Job opportunities
Where can I work after gaining my BASI Level 2 qualification?
Two big things to unpack first:
Your working rights (what passport you hold and where you wish to work)
Your qualification recognition
Level 1
As a level one qualified instructor, you can apply for work within a controlled environment like an artificial dry slope or snow centre. There’s plenty dotted around the UK and further afield. Use google to search “snow centres near me” to find your closest snowsports slope. The Ski Level 1 Instructor is an entry-level course for students who wish to join the BASI Education System. This qualification is ideal for those wishing to find employment in a UK snowsports centre
Level 2
The first mountain-based qualification in the BASI education system. Successful students will be able to ski to a competent level and have the knowledge, ability and understanding to safely teach alpine skiing up to and including parallel standards on marked pistes.
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Australia recognises BASI's Alpine, Snowboard, Nordic and Telemark qualifications and each snowsport school has its employment requirements. As a general rule, only qualified instructors will be offered work, usually at 'hiring clinics' held in May each year - and you'll need to register before attending.
For example of individual resorts and application forms, go to http://www.perisherjobs.com.au/ or Mt Buller's application and recruitment website here www.bullerjobs.com.au
Work Permits
Applicants are usually expected to provide their own work permit (or 'working holiday maker visa') and you can't apply for a 'hiring clinic' until you have one, unless prior arrangement for sponsorship has been made through an individual snowsport school (e.g., Perisher). The visa program is designed for travellers to Australia to both visit and work to sustain their travel. The visa is valid for 12 months and, normally, you can only work for one employer for up to 3 months. Check out the Australian immigration website www.immi.gov.au for more information and online applications.
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Although its currency is the Euro, Andorra is not part of the EU, so a work permit is required to be able to work there. A medical check-up is part of the application for a work permit and is carried out by the Andorran immigration service. Ski schools will help with the payment and organisation of work permits. In addition, the medical check must be repeated every 2 years.
Check out https://www.arinsal.co.uk/ski-school/
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To qualify for a working visa, ski or snowboard instructors need to hold a minimum of CSIA or CASI Level 2, equivalent to BASI's Level 2 Instructor.
Work Permits
Working visas are required - an instructor must apply to a recognised ski school in Canada and obtain a job offer and contract. Once a job offer is in place, the resort will help in obtaining a visa. This is a 2-step procedure: the first step is for the resort/ski school to obtain approval to employ a particular foreign worker as an instructor. If approval is given, the resort will receive a letter of confirmation together with an approval code, which is forwarded to the instructor who must then apply for their visa to the Canadian Embassy in London. The temporary working visa will be specific to the resort and will last until the end of the season.
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BASI Level 2 can work for the maximum of a 7 - week period within recognised Trentino ski schools.
The paperwork... Any Member wishing to work in Trentino must submit a prior declaration of temporary and/or occasional occupation as a ski instructor. You can find the declaration form here. You will also have to submit the following evidence:
- Copy of your ID card/ passport
- Copy of valid BASI full licence;
- Copy of a PERSONAL valid insurance covering at least €1M (BASI members can use the BASI public liability insurance included with full membership);
- Criminal record and pending charges certificate;
- Self-declaration of Italian language skill
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In the USA an instructor does not have to be qualified (or 'certified') to teach. Different snowsport schools have different qualification requirements for foreign instructors and generally the minimum age for employment is 18. Each resort sets its own pay levels according to qualification and, in practice, most resorts will aim to fill full-time positions with qualified staff - part-time staff fill in the shortfalls at peak times at holidays and week-ends. For example, in New Hampshire BASI's Level 2 Instructor qualification is widely accepted and job application is available online at www.loonmtn.com
However in some resorts in Colorado and Montana, at BASI Level 2 Instructor or Level 3 ISIA, until you are established you are likely to be offered posts teaching in the children's programme.
Work Permits
An instructor must apply to a recognised ski school and obtain a job offer. Once the offer is in place, the ski school will apply in the US for a visa petition, you must wait until you receive this petition approval document before you can make an appointment at the embassy for an interview. This will be for an H2 temporary work visa - which is specific to that ski school. Your passport will be retained by the Embassy and returned by special post with the Visa to your UK address. You are not allowed to work for a different employer other than that shown on the visa.
Information can be found on the Embassy website.
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Work permits are required - an instructor must apply to a recognised ski school in New Zealand and obtain a job offer and contract. Once a contract is in place, the ski school will apply for a work permit and only when a permit has been granted can the instructor work for that ski school. Alternatively, application can be made directly to the NZ Government - further info onwww.immigration.govt.nz
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As Switzerland is not a member of the EU, work permits are required. An instructor must apply to a recognised ski school in Switzerland and obtain a job offer and contract. Once a contract is in place, the ski school will apply for a work permit and only when a permit has been granted can the instructor work for that ski school. The general impression that Switzerland is more relaxed about instructors working illegally than for instance France, is mistaken.
Instructors should be very careful if they are offered work without a permit because, if caught (through the regular police checks on ski schools and individuals), the financial penalties are severe for all parties concerned and could result in deportation from Switzerland!
For working rights in other countries where the BASI Level 2 is accepted, please visit the BASI website here
We have a partnership with a ski school in Champéry, Switzerland that will accept your BASI Level 2 qualification and can arrange interviews during the course.
The winter intake finishes just before the February half-term, so you could be straight into working a full week post-course! We will hold career workshops throughout the course to prepare and advise you on job/industry opportunities in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere.
Working regulations are subject to change. This page is for information purposes only, you should seek official advice from your embassy or potential employer on your specific working rights.
