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Ski Instructor Courses
Become a Ski Instructor with the Winter Sports Company.
We provide professional ski instructor courses, designed to give you the greatest platform to advance your skiing. From 3 week introductory courses, to a massive 18-week full season.
Whether you’re serious about a career, or just looking for an epic winter. Join us and work towards internationally recognised qualifications and have the ultimate winter season.
Our Range of Courses.
SKI INSTRUCTOR COURSES
Which is the best ski instructor course for you? A lot comes down to the location, the qualifications you want to achieve, and your budget.
Read our blog to help guide you through the process and select the right course for you.
SKI PATROL COURSES
The Patrol course is our most intense program, with up to 40hrs of training each week. It’s rewarding and perfect if you don’t want to instruct.
But what is a Patrol Course, and where can it lead you?
SKI INTERNSHIPS
Ski Instructor Internships are a popular option, giving you a full season and paid work. It spreads the cost and is the fastest way into the industry.
Get the low down to help you see the pro’s and con’s of an internship.
Honest Unfiltered Reviews on TrustPilot
Why Choose Our Ski Instructor Courses?
Based in world-class resorts in Canada, Switzerland and New Zealand, you’re guaranteed some of the best vertical, snow and off-piste conditions. With over a decade of experience, our packages include all you need to succeed and more. From fully inclusive courses including slope-side accommodation and food to bespoke packages, there are no hidden extras in our prices – we don’t want you to worry about your budget; we want you to focus on training, qualifying and having fun.
Our ethos at the Winter Sports is that the client always comes first. We live for positive feedback and reviews which means we go that extra mile to make sure you’re happy. From start to finish we offer more support than other providers so that you get the best service out there. You’ll be dealing personally with the directors of the company, as nobody cares more than us.
A ski instructor at Level 1 or 2 earns a modest wage (CAD$17-26 per hour) , but can quickly increase his or her potential by climbing the ladder to Level 3 or 4 within their body of qualifications. Increasing their private requests, working as a dual certified instructor, tips and bonuses and acheiving mini celebrity statuses all help to bring in the endorsements and increased earnings. Till you reach those dizzy heights, a Level 3 instructor will be your benchmark and bring in approximately (CAD$23-28 per hour) but also more hours work per week as you become more employable.
Becoming a certified ski instructor can take as little as 3 days if your skills are eligible to pass the CSIA Level 1 course. Most Level 1 Ski Instructor courses are conducted over 3-5 days due to its high pass rate, depending on the governing body. However it is recommended to enrol on pre-course training with a provider such as the Winter Sports Company to best prepare for the Level 1 and most definitely the Level 2 ski instructor exams. This preparation can commonly take 2-3 weeks before taking the Level 1 certification and a further 5 weeks before taking the Level 2 certification. Successful applicants will be able to work in many countries around the world with a Level 2 certificate with either CSIA, BASI, NZSIA, PSIA to name a few.
The best ski instructor course depends on many factors like expert coaching, suitable terrain for the training, internationally recognised qualifications, teaching opportunities or potential internship positions within the resort. Small group training benefits the student, but also consider other elements like having an environment which has less interruptions such as cat tracks, hazards, flat ski areas, crowded slopes, and icy conditions. Overall a good ski coach, excellent terrain and a well equipped resort hosting a popular governing body will ensure a fantastic ski instructor course.
Ski instructor courses typically cost between GBP £3,500 and £10,000 depending on the location, duration, and what’s included. Packages often cover transfers, training, lift passes, accommodation, exams, and some meals. Full-season courses combining Level 1 and 2 qualifications tend to cost in the region of £6500-9500 but provide better career prospects. Shorter, fast-track Level 1-only courses are less expensive (£3000-5000) but may require further investment later to reach higher certification levels. As a good rule of thumb depending on where you fly to and from you could say comfortably that £1000 per week will cover EVERYTHING that is connected with the course including your flights, insurance, equipment, food, spending money and course fees.
To become a ski instructor you generally need to hold a Level 1 licence with a recognised governing body such as CSIA in Canada, PSIA in the USA, BASI in UK, NZSIA in New Zealand and the new PSIE in Europe. Whilst Level 1 concentrates on basic introductory skills, it is also focuses on safety and safeguarding in this new environment. The Level 2 & 3 furthers this knowledge increasing the advanced skills and techniques over more challenging terrain. The Level 2 certificate is considered the benchmark to sustain a successful career around the world as a ski instructor.
If you have no experience skiing then no, however if you are a good intermediate skier but no teaching experience, then yes. Gaining the necessary tools and skills along the way to confidently teach and become a good ski instructor is part of the learning process. Assuming you can link turns on a red run at a moderate speed will allow you to join a ski instructor course or better still, if you have prior teaching, coaching, babysitting, volunteering experience with kids you could be eligible to join a ski instructor internship with a provider such as the Winter Sports Company, giving you that important foot in the door to kickstart your career.
Quick answer is no, there are differing levels of difficulty in passing your exams as you progress. Whilst we offer no guaruntees, we will give you all the necessary training and more to get you successfully across that finish line, with a 99% pass rate at Level 1 each year and statistically between 92-97% pass rate at Level 2 on average across all our resorts. Our high pass rates are no secret, but can be credited to our clients being strongly encouraged to turn up fit (not try to get fit out there!) and we provide them with the right equipment. This ensures half the challenge is a success, the rest is down to our thorough training programmes and a little luck on the day to get you across the finish line. Level 3 has a much lower pass rate nationally around 20% of clients pass annually. It will require dedication and hard work to reach this higher level but could be accomplished within 2-3 winters.
Winter Sports Company
Ski Instructor Qualifications
The Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance is the governing body in Canada. At Winter Sports, we provide comprehensive training up to CSIA Level 3.
In Europe, we focus on the British Association of Snow Sports Instructors. It is also one of the few tickets that will let you enter the French system once having completed the speed test.
Our courses in New Zealand provide training towards the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance certified qualifications, up to Level 3.
