SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR
COURSES
10 WEEK INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSES
Become a Snowboard Instructor with us here at Vivid Snowboarding. We offer 10 week programs that will take you through your BASI level one and two exams. Our course is designed to take your riding to that next level and transform you into a world class Snowboard Instructor. Director of Vivid Snowboarding Rob Norton and Head coach Chris Rowley are both current BASI snowboard examiners so you will be learning and progressing from the very best.
WHATS INCLUDED
- 200+ hours of intensive snowboard coaching
- BASI level one and two exams
- First Aid course
- Creation of online C.V with mini edit
- Extensive contacts with numerous snowboard schools in the northern and southern hemisphere with a possible job at Vivid Snowboarding
- Lift Pass
- Off snow fitness sessions delivered by qualified outdoor PT
- 70+ hours snowboard school experience
- Backcountry mountain Safety clinic
- Board testing with Burton Snowboards in Verbier and Saas Fee
- Seasonal accommodation in Verbier
- 1 year BASI membership
- Board tuning clinic
- Child protection module
- Freestyle coaching
- Option for coaching exam
- Training by BASI Snowboard trainer and level 4 BASI instructors
- Half board accommodation in Saas Fee and Myoko
- Seasonal accommodation in Verbier
- Swiss tourist tax
- Discount cards for local restaurants and bars
- Equipment offers from Burton Snowboards and Spektrum
WHY VIVID?
Rob Norton, the founder of Vivid Snowboarding and head coach has 24 years of industry experience. Rob is a current BASI Snowboarder examiner and holds the top British, Swiss and French snowboard licenses. Having examined BASI instructors for the last 18 years he knows what ingredients are needed to make world-class instructors. His team of trainers have been carefully hand picked. They all hold the BASI level 4 qualification and are exceptional riders and coaches. Recently Chris Rowley has joined the BASI examining team and is now a full cert trainer.
Rob Norton, “I have worked globally training and examining up and coming instructors and really feel the Vivid Snowboarding product is 100% snowboarder thought out. Without wanting to sound too cheesy, it’s a snowboarders snowboard course. I have been fortunate enough to work with and alongside a huge array of different snowboard coaches, trainers and instructors from a variety of instructing systems. This has given me a valuable insight into the instructor training industry and what really works best. From running a successful snowboard school in Verbier, I know what I’m looking for when employing an instructor. This course is designed with that in mind. We aim to make you a great snowboarder, awesome teacher and super employable in the industry. This program is the perfect mix and will get you qualified with both your BASI level one and two in just 9 – 10 weeks!”
Our Autumn programme in Saas Fee will have you qualified and sending out your snowboard specific CV in time for all the schools hiring for the coming winter. Our Verbier and Myoko course gives you that full winter experience.
We like to take an individual and personal approach to finding the right opportunities in the industry for each trainee. All too often we see other providers tick the box of guaranteeing jobs that then don’t materialise. We have contacts across the globe in the industry and we take the time to sit down with each individual and tailor our recommendations and hookups to suit each persons aspirations and ambitions. We will also provide a digital video portfolio of your riding, not only to court prospective employers but also as a memento of your time with us. Of course, if we come across a very gifted instructor, we like to snap them up to come and work for Vivid Snowboarding!
“Super stoked to now be a Snowboard instructor, Amazing course!”
Dave Sanders, London
““Super stoked to now be a Snowboard instructor … Amazing program!”
Dave Sanders, London
SAAS FEE, SWITZERLAND
Saas Fee has an almost mythical status in the snowboarding community. It has become an annual pilgrimage for any seasoned pro rider wanting to get their game on lock before the competition winter kicks off. It is the number one location to ride at this time of year. Our programs run in Saas Fee throughout the Summer and Autumn and finish as the northern hemisphere kicks off its winter. The Saas Fee glacier is the perfect training ground for the BASI level one and two course. During the course Saas Fee will open up more of the mountain as the seasons change and snow begins to fall.
We have teamed up with the Park Hotel which is our accommodation venue. The stylish and comfortable traditional Swiss Hotel is located in the town centre and a short walk to the lift station. You will be enjoying the awesome Park Hotel food for breakfast and evening meal each day.
SAAS FEE FACT FILE
- Highest point 3600m
- Village height 1800m
- 11 lifts
- 100km of slopes
- 1 underground railway
- Snowpark x 2
DATES: 25th September 2023 – 1st December 2023
PRICE: 11,500 chf
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
Verbier is one of the very best snowboarding venues in the world. The resort and its surrounding mountains have over 400km of marked slopes. However where Verbier really shines is in its variety, sheer scale and amazing off-piste terrain. Our December 2023 BASI level one and two instructor training course is designed to take your riding and teaching to that next. Through out the course you will have specialised off-piste training so you can gain the essential skills needed to ride more challenging terrain. Verbier truly is an awesome place to gain your snowboard instructors licence.
