LEVEL 1 & 2 - YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE

BEGIN

Our Level 1 and 2 ski instructor qualification program is perfect for those wishing to do a season in the Swiss Alps. This program is popular with competent skiers looking to take to take a Gap year before or after university. Those wanting to start a new career in ski instructing, people looking to take a career break or sabbatical, or simply those wanting professional training to improve their own skiing.  

With the highest quality coaching from our highly experienced team, candidates will be trained to reach the standards and performance elements required to become a qualified instructor. This will include piste-performance, moguls, steeps, and varied off-piste terrain. Candidates will also be taught how to demonstrate a clear learning progression from novice to intermediate skiers and most importantly, understand how to relay this information in a fun safe way to a new learner.  


NENDAZ

Nendaz is situated in the heart of the 4 valleys with links to Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Thyon and Veysonnaz. Boasting some of the best free ride terrain and pistes in Europe the 4 valleys is set up perfectly to train as a Ski Instructor. A snow-sure resort from December to April, the mountain town of Nendaz sits at 1,400m, with pistes extending all the way to 3,330m at the famous Mont Fort. With the 4 Valleys area providing over 400km of piste all on one ski pass, it’s the perfect place for training. Famous for the free ride terrain, Nendaz and the 4 valleys are home to legendary off-piste runs, perfect for those wishing to improve their powder skiing and explore off the beaten track.  

GET IN TOUCH

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation will be shared apartments situated near the centre of the village on a self-catered basis.  

We feel learning the independent life of a ski instructor from the off set is an important part of the process. For this reason we feel it is better for the candidates to cook and look after themselves under the guidance of our in resort mentor. Where needed, candidates will be guided on where to shop, how to cook and what to eat to stay fit and healthy throughout the duration of the course.  

If you wish to arrange your own accommodation then a course only fee can be arranged.  


WHAT IS INCLUDED?

• 10 weeks Personal Ski Development • IASI Level 1 Instructor Course – 6 Days • Emergency outdoor First Aid Course – 2 Days • Avalanche and Mountain Safety Training • 4 Valleys Season Pass • Ski Biomechanics Sessions • Core Strength Building and Ski Specific Physical Training • IASI Level 2 Instructor Training Course – 6 Days • Video Analysis at least 2 times a week • Ski Servicing and Maintenance Training • 24 hour support in resort • Career advice sessions • ES Gap hoody • 8 French lessons with tutor • Pro deals with our partner shop Premier Alpine Centre • Welcome drinks • Average 30 hours per week training

 What’s not included  

• Flights to and from Geneva Airport and transfers to resort • Insurance for your time in Nendaz (including winter sports cover) • Food over the duration of the course • Ski Equipment including boots, skis, poles and winter clothing 

IASI (Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors)

IASI (Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors)  

‘The Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors (IASI) aims to deliver a modern and dynamic educational pathway for aspiring instructors as well as already qualified instructors. IASI's strategy has been to act as a hub for our members pooling the best from the global instructional snowsports scene through building positive communication and relationships. Through this ongoing strategy IASI are able to continually shape their philosophies and technical and teaching models adapting to the needs of the snowsport instructional world and future snowsports.’  

The IASI qualification pathway takes Instructors up to the highest level in the snowsports industry qualifying its members to ISIA card and ISTD (carte pro) standard. A fully licensed member of ISIA and IVSI and one of 12 nations part of the new European Delegated act for snow sport instructors, which came in to law at the end of May 2019.  

Trainers: Jamie Kagan

Director of ES Nendaz, IASI level 4, CSIA level 4, Swiss Brevet Federal, BASI level 4 tech and teach. IASI Head of Education, IASI demo team member and coach.  

Jamie is a highly experienced educator and examiner. After spending 11 years in Canada, qualifying as a level 4 in their system and becoming a CSIA examiner he moved to Europe to work in Zermatt as technical director for ES. In this time he gained his full equivalence in the Swiss system as well as passing his BASI level 4 tech and teach first attempt. He was then invited to join IASI to be part of the education team. After a few years in Zermatt Jamie took up the role of Director in Es's new school in Nendaz. Jamie is a current educator and examiner for IASI up to level 4 standard as well as Head of Education for the association. He was also Demo team coach and a member of the Irish Interski demo team at the last Interski in Pamporova in 2019.  

Trainers: Rich Wright

Rich started his ski career in 2001 and went on to study French at university and then qualified as a Chartered Property Surveyor. 

He returned to live in the Swiss Alps 8 years ago now and has worked as a ski coach in Switzerland, Italy and Australia, has the Swiss Patente and BASI qualifications.  He's been training manager for the past 5 years organising professional development sessions for returning instructors.

He grew up in Shakespeare’s town of Stratford-on-Avon, where he found his penchant for the performing arts and continues this passion through entertaining our guests with close-up magic on and off the mountain. 

He looks forward to training with you, together with a few new tricks up his sleeve for this winter!

Dates and Pricing

Course start date - December 7th 2020

Course end date - February 13th 2021

Course cost - 8300chf / 7850chf early bird price (until 30th September

Course cost without accommodation -5500chf / 5000chf early bird price (until 30th September