Verbier Ski Instructor Course

The 10-week structure

Weeks 1–2: Foundation block

Goals

• Introduce the baseline technical standard and consistent demos.
• Introduce Coaching behaviours from day 1
• Set the culture: punctual, coachable, professional
  

Deliverables

• Initial video benchmark per resident
• Teaching micro-rep schedule (each resident teaches daily)
• Review Gate #1 at the end of Week 2
  

Week 3: BASI L1 exam week

Goals

• Performance readiness for BASI Level 1 Exam
• Manage nerves and routines
  

Deliverables

• Individual exam plan per resident
• Contingency plan if any one fails (resit route/pathway implications)
  

Week 4: Shadowing and Portfolio

Goals

• Start SSE (Snowsport Experience)logbook discipline
• Convert observation into teaching competence
  

Deliverables

• Observation briefs (x3) and reflections
• SSE sign-offs completed to plan
  

Weeks 5–8: Level 2 exam build block

Goals

• Raise skiing performance and reliability
• Teach competently with real clients
• Assess “hireability”
  

Deliverables

• Weekly 1:1 feedback notes
• Mid-block performance videos
• Review Gate #2 end of Week 7
  

Weeks 9–10: BASI L2 Exam and onboarding

Goals

• Peak performance
• Transition into work pathway ready
  

Deliverables

• Final review and invitation decision
• Operational onboarding checklist for those invited:
  
  • uniform
  • meeting points
  • comms standards
  • shadowing/teaching expectations

housing continuation agreement (if staying)

Our minimum expectations are:

• you arrive on time, prepared, with the correct kit
• you’re respectful to our team and guests
• no substance misuse or irresponsible behaviour
• you comply with the house rules
• respond to feedback without defensiveness
• protect the brand reputation online and in resort

If we feel you’re not meeting these criteria we follow we’ll take the following steps.

1. Verbal warning and note
2. Written warning and improvement plan (PD)
3. Removal from the employment pathway and/or programme removal (depending on severity)

Yes, it’s essential to have appropriate insurance for the course. While we can’t recommend specific providers, once you’re enrolled, we’ll provide you with a checklist of key factors to consider when selecting a policy to ensure you’re fully covered.

Gate #1 – end Week 2: “On track / Action plan”

Criteria:

• punctuality and reliability
• coachability
• safety awareness
• technical progress rate
• professionalism in the group

Outcomes:

• On track
• On track with action plan
• At risk (written improvement plan + PD review)
  

Gate #2 – end of Week 7: “Invitable status”

Criteria:

• teaching competence trajectory
• emotional control under pressure
• client-facing professionalism
• contribution to team culture
• housing conduct (if issues exist)

Outcomes:

• Invitable (conditional)
• Invitable with conditions
• Not invitable (documented; still can finish training)
  

Gate #3 – end Week 10: “Invitation decision”

Inputs:

• Gate history + trainer consensus
• exam results
• conduct record
• business staffing needs
  

Outcomes:

• Invited into the work pathway
• Deferred (clear plan + conditions)
• Not invited (clear reasons provided)

Rooms are shared and allocated on gender. We offer both catered and self-catered accommodation. In all of our self-catered options, you will have access to a fully equipped kitchen.

The best skis for a level 1 and 2 course are versatile piste skis. These skis should have a turn radius of around 15 metres. Underfoot, look for skis that are between 65mm and 80mm. These skis will give you great piste performance but will also be more forgiving in challenging conditions.

The maximum group size per coach is 6.

To apply for our Verbier Ski Instructor course click the button at the top of the page.

There are 4 steps.

Step 1 — Application form: we’ll confirm that you have the right to work and get a little more info on your experience and motivation.
Step 2 — Video submission: we’ll ask for a couple of videos of you skiing to make sure it’s a realistic option for you.
Step 3 — Interview: Duncan Halliday, our resort manager, will invite you to an interview. This will last around 30 minutes.
Step 4 — Offer: We’ll share and ask you to agree with our professional standards and pay your deposit.

No. Most of your course will be focused on on-piste training, so having piste-performance skis is essential. While there will be some off-piste training, off-piste skis are not a requirement. If you prefer, you can either rent skis specifically for off-piste days or challenge yourself by using your piste skis in the powder. The choice is entirely up to you!

This programme is designed as a pipeline into New Generation, but work isn’t guaranteed.

Students may be invited to work with the ski school after the programme based on:

• professional standards and conduct during the course
• performance and readiness
• passing their qualification
  

We hold 3 review points called gates throughout the programme to ensure expectations are clear and fair.

We highly recommend buying equipment for your training course. Given the length of the course, it tends to be more cost-effective. Training at an advanced level requires equipment that can match the demands of your technical development and rental skis often lack the performance and precision needed to fully support your progress. We partner with No1 Sports in Verbier, who are there to help you find the perfect equipment tailored to your needs. We recommend this option as you’ll have the chance to test out equipment before you commit to buying.

Typically Monday- Friday, although this can sometimes change. Extra components of the course (such as First Aid) will take place at the weekend. During peak season/ holiday weeks students will gain ski school experience by shadowing lessons with the ski school.

Absolutely, we encourage you to explore Verbier and make the most of your time there. Just be wary of fatigue. If you’re skiing every day, fatigue levels will catch up with you towards the tail end of the season. We advise you to take a day off every now and then when you’re not training.

If you fail BASI level 1:

If a candidate fails both the Teaching and the Technical elements of the course in Verbier, they must retake the whole Level 1 course.

If a candidate fails a teaching or technical element of the course, they can book one of the following options:

1. CPD L1/2 Re-assessment course (one day). Available to book through BASI website.
2. Private re-assessment organised through BASI.

If a candidate fails the re-assessment, they can book one further re-assessment but if they fail the second attempt, they must complete the whole Level 1 course again.

Group reassessment costs £99 for a one-day course and they run in snow domes in the UK. Sometimes they run these abroad but not guaranteed- BASI haven’t confirmed dates for next year.

As a  business partner we can also organise a private Level 1 reassessment day by sub contracting a local trainer and paying them their daily rate (organised by us but paid by the student). Cost varies through the year, but at the moment it is £340 a day.

If you fail BASI level 2:

If a candidate fails both the Teaching and the Technical elements of the course, they must retake the whole Level 2 course.

Candidates who successfully pass the Teaching element, but fail the Technical element of the course, will be awarded the UK Level 2 qualification.

If a candidate fails the Technical element of the course, they can book onto a Level 2 Re-assessment course (see below). They cannot book onto a UK Level 2 course to resit the technical element.

If a candidate fails the Teaching element of the course, they can book onto a UK Level 2 or a Level 2 Re-assessment course.

If a candidate fails the re-assessment, they can book one further re-assessment but if they fail the second attempt, they must complete the whole Level 2 course again.

The reassessment is 4 days long, costs £579 and these run in resorts across the Alps. They tend to be towards the end of the season in March or April. Again, your examiner will have the course report from your previous course and will assess you on the element you failed. 

If there is not a reassessment course running at a suitable time for out students, we may be able to organise one directly with BASI on behalf of the student.

Another option is to rebook the entire Level 2 course if there is one in the resort you’re training in. This may work out cheaper and be more convenient if the reassessments are only in other resorts. We can support you with this and contact business partners to see if anyone has space on their course.