top of page

Menu

Courses / Booking

FAQ'S - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a ski instructor?

To become a ski instructor you need to complete a series of courses consisting of several parts. After completing the first course, you become a level 2 instructor (Anwärter), and can legally work in a ski school. In order to become a Level 3 instructor (Landesskilehrer), the following courses must be completed:

Detailed description: https://www.eng.snowsports.at/post/austrian-ski-instructor

Between the course "Anwärter" and "Landesskilehrer 1" as well as between the course sections "Landesskilehrer 1" and "Landesskilehrer 2" you need to prove at least 10 days of practical work experience in a ski school.

Download and get this form signed off to use as proof of work experience :

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/cc568a_9c36202580ae4812af5f2679499542b1.pdf

How do I become a snowboard instructor?

The training to become a snowboard instructor also consists of several courses. After completing the first course, the ‘Anwärter’, you can legally work in a ski school. In order to reach the level of Snowboard Landeslehrer, the following courses must be completed:

Detailed description: https://www.eng.snowsports.at/post/snowboard-instructor

Between the course "Anwärter" and "Landeslehrer" you need to prove at least 10 days of practical work experience in a ski/snowboard school. Download and get this form signed off to use as proof of work experience:

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/cc568a_9c36202580ae4812af5f2679499542b1.pdf

What qualifications will be obtained after completing the education at the Snowsports Academy?

The courses and examinations for ski or snowboard instructors are carried out by the Viennese Ski and Snowboard Instructors Association (WSSV) regarding to the law of the Austrian federal state Vienna and the guidelines of the Austrian Skischool Association (ÖSSV). After passing the exam, the participant receives an Austrian ski instructor or snowboard instructor certificate, which is recognised both in Austria and in many other countries.

In which Austrian (federal) states is the qualification from Snowsports Academy recognized?

The Snowsports Academy primarily educates ski and snowboard instructors for the Austrian ski and snowboard schools. The qualification is also recognized in many other countries. Whether an apprenticeship is recognized must always be decided individually and depends on the regulations and laws of the respective country. A blanket statement can therefore not be made.

In Austria:

The qualification of the Snowsports Academy is recognized in all Austrian federal states. If you want to work in Austria, we recommend absolving the exams in German, as many Austrian ski schools are looking for German-speaking staff. In addition, there is an agreement for automatic recognition among all Austrian regional associations.

In addition to the German, the English qualification is also legally recognised. In practice, however, it has been shown that some Austrian regional associations do not automatically recognize English qualifications and an official recognition from the authorities may be required. This official recognition was always granted without any problems.

Can I rent ski or snowboard equipment?

It is possible to rent equipment for courses on the Kitzsteinhorn directly in the sports shop "Bründl Sports" in the mountain station (Alpine Center) on the morning of the first day on snow.
Bründl Sports is a partner of the Snowsports Academy. This gives participants the opportunity to shop at reduced prices, rent equipment or have a ski/snowboard service.

What are the prerequisites to be able to take part in the Anwärter (Level 1 + 2) course?

In order to participate in the Anwärter course, the participants must be at least 16 years old before the end of the respective calendar year. On the practical side, safe and parallel skiing or safe snowboarding is required. There is no entrance exam.

How can I prepare for the education?

In order to get well prepared for the education, there is the possibility to attend a preparatory course with our partner "Ski Instructor Academy (SIA)". This training provides comprehensive preparation for the courses both in theory and practical. More information at: https://siaaustria.com.

What is included in the price?

The course price includes course, examination and certificate fees, course book, video analyses and theory lessons. In addition, it is possible to book hotel, lift ticket, accident insurance and cancellation insurance.

In exceptional cases, only the booking of the course is offered, any necessary additional services are to be organized by the participants themselves.

I already have accommodation or lift pass. Will the course be cheaper now?

Yes, courses can also be booked without accommodation and a lift pass.

Is it possible to book a single or double room?

The standard price includes a room for 2-3 people. It is possible to book a single or double room, but for an extra fee.

How do I get there?

Getting to the hotel: For courses on the Kitzsteinhorn, the journey to the hotel can be made both by car and with public transport. Parking at Hotel Lukashansl can be used at no extra charge. The train station "Bruck an der Glocknerstraße" is only a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

Booking a train ticket in Austria: https://www.oebb.at/en/

ÖBB customer service: T: +43 (0) 5 1717 Email: oebb.at/kontakt

Daily transport to the ski area: If you arrive by public transport, please note that the transport to and from the mountain must be organised yourself. For more information, see "How do I get from the hotel to the ski area and back again?".

How do I get from the hotel to the ski area and back again (Courses Kitzsteinhorn / Zell am See)?

The journey from the hotel to the ski area and back is organised by the participants themselves. The journey takes between 5 and 15 minutes each way. The use of public transport is unfortunately not possible because there is no direct connection to the Kitzsteinhorn ski area from the hotel.

