VERBIER
LEGENDARY RESORT: AMAZING EXPERIENCE
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
It’s also the home town of Peak Leaders because it’s one of those resorts that’s so good you can’t really think of a reason to leave… So we like to think we really are the Verbier experts – we know the resort inside out, not just the skiing (and the après ski).
So if you have any questions we can always help – from planning your trip to looking for work to getting boots adjusted when you’re here, and anything else you need help with.
We’ve run a course in Verbier for years in partnership with Element Ski School, and it’s one of our most popular resorts – but not just because of the amazing terrain, great nightlife and stunning views. In Verbier we have also developed a fantastic relationship with Les Elfes who offer our trainees jobs (subject to interview) when you complete your Peak Leaders course.
That means as soon as you finish training you can start teaching.
BASI LEVEL 1 & 2
10 WEEK COURSE
£8,800
30 NOV 2019 – 08 FEB 2020
NEW SELF-CATERED OPTION:
WHAT DO YOU GET?
TRAINING:
4 Valleys lift pass for the season
Pre-exam coaching by BASI Trainers & BASI 4s
285 hours of coaching
BASI Level 1 and Level 2 exams
BASI membership and resources
Two day First Aid course
Off-piste coaching
Off-snow theory sessions
A day race training in GS gates
Avalanche & Mountain safety training
Training with a pro freestyle coach
Personal fitness training every week
Video analysis every week
BASI Child Protection Module
Shadowing included (required by BASI)
Snowsports school experience (required by BASI)
Three month pre-course fitness programme
ACCOMMODATION:
THE MONT GELE OPTION:
Hotel accommodation for ten weeks
Stay in the heart of Verbier by the main lifts
Breakfast five days per week
Two course evening meal five nights per week
Sauna
THE ‘CHALET’ OPTION:
Catered accommodation for ten weeks
Stay in the heart of Verbier
Less than five minutes from the by the main lifts
Breakfast five days per week
Including a cooked breakfast one day per week
Two course evening meal five nights per week
Swimming pool, Sauna and gym
MORE ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:
Dinner discount at Pub Mont Fort twice a week
Weekly laundry service available
Options to stay after the course at the Mont Gele
Other extended accommodation options
MORE…
Job offer after the course (subject to interview)
CV & employment advice sessions
Career and recruitment advice
French lessons
Mentoring from experienced instructors
Pro-deals on skis and equipment
Discounts on ski equipment & servicing
Ski service facilities
Ski servicing training
Peak Leaders T-shirt & baseball cap
WHAT’S THE AVERAGE WEEK LIKE?
There’s a huge amount of variety from one week to the next – and, of course, for three weeks of your course you’ll be doing BASI exams.
But here’s a sample week to give you an idea of how the training works, how it’s structured, what you’ll do, what the after skiing activities are and when you get to free-ski…
WHAT’S A SEASON IN VERBIER LIKE?
A season in Verbier is a guaranteed to be one to remember, and we have to admit we’re prejudiced – we think it might just be the best resort in the world. It has some of the very best freeride terrain in Europe, that’s why the Freeride World Tour final is in Verbier on the mighty Bec des Roses.
It’s also famous as being an amazing resort for apres ski and the massive variety of visitors – from celebrities to royals, to ski photographers and pro skiers. Verbier attracts everyone.
All of your training is run by Element Ski School, and is delivered by BASI Level 4 ISTD Instructors and BASI Trainers – who know exactly what you need to pass the exams and take your skiing to the next level.
On the course you will be on the hill for around of 30 hours per week and get a huge range of coaching – performance coaching on the pistes to learning about off-piste safety, from race training in the gates to days in the backcountry with a guide, from coaching on the hill to video feedback off snow – not forgetting the freestyle training and of course the weekly fitness sessions with Jake.
We are also able to offer work after the course as well as the option to extend your stay in the hotel if you get a job or just want to stay for the whole winter. We work closely Les Elfes International so you can qualify then teach straight away (subject to an interview).
What’s involved?
