EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Overview

One of the greatest benefits of gaining a BASI qualification is the opportunity to work in some of the worlds most incredible mountain destinations. From indoor snow centres and dry ski slopes in the UK to major resorts across Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. There are opportunities available at every stage of your ski instructing career.

The level of qualification that you hold will determine where you can work and the opportunities available to you, with each step in the BASI pathway opening the door to new destinations and greater responsibility.

ICE have spent decades building strong relationships within the ski industry and have an extensive network of contacts across the globe. Many of our coaches have worked internationally themselves and are always happy to share their experience, offer practical advice and help point our students in the right direction when it comes to employment opportunities.

The sections below provide an overview of where you can work with each BASI qualification, along with som useful information on different countries, career pathways and employment options around the world. 

Work as a BASI Level 2

The BASI Level 2 qualification is a major milestone and is often the point at which a passion for skiing becomes the start of a professional career. It is an internationally recognised qualification that enables instructors to teach in an outdoor mountain environment and opens the door to employment opportunities around the world.

Succesfully completing the course demonstrates that you have the technical ability, knowledge and teaching skills to safely instruct alpine skiing up to and including paralell standard.

For many ski schools across both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the BASI Level 2 qualification is the minimum required for employment. It provides an excellent platform from which to gain valuable experience, develop your teaching skills and begin building a long term career in the ski industry.

Over many years, ICE has built strong relationships with ski schools and employers around the world. Whilst we cannot guarantee employment, we are always happy to share our knowledge, offer practical advice and help point students in the right direction when it comes to finding work. 

Work as a BASI Level 3

The BASI Level 3 ISIA qualification is an internationally recognised standard and represents a major milestone in a ski instructors career. For many countries around the world, it is the benchmark qualification required to access a wide range of full time teaching opportunities and marks the transition from seasonal instructor to experienced professional.

Progressing from the BASI Level 2 to the BASI Level 3 ISIA requires a significant commitment, continued technical development and a genuine passion for teaching skiing. It is a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey that equips instructors with the skills and confidence to teach across a broad range of abilities and environments.

For many instructors, achieving the BASI Level 3 ISIA opens the door to a long term career in the ski industry, with opportunities to work internationally, take on more varied teaching responsibilities towards the highest levels of the profession.

The qualification is highly respected by ski schools around the world and is often reflected in increased responsibility and improved earning potential, although this will vary between employers and countries. 

ICE has an exprienced coaching team who have first hand knowledge of this BASI Level 3 ISIA pathway and the demands that it brings. Having succesfully guided countless students through the process of the modules, we are well placed to offer practical advice, support and encouragement every step of the way.

For those looking to build a long term career in skiing, the BASI Level 3 ISIA qualification is one of the most significant and rewarding milestones you can achieve.

Work as a BASI Level 4

The BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification represents the highest level of certification within the BASI pathway and is recognised internationally as a amrk of exceptional skiing ability, teaching expertise, and professionalism. For many instructors, achieving Level 4 is the culmination of years of hard work and experience, opening the door to some of the most rewarding opportunities within the ski industry.

Progressing form BASI Level 3 ISIA to BASI Level 4 ISTD is a significant step and requires a considerable commitment of both time and dedication. Those who embark on this journey are typically pursuing a long term career as a full time ski professional and are striving to reach the very highest standards within the industry.

The qualification is both physically and mentally demanding, requiring technical excellence, adaptability and an ongoing commitment to personal development. However, for those willing to invest the effort, it is an incredibly rewarding achievement and one that is highly respected by ski schools and employers around the world.

In many resorts and ski schools, achieving the BASI Level ISTD is also reflected in an increase of earning potential and access to greater teaching responsibilities, specialist roles and leadership opportunities. While these opportunities vary between employers, the qualification is widely recognised as a significant milestone in a professional instructors career.

Work in the UK

Indoor & Dry Ski Slopes

The UK is home to a large number of indoor snow centres and dry ski slopes, making it possible to continue dveloping your skiing and teaching skills throughout the year. Below are just some of the most popular venues, but it is always worth researching facilities closer to home that may be more convenient for work.

Indoor Snow Centres

• The Snow Centre (Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire)
• Chill Factore (Manchester)
• SnowDome (Tamworth, Staffordshire)
• Snowzone (Milton Keynes & Castleford)

Dry Ski Slopes

• Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend, Edinburgh)
• Ski Rossendale (Lancashire)
• Alpine Snowsports (Southampton)
• Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre 

These centres are an excellent option for anyone who is looking to gain valuable teaching experience alongside their studies or existing employment. Many instructors work evenings, weekends, and school holidays, making them particularly popular with university studnts looking for work.

For those working towards their BASI Level 2 qualification, these centres can also provide an ideal environment in which to complete the additional 35hrs of shadowing experience that is required for that certification.

Ski Centres in the Scottish Highlands

Scotland is home to some fantastic mountain ski centres, each with its own ski school and opportunities for aspiring instructors to gain experience and employment during the winter season.

The five main Scottish ski centres are:

• Cairngorm Mountain (Aviemore)
• Glenshee (near Braemar)
• Nevis Range (near Fort William)
• Glencoe Mountain Resort (Argyll)
• The Lecht (Strathdon, Cairngorms)

Although conditions can vary from season to season, these centres offer a brilliant introduction to teaching in a real outdoor enviroment and provide valuable experience for those looking to progress their ski instructing career before heading overseas. 

