Course Features
- Accommodation for 10 weeks
- Training 5 Days a week
- BASI Level 1 exam
- BASI Level 2 exam
- BASI membership fees
- BASI child protection module
- 2-day outdoor first aid course
- Freestyle training
- Race training
- Off-piste coaching
- Avalanche safety training
- Off-snow theory sessions
- Video analysis
- Support team on and off snow
- Return transfers from Geneva Airport
- Espace Killy full season lift pass
- Ski school shadowing experience
- Pre-course fitness programme
The Accommodation
Welcome to the Rives Residence
The 3-bedroom apartment is located in a ski-in ski-out residence in Tignes Le Lavachet. The Rives Residence is a four-storey building (with lift) ideally located 10 meters from the pistes (with swift access to the Chaudannes and Paquis chairlifts).
The supermarket, restaurants, bars and sports shops are 150m away. There is also a conveniently located free shuttle bus to Val Claret and Tignes Le Lac, meaning you could be there in under 5 minutes.
The apartment has recently undergone a complete renovation.
As you enter the apartment, you’ll see a main entrance hallway with shoe and coat storage. Following this, there is an open-plan kitchen.
There are three bedrooms as follows:
- 1 Dorm room with two sets of bunk beds (sleeps 4) with ensuite bathroom
- 1 Double bedroom with its own bathroom
- 1 Twin bedroom with its own bathroom
Course Structure
Week 1 and 2 - Fundamentals
Weeks 1 and 2 are designed to elevate personal skiing performance. The foundation of our course is based on time-tested skiing principles ensuring not just fun but valuable learning. Our structured learning path adapts to each learner’s pace, ensuring you progress quickly.
Key focus – introduction to course content and personal performance
Central theme:
- Understanding the ‘central theme’ and its importance to skiing and teaching
- Analysing the principles of skiing and their practical application
Fundamental elements:
- Developing your balance, agility and coordination seamlessly on skis
- Enhancing techniques including edging, rotation, and pressure control with precise timing
- Clarifying the critical connection between the effort put in and the outcomes achieved on skis
Performance templates:
- Gaining insights into performance styles for various skiing levels
- Hands-on teaching of these templates followed by constructive technique review
- Differentiating between learning-driven activities and result-oriented assessments
Week 3 - BASI Level 1 Exam
Key focus – stepping up to the BASI L1 exam
Here’s your chance to prove yourself and showcase all you’ve learned on the slopes. Your BASI level 1 exam in Week 3 ensures your development is on track, combining skill development with safety.
L1 assessment
- Understanding the BASI L1 assessment criteria
- Demonstrating the required skiing and teaching abilities for the L1 exam
Technical and teaching
- Developing a technical understanding of skiing concepts and their application
- Enhancing teaching methodologies specifically designed for guiding beginner to intermediate skiers
Week 4 and 5 - Development
Key focus – enhancing individual performance, off-piste adventures and essential mountain safety
At this stage in the course, you’ll be able to really start testing your skills. As you explore new terrain, you’ll be under the guidance of your coach to help keep you safe. On top of honing your skiing skills, you’ll also be training to be patient and effective teachers.
Increase speed
- Developing techniques to increase speed and control
- Understanding the effects of speed on skiing
Terrain exploration
- Navigating varied terrains, including challenging bumps, moguls, and steep descents
- Fine-tuning techniques to adeptly handle the diverse mountain landscapes
Teaching sessions
- Enhancing your ability to instruct across different skier abilities and terrains
- Planning and delivering effective teaching sessions
Mountain safety
- Understanding and practising mountain safety techniques
- Developing awareness and strategies to minimise risks on the mountain
Week 6 and 7 - Shadowing
Key focus – hands-on observations, fine-tuning teaching skills, and structured practice sessions
Here we dive into the heart of the teaching action where you’ll and get a first-hand look into dynamic group lessons. You’ll learn how to captivate your group and navigate group dynamics seamlessly.
Group lessons
- Shadowing experienced instructors teach group lessons
- Observing and learning effective teaching techniques
Private lessons
- Shadowing experienced instructors in private lessons
- Developing communication skills and personalised teaching techniques
Group dynamics
- Delving into the intricacies of group dynamics and its effective management
- Developing strategies to engage and motivate students
Training plan
- Developing a personal training plan to improve skiing and teaching abilities
- Identifying areas for improvement and setting achievable goals
Week 8 - Shaping
Key focus – personal performance, delivery, exam preparation
In Week 8 we’ll begin honing your turns and movements to perfection across all terrains. At this stage, you’ll begin to ski with unmatched consistency, no matter the challenge. You’ll gear up for the big day and get ready to shine in the BASI L2 exam.
Refining movements
- Refining skiing movements and techniques
- Developing precision and finesse in your skills
Accuracy
- Developing accuracy and consistency in skiing
- Understanding the importance of accurate movements
Achieving consistency
- Ensuring a consistent skiing technique adaptable to varying terrains and conditions
- Practising self-assessment tools for continuous refinement and improvement
Exam preparation
- Preparing for the BASI L2 exam and feeling confident
- Practising skiing and teaching techniques required for the exam
Week 9 and 10 - BASI Level 2 exam
Key focus – an eight-day exam to test your new skiing prowess and teaching capabilities
Under the watchful eyes of a BASI trainer, you’ll navigate both technical and teaching assignments. Every input, turn, and instruction you give will be observed so your trainer can provide constructive feedback, celebrating your strengths and pinpointing growth areas.
The course covers a variety of subjects over the eight days, including:
- Central theme, piste performance, bumps, steeps, variables and freestyle
- Technical understanding of the central theme and beyond
- Performance analysis of the central theme and beyond
- Communication skills
- Developing performance
- Match teaching to guest needs
- Teaching principles
- TIED and the use of teaching tools
- Lesson flow and content
- Climate setting
- Reviewing skills
FAQ’S
How good a skier do you need to be to join the course?
If you’re confidently linking parallel turns on steep reds within a three metre wide corridor while controlling your speed, and are comfortable on all marked pistes then you are at the correct level to join the course.
Which is the best Airport to fly to?
Fly to Geneva Airport – that’s where our organised transfer will pick you up.
How do you get from Geneva Airport to Tignes?
Don’t worry, we do this part for you. We organise transfers from the airport directly to Tignes. We group students based on arrival times, so please note that you may have a short wait at the airport.
Do you need to be able to snowboard?
Not at all. Focus on skiing for now.
However, with this being said, most BASI instructors will also learn to snowboard as you have to complete a 2nd discipline as part of your BASI level 3 if you choose to progress with your ski instructor qualifications.
Does the course include a ski pass?
Yes, your lift pass is included in the cost of your course, meaning no hidden costs.
Do you need avalanche safety equipment for the course?
To put it bluntly – yes. At New Generation Ski and Snowboard School, we always put safety first. If you’re going off-piste, pack a transceiver, shovel, and probe. You can either rent them for the off-piste days or bring your own.
Do you need to speak a second language?
This course will be delivered in English. However, the better your language skills, the easier it will be to find work in the future.
Will you get a job after the course?
After you ace your BASI Level 2, there’s the potential to join our instructor team the following season. It’s important to note that employment opportunities are subject to qualification recognition and working rights and that different ski nations accept different qualifications than others.
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 instructors.
What is meant by ‘the central theme?’
The ‘central theme’ is BASI’s term for the stages of development we use as ski instructors to progressively assist learners in their journey from beginner to advanced parallel skiers. We’ll dive deep into this development model when we hit the slopes.
Reserve Your Space
10 Week Course
30 Nov 2024 – 08 Feb 2025
