Turning a dream (literally) into reality
In spite of the course being cut short due to covid lockdown in 2020 Erich has brilliant memories of his time – “honestly – it was amazing” he reminisces. And is very happy he followed through on his middle of the night whim – “I woke up in the middle of the night with a profound idea of wanting to do a season in the snow”. He was 24, living and working in Amsterdam at the time, had hardly ever skied or snowboarded coming from South Africa, and says he wasn’t even particularly good, but there was something calling him to the snow.
His research led to SnowSkool whose package was the “most practical and robust” option he came across, and which was then backed up by the great comms from SnowSkool staff. “It didn’t take much convincing” he remembers, and his midnight whim became a reality.
It is now over four years ago but Erich has brilliant memories of his time in Big White on the Snowboard Instructor Course. “It was the best three months of my life!” He loved the house he shared with four other guys who remain good friends to this day. Theirs became affectionately known as “the shred house”. And he remembers enjoying the daily run down of events each evening relaxing in the jacuzzi. “The food was amazing too" he says. They all ate and drank well and simply had a lot of fun.
That fun also involved quite a lot of hard work. Erich has nothing but praise for the course and the trainers who led him and his fellow SnowSkoolers through it. But he had to work hard.
Originally from South Africa, Erich hadn’t spent much time at all on snow. He’d been on a couple of holidays “tagging along” with his german girlfriend, but says of himself, he wasn’t a natural. He’d done a fair amount of surfing in Cape Town which helped him on the snowboard but it was essentially a completely new sport for him.
Determination, practise and a little help from your SnowSkool pals were key ingredients for success
On top of this Erich sustained a wrist injury between his Level 1 and 2 exams; meaning he did his Level 2 exam in a cast. He was already facing a pass or fail issue with a hip issue. But such was his determination and resilience in the face of this challenge that Erich, supported by his fellow SnowSkool friends, went night skiing to practise the drills he’d been given to fix the issue.
The hard work paid off and he passed! He was elated. It felt as much if not more of an achievement than his previous academic and workplace achievements for which he says he has a more natural affinity – “writing, speaking, thinking his way through things” is in his comfort zone.
The physical challenge of the snowboard instructor course was a big comfort zone stretch for Erich, and so his success was a huge personal boost! And just in the nick of time, as Covid struck and everyone was evacuated. The usual pathway onto an instructing job was not to be. Erich found himself back in South Africa and, as with most other people at that time, working remotely from home.
Trying Georgian snow out post covid lockdowns
This covid induced revolution world-wide has ultimately worked in Erich’s favour a few years on. Once the world opened up again, Erich was keen to get back to Europe. He was first drawn back to Amsterdam and then onto Lisbon in Portugal enticed by friends already there. Realising he could now be a digital nomad and wanting to get back to some snow Erich started looking into doing a season. Who better to discuss options with than his SnowSkool pals? His Moldovian friend [name?] suggested Georgia for the best freeriding.
Having never thought of Georgia Erich went for it along with a friend from Cape Town. So two years after graduating, Erich got back on his snowboard for a Georgian season in 2022. Working and freeriding in the resort of Gudauri was a perfect combination. He could spend the mornings on the mountain going on excitingly scary adventures (with a guide), and then settle down to work on his laptop at 1pm when the offices opened back in Amsterdam at 9am.
A new way of life
Now a tried and tested lifestyle, Erich was keen to continue this pattern. Unfortunately his 2023 season plan for France was written off by a back injury. But with time for recovery and reflection Erich, unphased by his injury hiccup, decided to commit more fully to his seasons in the snow and bought a chalet in Gudauri with his savings.
So his 2024 season was spent in the comfort of his own chalet, freeriding in the mornings, working in the afternoons and more freeriding and touring at the weekends. Friends came to stay and he coached them making use of his SnowSkool instructor qualifications. He made friends with the locals including the owner of a pizzeria who is happy to swap pizza for snowboard lessons. It’s “a dream come true” reflects Erich.
And the plan looking ahead is to continue to enjoy seasons as a digital nomad. Erich is keen to explore more countries and resorts with the option of renting out his chalet in Georgia.
It’s great to hear another inspiring life changing SnowSkool story. One with a less conventional instructing career outcome but one which has shaped a different kind of dream come true lifestyle.
Thanks to Erich for sharing his journey. We’re looking forward to hearing about some of his freeriding adventures on our blog some time soon too!
If you’d like to add to your skillset and open new doors like Erich – remembering he had minimal snowboarding experience before he signed up – get in touch to discuss your SnowSkool options. We run ski and snowboard instructor courses as well as internships across France, Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.