Why choose ICE?

We are part of BASI
All of the training you receive on the course is by our team of skiers, who are all trainers and assessors for BASI. This means that the people who train you, are also the team that deliver the BASI certification. They are trainers for BASI because of their expertise, skiing skills and experience. You will get world class training.

The team of people that coach and manage the course own the company.
Rather than being representatives who are just there for the season. ICE is owned and managed by three people (Mark Jones, Rupert Tildesley, Dave Cowell) We have all been based in Val d’Isère for the last fifteen years working as ski instructors and are partners in Mountain Masters, a specialist ski and snowboard school. If there are any problems while you are on the course, it really matters to us that we resolve them effectively.

We are not a tour operator, we are an Official BASI Training Centre
The training you get is coming straight from the governing body itself, rather than ski instructors who are contracted in from a school. With gap tour operators (which is every other ski gap provider) they simply buy in services from other organisations, and then bring them together to make an overall package, without having any experience or expertise of people who are actually in resort managing the course.

We have the highest pass rate in the Alps
100% at Level 1 Instructor level and 90% at Level 2 Instructor level.

The largest provider of Gap courses
ICE has been established for over 10 years and during that time has qualified thousands of ski and snowboard instructors. When you book a residential course with ICE, you are booking on the biggest course of its kind with a wide range of ages and nationalities, so you are guaranteed to make friends. Large numbers on the courses also gives us the flexibility to put you in a group of your level, so you will never be slowed down or struggle to keep up.

We have a fantastic team behind us in Val d’Isère.
We have an office based in Killy Sport, the most prestigious ski/snowboarding shop in resort. Within our shop, we have real specialists in their field who can help in every aspect of equipment and set up.

We have full time Physiotherapists
Bonne Sante - Louise and her team have been based in Val d’Isère for many years and are one of the UK's leading physios in snowsports.

We are on call 24/7
At our office we have a member of staff who is there everyday to help with any issues that crop up from day to day. In addition the directors of the company, who are based in town, and can be called at any time of the day or night.

Our accommodation is at the foot of the slopes.
We have apartments which were completely refurbished a couple of years ago. They are designed for 4 people, but we have a maximum of 3 in each apartment. They are all south facing, and are literally 50 metres from the slopes.

Food is provided by local restaurants. The quality of food is excellent,
With a real variety of menus throughout the course, with local specialities every week.

There are no hidden extras on our prices,
With many of the other operators you have to pay extra for BASI course fees, first aid courses etc. On the ICE course, you only need money for après ski and lunch. Everything else is provided for.

We can help you get a job.
Furthermore, following your course, we can offer you the best contacts for job prospects around the globe through the ICE network within the ski industry. See our employment section

Skiing standard:
We can cater for a large range of abilities since there are many groups on the course. Because of this, if you are already a good skier your level will be pushed with other good skiers around you. Our trainers train and assess to the highest levels in BASI so there is no ceiling to your improvement. Similarly if you are an inexperienced skier or rider you will be in a group with similar abilities so your needs will be met in this respect too. People have attended the course with as little as 1-2 weeks experience and have still achieved the level through hard work and commitment to the programme. An average experience across the courses of this type is roughly 8-10 weeks.

Insurance:
It is vital that you are properly insured against injury, loss of personal effects and curtailment. Students will need to purchase an insurance policy, details of various suppliers will be posted when you receive your booking form.

In the background.
Whilst this is an opportunity for you to expand your horizons and get the most from the time you spend abroad there will always be the guidance of the ICE team should things go wrong. Whether it is for medical reason or just a shoulder to lean on, the ICE team will be there to help, should you require it.

Call us on 0870 760 7360 for more information. If you choose option 3, you can speak directly to a BASI Trainer who will happily discuss the course content, accommodation, what to do with your qualifications, how to find work and answer any questions you may have about the course or skiing and snowboarding in general.