Moving abroad: making mountains out of mogul-hills

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.