Ski & Snowboard Instructor courses
Ski Academy Switzerland are running a Summer course. The PSIA Summer Programme has been designed for
potential ski instructors to train and qualify with Ski Academy Switzerland. Completion of your PSIA
course will enable you to work for the winter 2008/9 season as a ski instructor in Ski Schools across Europe or the USA.
Click here to view details and apply
There are recognised qualifications and courses on offer from a wide variety of
training organisations that will suit budding
ski and snowboarding instructors,
or people who want to dramatically improve in their chosen sport. Some even promise
guaranteed work on passing their courses so you can kill two birds with one stone.
Courses run from around 5 days in length for a basic qualification or a short period
of intensive coaching, or up to 3 months for more comprehensive requirements and
snowsports based gap years. Most British operators have large European programmes,
and gap year options further afield in the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
If you want to instruct professionally make sure your chosen course delivers an
internationally recognised qualification.
Instructor courses
Pursuing a ski instructor qualification will aid in finding a job where you have
some of the best skiing in the world on your doorstep, a free lift pass and a great
opportunity to hone your ability. Formalized instruction methods and teaching principles
are at the heart of all good courses. Most are designed to give you the qualifications
you need to work anywhere in the world but it is always essential to check the credentials
of the instructors in the school you are considering attending. You should also
be prepared to have your delusions of how good you are shattered by unimpressed
examiners!
Ski instructors are trained to standards recognised by their own national organizations
(i.e. in Britain this is BASI). These organisations then offer an ‘International’
level qualification which is overseen by the International Ski Instructors Alliance.
Don't hesitate to ask about the qualifications and languages spoken of the instructors
in a school you are considering.
To save you doing it, we asked some leading British and Canadian Snowsports training
organisations some daft questions. One of the most frequent questions we are asked
is "Is there any point getting a British qualification if I want to work in France,
Canada or the USA. Their responses are included
in the full article here.
So if you are convinced that you are going to spend seasons swanning around bars
in your ‘Moniteur’ jacket, us the search options above or click here for ski &
snowboard instructor courses.
How do I know if my qualification is an official one?
ISIA (The International Ski
Instructors Association) is the world body for professional ski instructors. There
are currently 30 nations affiliated with ISIA, each with their own national organisation
for snow sports instruction. The U.K. member is BASI (British Association of Snowsports
Instructors). They provide instructor, and examiner courses in alpine skiing, Snowboarding,
Nordic skiing, Telemarking and adaptive skiing. Many BASI trained instructors present
courses abroad – check for the BASI ‘Licensed training centre’ logo. Having a qualification
from one countries ISIA member organisation usually allows your qualifications to
be transferred into other member countries systems. This can be particularly handy
if you want to use an existing qualification to gain entry to higher level course.
Check the ISIA website for a current list of member organisations.
With all reputable training providers there is a strong safety element built into
the course. BASP (The British
Association of Ski Patrollers) also based in Northern Scotland, provide rescue and
first aid services in British Ski areas. They also train BASI instructors, tour
operator staff and winter sports clubs in safety related areas. Many BASP instructors
are qualified BASI ski instructors, Mountain Leaders or Instructors, or Paramedics.
Most course operators have venues in France, USA, Switzerland, Italy and some (notably
BASI themselves) have courses in the UK. You can even go to the European Alps and
do a course on a glacier in the Summer. (Saas Fee in Switzerland has a great North
facing glacier and is highly recommended).