Work in France

France is the notable exception when it comes to qualifying and working as a ski instructor. Whilst the route differs slightly from many other countries, it remains entirely achievable with the right qualifications, determination and guidance.

Since Brexit, the process has become more complex for UK passport holders who do not hold an EU passport. However, ICE has extensive experience supporting students through every stage of the journey and can provide advice based on the latest requirements and our own first hand experience.

After succesfully completing the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification, students can then apply for Equivelance in France. The exact pathway then depends on your nationality and passport status. UK passport holders without and EU passport will normally need to complete three additional modules before applying for their Carte Professionelle (Carte Pro) which is the licence required to teach skiing in France.

The modules are:

• Eurotest
• Banked Slalom on a Snowboard (via ENSA)
• 2 Day IMS Assessment (via ENSA)

The Eurotest

The Eurotest is a Giant Slalom timed race that forms part of the qualification pathway for ski instructors throughout Europe. Candidates are given two opportunities to achieve the required standard, with their performance neasured against specially selected ''openers'' who are highly ranked skiers with fewer than 50 FIS points.

The openers are calibrated and assigned a handicap, from which a base time is established. For the 2025/26 season, the pass time was set at a base time of 19% for men and 25% for women. Candidates who qualify on their first run do not compete in the second run, where the start order is then reversed.

Prior to Brexit, The Eurotest formed part of the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification, meaning every one of the ICE coaches and trainers, has succesfully completed this test themselves. As a result, our team is ideally placed to provide practical advice, training and support to candidates that are preparing for the Eurotest.

Once the required modules have succesfully been completed and your Equivelence has been approved, you can then apply for your Carte Professionelle, allowing you to work legally as a ski instructor in France.

Whilst the process may seem daunting at first, with the right preparation and support, becoming a ski instructor in France remains a realistic and acheivable goal.

Work in the Northern hemisphere

The Northern Hemisphere remains the most popular destination for aspiring ski instructors and offers an incredible variety of opportunities across Europe, North America and Japan. The main winter season typically runs from late November through to early May, although many glacier reosrts open earlier and remain operational well into the spring.

ICE have spent many years building strong relationships with ski schools, training organisations and industry professionals across the world. Many of our coaches and trainers have worked internationally themselves, giving us first hand knowledge of the reosrts, employers and pathways that are available to new and experienced instructors.

Whether you are looking for your very first instructor job or planning the next step in your career, we are always happy to share advice for applications, qualifications, visas and what it is really like to work in different countries and different resorts. We also have a wide network of former ICE students who now work across the globe and who continue to provide valuable insight and recommendations.

Some of the destinations and ski schools that we have established contacts and experience with include:

Europe

• Italy - Interski, Ski2
• Switzerland - Summit Ski School, Stoked, European Snowsports, Connect Snowsports
• Austria - Ski Astons 

Japan

• Niseko Black
• GoSnow

Canada & North America 

• Whistler Blackcomb

Our network is continuously growing, and whilst we can't guarantee employment, we are always happy to point our students in the right direction, offer honest advice and help you make the informed decisions about where to build your ski career.

No matter where your ambitions take you, ICE is here to help you take the next step with confidence.

Work in the Southern hemisphere

For those looking to keep on skiing through the European summer or gain further valuable international experience, the Southern Hemisphere offers fantastic opportunities across both Australia and New Zealand. Running from approximately June through to October, these seasons provide excellent conditions for ski instructors, racers and recreational skiers alike, with the peak winter months typically falling between July and early September.

ICE has built an extensive network of contacts over many years and can provide advice and introductions to resorts, ski schools and employers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Whether you are looking for your first instructor position, a race coaching opportunity, or simply guidance on where to apply, we are always happy to point you in the right direction and share our industry knowledge with you.

Australia:

• Thredbo (New South Wales)
• Perisher (New South Wales)
• Charlotte Pass (New South Wales)
• Falls Creek (Victoria)
• Mount Hotham (Victoria)
• Mount Buller (Victoria)

Australia offers a unique alpine experience with modern resort infrastructure, excellent terrain parks, race training facilities, and a vibrant ski community. Many of our team members and past students have worked there and we can provide invaluable first hand advice.

New Zealnd:

• Coronet Peak
• The Remarkables
• Cardrona Alpine Resort
• Treble Cone
• Mt Hutt
• Turoa
• Whakapapa

New Zealand is renowned for its spectacular scenery and diverse skiing, with a mixture of commercial ski fields, world class venues and stunning mountain landscapes, it is an excellent destination for instructors and skiers looking to develop their skills while enjoying an unforgettable winter ski season.

Argentina/Chile:

While our strongest network of contacts and employment opportunity links are in Australia and New Zealand, is also worth considering the incredible skiing that is available in Chile and Argentina. Both countries are hugely popular Southern Hemisphere destinations during the European summer, attracting ski instructors from around the world. With spectacular Andean scenery, excellent snow conditions, and a growing international community, they provide a fantastic option for anyone looking to extend their winter and gain valuable ski school experience overseas.