Course Features
- BASI level 1 and BASI level 2 training
- BASI level 1 exam
- BASI level 2 exam
- BASI child protection module
- BASI membership fees
- 2-day outdoor first aid course
- Freestyle training
- Race training
- Off-piste coaching
- Self-catered accommodation
- Avalanche safety training >>
- Off-snow theory sessions
- Video analysis
- Support team on and off snow
- Ski school shadowing experience
- Pre-course fitness programme
- Employment opportunities after the course >>
- Discounts on ski equipment
The Accommodation
Welcome to Chalet Claire Joie
Claire is a beautiful chalet with a warm and modern feel. The chalet is located just a few minutes walk from the centre of Verbier in Place Central. With bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shops on your doorstep and the various social events in the Verbier Centre, this is a great area full of evening entertainment.
The chalet is just a ten-minute stroll from the main Medran lift station. There’s also a bus stop outside the chalet for even quicker access to the lift station if you need it. For the sports enthusiasts, the sports centre and gym are also an easy 10-15 minute walk away.
Being in the centre of Verbier means nothing is too far away, and you’re right on top of the social scene meaning you can make the best of your time on and off skis. This is undoubtedly the best location to meet new people and experience Verbier’s huge variety of culture and activities.
The accommodation on our Verbier ski instructor courses include:
- Two twin bedrooms
- One triple bedroom
- One single bedroom
- Cleaning, bed linen and towels provided
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Two bathrooms with bath/shower and WC
- TV
- Storage space
- Large balcony
- Washing machines and tumble dryer are located in the laundrette across the road.
Please note: This course doesn’t include any meals. You can choose to add an evening meal package when booking the course.
Your Coaches
Mischa Wykurz
Ski Instructor Course Structure
Week 1 and 2 - Fundamentals
Key focus – introduction to course content, personal performance
The fundamentals of our course are based on teaching the core principles of skiing, having fun and learning. Our structured learning path adapts to each learner’s pace, ensuring you progress quickly. Weeks 1 and 2 are designed to go over the course structure and assess your skiing proficiency.
Central theme:
- Grasping the central theme and its significance to skiing
- Reviewing the principles of skiing and their application
Core components:
- Developing balance, agility, and coordination on skis
- Enhancing edging, rotation, pressure control, and rhythm
- Comprehending the link between results and inputs
Performance templates:
- Understanding and demonstrating performance templates for various skiing abilities
- Teaching the templates to students and analysing their technique
- Understand the difference between development activities and assessment activities
Week 3 - BASI level 1 exam
Key focus – the BASI L1 exam
Here’s your chance to prove yourself and showcase all you’ve learned on the slopes. Week 3 features your BASI level 1 exam, ensuring your progress is on point, combining technique with safety.
L1 assessment
- Understanding the BASI L1 assessment criteria
- Demonstrating the required skiing and teaching abilities for the BASI L1 exam
Technical and teaching
- Developing a technical understanding of skiing concepts and their application
- Improving teaching techniques for beginner and intermediate skiers
Week 4 and 5 - Development
Key focus – enhancing individual performance, off-piste adventures and essential mountain safety
As you progress through the course, you’ll delve deeper into refining your skiing abilities. Venturing into new terrains, your coach will be there to guide you and ensure your safety. Alongside sharpening your skiing skills, you’ll be taught how to become a patient and efficient instructor.
Speed management
- Developing techniques to increase speed and control
- Understanding the effects that speed has on skiing
Explore the terrain
- Navigating varied terrains, including challenging bumps, moguls, and steep descents
- Adapting skiing techniques to different terrains
Teaching sessions
- Enhancing your ability to instruct across different skier abilities and terrains
- Planning and delivering effective teaching sessions
Mountain safety
- Understanding and practising mountain safety techniques
- Developing awareness and strategies to minimise risks
Week 6 - Shadowing
Key focus – observing your group, fine-tuning your technical skills and practising
In Week 6 you’ll immerse yourself in the core of instructional dynamics, working alongside our experienced instructors. You’ll gain firsthand insights into managing group lessons and engaging with your group which means handling group dynamics.
Group lessons
- Shadowing experienced instructors in group lessons
- Observing and learning effective teaching techniques
Private lessons
- Shadowing experienced instructors in private lessons
- Developing communication skills and teaching methods tailored to the individual
Group management
- Understanding group dynamics and how to manage groups effectively
- Developing strategies to engage and motivate students
Training plan
- Developing a personal training plan to improve skiing and teaching abilities
- Identifying areas for improvement and setting achievable goals
Week 7 and 8 - Shaping
Key focus – personal performance, delivery, exam preparation
During Weeks 7 and 8, we’ll refine your turns and movements, aiming for excellent execution across all the different terrains. By this point, you’ll be skiing with steadiness and consistency. This is the last practice time before you sit your BASI L2 examination, so it’s essential to use this time efficiently.
