What’s Included
- 180 hours of coaching over the season
- Employment opportunities
- Maximum 8 in a group
- A pre-course fitness training programme
- Individual action plans, mentoring and career support
- Weekly individual video analysis
- Avalanche and mountain safety training
- Freestyle training
Accommodation Options
We have accommodation available in Le Chable on a shared-room basis.
The chalets sleep 6 in total, and offer easy access to Verbier via gondola.
The cost for the season is CHF 4500. Just let us know when you’re ready to book and we can add this to your course.
Link to: Rich Wright
Meet Our Verbier Coaches
You’ll be in safe hands with our coaches, Ryan and Mischa. Examiners in the BASI and APSI systems they aren’t only great coaches – they know exactly what you need to achieve at every level.
Link to: Mischa Wykurz
Mischa Wykurz
BASI Trainer, Race Coach
Link to: Ale Cambon
Ryan Kerr
APSI Trainer, Founder of ski.hq
Book Your Training Course
Employment as part of the ski school is subject to interviews, working rights, and qualification recognition. You can reserve a space on any course online. However, this only guarantees you a space on the training programme. If the ability to work is an essential part of you joining us for your Verbier ISIA training, please contact us first.
What you’ll cover
Training Course Outline
Detailed ISIA Training Course Structure
Overview
The first training phase intends to improve fundamental ski technique, improving how we align and move with the skis. We’ll use plenty of slow-speed drills and exercises to help guide you into the correct movement patterns. This block is a skills-based approach to skiing, and you’ll be encouraged to experiment and try new things with your ski technique.
After the February half-term working period, we begin the second training phase and move into various environments, terrain, different slope angles, aspects, and snow conditions. The main block intends to continue developing those new movement patterns whilst skiing within the strands (shorts, long, bumps, steeps) and begin to expose and challenge them to different terrain. Generally, we experience the best winter snow conditions during this period, make good use of it, and secure a lane on the Bruson Stade to introduce training in stubbies and gates. This is also a great time to explore the vast 4 Vallees sector and learn and practice how to travel safely off-piste, practice avalanche awareness skills, and familiarise ourselves with the essential kit for safe off-piste practice (transceiver, shovel, probe).
In the final training phase, the overarching goal is to refine movement patterns and exam preparation. We’ll gradually increase the tempo and performance outcomes during this training block. This training phase is geared towards skiing on Level 3 terrain and at the Level 3 standard. Conditions permitting, we aim to secure more time in gates/stubbies to improve our timing and agility.
Further Breakdown:
The training program is broken into three mesocycles, each with a specific intention and aim, as detailed below.
Cycle 1
Key Focus: balance, coordination and steering
The first Verbier IASI training phase is slowed down and targets your balance, agility, and mobility. It’s an opportunity to develop and correct movement patterns and challenge the fundamental skills of skiing. A clear template of what’s required at the ISIA L3 Technical and Teaching standard will be outlined. These critical foundation weeks will inform your training action plan that will aid your development throughout the course. You’ll train in all mountain areas, including piste performance, long and short turns, variable snow (off-piste), bumps, and steeps.
Cycle 2
Development phase
Key focus: terrain change, performance outputs, racing skills, mountain skills
The second training phase is the largest and allows focused and structured practice time to reinforce the new movement patterns. The purpose is to minimise ineffective movements and maximum movement efficiency (ensuring the movements above your feet are connected to the skis and result in quality performance outcomes). Gradually, you’ll begin to ski exam criteria turns (shorts, longs, bumps) on the appropriate Level 3 terrain.
Scheduled into this training phase is time in gates/stubbies. Each course set is designed with specific performance outcomes in mind, and this will be significantly influenced by the areas of development needed in the group. A giant slalom or slalom course has set perimeters and tempo that promote effective movements and develop foot placement, rate of movement, and agility. Our trainees absolutely love this part of the course.
With so much terrain and generally fantastic snow conditions, we’ll develop your comfort levels in the off-piste environment. The ability to ski off-piste will develop your piste skiing, too, and is a great playground to challenge the fundamentals. We find this is a great way to develop a well-rounded skier who is comfortable in any terrain. It is also an opportunity to share methods of acquiring practical knowledge of:
- Snow reports,
- Avalanche safety
- Safe travel practices
- Using avalanche equipment
Cycle 3
Shaping phase
Key focus: refinement, accuracy and consistency, exam tactics and preparation
The training shifts focus now, and it’s time to improve your skiing performance and tempo. A typical day will consist of an off-ski warmup, a few warmup laps, a task (short turns, for example) and then skiing the set task whilst working on personal development. After this, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch break, followed by a new task (like bumps) whilst focusing on personal development. We intend on another short stint in gates/stubbies at this point as a complementary training exercise to piste performance.
The final phase allows for plenty of structured practice and consolidation time. We have found this to be effective in preparing people for their exams. This cycle aims to ensure that you enter the exam feeling prepared and confident in your physical and technical ability.
Instructing – February half term
February half-term is arguably the busiest period of the season and a great time to practice all your hard work during training. These work periods are a brilliant way to log the required teaching hours towards your qualification. Perhaps of equal importance are the structured periods of rest away from training, which allows you to recover from training demands physically.
