The Dream in Austria
Imagine: Every morning you wake up, check the snow report and ask yourself: How am I going to shred the mountain today, on one board or two? Tough life, right? Well, somebody’s gotta do it!
With our 3 week dual ski and snowboard instructor course, Snowminds offers you the opportunity to go all-in and quickly attain your Level 1 Austrian certification on your first winter season. Like all other Snowminds courses, you will receive a job guarantee as a paid instructor for your season in Austria. Remember, you definitely do not need to be an expert or superstar to become a dual ski and snowboard instructor. As with most things in life, it’s all about motivation and dedication. That’s why we have created this 3-week course of basic essentials to help you crush your Level 1 dual exam and achieve your dream of becoming a dual ski and snowboard instructor.
Recommendation: If you want more comprehensive training, check out our 5-week ski and snowboard instructor course
The Training
This 3-week dual instructor training course in Kaprun, Austria, is designed to give you thorough preparation for the Austrian “Anwärter” Level 1 ski and snowboard instructor exam.
With this 3-week dual instructor course beginning either in late November or mid-February, you will receive 5 days of training per week from our highly-talented and experienced Snowminds coaches. Through training you will refine your technique in all the core aspects, including carving, short-range training and rhythm shift on the piste. During the course, we also do our best to create the Snowminds spirit we are known for, 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 before the winter season kicks into full-force. After completing your course, you will be ready to crush your Level 1 exam and then immediately begin working as a paid dual ski and snowboard instructor in Austria with a job guarantee for your winter season.
Recommendation: Check out our 5 Star Facebook reviews and learn more about Snowminds from our ski and snowboard instructors!
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 in Austria.
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
- 3-week level 1 (Anwärter) dual 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 and anything else not 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 is offered twice during the winter. Both courses finish with the Austrian instructor certification (and a big closing party, of course!). After which we arrange a departure to your ski school, where you can spend the season working as an instructor.
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 and snowboarded 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 your 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 3-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.
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 (Note: add link) or our 7-week ski instructor course (links)
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.
Training
Over 3 weeks of intense training, you will grow as a skier and snowboarder in ways you did not forsee. You will first receive 4 days of teaching your first week to prepare you to master the most important exercises and techniques needed for the following 16 day intensive ski and snowboard instructor training course. This training culminates 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.
But wait just one second there. Before you are transported to your final destination, we will throw a farewell party to celebrate a successful result with your new friends made over the last 3 weeks of training. This will be a team effort. We provide the goods. You make the party as fun as possible.
Course Price
3 Week Dual Ski & Snowboard Cours in Austria + Full Season & Job Guarantee
from €4.295
November - April