Switzerland: Saas Fee & Zermatt Ski and Snowboard Instructor Autumn Course....

What makes this course different?

• 9 week course
• 28th September - 29th November
• Perfect for completing BASI Level 2 in time to teach for the whole winter season
• Job opportunity with European Snowsport in Zermatt or Verbier on passing Level 2
• Introduction to Freestyle - take advantage of Saas Fee's awesome park and pipe
• Breakfast & dinner included
• 3 star hotel accommodation

Before the Course starts...

Peak Leaders and European Snowsport will hold a selection clinic during the course for those that wish to take part in the guaranteed work scheme. For everyone else Peak Leaders will assist you with job applications to ski and snowboard schools in Europe and North America to give you the best possible opportunity of employment on completing the course. We will give you a list of our snowsport school partners on completing our application form.

What makes this course even better?

• It is endorsed by BASI specifically with the aim of providing a pool of BASI instructors for employment in Europe with English speaking clients.

• Off snow performance and fitness training including pilates and circuits.

• Plenty of opportunity to take full advantage of the whole host of activities that Saas Fee offers including, mountain biking, tennis, hiking, running trails, luge and world famous spas.

• Applicants must be dedicated, strong skiers and riders who wish to excel in their chosen sport whilst learning from highly experienced trainers in an established snowsports school.

• There are limited places on this course. All non-UK passport holders should contact the office regarding the visa requirements for working in Switzerland.

  
  

The Course...

Designed to take you through BASI level 1 and onto BASI level 2 in order to qualify you to work. If you’re thinking of spending your gap year or career break qualifying and working as a ski instructor or a snowboard instructor, the latest Peak Leaders course with European Snowsport, is the perfect gap course for you.

When you arrive, there will be a welcome talk/overview with your course leader and trainers. It's the perfect time to get to know the rest of the group. You’ll have one weeks' training then will sit your Level 1 BASI, then a further 5 weeks training in Saas Fee to prepare you for your Level 2 BASI exam at the end of November in Zermatt.

As well as the top class on snow training with video feedback sessions, you can complete a first aid course, avalanche awareness course and off snow fitness training. The optional Leader Training module is designed to help everyone improve their performance either in charge of or with a team.

As you progress through the course your technique will be refined and you will gain skills in steeps, bumps, off piste and park. Your all mountain knowledge and people skills will grow and your riding should improve beyond recognition - you'll be tackling terrain you only dreamed of previously.

You’ll also get the expert advice of a Course Leader to help you achieve your agreed goals and you’ll learn about teaching in a real working environment. The course is well balanced with time to chill out and relax in our great accommodation, letting you get to know everyone else on the course. Many people on previous courses have kept in touch and now work together all over the world.

This course finishes in perfect time for snowsports schools formation week at the start of December - you can put your new instructor status into practise straight away!

Course Outline...

• Welcome talk and overview from course leader
• Mountain familiarization tour of Saas Fee
• 5 days of coaching with video sessions
• 5 day BASI Level 1 assessment
• Further 5 weeks (5 days per week) of top level ski/board coaching
• ILM Certificate City and Guilds NVQ level 3 award in Leadership (optional)
• Ski / Board maintenance clinic
• Mountain medicine including First Aid Course
• Avalanche Awareness Course / Backcountry Module: Learn about route selection and trekking in the back country, risk assessment, avalanche dangers and snow pack conditions
• 2 week BASI Level 2 assessment in Zermatt

Accommodation

You live in great 3* hotel in Saas Fee within easy reach of the lifts and night life. Accommodation includes twin rooms. Breakfast and evening meals are provided. Lunch is not included.

In Zermatt we stay in the Esplanade, in spacious 2 or 3 bedroomed apartments. It's a great location close to the lifts and town.

Qualifications and Certs...

We offer the British Association of Snowsport Association qualifications. The qualification is recognized worldwide and is crucial if you want to teach in France later on in your career. BASI level 1 is the introductory level taken early on in the course, with BASI 2 (more advanced) taken towards the end of the course. In 2007 we had 100% pass rate for BASI 1! Other qualifications on offer are the first aid course, avalanche awareness & backcountry Module, ILM Management certificate, SNSC resort guiding award.

The Resorts

Saas Fee is known as the pearl of the Alps. It's a car-free village. The high altitude valley benefits from its elevation and enjoys guaranteed snow. Apart from being able to ski or ride up to an altitude of 3600 m, Saas Fee has plenty to do off the mountain. The world famous Popcorn Bar has year round live gigs, there's a small skate park, great shops and restaurants - you've got to try out the local specialities including raclette and fondue.

We run the Level 2 course in Zermatt to allow you to experience another glacier - it's quite simply one of the most famous resorts in the world!

Job Opportunities

Once you have your BASI qualifications you can apply for jobs in the Northern hemisphere winter. From previous experience and feedback from Peaks trainees we have found that our combination of qualifications, certifications and experience offered by the course is very attractive to ski schools looking for more instructors. Peakleaders have excellent contacts all over the world and can assist you in achieving your ideal job.