If you’re the sort of teacher and traveler who prefers the mountains to the beaches, the Arctic to the tropics, and the actual chill to the chill factor, then this guide to the 5 coldest TEFL destinations out there is just what you’ve been searching for. It runs through a handful of places where the thermometers are sure to dip below the zero mark during the winter time; where woolly jumpers and thermal under layers are a must. There’s plenty in the mix, from the snow-doused isles of Japan to the historic towns of south Poland…
Japan
Teachers who like snow are sure to love Japan. The northern part of this amazing Asian country is known for having some of the heaviest and finest snowfall of anywhere on the globe. You’re looking for the island of Hokkaido, which actually sits just 29 miles off the shores of Russia at its closest point. That should give you an idea of just how cold it can get in the midst of the winter. The main city – and the place with the most TEFL jobs – is Sapporo, but the stunning backcountry is the real draw. That rolls through the Daisetsuzan National Park to smoking volcano cones and hot springs. There’s skiing, too, at the award-winning resorts of Niseko and Furano.
Czechia
Although it’s not particularly far north, the landlocked Czech Republic, recently renamed Czechia, has a continental climate that means it doesn’t enjoy the warming oceanic breezes of countries nearer the Med or the Baltic. The upshot? Thermometers can plummet to nearly -35 C (-31 F) in the middle of winter. Thankfully, there are oodles of cozy beer halls to counter the sub-zero outside with frothy ales to warm the blood. Prague also happens to have some of the most festive Christmas markets in the whole of Europe, best enjoyed when your breath is frosting in the air!
Poland
Contrary to what many think, Poland can be balmy in the summer months – like 35 degrees C (95 F) and humid sort of balmy. On the flip side, Poland gets super, duper cold in the winter. The southern mountains around Zakopane tend to be the chilliest of all the places. Come December, they are often bathed under a blanket of the white stuff and weather temps that are regularly -10 C or even more below the zero mark. Most folks will work in larger cities like Krakow or Warsaw, where the pay can be as high as $1,900/month.
Estonia
Estonia is often overlooked by teachers keen to find a job in Europe. But it shouldn’t be. The country sits on the side of the sloshing Baltic Sea, offering the UNESCO-tagged capital of Tallinn and wonderous swathes of pine forests that roll on to meet the Russian border. The location alone should give a clue that it’s a cold spot in the winter. In fact, the record low temp in these parts was a whopping -43.5 C (that’s -46.3 F), while the daily mean temperature in the capital is between +2 C and -3.6 C (35-25 F) from November to February. Bring the big coat!
Finland
Even though the vast majority of teachers who head the way of Finland will probably be chasing jobs in the southern cities of Helsinki and Turku, there’s no getting away from the fact that it will be a chilly place come November. Even the capital – one of the most southerly points in the country – sees daily means that are below freezing point from December through to March! Go further north and you can enter the wondrous world of Lapland, where fells rise between dashes of Arctic tundra. A certain Santa Claus lives up that way, you know?
If you can think of any more places that should be on our list of the coldest TEFL destinations out there, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Alternatively, start chasing those sub-zero temperatures by getting your 120-hour TEFL certificate today.
About 70% of Japan is made of mountains. Yes! You can imagine the lots of options you can select from for your hiking and mountaineering experience on your next visit to the country. Most Japan tours would offer you visits to the mountains as part of their packages. In this article, we have identified and compiled a list of 5 picturesque japanese mountains. They are indeed the best mountains for viewing, picture taking, and hiking. Follow closely…
Mount Fuji
Standing at 3,776.24 meters, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan. Also called Fugaku, this mountain is located between the Yamanashi and Shizuoka mountains on Honshu Island; it is also the seventh-highest peak of an island on the entire planet.
Aside from its magnificent height, the view of the mountain attracts a lot of travelers. It has a nice conical shape and a snowy peak to complement its colors. This beautiful setup makes pictures taken on the mountain iconic, and memories made there become naturally beautiful.
