The umbrella organization for Austrian ski instructor training, Snowsport Austria, describes the path to becoming a modern ski instructor as versatile. In addition to skiing, skills in snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and, depending on the region, snowbiking or freeriding are taught. The training consists of four levels, starting with the candidate level and culminating in the ski guide certification.
Ski Instructor Candidate: This is the basic course, which includes alpine skiing as well as an introduction to current trend sports, alpine safety, and pedagogical training. The course lasts ten days.
Regional Ski Instructor: At this level, the fundamentals from the candidate course are deepened. It consists of two course sections, totaling 24 days plus seven days of alpine training and three weeks of practical experience.
Diploma Ski Instructor: At this stage, competencies in skiing and trend sports are perfected in both theory and practice. Comprehensive alpine training, known as "Euro-Security," is also included. The duration is two semesters.
Ski Guide: This is the pinnacle of the training. The focus is on skiing in open terrain and alpine safety. Course duration varies depending on requirements and region.
On the 15th of April I’ve had a private 2 hours long lesson with a wonderful English instructor named Jim. I’m an advanced skier but I’m totally out of touch with today’s way of skiing as I’ve learned how to ski in the 70’s and haven’t skied since. Jim took one look at my skiing and started to show me how to improve. We’ve practiced for 2 hours and by the end of the lesson I really felt the difference. I was able to use the architecture of new generation skis, my upper body gotten quiet under Jim’s watchful eye. He was patient and clear with his instructions, easy to get along with a great personality to match. Jim gave me the foundations on which I could build a better quality skiing. And indeed I did. For the remainder of the day I practiced everything Jim told me and my skiing really improved. Thank you, Jim