10 Week Instructor Training: Early Season course

We were the original ski instructor training organisation in Verbier, with our first instructor training course back in 2004. Years of experience has allowed us to perfect our program helping countless people achieve their goals. We don’t just focus on passing exams we want our students to come out of our courses with great experiences and a greater understanding of skiing. We believe in creating instructors who can continue to improve themselves and those they teach.

Verbier has always been our home, the terrain is vast and world famous, the town is also famous for its own reasons, it’s nearly impossible to get bored here. It’s the perfect location for 10 weeks of amazing training to develop your skiing. Training to pass the Level 1 and Level 2 IASI ski instructor exams. On completion, the level 2 qualification allows the holder to teach in an alpine environment across the globe.

Depending on what you’re after we have accommodation to suit! The course is available as “course only” if you already have somewhere to stay or would rather find something yourself.

We also have incredible catered accommodation as an option for the course if you’d like to have this side of things organised and sorted for you.

Having been running the instructor courses since 2004 we’ve had time to tweak and perfect the course and program. Year on year we regularly have 100% pass rates. Students hugely develop, not just in their skiing and teaching, but grow as people too. Great friendships are made, lots of fun had and memories to last a lifetime. We aim to create an inclusive, familial atmosphere in our groups with each supportive of the other on this winter journey.

• 300hrs of top quality coaching during the 10 weeks
• First year IASI membership
• IASI L1 & L2 exam fees
• 2 day first aid exam & qualification
• Discounts on equipment at the start of your course.
• Add option of 10 wk half Board Accommodation (5500CHF for shared room)
• Liftpass isn’t included in the course cost as it’s easier for you to purchase direct from https://verbier4vallees.ch/en. If you’re under 25 it’s 400CHF.

• Personal Development in all aspects of your skiing from the core elements to freestyle.
• Preparation for Level 1 and L2 Ski Instructor Course.
• Level 1 Instructor Course – 6 Days.
• Off piste awareness training.
• Filming and analysis.
• Teaching, group engagement and group management skills development.
• Teaching practice and opportunities to shadow experienced ski teachers.
• Level 2 Ski Instructor Course – 6 Days.
• Training by top qualified coaches with bucket loads of experience.

• Theory preparation for Level 1 and L2 Ski Instructor Courses.
• Understanding and effective use of the Core Skier Development Stages.
• Social events and integration to the resort.
• Emergency First Aid Course – 2 Days.
• Ski Servicing and Maintenance Training.
• Biomechanics assessments, the importance in Ski Instruction.
• Regular video analysis sessions.
• Core and ski specific physical training.
• Assistance in applying for jobs in the ski industry.
• Good times.

Nate “Absolutely loved the course. It was some of the best weeks of my life and I’ll never forget it”

Orla “I had the best season and all thanks to the amazing instructors at Warren Smith. My skiing massively improved and I loved training. Thank you!”

James “Fantastic course. Had so much fun. Thankyou so much to you all. I am hoping to come back in the future to do the L3 course”

Sally “A truly spectacular 10 weeks – thank you all”

We take this on a case by case basis as it is nearly impossible to give a concrete answer as everyone is different. As a rough guide we would expect a potential trainee to be able to ski all pistes in parallel with hopefully, though by no means essential, a bit of experience in more challenging terrain. For a look at the required levels for the L1 & L2 exams check the IASI website for criteria videos. On our level system we would be looking for a level 3 standard or higher. If at all unsure please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We run 2 courses over the winter. Our early course starts in November and our mid season course starts in February, both run for the same 10 week duration. We also run a 7 week fast track course over the summer. The courses are both the same in their content regardless of start date. It’s a personal preference. Due to Verbier’s altitude the snow conditions are not affected, the Early course does run through the more wintery months but the spring in Verbier is for sure one of the best times to be here.

We choose to partner and assess our courses through IASI for many reasons. Not least because being an organisation that is still recognised within Europe it allows EU passport holders to continue to be recognised to work in Europe. We have been working with IASI for many years, some of our Academy team are heavily involved with the organisation, as Educators and above. IASI is aligned with ISIA (easy to confuse, but 2 different organisations) which is the international association for ski instructing.

Verbier is famous for its vast, challenging yet relatively easily accessed off piste terrain. But don’t be fooled we have some great piste skiing too. A bustling nightlife, situated high up on a south facing plateau, enjoying sunshine in to the evening and spectacular views make Verbier a really special town. As all big resorts it can get busy at peak weeks which is why we structure our training to avoid these periods. The vast area of the 4 Vallees makes it possible to get away from the crowds at all times.