Mount Fuji has a lot of cultural significance to the people of Japan, such that it is regarded as a sacred symbol in the country. Asides from visitors interested in hiking, thousands of Japanese climb the mountain to visit the shrine at its peak every summer.
Mount Asama
As high as 2,568 meters, Mount Asama is an active volcano. It is actually the most active one in Honshu, and if you are visiting, you should read up on new information about the volcano before you visit. The mountain has erupted 121 times, but it hasn’t had any such activity since the last occurrence on the 7th of August, 2019.
Mount Asama is located in Honshu, the main island of Japan, on the border of Gunma and Nagano. When visitors come to see the mountain, since it is an active volcano, there is a protected area that helps keep people off from the dangerous regions, so you can enjoy the beautiful sight and still be safe. The protected area is the highest part of the mountain, so you can’t go too close to the top and harm yourself.
While hiking, you get a superb view of the Northern Japan Alps from this mountain.
Mount Kita
Kita is the next highest mountain after Mount Fuji in Japan, and it is commonly referred to by the title “Leader of the Southern Alps” because it forms part of the Akaishi Mountains, also known as the Southern Alps.
This mountain is 3,193 meters tall, and it forms a shape of a triangular pyramid when you look from the north or the south. Many hikers choose this mountain because of its height and the amazing sight it offers. You even get to select the path to follow while climbing. You can select rocky ridges, snowy valleys, or other options when choosing the route to follow to reach the summit.
Mount Yari
Aside being one of the most popular Japanese mountains, Mount Yari is also widely known for its pointed rock peak. Yari forms part of the Hida mountains, also referred to as the Northern Alps of Japan.
This mountain also has cultural significance because this was where priest Banryu, also known as the first to climb the mountain, founded a temple. The Azusa river also begins here.
Mount Yari is 3,180m in height. The experience of being at the tip of the pointed peak of this mountain makes it a huge attraction to many hikers from within and outside Japan. It is also noteworthy that this is the fifth-highest elevation in the country and one of the 100 famous Japanese mountains.
Mount Haku
Mount Haku, also referred to as Hakusan, is one of the Three Holy Mountains in Japan; the other two are Mount Tate and Mount Fuji. It is located on the borders of the Fukui, Gifu, and Ishikawa mountains.
This mountain is a dormant composite volcano, this is why its most recent eruption was as far back as 1659. Its height is 2,702m, and it is regarded as having three peaks, although some hikers count them as five. There are multiple routes to select from when climbing Mount Haku. All routes are packed with signs and maps, so whichever way you choose to go, it will be difficult to get lost while heading to the summit or returning down.
The best time to visit if you are interested in climbing this mountain is in the summer, between June and October. This is the official hiking season for this mountain, as defined by the Hakusan National Park.
Concluding Thoughts
Japanese mountains are a great place to spend the holidays, they are great for sightseeing and hiking. Since there are so many of them, travelers could have a difficult time selecting which one will give them the best experience.
This is why we have put together a selection of some of the best picks for you to choose from. Pick your favorites and do deeper research on them, so whenever you are ready, you will have planned the best experience for yourself before you even book a flight.
If you’d like to experience living, teaching and traveling through Japan, check out our Japan Placements which are free for graduates of myTEFL’s 120 and 140 hour online courses.
*This is a guest post submitted on November 24, 2022
Instagram is up there with Google Maps and Uber as one of the indispensable travel apps of the 21st century. These days, every corner of every jungle, every gushing waterfall and glimmering tropical beach is a potential snap with potential likes. This list is intended to help any budding teachers find the most Instagrammable TEFL destinations going, so you can kick-start your awesome feed while earning on the road…
The Philippines
Visions of explorers emerging from the jungles to gaze out over the lost Shangri-La of the Kawasan Falls; moments of wonder as you drift through the ocean – Go Pro in hand, of course – and spot a green turtle nesting in the corals; the mountain-topped lagoons of Palawan…All of the above are reasons why the Philippines can seem tailor-made for the Social Media maestro. Instagram spots are everywhere, except maybe in the capital. The good news is that TEFL teachers in Manila can easily hop to the white-sand beaches and forests, with loads of low-cost inter-island links available from the local airport.
