Become a ski instructor in Nendaz

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 level 1 and 2 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 ski resorts offering some of the best and most varied terrain in the world.

NOTE: The same course is also offered for snowboarders. Reach out to us for more information!

A WINTER IN LES 4 VALLÉES

In case you are not necessarily looking at teaching, the short course is a fantastic opportunity to hugely up your ski level, without having to commit to a full season!

As a part of the course, you will receive a full season lift pass, accommodation for the duration of the course, around 259 hrs (220hrs on snow/ 39 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, you need to be able to perform controlled parallel turns on a difficult red run. From this starting point, both the Level 1 and Level 2 are well within reach.

Please bear in mind that the short courses are a more intensive programme than the season long course, it is ideal if you need a smaller time frame for completing the course as it requires less time commitment.

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 INSTRUCTOR 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 in a shared apartment with kitchen facilities in the village of Nendaz. Nendaz is a lively ski village with a great ski instructor community. The instructors typically meet up at a few local spots in the resort and on days off there are often a few of them exploring the resort together.

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM SNOWMINDS?

We’ve created a holistic winter experience from November until February, or February until the end of April, where you will become a level 1 and 2 certified ski instructor in Nendaz!

Benefits of the ski level 1+2 course package:

• 10 weeks shared accommodation in the village of Nendaz
• Snowminds Team Leader during the entire season
• Season lift pass for Les 4 Vallées*
• Approx. 259 hours training (220 hours on snow/ 39 off snow)
• Shadowing hours
• Outdoor First Aid course
• Level 1 and 2 exams including all fees
• Freestyle and Mountain Safety training
• Pre-season fitness program
• Ski specific fitness program throughout winter
• French language lessons for all levels
• Ski servicing workshops
• CV and careers advice workshops
• Pro-deals at resort-based partner shop and Snowminds Store
• Ski school orientation, preparing you for life as a certified ski instructor
• 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

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
• 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 200 CHF surcharge on the lift ticket for people born before 1999 and/ or a 200 CHF surcharge for people signed up later than November 20th 2023. 

**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 following dates:

1. 27.11.2023 –  02.02.2024

2. 05.02.2023 – 12.04.2024

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: Safeguarding children/ first aid training 16 hrs each group + ski prep and fitness + 4 days on snow
• Week 2: Training 6 days (Teaching methodology, core skier development)
• Week 3: Training 6 days (Teaching methodology, core skier development)
• Week 4: Level 1  Exam
• Week 5-6: Shadowing
• Week 8: Training (Performance, CV Workshop & careers advice)
• Week 7: Training (Mountain safety, freestyle, French)
• Week 10: Training (Performance, Video Analysis, Fitness, French)
• Week 9: Level 2 Exam

*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