subject: Kick Off Your Career With Great Ski Instructor Courses [print this page] You may have wondered what it takes for one to become a ski pro. Be it for fun or completion, one needs a good lesson in skiing to perfect skills. Ski instructor Courses are available, tailor- made to ensure that those who wish to go beyond the fun and develop careers in ski training are able to do so. The courses go beyond the basics and offer trainer specific skills to help one achieve international standards and also to pass the instructor exams.
The training does not take too long as the courses are fairly intensive with so much instruction packed in that courses generally last weeks, rather than years. The training is not an easy thing though; the cost is usually considerably high in most cases. Many places however, have several packages to choose from. The good thing about training as an instructor is that you can start from any level. You dont really have to be a pro or be able to do any tough moves. Just being able to control ones descent is enough entry level knowledge. A basic course of eleven weeks would be enough to equip you with the required skills.
To be a good instructor, you have to have the passion for the work and have to really enjoy spending time on the mountain slopes. Also important is the technical knowledge that goes with it; however, having good communication skills and having the ability to connect and create relationships with your learners is also important. This is especially so for beginners and junior learners who still need to build their confidence.
To be an instructor, you need accreditation. This varies from one country to another. Getting accreditation from one country might not mean it will be recognized in the next. Conduct your research well, identify the country that you would like to work in and find out their qualification requirements for instructors and whether they recognize any other qualifications from other countries.
The levels required for one to work as an instructor or to open ones own ski school also differ from one country to the other. Find out about levels where you work or check out the levels and qualification requirements stipulated by the International Ski Instructors Association. This is the overall organization for ski instructors internationally.
Once you know the qualifications required for you to work in the locations of your choice, the next step is to identify the course that suits you. It is important to know what qualifications your trainer holds; it should be at least a level more advanced than yours and should be recognized internationally.
An ideal ski instructor course should be attached to a resort where you can get hands on experience. Check the fees quoted and make sure that it includes examination fees, first aid training and other incentives or requirements like a lift pass. Also ensure that your school of choice is registered and has good references and testimonials. By doing the correct research when looking for courses to enroll on you can make sure that you get the correct level of training you need for the career of your choice.