Oman
The rugged Hajar mountains crash into the pearly Indian Ocean around the shores of Oman. Meanwhile, ad hoc wadis babble through creeks, and the famous monsoon of southerly Salalah offers surprising Instagram shots of lush vegetation. Oh, and did we mention that TEFL teachers in Oman can earn up to a whopping $3,900 USD/month?
Chile
No true adventurer’s Instagram feed is complete without a shot of the jagged Torres del Paine, rising like cathedrals against glaciers and ice fields in the midst of Chilean Patagonia. Yes, you are likely to have to venture to those places on your weekends off, but boy are they fodder for photographers! Topping them off are the snow-capped volcanos of the Chilean Lake District, and vibrant cities like Santiago, with skyscrapers silhouetted against the Andes.
Mexico
Colorful and characterful, Mexico is surely up there with the crème de la crème of Instagrammable TEFL destinations. Start in Mexico City, where you’ll snap shots of steamy taquerias and vast Spanish plazas. Then head to Guanajuato, for its barrio-draped hills and Wild West canyons. Finally, be sure to hit the coast, where Cancun and Merida look east to the white-sand beaches of the Caribbean.
Argentina
The south of Argentina is pure drama. The creaking Perito Moreno Glacier drops massive chunks of ice down there, and penguins wait for photographers along the isles of the Magellan Strait. But there are other areas, from the buzzy heart of Buenos Aires to the rolling winelands of Mendoza, sat in the shadow of the highest Andes of them all.
Portugal
In the north, your Instagram will show the pastel-painted palaces of the UNESCO Ribera in Porto. In Lisbon, there are gleaming Azulejo churches to photograph. In the Algarve, it’s all golden (seriously, no cliché) beaches framed by high cliffs. For some adrenaline-pumping Insta pics, there’s also always the Nazare surf spots of Norte, home to the largest waves on earth, or the dramatic Sagres surf beaches that poke into the Atlantic.
Italy
The Dolomites crash skywards, offering Instagram folk visions of needle-like peaks haloed in spruce forest, dotted with medieval churches and dashed by ski fields. The lakes come next, gleaming turquoise beneath lush ridges. Then there’s Tuscany, a dream for foodie photographers. And you’ve got Rome, where the temples and cobbled lanes always draw a gasp. It really is endless in this most enthralling of Instagrammable TEFL destinations.
Thailand
Thailand and Instagram have been a match made in heaven ever since the photo-based media channel went live back in 2010. What’s more, Thailand and TEFL have been a match made in heaven for a lot longer than that. The upshot? Anyone looking to travel the beautiful beaches and bays of this Southeast Asian gem while earning good money (wages in the Land of Smiles can be as much as $1,250 USD/month!) and bulking up their Insta feed is in luck. Shots of shimmering seas around Koh Phi Phi mingle with misty karst scenes in Pai. And that’s not even mentioning the human portraits up for grabs in buzzy Bangkok.
Japan
Teaching jobs in Japan might not be the easiest to come by, but this is such an Instagrammable TEFL destination that you certainly won’t have any trouble filling out the feed once you’re on the ground. Make for Mount Fuji to click pics of one of the world’s most majestic volcanos, capped with snow and peppered with mystical Shinto shrines. Or, stick to central Tokyo, where bright lights and neon converge on the body-packed Shibuya Crossing.
Vietnam
Another chart-topping TEFL spot in Southeast Asia that always gets people pulling out the smartphones for a cheeky picture or ten, Vietnam has oodles of places for the Instagram aficionado. Ha Long Bay is – of course – a haven. But there’s also lesser-known Ninh Binh, a sea of jutting peaks and temples, and the Mekong Delta, where river markets float between jungled waterways.
If you can think of anymore Instagrammable TEFL destinations that simply have to be on this list, we’d love to hear them in the comments below. Alternatively, if you want to start your photo collection by hitting the road, check out our available TEFL courses.
