Course Introduction
Off Piste course Verbier
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.
Why Choose Altitude?
We believe there is always room to improve and learn. That’s why each winter we try our best to make our courses even more fun than the previous winter! However, some key points remain which help us stand out from the crowd.
Our High pass rates
Consistently high results in Verbier 20+ years.
Accommodation & Food
We provide the best Gap Course accommodation and food in Verbier.
Our coaching team
Experienced team including BASI 4’s, BASI Trainers & Swiss Brevet Federals.
The best Job opportunities
We remain the only course to guarantee jobs in our own ski school.
Who is the 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!
Prices are set and invoiced in Swiss Francs. We have included an equivalent price in GBP
(Updated on the 14.2.23)
Verbier
10 Weeks- Qualifications
- BASI Level 1 and 2
- Accommodation
- Catered Chalet
- Duration
- 10 Weeks
2023/24 Courses7 January to 16 March
Verbier
10 Weeks- Qualifications
- BASI Level 1
- Accommodation
- Course Only
- Duration
- 10 Weeks
2023/24 Courses7 January to 16 March
Verbier
4 Weeks- Qualifications
- BASI Level 1
- Accommodation
- Catered Chalet
- Duration
- 4 Weeks
2023/24 Courses7 January to 3 February
Verbier
10 Weeks- Qualifications
- BASI Level 1 and 2
- Accommodation
- Catered Chalet
- Duration
- 10 Weeks
2023/24 Courses3 December to 10 February 7 January to 16 March 18 February to 27 April
Verbier
10 Weeks- Qualifications
- BASI Level 1 and 2
- Accommodation
- Course Only
- Duration
- 10 Weeks
2023/24 Courses3 December to 10 February 7 January to 16 March 18 February to 27 April
Verbier
4 Weeks- Qualifications
- BASI Level 1
- Accommodation
- Catered Chalet
- Duration
- 4 Weeks
2023/24 Courses7 January to 3 February
What is included?
- 10 weeks of training
- Half Board Accommodation**
- Coaching from Top Qualified British/Swiss Off Piste Instructors
- Off-Piste Adventure Days
- Powder Skiing Technique
- Ski Touring Days
- Avalanche Safety Training Course
- Performance Bumps Clinics
- 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
- 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
(1) Lift Passes are not included in the course price as the lift pass price varies significantly based on your age and some people already have their lift pass. However, we are happy to purchase this for you so it’s ready for you on arrival.
**Food 1/2 board Monday to Friday
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
