5 Week Ski & Snowboard Course

Have the best season and live out your dream as a ski & snowboard instructor 🤙

The Dream in Austria

Imagine: Every morning you wake up, check the snow report and ask yourself: How am I going to shred the mountain today, on ski or board? Tough life, right? Well, somebody’s gotta do it!

 

With our 5 week dual ski and snowboard instructor course, Snowminds offers you the opportunity to go all-in and quickly attain your Level 1 Austrian certification on your first winter season. Like all other Snowminds courses, you will receive a job guarantee for a season in Austria. Remember, you definitely do not need to be an expert or superstar to become a dual ski and snowboard instructor. As with most things in life, it’s all about motivation and dedication. That’s why we have created this 5-week course of basic essentials to help you crush your Level 1 dual exam and achieve your dream of becoming a ski and snowboard instructor.

 

The Training and life of an upcoming dual instructor 

This 5-week dual instructor training course is designed to give you a thorough preparation for the Austrian “Anwärter” Level 1 ski and snowboard instructor exam. Before your course even begins, you will be invited to the Snowminds Kick-off Event before the season, where you will get the chance to meet your fellow Snowminds instructors and learn more about what to expect from your upcoming season. And then it’s off to Austria in November!

 

With this 5-week dual instructor course you will receive 5 days of training per week from our highly-talented and experienced trainers. Through training, you will refine your 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 before the winter season kicks into full-force. After completing your course, you will be ready to crush your Level 1 exam and then immediately begin working as a paid dual ski and snowboard instructor in Austria with a job guarantee for a full winter season.

 

Recommendation: Check out our 5 Star Facebook reviews and learn more about Snowminds from our ski and snowboard instructors!

 

 

“My German was not great, so I knew that would be a challenge in Austria. But I was determined to learn it and ended up speaking fluently. That was a big win!”

- Naja, Snowminds Instructor

What do you get from Snowminds?

When you travel with Snowminds as a Ski or Snowboard instructor in Austria, 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:

 

  • Job Guarantee as a dual instructor in Austria
  • 5-week Level 1 dual snowboard and ski training course
  • 5 weeks of Accommodation at a 3-star hotel with ½ board (includes breakfast and dinner)
  • Lift pass under the course*
  • Local transport to your ski school destination after completing your course
  • Closing Celebration Event after completing your course
  • Kick-off Event to meet your fellow Snowminders and prepare you for the season
  • Access to team events in Austria during and after your season
  • Confidence in an established Danish travel company
  • A total experience where all the practicalities are arranged for you
  • A strong community

 

What is not included?

 

  • Any visa application costs
  • Travel activity after the season ends (including, transport from your destination to the airport)
  • Cancellation and travel insurance
  • 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 avalanche equipment, tourski, etc.
  • Pocket money and anything else not mentioned above
  • Transport to and from Austria**

 

*We purchase a Salzburger Super Ski season lift pass in collaboration with your ski school as a service if you need to work within the area it covers beyond the Ski Alpin area. If you need to work outside the Salzburger Super Ski area or within the Ski Alpin area, we will instead buy a lift pass for the Ski Alpin area, which includes Kaprun, Zell am See, and Saalbach/Leogang. If you are older than 25 years or turn 25 in the same year your course starts, there is an additional fee of min. 150 euros for the Salzburger Super Ski lift pass and min. 100 euros for the Ski Alpin lift pass, depending on year of booking. If you need to work at a ski school that is not covered by the Salzburger Super Ski or Ski Alpin lift pass, there may be a deductible for a season lift pass to your destination, which you pay directly to the ski school.

 

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

 

 

Who can apply to become a Ski or Snowboard instructor in Austria? 

Who can apply to become a Ski or Snowboard instructor in Austria? 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 and snowboarded for around 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, we will evaluate your candidacy while you have the opportunity to get more information about our courses and your 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 the 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 that prepares you step-by-step for a season as ski- and snowboard instructor in the Austrian Alps – no matter what level you are at!

 

 

Key Details About the Course

JOB GUARANTEE & ECONOMY

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.

 

Salary and expenses during the season
We have top professional partners all over the world and together with them we ensure that both your lift pass, accommodation and uniform are under control when you arrive at your destination. Please note that there is a separate payment for e.g. seasonal accommodation and lift tickets at several destinations, which varies from destination to destination depending on the ski school’s salary structure.

You will be employed directly by the ski school, which will pay you a salary depending on your work effort. At some ski schools you get a fixed salary and at others a salary per hour you work. You don’t get rich from being a ski and snowboard instructor, but as a rule of thumb you earn approx. 12 euros per hour, and approx. 650 – 1100 Euro per month if you work a full month. A working week can be up to 6 days a week from Sunday to Friday, but for some periods it can consist of fewer working days with, for example, private tuition.

During the conversation with us, we will assess your motivation, qualifications and wishes for your experience, i.a. to assess which ski school and destination can give you the perfect experience. You will receive information about which ski school you are going to before departure, so you know which ski school you will be working for. Once your training has been completed, you will be transported directly to your ski school, after which the adventure can begin as a trained instructor.

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

Kick-Off Event

Around September, the Snowminds Kick-Off Event takes place. It’s a day filled with different elements meant to prepare you better for your ski season. Here you will receive a lot of information about your upcoming season, meet the entire Snowminds team and be introduced to your new colleagues. Overall, this full-day event is meant to answer all your main questions, meet your fellow Snowminders, and give you the chance to buy quality skiing equipment at a steep discount.

 

Snowminds Reunion Parties
After the season ends, the Snowminds Reunion parties begin. These are typically done in May, after the final instructors have returned home. Like other team events, the Snowminds Reunion Parties are created to give you the chance to catch-up with friends and have fun.

 

Snowminds Social 
Since 2012, we at Snowminds have trained hundreds of skilled instructors. Everyone is part of the network “Snowminds Social”, which we have founded to be able to offer all our instructors more unique experiences, networks and benefits with Snowminds. We organize team activities, events, reunion parties etc., where our instructors have the opportunity to network across year groups. In this way, you can get sparring and help with everything from questions about the season, choice of study, career, choice of equipment and much more from more experienced instructors. Snowminds Social is your access to Denmark’s largest network of young ski enthusiasts.

TRAINING

Over 3 weeks of intense training, you will grow as a skier and snowboarder in ways you did not forsee. You will first have training days to prepare you to master the most important exercises and techniques needed for the following 16 day intensive ski and snowboard instructor training course. This training culminates with your Level 1 instructor exam. After passing you will be a Ski or Snowboard instructor in Austria!

Each year, we see our instructors’ techniques evolve quickly and through ongoing personalized feedback. Our number #1 goal is to make sure you are fine-tuned and in tip-top 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.

But wait just one second there. Before you are transported to your final destination, we will throw a farewell party to celebrate a successful result with your new friends made over the last 5 weeks of training. This will be a team effort. We provide the goods. You make the party as fun as possible.

 

HOUSING

Training Course Housing
You will also live in a 3-star hotel (sometimes better) with Wifi and all the basic necessities. You can expect to live with 2-6 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.

WHAT 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 “PrĂĽfungs”-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.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFO

Lift Pass
On arrival, you will be handed a 3-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.

 

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 become a competent instructor ready to teach anywhere in Austria.

 

Course Price

Course Icon 5 Week Dual Ski & Snowboard Instructor Course in Austria

Course Icon from €6.895

Course Icon

Course Icon November - April

Course Icon Sign up deposit €200

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