If you’re lucky enough to have scored a TEFL position in the land of Shinto shrines and sushi, and count yourself among the English teachers in Japan, this list is a must-read. It takes you through snow-capped mountains and into buzzing city districts. It bathes in hot springs and meets monkeys in the bamboo groves. It’s time to get exploring the islands!
Mount Fuji
The most legendary symbol of Japan rises a whopping 3,776 meters above the forests and cherry fields of Honshu. It’s been a mystical site of pilgrimage since anyone can remember. It’s easy to see why! With its cap of snow, its perfect cone-like topography, and its frequent halo of wispy cloud, the whole of Mount Fuji looks like a sleeping demigod; an abode of spirits and apparitions. Climbing the peak is a challenge, but an experience you’ll always remember. Alternatively, consider hitting the Chureito Pagoda for unrivaled views across to the summit.
Kamakura
There was a time when Kamakura eclipsed even Tokyo. It was the feudal center of Japan from the 12th century onwards, and an incubator for the rich Buddhist cultures that continue to inform the nation to this day. The glory years of the Minamoto shogun that dominated in the 1100s can still be seen in meditative shrines and temple complexes like the famous Kotoku-in, where an oversized Buddha keeps watch over the forested hills. Around that, Kamakura boasts plenty of veggie-organic eateries and even a hip surfer vibe thanks to its wave-rich beach.
Jigokudani
Deep in the sylvan hills and mountains of Nagano prefecture is the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. It’s known for its resident population of simians, who gather to groom and bathe in the natural onsen. They draw crowds of visitors with their humanlike displays of social behavior, and offer a glimpse into the wilder side of Japan. The surrounding region is known for its hot springs and age-old ryokan inns – so be sure to bag yourself a spa hotel for a little R&R!
Shirakawa-go
Transport yourself back in time with a visit to rustic Shirakawa-go. This is the Japan of old. Untouched and unchanged by the coming of the modern era, it’s a masterclass in the so-called gassho-zukuri architectural style. Keep your eyes peeled for the steep-roofed thatch houses that are often buried in snowdrifts come winter, or encircled by blooming grass meadows in summer. Mountains and woodlands in the vicinity also offer perfect terrain for pulling on the walking boots if you’re keen on a taste of nature.
Nagoya
It’s common for travelers, and even English teachers in Japan, to overlook the draws of Nagoya. Sat between Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s often out of the limelight. But it shouldn’t be. A stepped castle of green-tinged roofs represents one of the greatest powerhouses of the Edo period here. Around it are parks laden with cherry blossoms in the spring. And the city is a fine gateway to the mountains of central Honshu, for hiking in Higashiyama, waterfalls in Yoro, and forest watching in Asuke.
Shibuya
English teachers in Japan who are based in the capital will probably already know of this bustling, beating hub of the megacity. Enter Shibuya – a land of neon lights, glitzy shopping malls, gritty nightlife areas, and human-packed sidewalks. The main draw is often the iconic Shibuya Crossing, where millions (literally!) of people hop the traffic each day. However, you should also check out the colorful vintage shops of Harajuku, and the Shinto shrine at Jingu.
Hokkaido
Any English teachers in Japan with a penchant for pulling on the skis and salopettes should be sure to have Hokkaido close to the top of their to-do list. A whole island, it’s the northernmost of the Japan archipelago. That means a unique microclimate that benefits from cold Siberian air currents and some of the finest snow powder on the globe. Niseko boasts one of the most accomplished resorts in the region, but the city of Sapporo is another fine alternative. Come summer, Hokkaido transforms into an alpine wonderland, complete with remote valleys, fir forests, and lakes a la the Rockies!
Arashiyama
Bamboo that towers to the skies and shrouds the hiking paths dominates in Arashiyama. A spot that can seem tailor-made for the Instagram feed, this one’s all about native forests of the tall stuff. The whole district is an official place of scenic beauty. Come to delve into the bamboo woods and discover mystical Shinto shrines like the Zen Tenryu-ji Temple or old imperial mansions tucked into the groves. There’s really nowhere else like it on earth!