We’ve got the answers
FAQ’s
If you book onto a work and train program, are you guaranteed a job?
No, employment as part of the ski school is subject to interview, working rights, and qualification recognition. You can reserve a space on any course online. However, this only guarantees you a space on the training programme. If the ability to work is an essential part of why you’re joining us for the Verbier IASI training, please get in touch with us first so we can ensure you go through the correct procedures.
Whilst currently unable to work in Switzerland, UK passport holders can still do an entire season if they join this course. They can apply for a Swiss student visa once they have proof of booking from us, as this is recognised as further education in Switzerland. This way, the duration of the course would be covered by the student visa, and their 90 out of 180-day allowance wouldn’t be affected.
Ski instructors who speak more than one language and have existing teaching experience are more likely to be offered a role. We aim to provide trainees working as part of the ski school with around 200 teaching hours. This isn’t a guaranteed minimum.
When are the BASI ISIA Exams?
BASI Level 3 Tech Verbier dates:
- 18th March 2024 – 22nd March 2024
BASI Level 3 Teach Verbier dates:
- 25th March 2024 – 28th March 2024
BASI Level 3 Mountain Safety Verbier dates:
- 22nd January 2024 – 26th January 2024
- 5th February 2024 – 9th February 2024
- 26th February 2024 – 1st March 2024
- 25th March 2024 – 29th March 2024
Which qualifications is this training good for?
Students on our ISIA training courses are often working towards their.
- PSIA Level 3
- BASI Level 3 ISIA
- IASI Level 3
- DAPSI Level 3
- APSI Level 3
- NZSIA Level 3
Do you need to speak a second language?
The course will be primarily run in English, so you don’t need to speak a second language. However, the better your language skills, the easier it will be to find work during the ISIA training courses the course and in the future.
What qualifications do our coaches have?
Our coaches are all fully qualified instructors. We use a mixture of BASI trainers and specialist coaches to fully prepare you for your exams. You’ll also spend time shadowing other instructors.
Are you eligible?
To join the training team, we require one of the following qualifications:
- BASI level 2
- CSIA level 2
- APSI level 2
- NZSIA level 2
- Swiss Snowsport 1
- Other equivalent qualifications*
*If you hold a different qualification, please get in touch.
How do you apply for work?
Applying to work for New Generation is an entirely separate process from signing up for the training courses. Please complete the form linked below to apply to work with us.
Please note that we can’t reserve you a place on the training course while you wait to see if your application has been successful. As the New Generation team heavily subsidises the courses, training places fill up quickly, so don’t delay in reserving your spot.
Equipment requirements
Ski recommendations
A solid piste ski is ideal because it will give you the best chance to display the skills and outcomes required for the Level 3 standard. You should be able to cleanly carve long turns and ski short turns with this ski. The skis should have a 75mm maximum width. Something wider may impact the performance of the ski on the piste.
Ski length
We recommend that you use a ski length of 160-180cm, depending on your height. As a rough rule of thumb, we recommend a ski approximately the same size as you or up to 10cm longer.
The longer the ski, the more stability it will have at higher speed, but the more difficult it will be to steer it through short turns.
Ski radius
Your height, weight, and strength will largely influence this element. Over the years, we have found that people perform best on skis within a 14-18 meters radius. Skis with a larger radius will likely mean you’ll spend too much time in the fall line. Stick to this sweet spot; solid technique will allow you to mix a little more edge angle into the turn and achieve more performance out of the ski.
Ski stiffness
If the ski is too stiff, bending the ski to change the radius of the turn will be difficult. If the ski is too soft, you won’t be able to maintain an edge when carving, and the ski will feel unstable. The appropriate stiffness of a ski is dependent on the individual. Your body weight and strength determine it. If you’re tall and powerful, you’ll likely need a stiffer ski with a race plate (this will help stiffen the ski up).
Training towards Level 3, we advise that you get a slightly softer ski rather than too stiff. Over time, skis will become softer and lose their energy. So, ideally, if you’re starting a ski instructor training program, we recommend starting with a new ski.
Ski servicing equipment
We’ll teach you this vital skill straight from the get-go. We find if your skis are maintained and kept sharp, you can get the best out of the training conditions, as sharp skis will allow you to grip the firmer snow more easily than blunt skis. Little and often is the key here. For example, if you go weeks in between servicing your skis and snag countless rocks during that period, you’ll likely need a grand service at a ski shop, and then things get expensive quickly and, worst of all, put you out of action.
Basic Kit
- Bench and vices
- Rubber bands
- File guide
- Base bevel guide
- Chrome file
- Diamond file
- Sidewall remover
- Plastic scraper
- Brushes: brass and nylon
- Ski waxing iron
Training with us and Your Future
Our coaches are experts at spotting the true potential of our trainees.
We regularly handpick individuals from our Verbier ISIA training to join our full-time teams in Verbier and across the Alps. It’s a competitive industry, but we’re always on the lookout for those with something special to join our team of skiers.
Unlike other ski schools, the opportunities we offer go way beyond teaching skiing. Our unique international presence and size mean we’re regularly looking for people to open new locations, lead on new projects and occasionally take on existing resorts.
