10 week level 1 + 2 ski instructor course in Verbier

The perfect development course to explore Verbier

Become a ski instructor in Verbier

Verbier is the heart of the ski area, and the most well known Swiss resort as a firm favorite amongst the royals and the rich and famous. It is also Switzerland’s liveliest resort with a reputation for its animated après ski and nightlife and renowned for its fantastic range of pistes as well as off-piste skiing. 

There is a good reason Verbier has hosted the final of the Freeride World Tour for more than the past decade! Verbier has an international vibe and it is not uncommon to run into a pro skier or two throughout the day. The fact that so many pro skiers choose Verbier as their home base, speaks for itself!

All the more reason for us to be proud to present a unique winter season experience, a fully English spoken level 1 and 2 ski instructor training program in Verbier.

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

 

A winter in Verbier

Our extensive 10 week level 1+2 ski instructor course in Verbier 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, 170+ hrs of training, shadowing hours, a fitness program and much more. The training consists of both the Technical and Teaching elements required for the Level 1 and Level 2 exam. Alongside these elements, you will also enjoy Off Piste/Mountain Safety training, ski/ snowboard tuning clinics and have the opportunity to visit other resorts around Switzerland.

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 ski instructor life in Verbier

Our former Snowminders all stated, you must go down the Piste de L’Ours which hosted a number of downhill World Cup championships and if you want to find the perfect spot for a photo then head up to the Mont Fort glacier. Depending on the conditions, it’s either buried under a layer of powdery snow or covered in well-shaped bumps. Those in a more pensive mood can simply enjoy the panorama, or, accompanied by a mountain guide, can tackle one of the Backside Mont-Fort routes on skis. 

Due to the proximity and good connection between the neighboring resorts La Tzoumaz and Nendaz, Snowminders can easily visit each other and spend a day on skis together! 

During the course, you will be accommodated with a group of fellow Snowminders in a shared house with kitchen facilities. 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.

Pictures from the destination

What do you get from Snowminds?

We’ve created a holistic winter experience from January to March, where you will become a certified ski or snowboard instructor. With this course package, you can look forward to the following benefits.

What’s included?

  • A winter in Verbier
  • 10 weeks of shared accommodation in MAP Verbier-Village Hostel
  • Snowminds Team leader during the course
  • First aid course
  • Season lift pass for Verbier and 4 Valleys*
  • 168 intensive hours level 1+2 training program including video analysis and evening sessions
  • Level 1+2 BASI exams including all fees, materials, and membership
  • Shadowing opportunities and possible work options**
  • Ski school orientation, preparing you for life as a certified ski instructor
  • Social team events during the season
  • Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
  • Pre-season fitness program
  • Kick-off event in September 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 Verbier, Switzerland***
  • Cancellation & travel insurance
  • Housing deposit, insurance, and tourist tax (3 CHF per day)
  • 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!

* There is a 300 CHF surcharge on the lift ticket for people who are 24 years or older and/or a 300 CHF surcharge for people signed up later than November 20th on the year of departure. Please check for specific information when booking. 

** Possible work requires that you are eligible to work in Switzerland. You can read more here, if you are eligible to work in Switzerland.

*** 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. 

Travel Itinerary

The course runs from mid-January till late March. This enables you to get the best of the winter season and potentially work a little in February.

If you are more interested in work opportunities during the season we would recommend our full season level 1+2 course in Verbier. 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!

 

Example of course schedule: 

  • Week 1: Welcome meeting, first aid training and on snow
  • Week 2: Training (Teaching methodology, Core skier development)
  • Week 3: Training (Teaching methodology, Core skier development)
  • Week 4: Level 1 Exam
  • Week 5-6: Shadowing
  • Week 7: Training (Performance)
  • Week 8: Training (Mountain safety, freestyle)
  • Week 9: Training (Performance, Video Analysis, Fitness)
  • Week 10: Level 2 Exam

*The Travel Itinerary is approximate and can be subject to changes.

 

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

Key Details About the Course

SAFETY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Required safety equipment

  • Certified Snow Sports Helmet
  • Backpack suited for skiing, ideally 20-22 L

Recommended Protective Equipment

  • Spine / Back protector for skiing use

SKI EQUIPMENT Requirements

Please note: Choosing the correct ski equipment for your first season can be challenging. If you need any advice, help or recommendations, please reach out to our team as soon as possible, so we can make sure you arrive as prepared as possible to your winter experience. This is crucial for your experience to succeed.