Of course, there are oodles more amazing places that English teachers in Japan should be sure to visit! If you’d like to mention one, be sure to drop it in the comments below. And if you think it’s time to get exploring this awesome country? Check out our TEFL jobs in Japan page.
Whether you’re looking for an exciting corner of town to live in or just want to get your bearings for that morning commute, this area guide for English teachers in Tokyo ranges across the fizzing, electrifying metropolis at the heart of Japan so you don’t have to. It’s got info on the historic center of the city, where cherry blossoms burst around ancient Shogun temples and palaces. It’s got the lowdown on the modern side of things, where skyscrapers sprout from mechanized streets and shopping plazas all lit up with neon lights. Let’s get started…
Chiyoda
Chiyoda is likely to be the Tokyo you’ve seen in the travel brochures. This is the ancient seat of Japanese power, the home of the Imperial Palace (the town’s number one landmark by most estimations). At its center, it’s dashed through by beautiful parklands that draw thousands during the annual cherry blossom. This is where you’ll find the remnants of the once-glorious Edo Castle, hemmed in by old moats, carved stone bridges, and mystical Shinto shrines. Chiyoda is also convenient for travelers and English teachers in Tokyo because it’s a major urban transport hub, hosting the Central Tokyo Station and its many high-speed rail links.
Shibuya
Big, bustling, business-mad Shibuya is one of the largest and most modern wards of the city. English teachers in Tokyo will know it as the home of the world-famous Shibuya Crossing – said to be the busiest pedestrian intersection on the planet (no jaywalking there, folks!). But Shibuya also packs in glitzy fashion areas with designer outlets, chic jewelry stores, and sleek noodle restaurants with creative Asian-European fusion food. Young’uns will gather amid the rambunctious pop-punk stores of Harajuku, which bursts with energy and life on the southern corner of Yoyogi Park.
Chuo
With one foot in the historic Tokyo docklands and another touching the heritage-rich district of Chiyoda, Chuo is a place to feel the workaday hustle of this sprawling town. First off, it’s the stomping ground of the Tsukiji Fish Market, which comes ringed by endless streams of seafood restaurants and a huge tuna auction house. It’s also got the Ginza boulevard, where you can hop some of the most exclusive clothing and fashion stores in the country. And for relaxation in these parts? Check out the Hama-rikyu Gardens, where Shogun nobles once went to sip brews in old tea houses and meditate over lily-padded ponds.
Shinjuku
Alight from the platforms of Shinjuku Station and you’ll be immersed in one of the most happening and buzzy corners of the Japanese capital. High skyscrapers loom all around, shopping malls spread out in shows of oversized billboards and twinkling lights, there are endless amounts of beer bars and steamy udon stalls. You can choose to head for Shin-Okubo Koreatown, where BBQ kitchens issue the scents of meat broths into the air. You can go for the Golden Gai, where pint-sized bars slosh with whiskeys and rice wine. Or, you can hit gritty Kabukicho, the largest red-light district in all of Tokyo.
Taito
Any history-loving English teachers in Tokyo should be sure to add Taito to their list of must-see areas. Considered one of the anchors of the old city, it’s laced with Edo-era mansions and the temple-speckled reserves of Ueno Park. On rainy days, consider delving into the vast Tokyo National Museum, which fills countless halls with priceless East Asian art and sculpture. The real piece de resistance is surely the Senso-ji shrine, though. Head there to duck under red-painted gateways and into legendary Buddhist worshipping rooms.