For those arriving on public transport, we therefore recommend that you contact other participants in advance and organise some form of carpooling. For this purpose we set up a Facebook group about 3 weeks before the start of the course and send the participants an invitation to the group by e-mail.

If you cannot find a lift in advance, please inform our office team about this. They will organize the transport for you (taxi or bus) for a surcharge of 100€ (for the entire duration of the course).

What happens if I fail an exam?

If the exam is not passed, a retake can be taken. In this exam, only the section which was failed has to be retaken.

Registration for the retakes is online at:

https://booking.snowsports.at/en/all-courses/wiederholungspruefungen-retakes/

Various so-called master events are offered to prepare for the retakes. Master Events means training with highly qualified ski or snowboard instructors. The booking can be made online at https://booking.snowsports.at/en/all-courses/master-events/

How hard is it to get a job as a ski or snowboard instructor?

Basically, ski schools search for employees on a regular basis. The demand for ski instructors is very high in Austria, but also internationally in ski schools around the world. Normally, graduates from Snowsports Academy find a job in a ski school within a very short period of time. In addition to the snowboard instructor qualification, we recommend snowboard instructors to complete the Anwärter module (level 1+2) in skiing to become a dual snowsports instructor. This way, you can be employed in the ski schools both as a ski and as a snowboard instructor. This increases your career opportunities enormously.

How do I find a job?

Each participant is responsible himself/herself finding a job. Our "SnowsportsConnect" job platform can be used to get in contact with ski schools: https://www.snowsportsconnect.com/en/for-instructors
The website "Skilehrerjobs.at" also helps with the search for the right ski school: https://www.skilehrerjobs.at/english

I would like to complete an Austrian ski / snowboard instructor education and at the same time gain international experience.

Is that possible?

That's fine. Snowsports Academy is an international ski and snowboard instructor association. There is therefore the possibility of completing the Austrian qualifications outside Europe. For example, in the summer months, an Anwärter ski instructor course takes place in Santiago de Bariloche, Argentina. For more information about this and other courses abroad, please contact us directly.

How do I get a ski or snowboard instructor ID?

To get a ski or snowboard instructor ID from us, you have to become a member of Snowsports Academy. Simply click on the following link: https://booking.snowsports.at/en/all-courses/mitgliedschaft-memberships-1/

I already have an education and would like to have it recognized. What do I have to do?

If you have already completed an education with another institute or governing body and would like to continue the education with Snowsports Academy, please contact us directly by e-mail: office@snowsports.at. In order to be able to work in Austria with your completed international qualification, it must first be recognised by the authorities of the federal state (e.g. Land Tirol or Land Salzburg) in which you wish to work. Please contact the competent authority of the state for this.

Do I have to be a member of Snowsports Academy if I want to attend a course?

No, a membership is not a prerequisite to attend a course.

Do I need health and accident insurance?

Each participant is responsible for taking out an adequate health and accident insurance. Such an insurance, especially with included helicopter rescue, is expressly recommended. Please note that an education falls under the category “Professional Event”, which means some insurances do not cover it. An accident insurance can also be taken out through us as part of the course booking (insurance partner: UNIQA Österreich Versicherungs AG). Details on this accident insurance can be found in the General Terms and Conditions.

How do I book a course?

Registration is exclusively online. Please register on our homepage and sign up for the course.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, the deposit must be transferred to our account at the same time as the course registration. As soon as the deposit has arrived, a fixed place for your desired course will be reserved.

When does the remaining course fee have to be paid?

The remaining course fee must be paid no later than 21 days before the start of the course. Otherwise, the place at the course can be given to someone else.

What happens if I wish to cancel the course (eg due to illness, injury, etc.)?

If the course will be cancelled by the participant, our cancellation conditions apply. A travel and cancellation insurance can be taken out during the course booking (insurance partner: Europäische Reiseversicherung AG). By booking such an insurance, the paid amount can be secured. More information about the travel and cancelation insurance can be found in the General Terms and Conditions and the following link:
https://service.europaeische.at/doc/en/Information_document_CompleteCover-IPID-KS_2021-EN-001.pdf

What happens during illness / injury during the course?

In the event of illness or injury between day 1 and day 5 of a course, a 30% discount on the course fee will be granted on presentation of a medical certificate from the doctors on site. A reimbursement of the costs for the lift ticket is to be carried out independently with the lift company and requires a doctor's note. Unfortunately there is no refund for hotel costs.

How does Brexit affect me?

2021/22 will be the first season post-Brexit and will add some red tape to what would historically have been a normal season for students from the UK. To work anywhere in the world now, incl. Europe, Brits will need a visa or permit to work. The Authorities here in Austria have said that they plan to have a ‘seasonnaire permit’ in place to allow workers short-term access to the employment market during the winter season. Whilst this is potentially great news, they haven’t released any further details on this as yet so it still leaves a little uncertainty on what will be required from UK nationals working in Austria. (latest update: 28th March 2021)

bottom of page