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!
If you want a short and affordable ski instructor course in Austria, then this Snowminds “bare essentials” course may be right for you. We hold this 2 week ski instructor training course in late November, January and March. We will help make sure you are thoroughly prepared to crush your Level 1 exam and achieve your dream of becoming a paid ski instructor in Austria with a job guarantee.
Recommendation: If you want more comprehensive training, check out our 5-week All-Mountain ski instructor course or the ultimate 7-week ski instructor course, where you will become Austrian-certified in both Level 1 and Level 2 over the course of your very first winter season.
The Training
Our 2-week instructor training course begins in either November, January or March and is designed to prepare you to effectively crush the Austrian “Anwärter” Level 1 instructor exam. Our team of coaches will refine your technique in all the core aspects, including carving, short-range training and rhythm shift on the piste.
Throughout your 2-week training course, we also strive to create a Snowminds community, 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. When your training is complete, 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. Since 2012, we are proud that 100% of our instructors got a job after completing their training course with Snowminds.
Recommendation: Check out our 5 Star Facebook reviews and learn more about Snowminds from our ski and snowboard instructors!
Pictures from the destination
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
- 2-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 and snowboard training approx. 5 days per week with top professional instructors
- The internationally recognized Austrian level 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.
- Lift Pass during the course
- 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-offers 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
*We are happy to assist with booking airline tickets and airport transfer recommendations. Please reach out to us anytime if you are interested.
Travel period
This course ends with the Austrian ski instructor exam and a celebration party. After completing the course, you will be transported to your ski school destination and begin working as a new Level 1 instructor. Your options:
- Late November to mid-December
- Mid-January to Early February
- Late March to Early April
*NOTE! If you select the January course you will arrive at your ski school afterwards and be asked to undergo a short training period. This option guarantees a high-season job with a ski school during February.
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 live in a hotel with Wifi 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
On arrival you will be handed a 2-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.
Training
Our 2 week instructor training course consists of a 2-day intensive preparation course that introduces you to the most essential exercises needed to master and subsequently pass the 10-day Austrian Level 1 training course. These two-weeks of training culminate with your Level 1 instructor exam.
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. 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.
If you want a Salzburger Super Ski Season Card, which covers over 2550 km of pistes and which can be used to visit your new friends throughout the season, then we recommend you select our 5-week All-Mountain Camp or our epic 7-week ski instructor course.
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.
Specific Ski School training requirements
Some ski schools in Austria take pride in training their own instructors a little bit extra before or during the season to qualify their instructors specifically for their ski schools. Therefore, two ski schools in particular, have an add-on price for extra training, which is a requirement for you to take part in, if working in those ski schools.
The ski school in Sankt Anton has its own requirements for who they hire in the ski school. This includes a higher level of German, skiing level and that you must complete the ski school’s own recruitment process to get a job at the ski school.
Due to the low season in January, you will not work 4 weeks in January/start-February and instead the ski school offers you extra training during this period. Therefore, a self-payment of €1200 is added to this course for 4 weeks accommodation, 2 training sessions per week (8 in total) and lift passes for these 4 weeks.
This is a unique opportunity to develop your skiing even more during the winter with some of the best coaches in Austria. At the same time, it’s also a great opportunity for you to have time for visits from home.
Similarly, the ski school in Bad Hofgastein has mandatory completion of their in-house training program prior to employment. You should be prepared to pay an additional €500 on top of the regular course. This specialized training not only elevates your skiing and teaching abilities, but also ensures that you are totally prepared to work with the ski school in Bad Hofgastein.
It should be noted that most ski schools do some sort of in-house training prior to the season to onboard you in their ways of working, ski area and teaching ways. Whether it includes a fee depends on the destination, and if you are in doubt, you can always reach out to us.
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.
What our instructors say
Course Price
Season and 2 Weeks Ski Instructor Course
from €3.495
November/ January/ March