“When my dad told me in August about the internship, I was really eager right away,” Shaw said. “The idea of working on the mountain sounded awesome.”

Since his parents taught him to ski at the age of four, Shaw has returned to Sugarbush every winter with his family. Ironically, Shaw was once a student in the Ski & Ride School where he now works.

“I wrote my college essay on skiing; it has been a tradition that I’ve grown up [with],” Shaw said.

Shaw’s passion for skiing was kindled by sibling rivalry.

“I grew up skiing behind my older brother, and I would always try to do what he did,” Shaw said. “I got better from watching him.”

Shaw loves skiing for the challenges of endurance and skill it poses but most of all, for the sports, fun-focused nature.

“Once you get comfortable, skiing is the greatest thing ever,” Shaw said. “You enjoy yourself outside [while] being active.”

At Sugarbush, Shaw assists senior instructors as they guide groups of novice skiers around the slopes.

“I play the caboose, meaning I pick up kids if they fall,” Shaw said.

According to Shaw, one of the most difficult parts of his job has been adjusting to the skill level of his students. As an experienced skier used to flying down the most difficult trails, Shaw must now slow down to the pace of his students, who are as young as three-years-old.

However, Shaw enjoys working with his fellow ski instructors.

“We all have one giant thing that we really enjoy,” Shaw said. “Your work is involved with your recreational life.”

Shaw hopes that his initial exposure with ski instruction will help him to obtain future employment at ski resorts.

“I want to keep broadening the places that I’ve skied at and keep it up as I get older. I couldn’t imagine not skiing in my future.”