What do your ski instructors do during the off season?
Publié le 18/02/2025 - Rédigé par Amélie
From the beginning of December to the end of April, the esf is in full swing at Courchevel 1850. Many of our instructors have other jobs, especially once the winter sports season is over.
This is the case of Éric Staraselski, who is both a ski instructor and a cabin crew member at Air France. On the face of it, these two worlds are opposites, but they have a lot in common!
Combining a passion for skiing and travel
Éric grew up in Ancelle, a small village in the Hautes-Alpes near Gap. He joined an Alpine ski club as a child and took part in various competitions, including the French Downhill Championships. As far back as he can remember, he always wanted to be a ski instructor, and obtained his diploma in 1993.
He then moved to Salon-de-Provence for 2 years to do his military service with the French Air Force. It was during this time that his desire to discover the world began to take shape, so Éric started studying for his Private Pilot's Licence.
He then moved to Salon-de-Provence for 2 years to do his military service with the French Air Force. It was during this time that his desire to discover the world began to take shape, so Éric started studying for his Private Pilot's Licence.
Although a skiing accident put an end to his plans to become an airline pilot, he didn't give up on the idea of making travel one of his professions. He joined Air France as a cabin crew member in 1998, working on 6-month contracts every summer.
During his many trips, Éric has had the chance to ski all over the world: Japan, Chile, South Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan and the United States, in particular Aspen in Colorado, a destination he remembers for the quality of the snow and the beauty of the area.
During his many trips, Éric has had the chance to ski all over the world: Japan, Chile, South Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan and the United States, in particular Aspen in Colorado, a destination he remembers for the quality of the snow and the beauty of the area.
Discover your esf instructors!With esf as with Air France, the customer is at the heart of the business
The length of his contracts with Air France meant that Éric could work as a ski instructor the rest of the year. It was in 2003 that he arrived at esf Courchevel 1850 as a temporary instructor.
With a passion for the service industry, he found common values in his two professions, such as a sense of community, cohesion, listening to and understanding customer expectations, and teamwork.
In the air and on the slopes, Éric enjoys contact with customers and discovering new cultures. During the private lessons he gives at esf, he has the opportunity to talk to his students about the passions that drive them. The languages he has learnt - English, Russian, German and Italian - are useful in his two jobs and help him to communicate more easily with customers.
In the air and on the slopes, Éric enjoys contact with customers and discovering new cultures. During the private lessons he gives at esf, he has the opportunity to talk to his students about the passions that drive them. The languages he has learnt - English, Russian, German and Italian - are useful in his two jobs and help him to communicate more easily with customers.
A desire to devote himself to esf Courchevel 1850
Satisfied with the level of discovery he has now achieved, Éric soon intends to put an end to his aviation career to devote more time to the ski school. For the past year, he has been a member of the management committee, helping to improve the various issues facing the resort.
A qualified instructor for the last 2 years, Éric feels fully at home at esf Courchevel 1850 and is keen to highlight the exceptional qualities of the resort. From now on, the slopes will be the only place to get away from it all!
A qualified instructor for the last 2 years, Éric feels fully at home at esf Courchevel 1850 and is keen to highlight the exceptional qualities of the resort. From now on, the slopes will be the only place to get away from it all!
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