Becoming a ski instructor lets you escape the 9-5, enjoy an alpine office and make the most of the beautiful white stuff 24/7! But how do you make this dream a reality? Here’s the complete guide on how to become a ski instructor, from deciding on where to go to choosing the right ski instructor course.
What steps should I take to become a ski instructor?
If you perform the search “how to become a ski instructor”, Google will return an array of different responses -the diversity of which will probably only add to your confusion! The simple answer is that there are numerous ways to become a ski instructor and you need to find the right path for you.
Starting your research into how to become a ski instructor can seem daunting, but we are here to help you navigate the wood from the trees and find the best solution for you. Becoming a ski instructor is the best decision you’ll make, so hopefully, our guide will make the research process simple so that you can start training as soon as possible.
There are three main decisions you need to make:
- Where to work
- Which qualification to do
- Which course to do, based on your current level
It really is as simple as that.
Where To Work
Choosing which country you want to work as a ski instructor in is the first important decision you have to make. This is because each country has its own qualification system, and some countries even have multiple qualification systems. European countries like France and Switzerland offer great job prospects, as does Canada.
What qualifications do I need to be a ski instructor?
The qualifications needed to become a ski instructor vary from country to country.
The role of a Ski Instructor Association is to train and examine trainee ski instructors, ensuring their qualifications stay valid and that they meet each of the various international requirements. Every nation will have its own Ski Instructors Association and, whilst there are subtle differences between each of them, they all operate in essentially the same way.
If you only ever want to work in Canada for example, then you will choose a CSIA qualification but the downside of this is that CSIA qualifications are not recognized across Europe, so you would not be able to work as a ski instructor in European ski resorts.
If you want to work across Europe, then you need a qualification from a European provider like BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors). BASI is the national training and grading provider for professional snowsport instructing and coaching qualification and is the most widely accepted qualification for British (and other nationalities) snowsports instructors teaching across the Globe.
Not all ski instructor qualifications are recognised in every country, so you will need to first choose where you want to work so that you can choose a ski course to fit your future plans. Having to re-train due to poor prior planning sucks!
Are Any of The Systems Easier than Others?
In a word no. Some systems have tricky starts, others start gently and ramp up towards the end. In order to fully qualify in any system that allows you to work anywhere in the world, you are going to have to ski really well, no matter which system you choose.
Which Qualification System Do You Use?
We use BASI, the British Association of Snowsports Instructors. This is for a few reasons. One of the main reasons is that throughout the qualification system it is fairly well recognised across the globe.
At BASI 2 and 3, the only major omission from the list is France and upon completion of the BASI 4 or ISTD, it is recognised everywhere in the world.
Another advantage of the BASI system is that it is slightly easier to get started. Some systems require very tough entrance exams that mean many aspiring instructors are lost straight away. BASI however, while having a very high standard of final level that matches any system, does allow trainees to spend a little more time preparing for this while simultaneously working.
Once you have chosen your qualification, it is time to select a ski instructor course.
Choosing a Ski Instructor Course
Who are BASI?
BASI, the British Association of Snowsports Instructors, is the national training and grading provider for professional snowsport instructing and coaching qualifications. It is the most widely accepted qualification for British (and other nationality) snowsports instructors teaching across the globe.
The BASI Levels
Within the BASI system, there are 4 different levels of ski instructor qualification. Each level you complete opens up new doors to more interesting and varied work in an increasing number of countries around the world.
BASI Levels 1 & 2
- The BASI Levels 1 and 2 courses are aimed at trainee instructors who are just starting out in their ski sports career.
- The BASI Level 1 course qualifies you to work on dry ski slopes and indoor ski centres in the UK. In some countries where there are no legal requirements for ski instructors to hold a formal qualification, then you may find that you are able to get employment there too.
- With your BASI Level 2 qualification, you are able to teach in a mountain environment on marked runs. This qualification is very well-recognised, and the only country you can not legally work with a BASI Level 2 is in France.
BASI Level 3 & 4
- With your BASI Level 3 course, you are able to teach on and off-piste within the resort boundaries. Your BASI level 3 qualification earns you your ISIA stamp (but still does not qualify you to work in France).
- The BASI Level 4 qualification is the final part of your puzzle! With your BASI 4, you are able to work in France and teach on and off-piste, regardless of the resort boundaries. The only limitation is you can not guide people off-piste on glaciated terrain (this privilege is reserved for high mountain guides only). The BASI level 4 qualifies you for the ISTD award and is among the highest recognised qualifications in snowsports instruction.
The world of ski instruction is competitive so to have a real chance at succeeding in becoming a ski instructor, you really need your BASI Level 2 qualification at least.
The BASI Level 2 is a gateway qualification and is recognised all over the globe. With your BASI 2 under your belt, you should find it easy to find work during the peak weeks and support yourself as you continue through the season. At this stage, you should also have a basic understanding of the language of the country in which you wish to teach.
In order to make a real career in ski instruction, you need to achieve your ISIA award. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect: BASI Level 2 Exam
Decisions Made… What do You Need to Get Started
The world of ski instruction is competitive so to have a real chance at succeeding in becoming a ski instructor, you really need your BASI Level 2 qualification at least.
The BASI Level 2 is a gateway qualification and is recognised all over the globe. With your BASI 2 under your belt, you should find it easy to find work during the peak weeks and support yourself as you continue through the season. At this stage, you should also have a basic understanding of the language of the country in which you wish to teach.
In order to make a real career in ski instruction, you need to achieve your ISIA award. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect: BASI Level 2 Exam
How good do I need to be to become a ski instructor?
BASI Level 1 is the entry-level for people that are looking to become a ski instructor. It allows you to teach skiing in a non-mountain environment, like in a snowdome or on a dry-slope. In order to do a BASI Level 1, you need to be able to ski parallel confidently, coping with a variety of conditions, including skiing parallel on a red run, making rhythmical short turns at a steady pace, and skiing parallel long turns on a green/blue slope with the skis carving the last two-thirds of the turn. We recommended that people do at least 16 full weeks of skiing before applying.
Speaking other languages
At New Generation, we provide weekly language lessons for our trainees. Learning to speak another language is a great idea for ski instructors as it gives you extra desirable skills, integrates you into the local community and can even help you in an emergency. Not to mention it’s fun! Find out more about our French lessons here.
Find Out More
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for your Ski Instructor Course
