Become a snowboard instructor in Nendaz

If there is one place that is recognized for its magical mountains and skiing culture, it would be Switzerland. It’s no coincidence that snowboarders from all over the world have this unique Alp country on the top of their bucket list and now you have the chance to make this your winter-wonderland on a full season in Nendaz!

We are proud to present a unique winter season, where you combine work and play throughout the entire season on our English spoken IASI level 1 & 2 snowboard instructor internship in Haute-Nendaz with the option to also become a dual instructor by taking your ski level 1 in March. You will live in Nendaz, which lays right in the heart of the world-renowned 4 Vallées ski resort, one of Switzerland’s biggest ski resorts offering some of the best and most varied terrain in the world.

A WINTER IN LES 4 VALLÉES

From the beginning of December and onwards, you will participate in our 13 weeks, fully English, level 1+2 snowboard instructor internship, which is designed to prepare you for work as an instructor in a ski school in Switzerland. To make the most of the entire winter out here in Nendaz, unique to this resort, there’s also the possibility of getting a level 1 Ski qualification afterwards. So if you’re looking to further your ski career after your winter in Nendaz, signing up to this add-on option will allow you to be more employable to future prospective employers with a second discipline as well.

As a part of the course, you will receive a full season lift pass, accommodation for the entire winter, around 250 hours of training, an outdoor first aid course, french lessons, a fitness program, freestyle and mountain safety training, video analysis, and much more. In short; with comfort in our highly experienced trainers from Sommet et Neige, we guarantee that this will be your life’s most developing experience packed with high fives and fun!

Once you have finished and passed the program, you can call yourself an official Level 2 IASI snowboard instructor. After completing your exams, you’ll have an interview with a partner ski school, and if successful have shadowing experience and possible job opportunities during the February half term and Easter holidays. Basic language skills in French, German and/or Dutch will be very helpful to open more opportunities for work during the high seasons. But no matter how much work you pick up, we’ve got your season covered, with a season lift ticket and paid accommodation, 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 snowboard instructors. The Swiss Alps offer some of the best snowboarding 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. It is not a coincidence that it has hosted the Freeride World Tour finals for years! 

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 snowboard instructor career. As a newly certified instructor you typically receive between 20-27 CHF an hour, which is significantly higher than elsewhere. If you plan to make a career out of it, this is the place to be!

During the season, you will be accommodated with fellow Snowminders in a shared apartment with kitchen facilities in the village of Nendaz. Nendaz is a lively ski village with a great snow sport 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 level 1+2 certified snowboard instructor with the opportunity to work in Nendaz. 

Benefits of the level 1+2 IASI course package:

• A full winter season in Nendaz
• 5 months shared accommodation in the village of Nendaz
• Snowminds Team leader during the entire season
• Season lift pass for Les 4 Vallées*
• Approx. 250 hours of snowboard training
• Approx. 70 hours of shadowing/work experience
• Outdoor First Aid course
• Level 1 and 2 IASI exams including all fees
• 1-year IASI membership
• Freestyle and Mountain Safety training
• Pre-season fitness program
• Opportunity to interview and potentially work for partner ski schools after the level 2 course
• Snowboard specific fitness program throughout winter
• French language lessons for all levels
• Pro-deals at resort-based partner shop and Snowminds Store
• Ski school orientation, preparing you for life as a certified snowboard instructor
• Social team events during the season in Nendaz
• Kick-off event prior to departure 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

Benefits of the ski add-on:

• 105 hours of ski training
• Level 1 IASI exam including all fees
• Better chances of employment due to several capabilities
• Ski specific fitness programme (continuation from the Level 1 & 2 course)
• Pro-deals at resort-based partner shop

What is not included?

• Transportation to/from Nendaz, Switzerland**
• Cancellation insurance, travel insurance, and potential visa fees
• 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 that we are known for!

* There is a 200 CHF surcharge on the lift ticket for people born before 1998 and/or who signed up later than November 20th 2022. 

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

TRAVEL ITINERARY

Our Nendaz level 1 and 2 instructor internship 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 snowboarding 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:

Snowboard Level 1&2  IASI:

• December 6th: Latest arrival in Nendaz, Switzerland
• December 7th – 11th: Training including introduction and start-up program
• December 13th – 16th: Training, fitness program, Teaching methodology, snowboard service workshop and French class
• December 18th – 23rd: Training including video analysis, French class and fitness sessions
• December 26th – 31st: Work/Shadow opportunities at the ski school and continuation of video analysis
• January 3rd – 8th: Level 1 IASI  Exam Snowboard
• January 10th – 14th: Training including Mountain Safety, Freestyle workshop, First Aid course, and Snowboard Service clinic
• January 17th – 28th: Personal performance training, snowboard fitness and French class
• January 31st – February 4th: Personal performance training and snowboard fitness
• February 6th – 11th: Level 2 IASI  Exam Snowboard
• February 13th – March 6th: Work/ Shadowing

Ski Add-on option: 

• March 7th – 11th: Training including introduction and start-up program
• March 14th – 18th: Training including teaching methodology, video analysis and IASI core ski development
• March 21st – 25th: Continuation of training including video analysis
• March 28th – April 2nd: Level 1 IASI  Exam Ski
• April 4th – 16th: Eastern holiday with potential work and shadowing
• April 17th – end of season: Freeskiing and season closure

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

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 have snowboarded a minimum of 3 weeks
• 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 duration of season

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 give you the opportunity to get more information about our courses and the 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.