What to Expect
Course Features
- 140 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
- Access to our ProDeals
Where you’ll stay
Accommodation options
We have a number of accommodation options in Verbier. Depending on your budget, you can choose from chalets in the centre of Verbier that are within walking distance to the bars, restaurants and main Medran lift Station. Or you can stay in Le Chable, which is where most of our team live and is a little more affordable but still linked to the main lift system.
If you’ve not experienced the ‘ski season way of living’, the accommodation can be a bit of a surprise. You’ll be staying in twin or triple rooms (upgrades are available), and while the apartments are all warm, dry and comfortable, they’re not luxury.
The accommodation on our Verbier Ski Instructor Courses includes:
- Twin or Triple rooms (bed linen provided and can be changed on a weekly basis)
- Small Kitchen
- Bathroom with bath/shower
- TV
- Storage space
- Balcony
- Ski/boot lockers
- Washing machines and tumble dryer are located in the Laundrette across the road.
Link to: Rich Wright
Mischa Wykurz
BASI Trainer, Race Coach
Link to: Rich Wright
Ale Cambon
BASI Trainer, Race Coach
Book Your Course
*To ski off-piste safely, you must carry a transceiver shovel and probe. We will take you off-piste during your course and highly recommend that all students purchase their own safety equipment. If you don’t purchase avalanche safety equipment you will need to hire it for the off-piste days.
What you’ll cover
Course Outline
Detailed ISIA Training Course Structure
Course Structure
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 and 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 February half-term 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 and 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.
Further Breakdown:
The training program is broken into three cycles, each with a specific intention and aim, as detailed below.
Mesocycle 1
Key Focus: Balance, Coordination and Steering
The first 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 is 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 will be training in all mountain areas, including piste-performance, long and short turns and variable snow (off-piste), bumps, and steeps.
Instructing – Christmas Holiday & New Years
This busy period provides a perfect opportunity to work and deliver lessons to various guests. Also, a chance to shadow other full-time instructors and learn group management, interpersonal skills, drills, and exercises. This period is an invaluable knowledge-sharing exercise with other experienced instructors and is very helpful for your ISIA Teaching exam.
Mesocycle 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 will 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. – this has proven to be an invaluable experience.
With so much terrain and generally fantastic snow conditions, we will develop our comfort levels in the off-piste environment. The ability to ski off-piste will develop our piste skiing and is a great playground to challenge our 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:
- Snow reports,
- Avalanche safety
- Safe travel practices
- Using avalanche equipment
Instructing – February Half Term
Perhaps 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 is the structured periods of rest away from training, which allows you to recover from training demands physically.
Mesocycle 3
Shaping Phase
Key focus: Refinement, Accuracy & Consistency, Exam Tactics &Preparation
The training shifts focus now, and it’s time to turn up the performance and tempo of our skiing. A typical day will consist of an off ski warmup, a few warmup laps, a task (short turns) and then skiing the set task whilst working on personal development, lunch break, and a new task (bumps) 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 an effective method in preparing people for their exams. It is a tried and tested; it aims to ensure that you enter the exam feeling prepared and confident in your physical and technical ability.
FAQ’s
We’ve got the answers
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 you joining us for training, please get in touch with us first so we can ensure you go through the correct procedures.
Non-EU passport holders can work in Europe and Switzerland but the rules vary by country.
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 Technical Exam Dates:
- 27th March 2023 – 31st March 2023 (Verbier)
- 16th January 2023 – 20th January 2023 (Verbier)
- 24th April 2023 – 28th April 2023 (Hintertux)
BASI level 3 Teach Exam Dates:
- 20th March 2023 – 23rd March 2023 (Verbier)
- 1st May 2023 – 4th May 2023 (Hintertux)
BASI Level 3 Mountain Safety Exam Dates:
- 9th January 2023 – 13th January 2023 (Verbier)
- 16th January 2023 – 20th January 2023 (Verbier)
- 27th February 2023 – 3rd March 2023 (Verbier)
- 27th March 2023 – 31st March 2023 (Verbier – date clash with Level 3 tech)
- 17th April 2023 – 21st April 2023 (Hintertux)
- 24th April 2023 – 28th April 2023 (Hintertux)
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 prepare you for your exams fully. You’ll also spend time shadowing other BASI 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. Please complete the form linked below.
We cannot reserve you a place on the course while you wait to see if your application has been successful. As our course is so heavily subsidised by New Generation, training places are fill up quickly. So don’t delay in reserving your spot.
Equipment Requirements
Ski
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 will 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 are starting a ski instructor training program, we recommend starting with a new ski.
Ski Servicing Equipment
This is a vital skill that we will teach you 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 easier than blunt skis. Little and often is the key here, if you go weeks in between servicing your skis and snag countless rock during that period you will 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
Your Future
Our coaches are experts at spotting the true potential of our trainees.
We regularly handpick training team members to join our Full-Time Teams in Verbier and across the Alps. It’s a competitive industry, but we are always on the lookout for those with that something special.
Unlike other Ski Schools though the opportunities go way beyond teaching Skiing. Our unique international presence and unparalleled size mean we are regularly looking for people to open new locations, lead on new projects and occasionally take on an existing resort.
