Demand for ski coaches gains momentum

With the snow season well underway, major ski resorts in Jilin province are experiencing a surge in visitors.

The slopes are filled with snowboarders and skiers, as China's love affair with winter sports continues to grow. Accompanying the fervor is a pressing market demand for ski instructors, with the profession becoming a highly sought-after opportunity in the snow sports economy.

Wang Chaofan, a freshman at the Ice and Snow Industry College of Jilin Sport University in Changchun, couldn't contain her excitement upon discovering her results for the fifth level of the National Vocational Qualification for Social Ski Sports Instructors recently.

"I passed the exam and can officially become an instructor at the ski resort," she said.

The certificate, jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the General Administration of Sport's Vocational Assessment Center, has become the golden ticket to entering the ski teaching industry for many young people.

Wang participated in the first social ski sports instructor training course of the snow season this winter, which took place from Nov 23 to 27, with assessments completed at the Changchun Lianhua Mountain Ski Resort on Nov 28.

Unlike single-skill training, this program adopts a theory and practice dual-track model, with one day dedicated to theoretical courses to solidify foundational knowledge, and four days of practical courses on the slopes to hone teaching skills.

"I often help teach children to ski at the resort, and I can clearly feel that more and more parents are bringing their kids to experience snow sports," said Wang. "The importance placed on skiing is increasing."

With her certification, she plans to sign a contract with a ski resort and work part-time as a ski instructor during her spare time, allowing her to earn extra income and gain teaching experience.

On Nov 28, at the assessment site at Changchun Lianhua Mountain Ski Resort, two teams of prospective instructors wearing uniformed vests focused intently as they received guidance from evaluators.

The core evaluation criteria included skiing posture and the standardization of teaching actions.

"It's nerve-wracking to ski alone on the slope, but I was determined to earn this certificate," Wang said. Her passion for skiing and aspiration for the profession made her cherish the assessment opportunity.

The National Vocational Qualification Certificate for Social Ski Sports Instructors is recognized nationwide and is divided into five levels: junior, intermediate, senior, instructor and master.

The eligibility criteria is broad, allowing ski enthusiasts, ski resort employees, sports students and aspiring professionals aged 18 to 60 to participate.

"Some instructors without formal training can guide skiing, but only by using professional terminology to standardize actions can they help students build a solid foundation," said veteran evaluator Li Dan, who is also head of the Jilin D7 Sports Vocational Skills Training School. "Formal training is not only essential for enhancing teaching professionalism but also crucial for ensuring teaching safety.

Skiing is a complex and highly professional sport, officially classified as a high-risk sport, Li said. According to legal regulations such as the National Fitness Regulations, those engaged in ski instruction must be certified.

Young people, especially college students, made up the majority of this year's assessment participants.

"I fell in love with skiing after trying it with my teacher after entering the university," said Wang. "After getting the certificate, I want to teach and share the joy of skiing with more people."

Li said that since the launch of the social ski sports instructor training and assessment in 2010, the initiative has progressed in tandem with the popularization of ice and snow sports.

"The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics helped achieve the goal of 'engaging 300 million people in ice and snow sports', deepening the public's foundation in skiing," said Li. "It requires more professional ski instructors to provide scientific guidance and safety assurance."

The demand for ski instructors is rapidly rising with the development of the snow sports economy. "The emerging profession brings multiple benefits to ski resorts and practitioners — not only enhancing job stability for instructors, but also helping resorts develop specialized teaching programs, ensuring sustained operations," Li said.

"The mutually increased income for both resorts and instructors will create a virtuous cycle," he added.

Data shows that the social ski sports instructor training and assessment in Jilin has attracted over 10,000 participants, with approximately 6,000 people completing the fifth level certification last year.

"Despite the higher assessment standards in 2025, the training scale is still expected to reach 4,000 participants," Li said.

"As the national enthusiasm for ice and snow sports continues to grow, the market gap for ski instructors is expanding, so for soon-to-be college graduates, obtaining the vocational qualification undoubtedly adds a new career path."

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn