Season with 4 week ski and snowboard instructor course in Sölden

Employment as a ski- and snowboard instructor at a local ski school

A season as a ski- and snowboard instructor stays a lifelong dream for most people, but now you have the chance to make it a reality. We at Snowminds have many years of experience in working as ski- and snowboard instructors and through our carefully organized courses and large network among ski schools, we guarantee you a job placement.

Your employment is conditional on you passing your instructor training, which about 90% of our participants do. If you do not pass, but have done your absolute best to take the training seriously, we will do everything we can to help you get a job anyway, so you can have a wonderful seasonal experience and take a re-exam as soon as possible. We are proud to say that we have never been in a situation where we have not been able to help find you a job after completing the training!

Salary and expenses during the season

We have top professional partners all over the world and together with them we ensure that you will have your lift pass, accommodation and uniform when you arrive at your destination. Please note that there is an own payment for e.g. seasonal accommodation at several destinations, which varies from destination to destination depending on the ski school’s salary structure.

You are hired directly at the ski school, who pay you depending on your work effort. Some ski schools pay you a fixed salary, others pay you by the hour. An average salary for a starting instructor in Austria is around €800-€1.000 per month, if you work a full 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 you will definitely be rich with experience. We recommend bringing pocket money which will allow you to have the freedom to enjoy your season fully. The pay also depends on your motivation, work ethic, and previous work experience. A typical working week is up to 6 days a week from Sunday to Friday.

During the season

All our ski school partners are carefully selected and we have a close relationship with all of them. This also means that should any problems arise during the season, you will be able to contact us at any time. We are here to give you the experience of a lifetime and will do everything we can to help you if needed.

Big season kick off event in Denmark

In September we host our Snowminds Kick-off event in Denmark. It is a fantastic day where we do a lot of team building, talk about the instructor education and the season, and you generally get the opportunity to get answers to all your questions. We also talk about ski- and snowboard equipment and you get the opportunity to buy nice equipment at great prices. One of the highlights is meeting the other Snowminders that you are going on the season with, as there will always be at least one other Snowminds instructor at your destination, so you have others to share the experience with.

Team events during the season

After the course, we at Snowminds will quickly miss you. That’s why we organize a big Snowminds Team Event during the season. Here we gather the entire Snowminds team in a secret place in Austria to have an experience out of the ordinary and see everyone again. For example, we have been to Kitzbühel in January to watch the World Cup skiing at the legendary Hahnenkamm Rennen and experience the iconic town.

Snowminds Reunion Party in Denmark after the season

Our Snowminds Reunion Party is typically in May/June, when the last people have come home, and before many join us to travel further out into the world to Africa, Argentina or Australia.

The Snowminds Reunion Party is optional and costs a small amount, but is a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and catch up on stories from a great ski season.

Security, community and experiences for life

From your first meeting with us at the interview, you will be followed, supported and guided by our experienced team, all of whom have been ski- and snowboard instructors with us. In this way, you will always be able to get help and support, whether you need advice on packing before departure, advice on how to develop your skiing during our course, help with German words during your training or a comforting shoulder during the season. In short, whatever you need, we are there for you ALL THE WAY!

Before departure, you will be invited to our Facebook group, where you can put a face to all the other instructors you will be spending the winter with. We provide preparation for the program, so you can show up well prepared, and at the same time you have the opportunity to book a German course, so your German can be just right.

During the training, we are there to help with anything from learning material, the language, the exercises and of course to answer all the questions you may have about technique, as well as your exams. This also means that you are not always dependent on getting things answered by your instructor or in the group. You can always catch a member of the Snowminds team.

At the same time, we make an extreme effort to put together teams that can work and that consist of wonderful, happy and motivated snow enthusiasts. This means that you will undeniably form close bonds with your roommates, skiers in your group on the slopes and of course your colleagues at the destination. All of which is something that our former instructors often mention as unique to the experience. This community is not only important from a social point of view, but is invaluable during training and exams, where the support of your friends can be that extra something that carries you through and gives you a passed exam certificate in the end.

With us, you are not a number, but a human being, a ski- and snowboard instructor, and our only goal and hope is to give you a unique experience as a ski- and snowboard instructor that you can look back on with joy and longing for the rest of your life. These are big words, but they come from the heart; and that’s what Snowminds is all about.

Season accommodation

We always guarantee you arranged housing at your local ski school for a full-season. The precise details of your housing vary quite a bit, ski school to ski school and country to country. On this course you will be living in staff accommodation arranged by the ski school during both the course and the season, securing you a good start to the season life with your fellow instructors.

A Second Chance

If you happen to fail your exam or some parts of it, there’s no need to worry. We have you covered with a second opportunity if you have completed your Anwärter exams in Salzburgerland (Altenmarkt & Kaprun) in November or December. You’ll have the chance to join a 3-day Wiederholungscamp from December 18th – 20th, 2023. The third day will be the “Prüfungs”-day (test day).

The camp costs 275 euros and includes training only. You will be responsible for arranging transportation, lift tickets, hotel accommodations, and other expenses. However, this unique opportunity allows you to retake your exams shortly after a previous failure, ensuring you have the chance to start working as soon as possible.

When does training  start 
Training starts 16. November 2023

Lift Pass

On arrival, you will be handed a four-week lift pass to give it full gas on the slopes. This lift pass can also be used on your days off, or whenever you wish to spend some extra time on the slopes.

If you pass the exam and get a job at the ski school, you will receive a season lift pass. However, this pass must be returned when you leave the ski school.

Training

Our 4-week instructor training course consists of a 7 day intensive preparation course that introduces you to the essential exercises needed to master and subsequently pass the 14-day Austrian Level 1 training course. These four weeks of training culminate with your Level 1 instructor exam.

Each year, we see our instructor’s technique evolve quickly and through ongoing personalized feedback. Our number #1 goal is to make sure you are fine-tuned and in tip-top ski shape before the season begins. At the same time, you will also participate in many team activities that are meant to be enjoyed and hopefully create the strong Snowminds team bond we are known for.

Instructor Certification

To offer a high-quality education, we work together with Tiroler Skilehrer 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 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.