Become a ski instructor in La Tzoumaz, Switzerland
If there is one place that is recognized for its magical mountains and skiing culture, it would be Switzerland. It’s no coincidence that skiers from all over the world have this unique Alp country on the top of their bucket list and now you have the chance to the ski instructor course and make this your winter-wonderland on a full season in La Tzoumaz!
We are proud to present a unique winter season, where you combine shadowing, potential work and play throughout the entire season on our English spoken level 1 and 2 ski instructor internship in La Tzoumaz. You will have direct access to the heart of the world-renowned 4 Vallées ski resort, one of Switzerland’s biggest ski resorts and you can ski the long piste from La Tzoumaz to Verbier.
La Tzoumaz is well known as a family resort, which creates a great season with a lot of job opportunities and experience after your ski instructor course in La Tzoumaz. It combines some of the best skiing in the world, with a lively village and great nightlife. It’s an international vibe with great events throughout the whole season!
A WINTER IN LES 4 VALLÉES
From the beginning of December and onwards, you will participate in our level 1 and 2, fully English, instructor internship, which is designed to prepare you for work as an instructor in a ski school in Switzerland.
You will get organised seasonal accommodation with first month included in La Tzoumaz, a seasonal lift pass, 150+ hours of on-snow ski training and the international English-language BASI level 1+2 education. Once you have finished and passed the program, you can call yourself an official Level 2 BASI ski instructor. In addition, you will be working with a local ski school, where you get the opportunity to shadow an instructor and work dependent on business levels. Basic language skills in French, German and or Dutch will be very helpful to open more opportunities for work during the high season.
In short, we got your season covered, so you can shred until the end of April!
THE INSTRUCTOR LIFE
For good reason, Switzerland is one of the most desired ski destinations for both new and experienced ski instructors. The Swiss Alps offer some of the best skiing in the world, both on the slope, and off-piste. This is specifically evident in the 4 Vallées ski resort, which is known for its amazing off-piste terrain and sunsets!
As Switzerland is highly sought after and receives a significant amount of wealthy clients it’s one of the best places to learn from experienced instructors and kick start your ski instructor career. As a newly certified instructor, you typically receive between 15-25 CHF an hour.
During the season, you will be accommodated with fellow Snowminders in a shared apartment with kitchen facilities in La Tzoumaz or the surrounding towns. La Tzoumaz is one of most visited villages in Switzerland with a great ski instructor community. The instructors typically meet up at a few local spots in the resort and on days off there are often a few of them exploring the resort together.
WHAT DO YOU GET FROM SNOWMINDS?
We’ve created a holistic winter experience from December to April, where you will become a certified ski instructor with the ability to work at Ecole Suisse de Ski in La Tzoumaz.
With this course package, you can look forward to the following benefits:
- A full winter season in La Tzoumaz
- Organised season accommodation with the first month included*
- Snowminds Team leader during the entire season
- Season lift pass for Les 4 Vallées**
- 150 hours of level 1 + 2 training program including video analysis and evening sessions
- Level 1+2 BASI exam including all fees, materials, and membership***
- Shadowing lessons and work experience
- Employment with the local ski school Ecole Suisse de Ski during the season****
- 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
- Online kick-off event prior to departure with team building and more
- 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 La Tzoumaz, Switzerland*****
- Accommodation deposit and rent besides the first-month rent (expect to pay in advance)
- Cancellation insurance, travel insurance, potential local taxes/registration/visa fees
- First aid course
- 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 the life-long experience that we are known for!
* We organize seasonal accommodation, so you avoid the hassle and can stay with the other Snowminders. The first month is included in the package and in most cases, you will be asked to pay the rest before departure. Please see more info in the FAQ below.
** There is a 200 CHF surcharge on the lift ticket for people that are 24 years or older (in 23/24 this was for people born in 1999 and older) and/ or a 200 CHF surcharge for people signed up later than November 20th, 2023.
*** First Aid certification is not included, but required to pass the BASI level 1. We are happy to arrange a first-aid course for you if are not already certified
****Your employment depends on successfully passing your exams, your level of skiing, teaching & language skills, and general business levels.
***** 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.
TRAVEL ITINERARY
Our La Tzoumaz level 1 and 2 instructor program is perfectly designed for those looking to take a gap year, a career break/change as well as those wanting professional training to improve their skiing and take it to the next level in 4 Vallées, some of the best and most varied terrains in the Alps.
Below is an example of what the program could look like:
- Mid December – Arrival, moving in, team building, first aid course, and intro to coaches
- Mid-end December: Training with fitness, servicing, and action program
- Christmas and New Year: Shadowing opportunities
- Beginning January: BASI Level 1 Exam
- January: Training Level 2 with video analysis
- Mid-January- mid-March: Training Level 2 with video analysis, work, and shadow opportunities
- Mid-March: BASI Level 2 Exam
- Mid-march: Training with freeride
- Mid-March to end of April: Possible work and free skiing
The program is approximate and can be subject to changes. Please note that the Level 1 and 2 training programs consist of on-slope, off-slope, and off days. The exact planning is made in accordance with the weather conditions during those weeks.
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 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.
What we expect from you:
- You feel comfortable skiing on red slopes
- You are positive, outgoing, and adventurous
- You are serious, responsible, and top motivated
- You enjoy teaching and love being challenged
- 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 course
When you have sent your application, we will give you a call to discuss your course choice and hear more about why you want to become an instructor. You will then be invited to an interview where we will evaluate your candidacy. This also gives you the opportunity to get more information about our courses and your experience as a ski instructor in Switzerland. After the interview, we will call you and let you know whether or not we can offer you a spot on our team.
