Course Summary
The off-piste course and BASI Level 1 instructor course runs alongside our ski school in Verbier. We are blessed with some incredible off-piste skiing runs in Verbier and on successfully completing the course, you will have the skills to ski safely and confidently in off-piste terrain.
Altitude is the most established and experienced Ski Instructor Course provider in Verbier. We make a real commitment to achieve the highest pass rates in Verbier and to provide you with great accommodation, the best ski coaches and the best ski teaching job opportunities in Verbier.
Who is the OFF PISTE course for?
Designed for skiers who want to experience an incredible winter season in the Swiss Alps, improve their powder skiing technique, meet like-minded people and achieve internationally recognised qualifications that allow you to work as a ski instructor in countries across the world.
Our 10-week BASI L1 ski instructor + Off-Piste course is ideal for those who are on a gap year, career break, looking to improve your skiing or thinking about becoming a ski instructor as a new career, we can help you achieve your goals.
You must be at least 18 to apply to the course, with no upper age limit. All we ask is you are able to confidently ski a red run and have the desire to improve your skiing, train hard, and have fun!
Off-Piste Courses 21|22
Verbier L1+Off Piste
- Qualifications: BASI Level 1
- Accommodation: Catered Chalet
- Duration: 10 Weeks
- Dates: 9 January to 19 March
- Content: Off Piste Skiing & Mountain Safety
Price
£8900
Verbier L1+Off Piste
- Qualifications: BASI Level 1
- Accommodation: Course Only
- Duration: 10 Weeks
- Dates: 9 January to 19 March
- Content: Off Piste Skiing & Mountain Safety
Price
£4900
Verbier Off Piste Course
- Description: Off Piste Skiing & Education
- Accommodation: Catered Chalet
- Duration: 6 Weeks
- Dates: 6 February to 19 March
Price
£6850
What is included?
- Full season lift pass
- 10 weeks of training*
- Half Board Accommodation**
- Ski Instructing Job***
- Off-Piste Adventure Day with FWT Competitor Carl Renvall
- Video analysis sessions on and off snow
- First Aid & Off-Piste Mountain Safety Training
- Optional ski specific yoga sessions
- Optional Fitness sessions
- Airport transfer
- 24 hour support in resort
- Ski maintenance clinic
- Ski Touring Adventure Day
- Altitude Futures t-shirt
- Regular Team socials
- Ski servicing deals
- Exclusive Verbier Deals on skis, boots, goggles, helmets
- Pro deals with Rossignol UK
- Welcome drinks
- Team Photo
*Learn to ski powder, and improve your overall technique on piste and in the bumps
**Food 1/2 board Monday to Friday
*** Subject to an interview and EU passport
Anything else not included?
- Flights to and from Geneva Airport
- Insurance for your time in Verbier (including winter sports cover)
- Lunch each day
- Ski Equipment including boots, skis and poles (click here to find out what you will need)
Verbier
Accommodation
(Weekly Breakdown
Week 1
Team Building, Assessment of your skiing and creation of an action plan. Meet the Ski School team and settle in.
Week 2
Technical Ski Development in piste, moguls, steeps and off-piste.
Week 3
BASI Level 1 Exam
Week 4
Off-Piste Mountain Safety Training and Technical Development.
Week 5
Practical Teaching Experience alongside Instructors from our School. (Essential to receive the BASI Level 1)
Week 6
Off-Piste Powder Days and Technique for steep and deep.
Week 7
Develop further your technical ski goals.
Week 8
Tactical Tips for Off Piste . Route Planning and Map Work
Week 9
Ski Touring – Explore the back country.
Week 10
Explore Bruson’s tree run’s and refine ski technique.
* The training is Monday – Friday 9-12 & 13-15. The weekends and Wed am are free sessions to rest or practice your new skills.
**In case of a pandemic (and a shortage of ski lessons to shadow) the ski school experience may be replaced by developmental tasks on snow, map work challenges, transceiver practice, snow pit practice, and team teaching sessions.
Skiing Level
How good do i need to be?
If you are looking to join our Off-Piste Course in Verbier, you will need to already have some ski experience. As a general rule, you would need to be able ski confidently linking turns down the fall-line of a red run. You also need willingness to try and improve your skiing in bumps, steeps and powder.
How long should I have been skiing for?
Generally speaking, you need to have about 8 weeks of skiing experience as a minimum, but this can vary from person to person. We’ve had people join us who’ve been skiing since they were 3 years old, and some who only started recently as an adult. There is no upper ability level for participating in the course.
Still not sure if you’re at the right level?
It’s normal to be a bit nervous about whether your skiing is good enough as joining the course can be a bit commitment, but we’re here to help. If you’re able to send us a video of your skiing we can let you know where we think you’re at. If you’re coming from the UK we’re also more than happy to meet you over the summer for a ski in one of the snow-domes or dry slopes and give you some one-on-one feedback on your skiing, with a few tips too!
.aWhat happens next?
Work after completing the course
On successful completion of the course, you will have gained your BASI level 1 and be confident skiing off-piste safely.
Are you hoping to get a job after the OF PISTE course?
The Futures ski instructor course is built by instructors for instructors and operates in conjunction with our ski school. Your coaches also work as instructors within our school, and their expert teaching knowledge is invaluable if you’re thinking of making the jump to ski instructing as your future career.
Unlike other companies in Verbier we do employ our own trainees and prioritize you over other applicants. Each season we receive applications from students who chose to train elsewhere and were disappointed to not get offered any work within the school they trained with.
Altitude Ski School has 7 ski schools in Switzerland and is one of the largest schools in Verbier. This places talented ski instructors who train with us at a huge advantage when it comes to finding employment after the course.
*Since Brexit and until further notice it is required to have an EU passport to work in Switzerland