English teachers in Tokyo can look forward to salaries that max out around the $2,500/month mark. Positions are competitive in this amazing country, but we’ve got all the info you need to start searching for them over on our Japan jobs page. Alternatively, if you’re a veteran of teaching in Tokyo and have more awesome neighborhoods to share, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
With everything from majestic Shinto shrines to electric cityscapes, amazing history to blossom-blooming forests and snow-topped peaks in the backcountry, Japan really is a chart-topper of an expat destination. We’re opening up new opportunities in the immersive country this year, which is why we’re taking a look at 10 awesome places to teach English in Japan…
Tokyo…obviously
Tokyo is a megacity that really needs no introduction. Seething and sprawling with its millions of inhabitants, it’s a place that goes from the buzzing and electric to the soothing and calm with the turn of a street. One minute you can be meditating between the gingko trees of the Meiji Shinto Shrine, the next you could be navigating the booming crowds of Shibuya Crossing or sampling meticulously made sashimi beneath the kitschy bars of Harajuku. It’s a truly immersive place to start any TEFL journey in Japan.
Fukuoka
The country’s sixth-largest city and the main hub of the island of Kyushu is a real doozy of a choice for folk looking to teach English in Japan. It’s got an active expat community that draws in eclectic characters from all across the globe. There are green parks and mystical temples packed into the pretty Gion district. There are super-tasty egg-based noodles steaming in the kitchens of Nagahama. And there are sandy beaches like Momochi sloping down into the Sea of Japan.
Osaka
In a flurry of okonomiyaki (baked pancakes topped with sauces, cabbage and meat) and yuba (tofu infused with soy sauce), Osaka stakes its claim to the title to Japan’s gastronomic king. Foodies looking to teach English in Japan won’t be disappointed by the sheer wealth of exotic dishes and plates that bursts from the countless eateries of the city. Throw in the millennia-old Osaka Castle and a peppering of handsome Shinto shrines and it’s easy to see why Osaka continues to charm.
Sapporo
One for the powder hounds, Sapporo sits tucked into a wide bay on the north-western side of Hokkaido island. Famed for its plumes of super-fine winter snow, it’s the gateway to Japan’s best skiing terrain – think fresh falls everyday and speedy runs down the sides of cone-shaped volcanos. The city itself is green and leafy, crisscrossed by blocks of bohemian cafes and cutting-edge dining joints that combine to give it something of a reputation for culinary excellence.
Nagoya
With its gorgeous 17th-century castle and iconic TV spire (a sort of Japanese Eiffel Tower mock up), Nagoya certainly isn’t short of landmarks. But they aren’t what made this booming city so prosperous. That’s down to the car giant Toyota, which has infused it with an industrial energy over the years. Green parks and a clutch of enthralling science museums give the place a cerebral edge, while the location in Chubu region means cities like Osaka and Kyoto are all within striking distance for those weekends away from the EFL classroom.
Kyoto
Kyoto is tailor-made for culture vultures. With its myriad temples, Shinto shrines and monasteries, it’s surely one of the most immersive places to teach English in Japan. A whopping 17 individual sites in the city are designated under UNESCO, ranging from the serene gardens of the Ninnaji Pagoda to the cherry-blossom surrounds of the Kiyomizu-dera temple. And talking of cherry blossoms, this is the place to see the famous Hanami (spring bloom festival) swing around in March and May.
Hiroshima
After being levelled by an atomic bomb in the 1940s, Hiroshima sprung back into life to become one of the most enthralling and attractive cities in the country. You can still see monuments of that at the haunting Hiroshima Peace Memorial, also packing in jaunts to the gabled roofs of Hiroshima Castle and the banzai-topped lawns of Asano Park. And don’t leave without trying the famous Hiroshima okonomiyaki pancakes – they are said to be the best of all.
Yokohama
A vibrant and bustling port city that sits just a whisker to the south of Tokyo, Yokohama offers an all-in-one bout of Japanese history and hedonism. With its lantern-lit Chinatown and period-style Sankei-en Park, its soaring skyscrapers and quirky museums dedicated to the likes of cup noodles, you’re bound to find plenty to keep you entertained on the weekends.
Kobe
Over 1.5 million people call Kobe home, not to mention a booming bunch of expats and EFL grads wanting to teach English in Japan. It’s easy to see why both the natives and the new arrivals wax lyrical about the place, what with that handsome location in the shadow of Mount Rokko, those compact boulevards lined with trees and lively promenades fringing the Philippine Sea. Be sure to hit the Kitano Ijinkan area to get a flavor of multicultural and heritage-rich Kobe at its best.
