The level 2 qualification for the course is with IASI (Irish Association of Ski Instruction) and regarded very highly with Europe and internationally.

The Level 2 qualification will enable you to work in most ski schools in Europe, Canada, America and most of the world. All ski schools in Verbier accept the Level 2 qualification for full or part time employment opportunities.

To obtain the level 2 qualification as part of the Instructor training program you will complete a 6 day Level 1 Ski Instructor Course and a 6 day Level 2 Ski Instructor Course (week 9).

• Instructor specific course content

  Included in the Cost of the GAP Year Ski Instructor Course

  • 6 weeks Personal Ski Development and Performance Coaching with the Warren Smith Ski Academy Team (4 if doing the fast track programme)
  • Preparation for Level 1 Instructor Course
  • IASI Level 1 Instructor Course – 6 Days
  • Emergency First Aid Course – 2 Days
  • Avalanche and Mountain Safety Training
  • Sport Psychology and Sports Science
  • Ski Biomechanics and its importance with Ski Instruction
  • Professional Video Filming and Analysis
  • Core Strength Building and Ski Specific Physical Training
  • IASI Level 2 Instructor Training Course – 6 Days
  • 1/2 Board Accommodation for 9 weeks in Verbier (Cervinia courses don’t include accom)
  • Full Season Lift Pass (Nov to April) for Verbier and the 4 Vallees Resorts or Full summer season pass for Cervinia/Zermatt on the summer course
  • Manuals & Course Material
  • Biomechanical Assessment on Skier Symmetry and Alignment
  • Video Analysis at least 2 times a week
  • Ski Servicing and Maintenance Training

• 3: Advanced

  Confident parallel skier on all gradient pistes. Starting to create dynamics in your skiing and challenge yourself in harder non-pisted terrain.

• 4: Instructor

  Consistent in all terrain, rarely losing accuracy and pushing their speed whilst keeping a high degree of ski performance. Able to transition from piste to off-piste with no hesitations or issues.

• 5: Expert

  Comfortable and at ease in all terrain. Able to transition from piste to off-piste with no hesitations or issues. Starting to use the terrain and features to be inventive and add an element of style to their runs.

• 6: Athlete

  Skiers who are actively competing in selected disciplines including Alpine Racing, Freeride, Moguls or Freestyle events. These skiers will be wanting to push themselves to their absolute physical and psychological limits by skiing in the most challenging terrain. These skiers may also be training to acquire their level 4 ski instructor qualification.

The Academy have teamed up with The Tai Pan chalet, an independently owned and run chalet just off the Le Rouge ski slope (ski-in/ski-out).

About the Tai Pan:

The Tai Pan is a homely five bedroom chalet ideally located beside Le Rouge piste for easy ski in ski out access. Split over two floors with two kitchens, two bathrooms and a bunker where ski equipment can be stored. Fast Wi-Fi + UK TV channels available.

A short walk away from the free bus shuttle from which all areas of Verbier can easily be accessed.

Great food, a great location and a fantastic host make the Tai Pan the perfect partner for our instructor courses.

If the Tai Pan reaches full occupancy we will arrange alternative accommodation for some students. This accommodation will be to an equal standard (or higher) than the Tai Pan and group meals and general social activities at the Tai Pan will always be very inclusive for all.

Course Fees: £7,999-£8,999 (With Half Board Accommodation) (course fees are exempt from VAT)

Price includes all the bullets in the above content section. Once in resort you’ll have to pay an additional 100CHF resort tax and 200CHF deposit directly to Jo who runs the Tai Pan. The deposit will be returned at the end of the course and is just to cover possible breakages.

Recommendation

If choosing to join the early season course why not stay on after the course and continue your training. We’d be happy to cater a course to your demands be this for specific skills/areas (such as freestyle, moguls of powder) or to continue training toward your L3 instructor qualifications.

If choosing to do the mid season course and you’d like to get warmed up and bolt on some extra training weeks before the course officially starts – we run a technical training weeks before the course at cost for anyone on the 9-week gap (£500). If you’ve not skied in a while or would simply like an extra week to get your legs ready for the intensity of the 9 weeks we highly advise booking on this.

If you wish to have further information on this course please drop us an email (theteam@warrensmith-skiacademy.com) or discuss with Rob during the phone interview/conversation.

A Strong recommendation from the Academy team would be to stay until the end of the season if you can. Your ski pass is valid until the end of the season and many of the students from previous years decided to finish the ski season either working in ski schools, free skiing or continuing to train with us. Other students had booked flights back at the end of the course, and had said to us they would have preferred to stay, therefore we would strongly suggest this if it’s possible for you.

Payment

Payment for the deposit (£2000) will be made upon booking. You’ll be contacted after booking to arrange payment for the remaining balance of £6999/£5999 which can then be paid off in 1 instalment or 2 equal instalments – one on or before the 15th August and the balance on or before 30th October.

Alternatively if you’d like to pay the total balance in one instalment this is an option when booking and we can arrange the date for this.  You will be contacted for each instalment.  For any payment queries please drop us a email.

All applicants will need to go through a telephone interview with Rob Stanford before receiving a placement on the course. The aim of the interview is for Rob to assess your skiing standard, experience and general attitude towards the course. Contact Rob to arrange a convenient telephone interview time on +447747 809545.