GET QUALIFIED AND GET A JOB
WANT TO TEACH SKIING?
WHERE CAN YOU GO?
WHICH COURSE SHOULD YOU DO?
If you want to teach after you pass your BASI exams, picking a course can be pretty simple.
It depends on where you have the right to work (passports and visas) and what kind of season you want to have.
So what are your options? And when should you do your course?
Well, here is some handy information that whole help – whether you’re British, from the EU or from somewhere else!
QUESTION 1:
WHICH PASSPORT HAVE YOU GOT?
This is the first big question. Here is a quick summary:
EU PASSPORT
This is the easiest route to work in Europe.
You can get work permits in Switzerland easily and some parts of Italy, as well as having access to visas for Japan and Canada.
UK PASSPORT
This is more restrictive but you can get visas for Canada and Japan, as well as teach in some parts of Italy and Andorra.
(Currently Switzerland is not possible.)
USA OR CANADIAN PASSPORT
Of course you can work in your own country or in your neighbour’s country…
But the season after you qualify you can also be eligible for a Swiss Young Professional permit.
This is more complex but it’s an option some Swiss Ski Schools would be able to help with. NB: Only one in 20 employees can use this type of permit.
In Japan, Canadians can get the Working Holiday Visa, but US citizens need to apply for the slightly more complex Sponsored Visa.
OTHER NATIONS
Naturally, there are plenty of different options for different countries. And we can’t know every single option…
But we do know that if you have one of the passports below you are also eligible for the Swiss Young Professional permit for the season after you qualify.
- Argentina
- Australia
- Chile
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Russia
- San Marino
- South Africa
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
This option requires planning in advance and remember only 1 in 20 employees at the ski school can have this permit. So it’s limited.
QUESTION 2:
WHEN DO YOU WANT TO WORK?
When you want to teach influences the best course of you. For example all-season or just high-season? Will it even be this season?
I WANT TO WORK ALL SEASON
If that’s your goal then an autumn course is perfect: get your exams before the main resorts open and teach a full winter.
You can qualify in Saas Fee and then can head off to teach a full season anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Plus you’ll get loads of help from us applying for jobs.
I WANT TO TRAIN AND TEACH IN THE SAME SEASON
This is easy.
Join us on the Verbier course starting in December (or sometimes late November).
We also do a season package that would be perfect.
You train and qualify in ten weeks then you can work the busy half-term holidays. That could be in Switzerland (EU passport holders) or you could head to Andorra (EU and UK passport-holders).
I WANT TO TRAIN THIS SEASON AND GO SOUTH TO TEACH
If you want to head to teach in Australia or New Zealand in the southern hemisphere winter, then you could do any course…
But we think these two are best:
The January start in Verbier
12 weeks of BASI 1+2 as well as extra off-piste training gets you 100% ready to apply in the Southern Hemisphere.
The February start in Verbier
A 10 week programme that covers the second half of the European season, so you are qualified and ready when they open resorts down-under.
QUESTION 3:
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TEACH?
Want to know the rules and things to consider when you plan which country to go and work?
Here are a few details.
CANADA
An amazing place but visas are in a ‘pool’ system. Like a lottery.
But they can run out – so make sure you apply very, very early (well before your course if you are coming to Saas Fee).
JAPAN
Your visa is usually a work and travel visa – so it’s as much about exploring Japan as it is about working.
There is slightly less time pressure than the Canadian Visas – it’s actually quicker and cheaper, too.
You need to book an appointment with the Japanese Embassy in your own country and leave your passport with them for about 5 days.
So if you’re on the Saas Fee course you should book an appointment for September – so you’ll get your passport back before you start your course!
SWITZERLAND
If you have an EU passport this is really easy. To read more just click here.
If you want to use the Young Professional route, it’s essential you talk to your employer well in advance.
You will need to do extra paperwork to get the permit planned in advance.
Naturally if you have a Swiss passport it’s even easier.
ITALY
Italy can be a good option for British instructors. It is time-limited work (a maximum of 80 days) but they offer some great packages.
It’s ideal for peak season and short teaching visits.
The key thing is you need to have your BASI 2 qualification before you apply (which takes around a month).
So if you do our Saas Fee course you could be teaching by February half-term.
ANDORRA
Andorra is often overlooked – but as it’s outside the EU it has different rules for ski teaching.
That means British trainees can teach there and they offer some great packages where you get work, uniform, lift pass and accommodation arranged for you.
FRANCE
A lot of people ask about France but sadly this is really hard.
To teach in France you generally need to be fully qualified (BASI 4) and apply for the conversion paperwork to get your ‘Carte Pro’.
This takes years of training and loads of exams, but if you are keen you should talk to us about our Concept Training pathway to BASI Level 3 and Level 4.
SO THEN:
WHAT NEXT?
We are always very happy to chat about your options and give you (realistic) advice.
We have great relationships with loads of ski schools who offer guaranteed interviews to Peak Leaders trainees.
There are even guaranteed jobs – that means the ski school has a number of jobs reserved for our trainees and they will pick the best ones to work for them!
