Become a ski instructor in Switzerland

Join our fast-track 3-week level 1 ski instructor course in Saas-Fee, Switzerland

We are stoked to offer you to join our fast-track 3-week ski instructor course in  Switzerland. This course is followed by a job placement as a full-time job ski instructor in Crans Montana, La Tzoumaz, or Verbier! First, you can look forward to 3-weeks of world-class training for your level 1 ski instructor certification in Saas-Fee. Saas-Fee is a picture-perfect Swiss alp village that boasts more than 14 mountain tops over 4.000m (!) in one of Switzerland’s most snow-secure ski resorts. Then, after you have successfully secured your BASI level ski instructor certification, you can put your new skills into action and earn money as a full-time ski instructor in some of the most famous resorts in Switzerland.

As such, you can look forward to a season as a ski instructor in Switzerland surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks, endless slopes, and exhilarating freeride in untouched powder fields. All this whilst developing rapidly in an ambitious, fun, and motivating environment both during the ski instructor course in Saas Fee and as a ski instructor.

The ski instructor course in Saas-Fee

In early November, you will depart your home country to join our 3-week ski instructor course in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. You will stay in shared rooms at the homely Hotel Jägerhof with your fellow Snowminds team members, enjoying daily breakfast and dinner. During the ski instructor course in Saas-Fee, top-professional, English-speaking trainers will provide the training, prepping you for the internationally recognized BASI Level 1 certification.

The ski instructor course in Saas-Fee will hone your skiing technique, teaching abilities, language skills, and much more. We will also be preparing you fully for a job as a ski instructor in the upcoming ski season in Switzerland. Our dedicated program managers will orchestrate social activities and foster a strong community spirit, ensuring your ski instructor course in Saas-Fee is both enriching and enjoyable!

Tailored specifically for your future role as a ski instructor, the ski instructor course in Saas-Fee is your pathway to professional success. After your course in Saas-Fee, we will manage your transfer to the skischool. Here, you will join the onboarding training, setting you up to begin your ski instructor journey in Switzerland.

Life as a ski instructor in Switzerland

As a ski instructor in Switzerland, you’ll have the chance to work in one of the world’s most renowned ski destinations. With diverse and beautiful landscapes, Switzerland offers a perfect setting for both seasoned skiers and beginners. Working as a ski instructor, you’ll find yourself in a vibrant, international environment, interacting with clients from around the globe. Whether it’s children, youth groups, or adults, you’ll meet people from various cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, making this an enriching and rewarding experience.

In a ski school setting, proficiency in multiple languages can be highly beneficial, although English will often be the primary mode of communication. The ski school is dedicated to creating exciting and memorable experiences for all participants, with a strong focus on three core values: safety, quality, and enjoyment.

As a ski instructor, you will typically work full-time, around five days a week, while also participating in evening activities and assisting with other tasks related to the camps or programs. In addition to your instructor duties, you may also help organize fun events and provide support in a variety of areas, contributing to the overall success of the program.

Living in staff accommodation, you’ll be surrounded by fellow colleagues, creating a supportive and fun work environment. Meals are usually provided, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it easy to focus on your work and enjoy your time in the Swiss Alps.

This role offers the opportunity to build valuable skills, make lasting memories, and immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Switzerland

What is included?

To sum it up, we’ve planned your memorable season in the legendary Swiss Alps, which includes extensive training and plentiful work opportunities as a ski instructor. Here are the details of what we’ve organized for you:

• A 3-week ski instructor course in Saas-Fee, Switzerland
• A job as a ski instructor in Switzerland*
• 3 weeks of hotel accommodation including breakfast and dinner at Hotel Jägerhof, Saas-Fee
• Organized season housing in your resort (paid directly to the ski school)
• Lift pass for the 3-week course in Saas-Fee
• 1/2 price on season lift pass to Crans Montana, La Tzoumaz, or Verbier**
• 10 days of English-spoken ski training before the BASI level 1 ski instructor course
• 4 days on the BASI level 1 ski instructor certification including all fees, materials, and membership
• Transportation from Saas-Fee to Verbier
• Ski school orientation including 5 days of extra ski training in Verbier
• Snowminds Team leader and social events during the course and season
• Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
• Pre-season fitness program
• Kick-off event prior to departure with team building and more
• Guidance to packing, insurance, visa, etc., before, during, and after the season
• Invitation to Snowminds Reunion after the winter season
• 24-hour emergency phone during the course and season
• Travel protection with Snowminds Money Back Guarantee

What is not included?

• Transportation to and from Switzerland***
• Housing deposit and rent for the full seasonal accommodation
• Cancellation insurance, travel insurance, and potential local taxes, registration, and/or visa fees
• Ski equipment and anything not mentioned above
• 12-hour First aid course ****

* Employment depends on successfully passing your interview and exams and is based on business levels and demands from the ski school. 

** There is a 300 CHF surcharge on the lift ticket for people that are 24 years or older (for people born in 1999 and older) and/ or a 300 CHF surcharge for people signed up later than November, who will be working in Verbier or La Tzoumaz. 

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

**** If not already obtained and necessary for the education, the 12-hour First aid course can be added for a prize of 140 CHF.

Application requirements

At Snowminds, we take great pride in choosing the perfect candidates to join our team of ski and snowboard instructors. We hold a reputation among ski schools for nurturing competent, energetic, and highly driven instructors. It is vital to possess a passion for working with young campers, inspiring them to embrace new experiences while establishing meaningful connections with them.

To apply, we expect that:

• You feel comfortable skiing on red slopes
• You speak fluent English and ideally another language
• You are positive, responsible, and professional
• You have a passion for working and spending time with children and youth groups.
• You enjoy teaching and love being challenged
• You are 18 years or above
• You are eligible to enter and work in Switzerland from the beginning of November until the end of April/May

To reserve your place in our ski instructor course in Verbier, we encourage you to reach out to us or submit your application without delay. Following this, we will arrange a call and conduct an interview to evaluate your compatibility with the course and job. This also allows us to discuss in more depth the ski instructor course in Saas-Fee and what life as a ski instructor in Switzerland entails. After the interview, we will inform you if you have secured a spot on our team.

Owing to the high demand for our 3-week ski instructor course in Saas-Fee, we operate on a “first come, first serve” basis and set monthly application deadlines. Consequently, an early application improves your chances of becoming a part of our team and makes the dream of becoming a ski instructor in Switzerland come true.

Key Details About the Course