After getting your Anwärter diploma, you are ready to give ski or snowboard lessons in many ski areas around the world. The Anwärter certificate forms the foundation of a ski instructor career, but to take it to a higher level, you can move on to other training courses. Whether you’re just starting with your Anwärter course or have already worked a few seasons, there are countless ways to further grow in your ski career. In this blog, you will read what an Anwärter course involves, which courses you can move on to, what the differences are between the courses, and what you can do with the different certifications.
1. The Foundation: The Anwärter Diploma
The Anwärter course is the first step for every beginner ski instructor. During the Anwärter course, you learn the basic techniques of skiing, such as Pflug Steuern (better known as ‘pizza’), Paralleles Skisteuern (skiing with parallel skis), and Kurze Radien (short, sharp turns). You also learn the basics of communication skills on the slope, safety and responsibility, which are essential for teaching and taking care of your students. With this diploma, you can teach beginners and slightly advanced skiers. But if you want to grow further as a ski or snowboard instructor and take your career to the next level, it’s time for the next step. Ski schools offer many more opportunities for the ambitious ski instructor who wants to move up.
Snowminds can help you obtain your Anwärter and start your career in the mountains. We ensure that you can fully focus on getting your Anwärter certification! From arranging your training to finding the perfect ski school and planning your stay, Snowminds takes all those worries off your hands. You only need to worry about whether you pass your exam, and Snowminds makes sure the rest is taken care of. This way, you can fully concentrate on your ski adventure and your new career as a ski instructor. Because of this, we also have a pass rate of over 90%!
2. The Next Level: Landes 1 Course
After your Anwärter, you are ready to move on to the Landes 1 course, this is level 2. The Landes 1 is an intensive course that not only helps you improve your skiing, but also prepares you to teach slightly advanced and advanced skiers. The Landes 1 course builds on the foundation you laid with your Anwärter certificate. Here you will learn more advanced ski techniques such as moguls, carving short turns, and carving long turns. In addition to these technical improvements, you will also learn about off-piste and freestyle skiing.
During this course, you will ski a lot and work extensively on your own skills. The exam consists of five runs, split into “Schulefahren” and “Eigenkönnen” runs. Depending on the conditions, these could include moguls, carving, off-piste, and rhythm changes. You’ll be amazed at what you can do on skis and how much you can learn in just a few weeks. A lot of attention is paid to video analysis, and several mornings are spent training giant slalom. You’ll also be tested on this, not based on time, but on technique. Of course, the Landes 1 course also goes deeper into the theory of skiing and teaching. There is also attention to the methodology of the “Fortbildung” (advanced skiers).
The Landes 1 course is therefore a serious step towards professionalism, where you not only improve your technical skills but also learn more about teaching itself. In addition, you will earn more at ski schools. This is because you can give ski lessons to a more diverse group of people, and the quality of the lessons is better.
3. Further Growth: Landes 2 Course
After the Landes 1, you can grow into the Landes 2 course, this is level 3. This is the course for those who really want to break through in the world of skiing. This is a more advanced course that raises the bar higher than Landes 1. The mogul run becomes steeper, the rhythm change longer and more complex, and Schuleskiing (teaching technique) returns, but now with more precision and new techniques. In addition, a lot of attention is again paid to giant slalom, but this time the exam is also timed.
The exam consists of three components: Schuleskiing, Gelände (skiing in rough terrain), and timed giant slalom. These components test not only your technical skills but also your ability to teach and work in different environments. During the course, there is a much deeper focus on higher techniques such as mogul skiing and powder skiing. This is essential for working with advanced skiers.
Additionally, the theory exam is an oral exam, where your knowledge of advanced techniques and teaching methods is tested. To obtain the full Landes ski or snowboard instructor diploma, it is also mandatory to complete the Alpinkurs. In this training, you learn more about the winter environment and how to safely move outside secured slopes with groups. This additional training fully prepares you to work in untouched terrain and at higher altitudes.
To participate in the Landes 2 course, you must first have completed the Landes 1 course and be able to provide a Praxisbestätigung. This proof of work experience must be at least ten days of work at a ski school. It should be an international experience between the Landes 1 and Landes 2 course. With a Landes 2 course, you will of course also earn more, because you have reached an even higher level.
4. Staatlich: The Highest Level
Do you really want to reach the top? Then the Staatlich course (Level 4) is the ultimate challenge. The Staatlich certificate is considered the highest level of ski instructor certification. It enables you to teach in the most popular ski resorts in the world. Think of the famous ski areas of Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, and New Zealand. With a Staatlich certificate, you are qualified to teach the very best skiers and are a respected authority in the ski industry.
The World at Your Feet: Working in Top Ski Resorts
After obtaining your Anwärter, Landes 1, and Landes 2 certifications, you can work in the most beautiful ski resorts around the world. Whether you choose the ski season in Austria or the snowboard season in Japan, the world is open to you. Working as a higher-certified ski instructor not only offers the opportunity to teach a wider audience and to get paid more, but it also opens the door to new adventures and experiences. In addition, you can also further develop as a snowboarder so that you can obtain your Anwärter certificate not only as a ski instructor but also as a snowboard instructor.
As a certified ski instructor, you have the chance to travel extensively and discover new cultures while sharing your passion for skiing and snowboarding with others. This is the ultimate way to travel, work, and enjoy the mountains.
And the best part is: Snowminds is here to help you every step of the way! You are not only guided towards obtaining your Anwärter diploma, but we also ensure you are well-prepared to start working in the best ski resorts. Moreover, Snowminds offers you the opportunity to grow to higher levels, so your career as a ski and snowboard instructor can continue to flourish.
Sign up for the courses and take the first step toward a career in the mountains. Who knows, you might be at the highest level in just a few seasons!
