Join Team Snowminds & become a snowboard Instructor in Nendaz

Become a snowboard 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 and riders 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 snowboard 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 skiers.

A WINTER IN LES 4 VALLÉES

Our extensive 10 week level 1+2 snowboard 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 suggest 3-4 weeks of snowboard experience, comfortable snowboarding on red slopes. From this starting point, both the Level 1 and Level 2 are well within reach.

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 instructors. The Swiss Alps offer some of the best skiing and riding in the world, both on the slope, and off-piste. This is specifically evident in the 4 Vallées 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 snowboard instructor!

Benefits of the snowboard 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/ snowboard teaching specific)
Snowboard servicing workshops
CV and careers advice workshops
Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
Ski school orientation, preparing you for life as a certified snowboard 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
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 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 snowboard 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!

Snowboard Level 1&2:

Week 1
4 days on snow training

Each group will do their 16hrs of First aid training and their safeguarding children
Snowboard 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 snowboarder development – understanding beginner to intermediate progression
Personal performance with video analysis
French language session
Snowboard servicing workshop

Week 3
6 days of training

Teaching methodology – why, what and how?
Core snowboarder development – understanding beginner to intermediate progression
Personal performance with video analysis
French language session
Snowboard 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
Snowboard 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
Snowboard 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 snowboard 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.