WHY TRAIN IN VERBIER?
Why is Verbier such an awesome training resort?
Sat high up in the Valais region of Swizterland, Verbier is one of the world’s most iconic ski resorts. Regularly named in the top 10 resorts in the world, with 400km of marked piste and stacks of off-piste. Playing host to the biggest free-ride ski and snowboard event in the world, a favourite with none of other than Prince William and many of the rich and famous, Verbier is not your average ski resort. So, while the idea of rubbing shoulders with pros and royals is obviously very enticing, why is Verbier a great place to spend a season and train for your ski instructor exams?
First and foremost there is the amazing breadth of terrain and quality snow conditions that allow you to make the most of your training time on the hill. Verbier is part of the 4 Vallees and has a huge area available for you to test and perfect your skills. It is also famous for its huge amount of off-piste to challenge even the best skiers in the world. In March, the final of the World Freeride Tour is held on the infamous Bec des Rosses.
We have a nice range of pistes from cruisey blues to steep, challenging blacks that are perfect to train and test aspiring ski instructors of any level from BASI Level 1 through to Level 4. What’s more, most of these training areas around Verbier are at high altitudes above 2000m so the snow conditions always good and some of the best in the Alps.
I suppose the biggest testament to Verbier as a great training resort is the large number of instructors already training here. As a result there is a fantastic community of instructors working together on and off the hill, so there is a lot of information and valuable knowledge that can be gained from chatting to other people around you while training in Verbier.
If you are thinking of progressing in the ski industry and pondering with it becoming your career then Verbier is an excellent place to carry on training. Element Ski School our partner for training run their Level 3 Concept ISIA programme here too: http://www.elementconcept.com/verbier-ski-lessons/ski-instructor-courses-verbier-saas-fee/basi-level-3-training/
Verbier is one of BASI’s main locations for running exams from Level 1 all the way through to Level 4, another huge benefit as you will save thousands on accommodation, travel and lifts passes. It is probably the biggest training hub in Europe for people progressing through the BASI system.
Although the training side of things is obviously paramount, it’s also important to consider what life will be like off the hill. Well fortunately, not only does Verbier have some of the best après-ski in the Alps with infamous bars such as the Farinet, but there are lots of other fun things to do that don’t involve alcohol. Such as paragliding, cheese fondue or raclette dinners, wine tasting, sledging (down proper pistes) or ski touring.
Finally, one thing that really stands Verbier apart from a lot of other resorts, particularly those in France, is that you can work part time during the season and gain that much needed teaching experience in between your training sessions. With all our Peak Leaders and Concept ISIA training programmes, we provide the opportunity to teach or shadow with Les Elfes International School throughout the season. This is extremely valuable as you progress through your instructor qualifications as the experience is going to develop your teaching and get you that full time teaching job in the future!
So to sum up … Verbier is the place to train and ski!
