Join our 10 week instructor course in Saas Fee, Switzerland

10 week instructor course in Saas Fee

Join us for an unforgettable adventure with our 10-week instructor course in Saas Fee! The glacier village of Saas-Fee, fringed by 13 four-thousand-metre peaks, has the descriptive nickname “The Pearl of the Alps” among winter sports enthusiasts in Switzerland.

Together with Saas-Grund and Saas-Almagell, the resort forms a ski region that is very snow-sure during the winter months. The slopes are located at an altitude of up to 3,600 meters. A large part of the slopes in the glacier ski area can even be used 10 months per year.

All the more reason for us to be proud to present a unique winter season experience, a fully English spoken level 1 and 2 ski instructor training program in Saas Fee.

A winter in Saas Fee

Our extensive 10 week level 1+2 ski instructor course in Saas Fee is one of the absolute best ways to experience the season life and set yourself up for work in a future season!

The course consists of training in both the Technical and Teaching elements required for the Level 1 and Level 2 exam. Alongside these elements, you will also enjoy Off Piste/Mountain Safety training, ski tuning clinics and have the opportunity to visit other resorts around Switzerland with the Magic Pass.

If you are not an EU passport holder or eligible to stay in Switzerland for long stays, this is the perfect course for you, keeping your stay under 90 days and still getting the full instructor experience.

The instructor life

Saas Fee has some of Europe’s best training and ski/ride terrain. It is an incredible snow sure resort in the Alps, with a glacier that allows snowsports for 10 months of the year. The village is a stunning, car-free, chocolate box Swiss mountain village. Everything is within walking distance and with a plethora of bars, restaurants and other facilities, there is never a dull moment!

Former Snowminders say it’s the best snow they’ve ever experienced compared to other areas due to the altitude and aspect! What was outstanding for our instructors was the genuine charm of the village, its vibrant and fun apres ski and its breath-taking mountain scenery. That’s what makes Saas-Fee a genuine all-round winter wonderland.

Enjoy a cosy fondue evening with your ski school team or experience the sunrise at 3,500 m above sea level, including early morning skiing with the whole bunch! These and many more winter experiences are waiting for you!

What do you get from Snowminds?

We’ve created a holistic winter experience from either December until February, or February to April, where you will become a certified ski or snowboard instructor. With this course package, you can look forward to the following benefits:

A winter in Saas Fee
10 weeks of shared accommodation in Saas Fee
Snowminds Team leader during the course
Magic lift pass (access to over 50 ski resorts across Switzerland)
170+ intensive hours level 1+2 training program including video analysis and evening sessions
Level 1+2 BASI exams including all fees, materials, and membership
Shadowing opportunities
Off Piste/Mountain Safety training
Ski/ Snowboard tuning clinics
Ski school orientation, preparing you for life as a certified ski instructor
Social team events during the season
Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
Pre-season fitness program
Kick-off event in September with group team building etc.
Preparation guidance and tips regarding packing, insurance, visa, etc., before, during, and after the season
Travel protection with Snowminds Money Back Guarantee

What is not included?

Transportation to/from Saas Fee, Switzerland*
Cancellation & travel insurance
Any registration fees, health insurance or tourist tax
First aid course**
Housing deposit
All meals and anything else not mentioned above

As a Snowminds trademark, we take care of all the practicalities and coordinate with our professional partners in Switzerland to provide you with a life-long experience!

* We are happy to assist with recommendations for booking airline tickets and airport transfers to your final destination. Please reach out to us ANYTIME if you are interested.

** First Aid certification is not included, however, we are happy to arrange a first aid course for you if are not already First Aid trained.

Travel itinerary

There are several options for you to consider. We are running two back-to-back 10 week level 1+2 ski and snowboard courses simultaneously. You can choose between the period of December-February or February-April.

If you are doing the early season course, it gives you an opportunity to get qualified and then go and work in a ski resort from February Half Term onwards. If you are taking the later course, it enables you to get qualified in time for either the Southern Hemisphere winter or gets you ahead of the game for the next winter season!

In case you are not necessarily looking at teaching, the short course is a fantastic opportunity to hugely up your ski or snowboard level, without having to commit to a full season. If you are more interested in work opportunities during the season we would recommend our full-season Level 1+2 course in Saas Fee.

Example of a course program:

Week 1: First aid training 16 hrs + ski prep and fitness + days on snow
Week 2: Training (Teaching methodology, core skier development)
Week 3: Training (Teaching methodology, core skier development)
Week 4: Level 1 Exam
Week 5-6: Shadowing
Week 7: Training (Performance, video analysis)
Week 8: Training (Mountain safety, freestyle)
Week 9: Training (Performance, Video Analysis, Fitness)
Week 10: Level 2 Exam

*The Travel Itinerary is approximate and can be subject to changes.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

At Snowminds we pride ourselves in selecting the right people for our team of ski- and snowboard instructors. We are renowned amongst the ski schools for educating competent, energetic and top motivated instructors. The most important thing for you is to be positive, outgoing, adventurous, and ready to work hard to get the memory of a lifetime as a part of the Snowminds team.

To join the course we expect from you:

At least 3-4 weeks of skiing experience
You are positive, kind and respectful to others
You are serious, responsible, and highly motivated to learn in a serious training environment
You speak English at a conversational level
You are 18 years or above
Eligible to enter and stay in Switzerland for the duration of the program

There is a lot of interest in the course and the places fill up quickly. We only have a minimum of spots on this course, which is the reason we use a “first come, first served” arrangement. This means that the sooner you can reach us, the greater the chance that there is still a spot available for you on the course.

You can sign up via the link here