould is a Snowboard Instructor and Writer. You can connect with him on Twitter or Facebook.

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