Tignes Ski Instructor Course

Weeks 1 and 2 are designed to elevate personal skiing performance. The foundation of our course is based on time-tested skiing principles ensuring not just fun but valuable learning. Our structured learning path adapts to each learner’s pace, ensuring you progress quickly.

Key focus – introduction to course content and personal performance

Central theme:

• Understanding the ‘central theme’ and its importance to skiing and teaching
• Analysing the principles of skiing and their practical application

Fundamental elements:

•  Developing your balance, agility and coordination seamlessly on skis
•  Enhancing techniques including edging, rotation, and pressure control with precise timing
•  Clarifying the critical connection between the effort put in and the outcomes achieved on skis

Performance templates:

•  Gaining insights into performance styles for various skiing levels
•  Hands-on teaching of these templates followed by constructive technique review
•  Differentiating between learning-driven activities and result-oriented assessments

Key focus – stepping up to the BASI L1 exam

Here’s your chance to prove yourself and showcase all you’ve learned on the slopes. Your BASI level 1 exam in Week 3 ensures your development is on track, combining skill development with safety.

L1 assessment

•   Understanding the BASI L1 assessment criteria
•   Demonstrating the required skiing and teaching abilities for the L1 exam

Technical and teaching

•   Developing a technical understanding of skiing concepts and their application
•   Enhancing teaching methodologies specifically designed for guiding beginner to intermediate skiers

Key focus – enhancing individual performance, off-piste adventures and essential mountain safety

At this stage in the course, you’ll be able to really start testing your skills. As you explore new terrain, you’ll be under the guidance of your coach to help keep you safe. On top of honing your skiing skills, you’ll also be training to be patient and effective teachers.

Increase speed

•   Developing techniques to increase speed and control
•   Understanding the effects of speed on skiing 

Terrain exploration

•   Navigating varied terrains, including challenging bumps, moguls, and steep descents
•   Fine-tuning techniques to adeptly handle the diverse mountain landscapes

Teaching sessions

•   Enhancing your ability to instruct across different skier abilities and terrains
•   Planning and delivering effective teaching sessions

Mountain safety

•   Understanding and practising mountain safety techniques
•   Developing awareness and strategies to minimise risks on the mountain

Key focus – hands-on observations, fine-tuning teaching skills, and structured practice sessions

Here we dive into the heart of the teaching action where you’ll and get a first-hand look into dynamic group lessons. You’ll learn how to captivate your group and navigate group dynamics seamlessly.

Group lessons

•   Shadowing experienced instructors teach group lessons
•   Observing and learning effective teaching techniques 

Private lessons

•  Shadowing experienced instructors in private lessons
• Developing communication skills and personalised teaching techniques 

 Group dynamics

•   Delving into the intricacies of group dynamics and its effective management
•   Developing strategies to engage and motivate students 

 Training plan

•   Developing a personal training plan to improve skiing and teaching abilities
•   Identifying areas for improvement and setting achievable goals

Key focus – personal performance, delivery, exam preparation 

In Week 8 we’ll begin honing your turns and movements to perfection across all terrains. At this stage, you’ll begin to ski with unmatched consistency, no matter the challenge. You’ll gear up for the big day and get ready to shine in the BASI L2 exam.

Refining movements

•   Refining skiing movements and techniques
•   Developing precision and finesse in your skills

Accuracy

•   Developing accuracy and consistency in skiing
•   Understanding the importance of accurate movements 

Achieving consistency

•   Ensuring a consistent skiing technique adaptable to varying terrains and conditions
•   Practising self-assessment tools for continuous refinement and improvement

Exam preparation

•   Preparing for the BASI L2 exam and feeling confident
•   Practising skiing and teaching techniques required for the exam

Key focus – an eight-day exam to test your new skiing prowess and teaching capabilities

Under the watchful eyes of a BASI trainer, you’ll navigate both technical and teaching assignments. Every input, turn, and instruction you give will be observed so your trainer can provide constructive feedback, celebrating your strengths and pinpointing growth areas.

The course covers a variety of subjects over the eight days, including:  

•   Central theme, piste performance, bumps, steeps, variables and freestyle
•   Technical understanding of the central theme and beyond 
•   Performance analysis of the central theme and beyond 
•   Communication skills 
•   Developing performance
•   Match teaching to guest needs
•   Teaching principles
•   TIED and the use of teaching tools
•   Lesson flow and content
•   Climate setting
•   Reviewing skills