Well, we’ve crafted this course so you get the best of both worlds – train and teach in Verbier, with plenty of time to experience Verbier’s amazing terrain, legendary atmosphere and spend your season in one of the most famous resorts in the world.
READ MORE IN OUR VERBIER BLOGS…
A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
NOT SURE?
It’s a big decision planning a ski instructor course – and with different options and dates it’s important you pick the course that’s right for you. So why not compare Verbier with another Peak Leaders course?
We run courses all over the world at different times of the year, so just have a look around and see what your options are…
And if you’re not sure then just get in touch – we’re always happy to answer any questions and give you advice.
WHERE WILL YOU STAY?
THE MONT GELE
The Mont Gele is perfectly located at the bottom of the Verbier pistes so you can ski straight in, and whilst it is a working hotel, the environment is much more like a chalet with Isla and her team making everyone feel at home and taking care of everything.
The rooms are a mix of twin and triples, some of which have en-suite bathrooms. There is also the opportunity to book single occupancy for an additional fee when there is availability – if you might be interested please just get in touch and we can see if this can be arranged.
The Hotel also offers a cosy bar and dining area as well as a comfy lounge area to socialise and relax – there’s even a sauna to help you unwind after a hard day on the slopes. There is a communal ski room and a great terrace for the odd apres ski beer – when there’s not too much snow to find the chairs…
We’ve chosen to work with the Mont Gele as the location and the approach of the team are both prefect – the hotel is situated right in the heart of Verbier and run by people who love the mountains, are passionate about skiing and know how to make everyone feel welcome. So it’s the perfect combination.
And if you want to know more just get in touch.
Meanwhile trainees who are interested in extending their stay will be able to arrange extra weeks after the course ends – perfect if you decide to stay in Verbier for the rest of the season ands start teaching.
THE ‘CHALET’
We also have the chalet option – a large catered apartment just down the road from the lifts, with all the great catering you’d expect in the Mont Gele as well as a superb location in the heart of resort.
The package includes dinner five nights per week, as well as breakfast provided five days per week (including a cooked option once a week).
There are a mix of twin rooms and single rooms in the apartment as well as a bathroom and shower room.
The apartment couldn’t be better placed, just down from all the main shops, bars and restaurants are, but five a minute walk from the main ski lifts.
This is also the accommodation if you want to stay on after the course until the end of the season, so if you want to see the season through to the spring then this is the perfect home-from-home.
To find out more or to book your place just get in touch.
THINKING ABOUT GOING SELF-CATERED?
If you aren’t sure where you want to stay for the season we also offer an accommodation-free, self-catered option in Verbier, so you get more flexibility and can arrange your own accommodation direct.
It’s not the best option for everyone but if you’re interested just click here:
WHY CHOOSE US?
With all the options and so many courses out there, this is a question we get asked a lot: “Why choose Peak Leaders?”.
It’s a really good question and one you should always ask.
We like to think that there are four main reasons reasons that a Peak Leaders course in Verbier is always a great choice.
1. EXPERIENCE
At Peak Leaders we’ve been running courses for nearly 20 years, and the Verbier course has always been one of our main (and favourite) courses. So we’ve had years to improve, adapt and develop the courses – from finding better and better accommodation to getting better deals with shops in town to making sure you have the best coaches.
Our experience also means we know what to expect on a course, how to solve problems as they happen (or before), and who to talk to about anything – we know resort inside out.
And we know how to make sure everyone has an amazing time.
2. THE TEAM
Everyone you deal with at Peak Leaders is a BASI qualified ski instructor – whether you’re dealing with the office, preparing for your course or when you’re up on the hill skiing.
We’ve all qualified through BASI and we know what it’s like to start on your journey as an instructor. So every step of the way you are supported by a team of instructors – before you book, as you prepare for the course, throughout the course and after even you qualify.
3. THE PACKAGE
We are committed to making this course as good as it can possibly be. So for years we have been improving the package and always looking at what trainees need and enjoy – then making sure we offer more of it.
