Become a ski instructor in Nendaz

10 week Level 1 and 2 ski instructor program

Become a ski 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 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 make this your winter-wonderland on a course in Nendaz!

We are proud to present a unique winter program, where you combine training and play throughout the entire season on our English spoken level 1 & 2 ski instructor course in Haute-Nendaz. You will live in Nendaz, which lays right in the heart of the world-renowned 4 Vallées ski resort, one of Switzerland’s biggest and most famous ski resorts offering some of the best and most varied terrain in the world.

NOTE: The same course is also offered for snowboarders. Click here for more information!

 

A WINTER IN LES 4 VALLÉES

Our extensive 10 week level 1+2 ski instructor course in Nendaz is one of the absolute best ways to experience the season life and set yourself up for work in a future season!

As a part of the course, you will receive a full season lift pass, accommodation for the duration of the course, 180+ hrs (approx. 165 hrs on snow/ 15 off snow) of training, shadowing hours, 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 ES Nendaz, we guarantee that this will be your life’s most developing ski experience packed with high fives and fun!

In order to attend and pass the course, we recommend 3-4 weeks of skiing experience, comfortable skiing on red slopes.

If you are not an EU passport holder or eligible to stay in Switzerland for long stays, this is the perfect course for you, keeping your stay just under 90 days and still getting the full instructor experience!

 

THE SEASON 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. It is not a coincidence that it has hosted the Freeride World Tour finals for years!

During the season, you will be accommodated with fellow Snowminders from all over the world in shared 5-6 person apartments with kitchen facilities in the village of Nendaz. In the FAQ section below you can find more details about your accommodation. Nendaz as a resort can be described as cozy and at the same time lively and international with a great ski and snowboard instructor community. The instructors from the ski school typically meet up at a few local spots in the resort after training or work to explore the resort together.

 

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM SNOWMINDS?

The program runs from November until February, and February until the end of April, where you will become a level 1+2 certified ski instructor!

Benefits of the ski level 1+2 course package:

  • 10 weeks shared accommodation in the village of Nendaz
  • Season lift pass for Les 4 Vallées*
  • Snowminds Team Leader during the entire season
  • 180+hrs (approx. 165 hours on snow/15 off) of ski training
  • Shadowing lessons
  • 1,5 days of Outdoor First Aid course
  • Level 1 and 2 exams including all fees
  • Freestyle and Mountain Safety training
  • Fitness program throughout winter
  • French language lessons for all levels (ski teaching specific)
  • Ski servicing workshops
  • CV and careers advice workshops
  • Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
  • 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

 

What is not included?

  • Transportation to/from Nendaz, Switzerland**
  • Cancellation insurance, travel insurance, and potential visa fees
  • Child protection course (25 GPD) and tourist tax of 3.5 chf per day
  • Membership of the ski instructor association (67 € plus VAT)
  • Housing deposit
  • 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 300 CHF surcharge on the lift ticket for people that are 24 years or older and/ or a 300 CHF surcharge for people signed up later than November 20th.

**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

There are several options for you to consider. We are running two back-to-back 10 week level 1+2 ski courses simultaneously. You can choose between the following dates:

First course: November – February

Second course: February – April

Our Nendaz level 1 and 2 instructor course 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 terrain in the Alps.

If you are doing the early season course, it gives you an opportunity to get qualified and then go and work in a ski resort from February Half Term onwards.

If you are taking the later course, it enables you to get qualified in time for either the Southern Hemisphere winter or gets you ahead of the game for the next winter season! It’s also a great alternative option to a full season if you’re looking to stay in the Alps for 2.5/3 months and spend Christmas and New Year with family and friends at home before your experience.

If you are not an EU passport holder or not eligible to stay in Switzerland for long stays, this is the perfect course for you, keeping your stay under 90 days and still getting the full instructor experience!

 

Ski Level 1&2:

 

Week 1
4 days on snow training

  • Each group will do their 16hrs of First aid training and their safeguarding children
  • Ski tuning and prep
  • Fitness sessions
  • Course overview & housekeeping 
  • Introduction to philosophy and terminology

 

Week 2
6 days of training 

  • Teaching methodology – why, what and how?
  • Core skier development – understanding beginner to intermediate progression 
  • Personal performance with video analysis
  • French language session 
  • Ski servicing workshop

 

Week 3
6 days of training 

  • Teaching methodology – why, what and how?
  • Core skier development – understanding beginner to intermediate progression 
  • Personal performance with video analysis
  • French language session 
  • Ski servicing workshop

 

Week 4

  • 6 days of Level 1 exams 

 

Week 5 + 6

  • Work/ shadowing opportunities with partner ski schools in Nendaz

 

Week 7
5 days of training

  • Personal performance training with video analysis
  • Ski fitness & stretch session
  • CV workshop and careers advice

 

Week 8
6 days of training

  • Personal performance training with video analysis
  • Intro to mountain safety workshop 
  • Intro to freestyle workshop
  • French language session

 

Week 9
6 days of training

  • Personal performance training with video analysis
  • Ski fitness & stretch session
  • French language session

 

Week 10
6 days of training Level 2 exam

  • Personal performance training with video analysis
  • Teaching practice and progressions
  • French language session

 

 

*The Travel Itinerary is approximate and can be subject to changes. Please note that this course is also offered as a snowboard course with the same program. For more information, reach out to us!

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

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.

To join the course we expect from you:

  • 3-4 weeks of skiing experience
  • You are positive, kind and respectful to others
  • You are serious, responsible, and top motivated to learn in a serious training environment
  • 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 program

There is a lot of interest in the course and the places fill up quickly. We only have a minimum of spots on this course, which is the reason we use a “first come, first served” arrangement. This means that the sooner you can reach us, the greater the chance that there is still a spot available for you on the course.

You can sign up via the link here

"After my first week in Nendaz I was sold and now, 5 seasons later, I call Nendaz my "home away from home". 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

ACCOMMODATION

For this program accommodation is included for the entire period of your course!  You’ll be in shared accommodation with other Snowminds Instructors in a fantastic community.

Housing contract
Since housing is secured for the full course a signed housing contract will be required before departure.

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.

Prancondu 1 and 2
In Nendaz, you live in shared apartments with 4-6 people right in the centrum of the Village. You are within walking distance (5-10 min.) of the 3 supermarkets and the first lift station is 2 min. walk from your apartments and if the snow conditions allow it, it’s ski-in, ski-out.
Bed linen, towels and free wifi are included in the apartments and you will have a shared washing machine between all of the Snowminders located in the basement of building 1.
Inside the apartments, you will have shared bedrooms some with single beds, double beds and bunk beds. Our 6-person apartment has two bedrooms and a sofa bed in the common area.
In the main room, you will find your shared kitchen, common area, bathroom and balcony. The kitchen is equipped with a microwave, 4 induction hobs, a refrigerator with a small freezer and a dishwasher. The apartments do not have ovens installed so from our experince and stories from previous instructors, you learn to become creative in the kitchen.
Skis and snowboards can be stored in the ski room in the basement including.
From our experience, your seasonal accommodation soon becomes your home and the people you live with become your family. It is often with a huge lump in your throat and maybe a tear in your eyes, that you leave it after the season.

Price

Course Icon 10 week lvl 1 + 2 ski instructor program in Nendaz

Course Icon €8,995 (Request a price without accommodation)

Course Icon

Course Icon Haute-Nendaz, Switzerland

Course Icon November - February OR February - April

Course Icon Sign-up deposit: €200

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