It’s hard to believe that I am nearly at the end of the season with less than a week before I begin my journey back home. I want to finish my season on a high note and have tried to do as much as I can in Banff before I leave.There is a number of things that are on my to do list which include: going to more resorts, learning how to ski, see another NHL ice hockey game and have as many fun experiences as I can with my new Banff “family”.

I know these things are all exciting, but when it comes time to actually start packing it will be quite hard to see myself leaving. That’s not to say that I’m not excited about feeling the warmth of Australian sunshine along with seeing my friends and family, I just never thought my season would turn out the way it did. Coming to Banff has been like living in a paradise and I have made friends for life, whilst intensifying my love for snowboarding even more than I thought I could :)

Most of my love for this season has come down to my employment through Mt Norquay. To be completely honest Norquay has given me an unbelievable work lifestyle, where I was able to meet a number great people who have been able to impact my life and learn more about the things I love. I have always loved teaching, as I have been doing it for two years for skateboarding, but working at an actual resort, has increased my knowledge and technique ten-fold and it also helped my teaching style. I just want to say thankyou to everyone at Mt Norquay Ski School, especially Gord and Matt for making everything trouble-free for me as well as giving me the opportunity to teach in such a great resort.

I know when you look in comparison to the big three resorts near Banff, Norquay definitely looks the smallest. But from my experience of going to all of them, Norquay definitely comes out on top for me with the fact that it is more of a family, not just a company. This work lifestyle has really suited me and I have already recommended it to people through EA.From this experience it is highly likely that I will work as a snowboard instructor again – I just have to work out the where, when and whom. I would love to work with people I have met on this trip again and I can safely say that it has been one of the best experiences of my life, even though I had to live in a six-man hostel bedroom for most of my stay!

There have been a number highlights during my stay in Banff including my birthday celebrations, going to Panorama, visiting Calgary and Canmore but the one that tops the lot was when I received an email through the ski school from parents saying they appreciated everything I had done in the two lessons I had with their child, and that I had helped him overcome fear and fall in love with something they never thought possible. Seeing examples of people’s happiness coming from one of my lessons really makes my day.

Even though this season has been an unbelievable experience it is time for me to begin the journey back home with the hope to continue my love for snowboarding in the upcoming seasons. I just wanted to thank EA for providing a wonderful program, great training and connecting me with a job, along with letting me write my experiences through this blog.

Jackson had an epic season.. and you can too. So stoked Jackson is now sold on the ski industry and is planning his next big trip. All the best Jackson! If you’re ready to kick-start your life in a new direction get in touch with us at sstraining@educatingadventures.com, or check out more about different program options at www.easkiandsnowboard.com