Snowcamp apprentice Review

The Snowcamp apprenticeship has three main parts. First, you plan ski and snowboard sessions, which you then deliver at the Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Centre. During these sessions, you assist in teaching young people through the programme, helping them learn to ski or snowboard while shadowing qualified instructors and gaining valuable knowledge and experience. Off the slope, you lead workshops, run ice-breaker activities, and provide ongoing support to the young people throughout their journey. Throughout the week, when you're not delivering sessions, you work towards your Level 2 qualification in Sports Coaching and Development.

The programme sessions you help plan and deliver are split into three phases throughout the year. First Tracks is a two-day beginner course that gives young people an introduction to skiing or snowboarding and a feel for the programme. The Graduate phase follows, where participants continue developing their snowsport skills while also focusing on key life skills off the slope. Finally, in the Excel phase, they begin learning how to instruct and work towards their Snowsport Scotland Level 1 qualification, gaining valuable teaching experience.
Each phase lasts around five to six weeks (except First Tracks), with a few months in between. I find this structure really engaging, as it gives me plenty of time as an apprentice to plan sessions, deliver them with confidence, and reflect on how to improve. At the end of Excel, there’s a residential trip to the Alps, which is an amazing reward for all the hard work and progress we’ve made throughout the journey.

The employer offers an incredible amount of support throughout each stage of the programme. If there’s ever anything you’re unsure about or stuck on, you’re always made to feel comfortable asking for help. I never felt judged—just supported and encouraged every step of the way.

There were times throughout the year when I struggled to understand some of the questions during assessments. Whenever I needed help, I could email Martin and he always got back to me quickly, which made the whole process of working towards my qualification much easier. If I was really stuck, we’d set up a Zoom call where he would reword the questions, and I could talk through my answers with his support.

Completing my qualification with the support of my training provider really helped me understand the importance of planning, delivering, and reflecting on sessions. Gaining this understanding gave me a much deeper insight into my role and a lot more confidence as an instructor. By regularly planning my sessions—rather than going in unprepared—and consistently reflecting on my performance, I developed the ability to self-critique and improve each time.

Yes

I would 100% recommend the Snowcamp Apprenticeship because I genuinely feel like a different person after completing it. I’ve gained so many qualifications and valuable life skills that I never thought I’d achieve. I’m now a qualified instructor and currently applying for my first winter season something I never imagined I’d have the confidence or ability to do. Before Snowcamp, I felt lost. Now, I feel like I’m finally heading in the right direction in life, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I know there are many young girls out there who might feel the way I once did, and if Snowcamp could change my life, I truly believe it can change many more