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!
Whether you are the king of the mountain or a less experienced skier, our 5 week ski instructor training course will refine your technique and prepare you to crush your Level 1 exam. In other words, you definitely do not need to be a ski expert or superstar to become a ski instructor. Like many things in life, it’s all about motivation and dedication. That’s why Snowminds offers you our most popular 5-week ski instructor training course, where you can learn to shred all-mountain and quickly achieve your dream of becoming a paid ski instructor in Austria with a job guarantee for a winter season.
The Training
This 5-week all-mountain ski instructor course in Austria is our most popular option. We have designed the course to rapidly develop your ski technique both on- and off the piste, no matter your previous level of experience.
Your 5-week All-Mountain instructor course begins early November, with a minimum of 5 days of ski training per week with our highly-talented and experienced coaches. During this period you can expect your ski abilities to develop considerably in preparation for your certification exam. When your 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 a winter season. At this point, your winter journey has truly just begun!
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.
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
- 5-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 10-day Austrian level 1 ski instructor certification (Anwärter)
- Invitation to a kick-off event in Denmark before departure
- A physical preparatory training program that can be used before departure
- Preparation of material and tips for packing, insurance, visa, etc.
- Salzburger Super Skicard season lift pass covering approx. 2,750km of pistes (depending on where you will be working)*
- 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-deals 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
- Anything else not explicit mentioned above
* The Salzburger Super Ski season lift pass is purchased as a service for you in cooperation with your ski school. If you work outside the Salzburger Super Ski area, or in the Ski Alpin area, we will purchase a lift pass for Kaprun instead. If you are 25 years or older, there is an additional fee in 22/23 of 130 euros on the Salzburger Super Ski lift pass and 81 euros on the Ski Alpin lift pass.
** We are happy to assist with booking flight tickets and airport transfer recommendations. Please reach out to us anytime if you are interested.
The combination of professionalism and community is what makes Snowminds unique. It's hard to even imagine my season without them."
- Andreas, Snowminds 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 also live in a 3-star hotel (sometimes better) with Wif 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 a full-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
Lift Pass
In cooperation with your ski school, we will buy a Salzburg Super Ski Seasonal Lift Card as a key benefit for you. This will give you plenty of options, with access to a total of 2550 km. of slopes, divided into 22 ski areas in Salzburger Land, as well as a number of adjacent ski areas. We also want to make it easier to visit your friends at other ski areas and generally explore more of Austria on skis.
NOTE! If you work in Kaprun, Zell am See or Tirol, the Salzburger Super Ski card is NOT included in the price.
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.
Our Coaches
Even though you may have skied your entire life, you are not necessarily an expert. That’s what most of our future instructors will discover when they meet our Austrian team of coaches. Our trainers are certified at the highest international level and are among the best ski and snowboard teachers in Austria, if not the world (that’s according to us, they are much more humble). There’s a reason we select the best: to make sure you develop with lightning speed from day one of our courses and get the right preparation needed to pass the Austrian ski and snowboard teacher training.
5-Week All Mountain Training Course
Our 5-Week All-Mountain Camp offers you comprehensive training, where you will grow as a skier or snowboarder in ways you did not foresee. The education we offer is foundational: You will refine your skiing and snowboarding technique, learn more about skiing equipment, and become safer and more aware on the mountain after taking our popular avalanche courses. You will also participate in a lot of team activities that are meant to be enjoyed and hopefully create the strong Snowminds team bond we are known for.
Specifically, you will receive 5 days of teaching per week on the mountain, where a trainer will help you commit fully to every element of the mountain: the piste, the park, and the powder. Each year, we see our instructors 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. All this trainings leads to the culmination of our camp: the Austrian Level 1 ski and snowboard exam, which is the final step before you begin a winter season as a certified Austrian ski and snowboard instructor.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE EXAM?
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.
Course Price
5 Week Ski Instructor Course in Austria
From €6.395
November - April