Julie and Stephen Gort dreamed of doing something different with their lives. Their passion for skiing and the Canadian mountains finally pushed them to quit their well-paid jobs in the UK in search of a better way of life.

Until February 2002 I was employed as a sales manager for a small asset management company. I was well paid, but had the pressure and stress of working to targets and deadlines. My husband Stephen worked as an investment adviser, and we lived in a nice part of Bristol in a large, terraced Victorian house. We had no children, regularly ate out with friends and enjoyed good holidays abroad. However the culture of long hours and stress at work was taking its toll. We had always talked about 'taking time out', but doesn't everyone?

During late 2001 Stephen became increasingly disillusioned with his job and we decided he would resign and take some time to decide where to go next. Around this time we saw an opportunity to action our 'plan'. We decided to put our house on the market, and if it sold then I would resign from my job and we would set off travelling. We had two offers, at asking price, for the house within a week of putting it on the market. It seemed like fate.

After spending a couple of months travelling in France and then Madagascar, we turned our thoughts to the winter and where to ski. It was then that we stumbled across a new company called NonStopSki, offering ski training in Canada for the winter. Stephen became really keen on the idea whereas I felt anxious about the formal ski training but somehow I was talked into the idea, and we set off.

The ski training was fantastic, but it was extremely hard work both physically and mentally. To our elation we both passed our level 2 Canadian ski instructors certificate.

With our new qualification in hand, we enquired at the winter sports school and shadowed some ski lessons. We were hooked on the idea of a career in skiing and eventually managed to secure positions at the winter sports school for the following season.

After spending the summer working back in the UK on short-term contracts to boost our income, we returned to Canada and waited for work. Then as Christmas approached, the ski-hill went crazy and we worked nine days in a row, non-stop all day. We had fallen in love with our new life, and before very long were convinced that one season wouldn't be enough. How could I give up my new office in the mountains?

We began thinking of business ideas and whilst sitting in the hot tub (it's not all hard work), came up with the idea of offering accommodation combined with ski instruction. We found a house we liked, with stunning views and lots of space, and thanks to the help of family and friends secured a Canadian mortgage. Within four weeks the house was ours, and our business Fernie Ski Sensation was born!

I remember my friends saying how lucky we were, but it's not about luck, but sheer determination and a desire to do something different. I don't miss my old home or the job I used to do because we have managed to create the lifestyle we knew we deserved. And I now love sharing the mountain, the people and the fabulous ambience with friends, family and clients, both in the coming season, and those to follow. Our dream became a way of life.

How did they do it?

• You need collateral to start any new business, so if you have a home then look into selling it
• Keep some money as a reserve in a UK account, so that you have something to fall back on if things go wrong
• Keep friends and family informed of what you are doing, they can be a great help and act as a UK office base when trying to apply for visas or mortgages etc
• Before you go, pack all your belongings (furniture etc) into storage, take only what you feel you will really need
• Before resigning from your UK job, think about any other relevant courses or qualifications that might help your new venture. Plan to do these between resigning from your job and leaving the country
• Research your market. Are there any other similar ventures already existing in the area? Is the market big enough to support your business? Who are you targeting your business at, and how do you know if they will be as enthusiastic as you are?
• Finally take a deep breath and go for it, good luck!

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