Okinawa
A far cry from the snow-dusted heights of Hokkaido and even the neon-lit urban jungle of Tokyo, Okinawa channels a Hawaiian vibe with its tropical weather and powdery beaches. There might not be so many jobs for those looking to teach English in Japan on this palm-topped island of the south, but if you do manage to bag one you can look forward to weekends of tanning yourself on gorgeous beaches, snorkelling in coral reefs and swimming in turquoise seas.
We can’t guarantee that every applicant will bag the job their after in Japan – that’s just how competitive it is when hitting this enthralling gem of the Far East. We do have opportunities there on a teach English in Japan package – be sure to check it out for more information.
With Christmas just gone and blizzards sweeping across the Northern Hemisphere, it’s high time to shift the focus away from sun-drenched Thailand and the misty tropics of Vietnam, up to the colder climes of the planet. There are plenty of places there that offer opportunities for teachers; places with peaks and plains that will come doused in ice from December to March; winter TEFL destinations with snow and winter charm and just a few ski pistes between them. Check them out…
France
English teaching in France has long been one of the most coveted goals of EFL folk looking to enjoy everything from beaches to snow-doused slopes. Yep, France is one those rare places where you can get it all. Just take the iconic French Riviera, where eucalyptus-scented bays of pearly water are backed by the rugged rises of the coastal Alps. It’s not far from there before you get to the highland towns of Savoie and the Haute Alpes – think ski meccas and snow bowls galore.
Austria
TEFL teaching in Austria might not seem like a mainstream choice but there are actually plenty of positions available in towns like Salzburg, Innsbruck and Vienna – all of which sit neatly on the edge of the Alps. Freelance hiring is the name of the game in this ski-mad swathe of central Europe, and there’s hefty competition for jobs. Still, if the payoff is some of the most accomplished winter resorts in the world – from Mayrhofen to St Anton – and plumes of the white stuff starting in November, it’s certainly one worth thinking about.
© Chi Tranter
Japan
Powder hounds with an eye for the pistes will likely have heard the legend of the Hokkaido snows. It’s said that a rare natural phenomenon that sees cold Siberian airs falling over the high volcanos of northern Japan ensures there’s always head-high drifts dousing the ridges of this far-flung island. And it’s not just there that you can go to find the white stuff outside of Tokyo. The high peaks that line the coast like a tiara on the north-east edge of Honshu are also a good hunting ground in the winter, offering curious treats like the Yokote Kamakura Festival of igloo building and the steaming hot springs of Nyuto Onsen.
Poland
Just uttering the word ‘Poland‘ can often be enough to get people shivering with visions of the icy Baltic Sea and the snow-topped Tatra Mountains. And while that’s hardly a fair reflection of the country’s steamy continental summers, it’s certainly a good picture of its sub-zero winter months. You could base yourself in the fascinating Germanic city of Wroclaw to wander cobbled streets covered in powder. You could stick to tried-and-tested (and UNESCO-loved) Krakow, where the Old Town becomes a wonderland around December. Or, you could even aim for the mountain towns themselves, which offer access to the ski pistes of the Carpathians.
Czech Republic
There’s nothing quite like getting lost in the labyrinthine alleys of historic Prague during the colder months. Gothic turrets peek out from the red-tiled roofs here and there. Mind-boggling statues that summon the spectre of Kafka lurk in the alcoves. Hidden monuments speak of Slavic kings or stand next to fire-warmed beer bars. It’s simply a brilliant town to while away those TEFL winters in. It’s also one of the most loved winter TEFL destinations with snow in Europe, especially as those Christmas markets linger on throughout January. For even more in the way of powder, you can head north to the Krkonoše and borderlands with Poland, where you’ll find the best skiing in Czech Republic.
From Taiwan to Japan, Korea to Russia, there are countless more winter TEFL destinations with snow on the menu for those who want a colder year than in Thailand or Nam’. Check more of them out over on our destinations page…