Ski Equipment 

  • Ski: Piste-Performance Expert level ski
  • Boots: Traditional 4-Buckle or BOA system
  • Bindings: Should fit your boot
  • Poles with small baskets (or interchangeable baskets)

 

Rental options 

  • Season Rental: Snowminds have a deal with a shop in Verbier, and you can rent for the season: You can exchange gear as needed (for no extra cost) for what kind of skiing you will do, whether it is Training, Freeriding, Freestyle or Touring
  • Rent as Needed: If you just bring your own equipment, you can rent the other discipline equipment, like Ski Touring or Powder/Freeride skis as needed.
  • Renting Avalanche Safety Packs: You can rent this if needed.


Final notes:
Skiing equipment preferences are highly personal. The recommendations here are specific to the System you will be training in and for Verbier in general. Please come prepared. If you have equipment you really like, show up with it and you can evaluate with the ski school during the first few days of the course.

Training in Verbier

This course is run together with the Verbier-based ski school, Apex Verbier.

Instructor training is at the heart of Apex Verbier Ski School. Apex have over 50 years experience in the industry and teaching across the world! Apex is a small team of passionate ski instructors, with vast experience ski teaching in Verbier and the surrounding 4 Valleys area.

Apex Verbier Ski School strive to make the most out of your day on the mountain, improve your skills – and have fun!

What our instructors say

Rosa
5/5
Snowminds is an amazing travel company, that helps every costumer in a personally and professionally way, that is suited just for you. They are always prepared to help you with your questions, requests and problems, if you have any. My experience with snowminds has honestly been the best costumer service I have ever received in my life. They take every single costumer serious and treats them as an important part of their snowminds family as soon as you sign up for an unforgettable experience. They provide guidance, safety and structure every step of the way, to make sure you get the best experience possible. The team leaders provide comfort and help from the moment you meet them, and makes sure everyone feels welcome and prepared for the journey. I am during a season in Verbier, Switzerland, and my team leader, Julien, has truly been the best comfort and helping hand you can get. He always makes sure you are okay and have everything you need. He goes to the extra length to secure a good and safe environment for everyone, and is not only a guiding hand or model figure but also your friend from the moment you meet him. If you chose to travel with snowminds, will you not only get an unique and memorable experience, but you will become part of a family, that takes care of each other and makes sure everyday is filled with laughter, comfort, smiles and happiness. I would without a doubt recommend anyone who is thinking of during a ski season, to travel with snowminds, for an experience of a lifetime!
Laura
5/5
If you ever wish to become a ski instructor, snowminds makes the journey a lot more easy and smooth for you. They have a lot of different options regarding both courses and countries, so you can chose what ever you’d like and be supported by snowminds the whole journey.
Clay
5/5
Amazing company/ friends! they will guide you through everything so good that you don’t have to worry too much. Amazing experience quickest weeks of my life!
Rosa
Snowminds is an amazing travel company, that helps every costumer in a personally and professionally way, that is suited just for you. They are always prepared to help you with your questions, requests and problems, if you have any. My experience with snowminds has honestly been the best costumer service I have ever received in my life. They take every single costumer serious and treats them as an important part of their snowminds family as soon as you sign up for an unforgettable experience. They provide guidance, safety and structure every step of the way, to make sure you get the best experience possible. The team leaders provide comfort and help from the moment you meet them, and makes sure everyone feels welcome and prepared for the journey. I am during a season in Verbier, Switzerland, and my team leader, Julien, has truly been the best comfort and helping hand you can get. He always makes sure you are okay and have everything you need. He goes to the extra length to secure a good and safe environment for everyone, and is not only a guiding hand or model figure but also your friend from the moment you meet him. If you chose to travel with snowminds, will you not only get an unique and memorable experience, but you will become part of a family, that takes care of each other and makes sure everyday is filled with laughter, comfort, smiles and happiness. I would without a doubt recommend anyone who is thinking of during a ski season, to travel with snowminds, for an experience of a lifetime!
Laura
If you ever wish to become a ski instructor, snowminds makes the journey a lot more easy and smooth for you. They have a lot of different options regarding both courses and countries, so you can chose what ever you’d like and be supported by snowminds the whole journey.
Clay
Amazing company/ friends! they will guide you through everything so good that you don’t have to worry too much. Amazing experience quickest weeks of my life!

Price

Course Icon 10 week level 1 + 2 ski instructor course in Verbier

Course Icon from 8,795€

Course Icon

Course Icon Verbier, Switzerland

Course Icon January till March

Course Icon Sign up deposit: €200

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