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When Tom O’Callaghan left Rockley College last year with a Distinction, we had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before he was chasing adventure somewhere in the world. True to form, just a few months later Tom swapped the Dorset coastline for the snow-covered mountains of Revelstoke, British Columbia, heading out to Canada to begin his ski instructor qualifications.
And by all accounts, he’s absolutely loving it.
Tom flew out to Canada in November 2025, arriving just as the winter season was getting underway. It didn’t take long for him to settle into mountain life. Within a couple of weeks he’d already met a group of new friends, thrown himself into the social scene and even taken up a new sport.
It sounds like Revelstoke has wasted no time showing him what mountain life is all about.
Tom began the season working towards his Level 1 ski instructor qualification, spending the first month focused on training before taking the exam.
And in true Tom style, he didn’t just pass.
“I smashed it,” he said.
Since completing his Level 1, Tom has already moved on to teaching lessons, working mostly with children and the occasional adult group. Being trusted with real clients so quickly is a big step for any new instructor, but Tom has taken it all in his stride.
His time at Rockley clearly helped build that confidence.
“I’m sure his time at Rockley gave him plenty of confidence and skills in instructing,” came one update we received. Tom also spent time working with Rockley instructor Andy ‘Straw’ Smith, gaining valuable experience supporting sessions and learning how to lead groups.
Those skills are now being put to good use on the slopes in Canada.
Tom hasn’t stopped at Level 1 either. He is currently working towards his Level 2 instructor qualification, while also branching out into other mountain skills.
Recently he completed his AST 1 qualification, which focuses on avalanche safety and backcountry awareness. It opens the door to exploring more remote terrain beyond the marked ski runs.
His Level 2 training sounds pretty intense too.
On one recent day he was hiking steep slopes carrying skis on his back before skiing down narrow chutes filled with moguls. Hard work, but with some incredible rewards at the top.
“The views were amazing,” we heard afterwards.
Trying everything the mountains offer
Life in a mountain town isn’t just about skiing. One of the best parts of the experience is trying all the winter sports that come with it.
Tom has already added ice hockey to the list and, more recently, even gave curling a go.
Safe to say he is embracing the full Canadian winter experience.
While Tom is thousands of miles from Dorset, he hasn’t forgotten where the journey started.
“Rockley’s been a massive help in getting me here and feeling confident instructing,” he told us. “Overall, this is the best experience I have ever had and Rockley was the setup I needed to get out here.”
It’s exactly the kind of pathway we love to see our students take. Learning to instruct, lead groups and build confidence in outdoor environments opens doors all over the world.
From sailing and watersports in Poole to teaching on the slopes in Canada, the skills travel surprisingly well.