Course Summary
Altitude’s off-piste course in Verbier is run by our in house professional team that have been running courses here for more than 20 years. In Verbier we are blessed with some incredible off-piste skiing runs 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 course provider in Verbier. Our courses guarantee you some amazing life long memories, increased confidence and technique in powder snow, and the opportunity to live the dream in Verbier.
Who is the OFF PISTE course for?
Our Verbier off piste course is 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 also the option to 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 if you are on a gap year, career break, looking to improve your skiing both on and off-piste and receive a ski instructor qualification.
The 6 week course option is an intensive off-piste and technical improvement course designed for anyone looking to master off-piste skiing.
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 22/23
Verbier L1+Off Piste
- Qualifications: BASI Level 1
- Accommodation: Catered Chalet
- Duration: 10 Weeks
- Dates: 8 January to 18 March
- Content: Off Piste Skiing & Mountain Safety
Price
10,700 (£9250)
Verbier L1+Off Piste
- Qualifications: BASI Level 1
- Accommodation: Course Only
- Duration: 10 Weeks
- Dates: 8 January to 18 March
- Content: Off Piste Skiing & Mountain Safety
Price
CHF 6000 (£5250)
Verbier Off Piste Courses
What is included?
- Full season lift pass
- 10 weeks of training*
- Half Board Accommodation**
- Coaching from Top Qualified British/Swiss Off Piste Instructors
- Off-Piste Adventure Day
- Video analysis sessions on and off snow
- First Aid & Off-Piste Mountain Safety Training
- Optional ski specific yoga sessions
- Optional Fitness sessions
- Airport transfer
- Optional ‘Add On’ Heli Ski trip
- Option to extend the Course for non EU students wishing to stay beyond 90 days.
- 24 hour support in resort
- Ski maintenance clinic
- Ski Touring Adventure Day
- Altitude Futures hoody
- 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!
What 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
