Start your journey as a ski instructor.
Take your first step into instructing and turn your passion for skiing into something more.
The Ski Foundation Instructor (Level 1) qualification is your entry point into the Snowsport England instructor pathway. It equips you with the skills and confidence to support beginner skiers and begin teaching in a real environment.
With this award, you’ll be able to teach skiers of all ages - from complete beginners to those working towards parallel skiing - at artificial slopes and indoor snow centres in the UK.
Ski Foundation Instructor - Level 1
QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW
Minimum age
16 year-old
Pre-requisites
- Be able to ski sufficiently well to cover the practical contents of the course
- Be able to show linked parallel steering
Course duration
Two days (14 hours)
Assessment
Formal (one day) or Workplace Assessment
Where you can teach
- Indoor snow centres (UK)
- Artificial slopes
Next step
Ski Instructor (Level 2)
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for:
· Skiers looking to take their first step into instructing
· Individuals interested in working at local slopes or snow centres
No prior teaching experience is required.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
During the course, you’ll develop the core skills needed to support beginner skiers, including:
Assisting with beginner ski lessons
Understanding basic teaching principles
Communicating effectively with learners
Managing groups safely
Demonstrating fundamental skiing techniques
You’ll also gain an introduction to lesson structure and how to create a positive learning environment.
Photo: Southampton Alpine Centre
Photo: The Hill, Rossendale
Working towards YOUR LICENCE
To complete your Level 1 qualification, you need to:
· Complete the full course
· Complete a minimum of 20 hours workplace training
· Successfully complete the logbook and assessment
· Hold current Snowsport England membership
Additional requirements for licensing include: valid First Aid, safeguarding training and DBS check.
NEXT STEPS
Once qualified, you can progress to the Ski Instructor (Level 2) and continue building your teaching experience and opportunities.
Already qualified elsewhere? If you hold an equivalent qualification from another country or awarding body, you may be eligible for recognition. Head to our Equivalency page to find out more.
