November 2014

Pay starts low for newly qualified ski instructors in Maria Alm, but perks are a ski pass, a bright red uniform, a free beer at the Ski Show and accommodation in the ski-teacher's house. The ski teacher's house has just been imaginatively enlarged. Two portacabins on top of each other have been wood clad for an authentic Austrian look. Caspar, at 14, is old enough to work as a helper for the ski school. The bright red uniform is enough compensation in itself, but he also gets paid real money, and has a large collection of tokens for free beer at the Ski Show which he will be able to trade-in when he's sixteen, at which time he might also be old enough to drink his beer on the balcony of his own portacabin, if it is still standing.