Refining movements
- Refining skiing movements and techniques
- Developing precision and skiing finesse
Accuracy
- Developing accuracy and consistency in skiing
- Understanding the importance of these movements
Consistency
- Ensuring a consistent skiing technique adaptable to varying terrains and conditions
- Practising effective self-evaluation techniques
Prepare for the exam
- Preparing for the BASI L2 exam
- Practising skiing and teaching techniques required for the exam
Week 9 and 10 - BASI level 2 exam
Key focus –time to get serious
Under the watchful eyes of a BASI trainer, you’ll navigate technical and teaching assignments over this eight-day exam. The trainer will evaluate your ability to teach skiing to beginners and intermediates on marked and open runs, as well as teaching within the structure of a ski school. Every input, turn, and instruction you give will be observed so your trainer can provide constructive feedback in the form of a written action plan intended to help improve your performance as a ski instructor.
The course covers a variety of subjects over the eight days, including:
- Central theme, piste performance, bumps, steeps, variables and freestyle
- Technical understanding of the central theme and beyond
- Performance analysis of the central theme and beyond
- Communication skills
- Developing performance
- Match teaching to guest needs
- Teaching principles
- TIED and the use of teaching tools
- Lesson flow and content
- Climate setting
- Reviewing skills
FAQ’S
What level of expertise is required to enrol in the ski instructor course Verbier?
You should be able to confidently execute linked parallel turns on a sharp red slope within a 3-metre corridor, managing their pace. It’s essential to be at ease on all marked pistes.
What is the best Airport to fly to?
We recommend you fly to Geneva Airport. Not only is it one of the major international hubs in the region, but it also offers the most straightforward and efficient transport connections to Verbier.
How do you get from Geneva Airport to Verbier?
The best way to get to the resort is by train. Trains run from Geneva Airport to Le Chable twice an hour with no changes. There are also numerous transfer services available from Geneva, ensuring a smooth journey to your destination in Verbier.
You can find out all the information you need using the official Verbier Transport Website
Do you need to be able to snowboard?
Not at all. Your primary focus for the BASI Level 1 or 2 is skiing. However, many BASI instructors opt to learn snowboarding since a secondary discipline is required for your BASI Level 3.
Does the course include a ski pass?
No, your season lift pass isn’t directly incorporated into the Verbier Course fee. In Verbier, the cost of a lift pass can fluctuate based on factors like age and desired additional insurance. To streamline the process, we’ve excluded the lift pass from the Verbier course cost, resulting in a more affordable course fee for you.
You can secure your lift pass through the Lift Company Website. However, if you prefer, we can sort it out for you on your behalf and integrate it into your course payment—just give us a heads-up beforehand. Remember, there are often Early Bird Discounts for Verbier lift passes from July through September. So bear this in mind if you want to get a good deal.
Do you need avalanche safety equipment for the course?
Yes. For secure off-piste skiing, it’s essential to be equipped with a transceiver, shovel, and probe. If you haven’t got this safety gear, you’ll need to rent it for the off-piste sessions. While these items aren’t part of the standard ski instructor course package, they can be added as an optional add-on, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
Do you need to speak a second language?
Possessing multilingual abilities is beneficial to your job hunt both immediately after the course and in the longer run but this course is delivered in English.
Will you get a job after the course?
Securing a job is, of course, based on the country you applying in recognising your qualifications and having the correct work permit status. Different ski countries have varying qualification thresholds. To help you the best we can, we put on employment workshops, that offer insights into how to secure a ski instructor position. Once you’ve successfully cleared your BASI level 2 examinations, you’ll be able to interview for a role within our own instructor family. This could lead to employment during peak times like Christmas, Half-Term, and Easter.
What qualifications do our coaches have?
All of our instructors are credentialed professionals. We employ a mix of BASI trainers and specialist mentors to ensure you’re ready for your exams. On top of this, you’ll get the experience of observing other BASI instructors in action.
What is meant by "The Central Theme"?
The ‘central theme’ is a BASI term that outlines the stages that ski instructors employ to systematically guide learners from their initial stages to becoming proficient parallel skiers. This instructional framework will be analysed in detail during the on-slope sessions.
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10 week course: 02 DEC 2023 – 10 FEB 2024
OR
10 week course: 17 FEB 2024 – 20 APR 2024
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