So the accommodation is perfectly situated, you get great food, there are French lessons, there is fitness training throughout the course (because we have seen the difference it makes to skiing performance) and plenty more besides. We’ve planned everything to make everything run better and run smoother.
4. BEYOND THE COURSE…
We know that when the course stops our responsibility doesn’t end. So we are on hand to help with anything that trainees need – from choosing work, to fixing equipment, to understanding Swiss work permits, to planning resits or taking Level 3 exams.
We spend a lot of the course helping trainees apply for work and get jobs – this is our home town so we have more contacts here than any other course.
But overall trainees can always pop into the office for chat or meet for a coffee to get help and advice on absolutely anything long after the course has ended.
IN SHORT:
We’ve thought hard about how the course runs and what you get – because we want you to have the best possible time, get the best possible result and have the best possible chance of getting work afterwards.
It’s that simple.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WHILE YOU’RE IN VERBIER?
We can help arrange a whole load of extra activities when you’re in resort so that your visit is as memorable as possible. Here are just a few of the things you can do when you come to Verbier on a Peak Leaders course.
And if you want to book just get in touch – either before your course starts or when you’re in resort…
ICE CLIMBING
£150 per person (minimum 4 ppl)
Full day and introduction to ice climbing including all equipment.
Val de Bagnes is a well-known area for ice climbing. With a specialist mountain guide who knows the best places to learn and improve, you’ll discover a new way of climbing and of enjoying winter. Verbier has icefalls for every level, from beginner to ice-climbing addict!
PARAGLIDING
100 chf (£75)
Paragliding is an amazing experience – you can soar like a bird over Verbier and the mountains with an expert to make sure you have as much – or as little – excitement as you want…
For a tandem paragliding flight over Verbier you don’t require any experience – you can just sit back and enjoy the ride!
Peak Leaders Trainees get an special discount on tandem flights with Verbier Summits.
A TOURING & OFF-PISTE EXPEDITION
£150 per person (minimum 4 people)
Ready for an adventure in Verbier’s legendary backcountry? An adventure with a mountain guide into the 4 Vallees gives you access to an amazing world of secret stashes and hidden powder fields. Go touring and you can explore the area and discover places most people never knew existed…
WHAT DOES A TRAINEE SAY?
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE COURSE?
We’ve built a strong relationship with Les Elfes International and they have become our partner school, offering jobs to our trainees when they complete the course (subject to interview) and also working with us to provide the shadowing hours required by BASI before your Level 2 exam. This means you can finish your Peak Leaders course and go straight into work. They also have schools in Crans Montana and Leysin so you even have the option of moving further afield to finish your winter.
But if you are looking at other schools – both in Verbier and beyond – we are very happy to advise and use our extensive network of contacts to see how we can help you take that next step.
Of course not everyone wants to teach after the course finishes so we’re very happy to give you as much help as we can.
We also have the option to stay longer in the hotel and rent your room until the end of the season – we’d seen to many trainees decide to stay only to get stuck finding somewhere to rent. So we have arranged a discount for the season to make sure everyone knows where they stand at the end of the exams. Naturally this depends on availability in the hotel so just get in touch for more information.
But who knows? That’s the best thing about doing a season – you never really know where it will take you…
WANT TO KEEP TRAINING?
The Concept training package has been designed to fit around the BASI Level 3 calendar of exams and gives you the chance to work while you train for your next level in the ski instructing.
It’s a the perfect way to take your skiing forward, developing the skills and technique that you’ve been working on during your Peak Leaders course.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO IN VERBIER?
- Stay a night in the famous Cabane Mont Fort
- Go parapenting over Verbier and the surrounding area
- Hike up for a fondue on the mountain
- Hire a guide and go down the Backside of Mont Fort
- Try out curling at the ice rink
- Take a day trip to Chamonix
- Sledge down the longest sledge run in Switzerland
- Take a ride in a dog sled
- Watch the amazing live music at après ski
- Join in the Verbier High Five race
- Watch the Freeride World Tour final on the Bec des Roses
- Go to the thermal spas at Lavey-les-Bains