We have teamed up with one of the leading chalet rental companies in resort to offer you comfortable and functional accommodation. This is situated in the village centre, near to shops, bars and restaurants. The chalet is close to the main lift and on the major bus route in the resort.
VERBIER FACT FILE
- Highest point 3330m
- Village height 1500m
- Longest run 15km
- 67 lifts
- 11 itinerary routes
- Snowpark x 2
WINTER COURSE
DATES: 4th December 2023 – 9th February 2024
Price: Adult 11,500CHF with accommdation
PRICE: Adult: 6500CHF
For training and exams only
CHECK OUT THE WEEKLY SCHEDULE
LEVEL 1 TRAINING
The first week will focus on getting you geared up and ready for your level one exam in Week 2. You will be introduced to the BASI snowboard philosophy and get to grips with some of the important basics.
The first few days is dedicated to learning through repetition of the basic movements and becoming familiar and comfortable with the BASI terminology. As well as working on your fundamental technical riding you will also have the opportunity to deliver a session on the hill. As it will be the first time teaching in situ it will be relaxed and fairly informal, but detailed feedback will be given on the structure of your session and how to improve in order to deliver a clear, precise and safe lesson, in order to get through your level one exam.
At the end of each week, there will be a one-on-one debrief with the coach so you know how you are progressing and in what areas you might need to work harder. By the end of week one, you will feel confident and ready for your level one exam.
LEVEL 1 EXAM
This is a five-day on-snow exam delivered by a BASI examiner. The technical element will be marked on your central theme, ie, your basic riding; from a straight run maneuver to a basic turn and a standard turn. You will also have to perform some simple carve-style turns and some basic freestyle moves. During the exam, you will plan and deliver a short lesson to the rest of the group. The beauty of the BASI style of examining is that it’s a constant assessment of your skills over the 5 day period rather than a single appraisal on an individual run or test.
The BASI examiner will be on hand to coach and guide you through your exam week. If you are unsuccessful in achieving a pass on the exam, it is likely that you will just need a bit more coaching and work before retaking the level again within the 9 week period.
With all the examining process for both the level one and two exams, the trainer will always be looking at the whole instructor package. From how you ride, to how you teach and how you interact with others in the group, to what time you arrive to each session. Remember it’s not just about being an awesome rider, it is about being an awesome Snowboard Instructor.
LEVEL 2 TRAINING
After the completion of the level one exam, you will be straight into training for the level two.
At this point, the standard is ramped up and your riding has to become stronger (over the 5 week period) and you will learn to deliver a great variety of lessons. The level one qualification could be looked at as a badge for teaching in a small environment, like a snow dome, whereas the level two qualification is geared towards teaching and instructing all over the mountain.
Daily coaching sessions on the hill will be working on your personal riding skills, as well as developing your teaching. Video feedback sessions will help develop your technical riding as well as your ability to analyse other people’s riding, which is a key skill to becoming a quality instructor.
This training period will include specific freeride and freestyle sessions.
During these weeks everyone will complete the child protection module, the mountain-specific first-aid course, and the required snowboard school shadowing hours.
LEVEL 2 EXAM
This is what you have been training for throughout the course. It will be a 10 day on-snow assessment of your technical riding, your teaching ability and your overall professionalism. Your BASI examiner will need to be able to picture you in a Snowboard school uniform, giving clear, safe and precise instructions to a group of snowboarders, performing technically strong and giving smooth demonstrations to the group.
The ten-day exam will be split into two blocks of five days. The exam will be a constant assessment rather than culminating in one assessment at the end. During the second week, there will be a short written paper, testing your knowledge of the BASI product.
After successfully completing your level 2 exam you will be issued with your level 2 BASI Snowboard Licence and you will be qualified to teach anywhere in the world.
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
NEW ! Come ride and train with us for an entire winter in Verbier. If you are looking to gain that next level of qualification or just raise your overall riding skills, then we have the perfect season mapped out for you. This style of course will give you all those magical ingredients to take your riding to that next level. We will tailor the winter to your needs. Here are some of the clinics that will be on offer during the course:
- Advanced piste carving and riding steeper terrain.
- Off-piste clinics with options to train for and enter local Freeride world tour events
- Freestyle sessions with specific park coaching
- Avalanche safety course
- Split-boarding tours
- Advanced teaching and coaching clinics to take your own instructing to that next level.
- Heli riding ( additional cost )
- Shadowing advanced lessons
Our mentoring system is designed to give that personal touch at all times. Our team of coaches are well seasoned in the industry and have a vast wealth of knowledge to be shared.
Specialised clinics run through out the winter. The peak holiday seasons will be set aside for personal development.
If you are interested in joining our winter long program then please get in touch to discuss further. We look forward to hearing from you.
WHAT WE OFFER
- 260 hours coaching throughout the winter
- Season lift pass
- Freeride specific training
- Park coaching
- Individual mentoring throughout
- Option to join BASI level 3 exams
- Avalanche safety course
DATES: 4th December 2023 – 26th April 2024
PRICE: 7150 CHF