We receive a lot of applications for 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 apply, the greater your chances are of joining the team and getting a spot at your dream destination.
Further information about course dates and prices can be found below, where you can also hit the button to apply now.
"I've done 5 seasons in Les 4 Vallées ski resort and it was absolutely amazing. If you look for amazing skiing and personal development on and off the snow look no further and GO!"
- Thijs Kennis, Snowminds Course Manager
Key Details About the Course
JOB EXPECTATIONS
Since you are employed directly at the ski school, not Snowminds, it is the ski school that independently defines the scope of your work, pay and other work-related conditions. Thus, your employment relationship is between you and the ski school and we cannot guarantee, for example, a minimum number of work hours. We will of course help and assist in the event of any questions or anything else.
You can often expect a more high-end clientele in Switzerland which leads to higher expectations from your ski school. The amount of work therefore highly depends on your motivation, appearance, and attitude and how you interact with your guests.
From past years’ experiences, Snowminds instructors worked with a level 1 certification and some even without certification in the beginning if they fulfilled the criteria mentioned above.
So if you want to get the most out of a season in Switzerland, have the right mindset and attitude ready from the beginning and throughout your course!
WORKING HOURS
As a newly-educated instructor, one is typically on the “bottom of the food chain” regarding work. In other words, the more experienced instructors get first preference, but the more you show your passion and desire to work hard, the better. We highly recommend making the most of the busier peak periods in the ski school by showing your supervisors you are motivated to teach as many lessons as you can. The busiest periods during the peak season are Christmas & New Years, February and in some resorts Easter. It is common that you are booked for hours according to your language skills, social skills and people skills. There are always opportunities to shadow lessons before teaching your first which can be a great way to show your enthusiasm and motivation to your ski school.
LANGUAGES
Our ski school partner prefers instructors that can speak some French and/ or German, and knowing some basic phrases can greatly improve your local experience. Language skills may be more valuable as the level of certification and some resorts even offer an hourly wage increase for every additional language you speak!
The more you practice the language spoken in your destination country before departure the better. This will help your integration and in general provide you with a better experience. We recommend using Duolingo to practice and ideally we recommend taking a language course.
Our team has jointly done more than 25 seasons across the world and we know better than anyone what it is like to start working with a new language for the first time. Whilst it may seem confusing at first, we know that it is more than possible to pick up with a bit of practice. Other than normal language courses, the Snowlingo courses specifically focus on what you actually need when working as a ski or snowboard instructor. On our website, you can read more about it.
SALARY
In terms of financial expectations, let’s be clear: You do not get rich in a season as a newly certified instructor and we always recommend having a minimum of 2000 Swiss francs in pocket money so you can make the most of the season. In general, it is very different from what our instructors earn and spend during the season since habits/personal budgets vary so much.
Your wage depends on many factors, but typically as a newly certified instructor, you receive between 10-25 CHF an hour. In addition to this there are often bonus opportunities, for example, tips and extra private lessons. It is common for ski schools to have returning guests who come back frequently throughout the season and request you as an instructor directly if they were happy with their first ski course.
Sometimes, there are opportunities to pick up additional hours of work in the resort during the winter in other mountain departments, such as ski shops, activities and guest services.
ACCOMMODATION
In La Tzoumaz, the first month of accommodation during the course is included. You can decide whether you want to have the accommodation arranged by Snowminds for the rest of the season.
Many ski schools in Switzerland do not include accommodation in the work contracts as they often work with a lot of local staff. Therefore, we work together with the ski schools to arrange good and fitting housing for you. You’ll be in shared accommodation with (mostly) other Snowminds Instructors in a fantastic community.
Housing contract
The rent won’t be deducted from your salary but paid separately. Since housing is secured for the full season a signed housing contract, a deposit and full payment will be required before departure. Rent varies, but typically lies between 600-900 Swiss francs a month.
Housing Deposit
A deposit should be paid to cover potential damages, missing items, cleaning, washing of bed linens, towels, and/or anything else that the landlord will have claims to after the lease. It will be transferred back to you electronically after the season less any deductions by Snowminds.
WORK REQUIREMENTS
Working permit
To stay and work in Switzerland for the winter season you need to be an EU or EFTA citizen. (EFTA which consists of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it is part of the EFTA and thus grants freedom of movement to those from EU/EFTA countries.
Nevertheless you have to get a work permit while in Switzerland, before you start working at a ski school. Your ski school and your team leader will help you and advise you on the most suitable permit, which varies depending on the amount of work per month.
Your ski school will help you with paying the relevant fees to the registration office.
Mandatory Swiss Health insurance / Tourist tax
Most work permits in Switzerland require you to also pay for mandatory Swiss health insurance which must be paid in addition to the registration fee to be eligible to work.
If you are not on a work permit, and not working, then Switzerland requires you to pay a daily tourist tax instead. This is typically around 2.50-4.50 CHF a day, depending on your accommodation setup.
If you are interested in reading more about work in Switzerland as a foreigner, we refer to the official Swiss government website.
Price
Season in La Tzoumaz with level 1+2 ski instructor course
From €6,295
La Tzoumaz, Switzerland
December - April