The Dream in Austria
Imagine: Every morning you wake up, check the snow report and ask yourself: How many new people am I going to share my passion for skiing with today? Tough life, right? Well, somebody’s gotta do it!
For starters, you definitely do not need to be an expert or superstar to become a ski instructor in Austria. Like most things in life, it’s all about motivation and dedication. That’s why Snowminds offers you this 3-week course of the basic essentials to help you crush your Level 1 exam and achieve your dream of becoming a paid ski instructor in Austria with a job guarantee for your winter season.
Recommendation: If you want more comprehensive training, check out our 5-week All-Mountain ski instructor course or the ultimate 7-week ski instructor course, where you will become Austrian-certified in both Level 1 and Level 2 over the course of your very first winter season.
The Training
It’s off to Austria in mid- November, or mid- January, or even in March! With this 3-week course, we make sure you will be thoroughly prepared for the Austrian Level 1 ski instructor exam. Our highly-talented and experienced team of coaches will refine your skiing technique in all the core aspects, including carving, short-range training and rhythm shift on the piste.
During the course, we also do our best to create the Snowminds spirit we are known for, with a focus on educational events, team building activities, and whatever else our local team thinks is needed to shake people together and create the magic. When your 3-week course ends, you will be ready to crush your Level 1 exam and then immediately begin working as a paid ski instructor in Austria at your designated ski school for your winter season. Since 2012, we are proud that 100% of our instructors got a job after completing their training course with Snowminds.
Recommendation: Check out our 5 Star Facebook reviews and learn more about Snowminds from our ski and snowboard instructors!
What do you get from Snowminds?
When you travel with Snowminds we take care of all the practicalities. That way you can pack your bags and good vibes and focus on preparing for your next adventure in Austria.
With this course package, you can look forward to the following benefits:
- A winter season as a ski instructor with a job at a local ski school
- 3-week level 1 (Anwärter) ski instructor course
- Arranged seasonal accommodation at the ski school during the season (self-payment at the ski school)
- Preparatory ski training approx. 5 days per week with top professional ski instructors
- The internationally recognized Austrian level 1 ski instructor certification “Anwärter”
- Invitation to a kick-off event in Denmark before departure
- A fitness preparatory training program that can be used before departure
- Preparation of material and tips for packing, insurance, visa, etc.
- Lift Pass during the course
- Accommodation in hotel with 1/2 board during the whole course
- Snowminds team leader during the course
- Social team events during the course and the season
- Invitation to Snowminds Reunion Party after the season
- Pro-offers at Snowminds Store
- 24-hour emergency phone throughout the season
- A unique community with friends for life
What is not included?
- Transport to and from Austria*
- Travel activity after the season ends (including transport from your destination to the airport)
- Cancellation insurance, travel insurance, and any visa application costs
- Possible expenses for accommodation, lift pass, and uniform during the season (this varies from ski school to ski school)
- Equipment for the season, such as ski equipment, avalanche equipment, etc.
- Pocket money and anything else not mentioned above
*We are happy to assist with booking airline tickets and airport transfer recommendations. Please reach out to us anytime if you are interested.
Travel period
This course is offered three times during the winter, with departure in mid-November, mid- January, or March. Both courses finish with the Austrian instructor certification (and a big closing party, of course!) After which we arrange transport to your ski school, where you can spend the season working as an instructor.
Who can apply?
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 ski- and snowboard instructors. You don’t have to be an expert on the snow, and no matter what your level is – we have a course that is tailor made just for you. We will make sure you receive the necessary training before your exam so you’re ensured to live out your winter dream as an instructor in Austria. 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.
What we expect from you:
- You have skied a minimum of 3-4 weeks
- You are positive, outgoing and adventurous
- You are serious, responsible and top motivated
- You are good with kids, teens, and adults
- You enjoy teaching and love being challenged
- You speak German at conversational level (or excited to learn)*
- You are 18 years or above
- Hold an EU passport or able to apply for a working holiday visa
When you have sent your application we will give you a call to discuss your course choice and then invite you to an online interview. During the interview will evaluate your candidacy while you have the opportunity to get more information about our courses and the experience as an instructor in Austria. After the interview, we will call you and let you know whether or not we can offer you a spot on our team.
We have a lot of interest in our courses and the spots fill up quickly. Therefore we have a “first come, first serve” principle with an application deadline each month. This means that the earlier you send in your application, the greater your chances are of joining the team and getting your dream destination.
* Want to learn German before your winter season? We have a tailor-made German course which prepares you step-by-step for a season as ski or snowboard instructor in the Austrian Alps – no matter what you level you are at!
Key Details About the Course
PAID JOB GUARANTEE
The Snowminds job guarantee and how it works
We strive to be straight with you. The job guarantee is naturally conditional on your ski and snowboard teacher training, which over 90% of our students successfully pass. Even in the event you do not receive your certification, we still do everything we can to ensure you a job. That way you enjoy your season as an instructor like everyone else and then simply retake your certification in either January or March. With six years of experience to date, we are proud to say we have always been able to find a job for 100% of our instructors after graduation from our training course.
HOUSING
Training Course Housing
You will live in a hotel with Wifi and all the basic necessities. You can expect to live with 2-5 people per room or apartment. While this may not sound fancy, that’s “mountain luxury” for you.
At Snowminds, “we take care of our own”. That’s why we specifically only work with hotels that make healthy and nutritious food. Breakfast typically consists of a large, nutritious buffet. Dinner will either be a 3-course meal or a buffet with soup, salad, main course and dessert.
Ski Season Housing
Wherever you go, Snowminds guarantees you arranged housing at your local ski school for your season. The precise details of your housing vary quite a bit, ski school to ski school and country to country. That’s because everybody does things differently. Regardless, you can expect to either live in ski school housing or affordable housing arranged by Snowminds, which is easily accessible to a nearby lift.
Salary
Salary
An average salary for a starting instructor in Austria is around €800-€1.000 per month. In addition to this there are often opportunities for bonuses, for example a guest may wish to extend their lesson with you as an instructor. The job as an instructor won’t get you rich money wise, but definitely rich with experiences. We recommend bringing pocket money which will allow you to have the freedom to fully enjoy your season. The pay also depends on your own motivation, your working ethics and your previous working experience.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
Instructor Certification
To offer a high-quality education, we work together with the Salzburger Berufskilehrer & Snowboardlehrer Verband, one of the world’s most recognized instructor schools. This will not only look good on the CV, but is also very useful if you decide to return with Snowminds for our other destinations around the world. For the final 16 days of your course, your coaches will take you through a challenging instructor training program, which is Level 1 within their education system. Here you will be trained to teach both beginners and more experienced skiers and snowboarders, and become a competent instructor ready to teach anywhere in Austria.
Course Price
3 Week Ski Instructor Course in Austria & Job Guarantee
from €4.595
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