10 week level 1 + 2 snowboard instructor course in Verbier

Become a snowboard 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 and riding. 

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 snowboard instructor training program in Verbier.

NOTE: The same course is also offered for skiers.

A winter in Verbier

Our extensive 10 week level 1+2 snowboard 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, 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 snowboarding experience, comfortably getting down 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 snowboard instructor life in Vebier

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 snowboard. 

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.

What do you get from Snowminds?

We’ve created a holistic winter experience from either November until February, or February to April, 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 Verbier or Le Chable
• Snowminds Team leader during the 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
• Any work permit-/ registration fees, health insurance or tourist tax
• Housing deposit
• 12-hour First aid course****
• 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 that are 24 years or older (for people born in 2000 and older) and/ or a 300 CHF surcharge for people signed up later than November 20th on the year of departure.

** 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. 

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

Travel Itinerary

There are several options for you to consider. We are running two back-to-back 10 week level 1+2 ski and a snowboard courses simultaneously. The course runs from early January till late March.

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!

In case you are not necessarily looking at teaching, the short course is a fantastic opportunity to hugely up your ski or snowboard level, without having to commit to a full season! If you are more interested in work opportunities during the season we would recommend our full season level 1+2 course in Verbier. 

Example of course schedule: 

• Week 1: First aid training 16 hrs + snowboard prep and fitness + days on snow
• Week 2: Training (Teaching methodology, Core snowboard development)
• Week 3: Training (Teaching methodology, Core snowboard development)
• Week 4: Level 1 IASI  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 IASI 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 snowboarding 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