FAQ'S
How do I become a ski instructor?
Ski instructor education is divided into several course modules. After successfully completing the first module, the Anwärter course, you are qualified to work in a ski school.
To complete the Landesskilehrer qualification, the following modules are required:
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Anwärter (Level 1+2): 10 days
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Landesskilehrer 1 (Level 3 Part 1): 10 days
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Landesskilehrer 2 (Level 3 Part 2): 10 days
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Alpine Course: 7 days
More information about Austrian ski instructor education:
https://www.snowsports.at/post/die-ausbildung-zum-österreichischen-skilehrer
Between the Anwärter and Landesskilehrer 1 modules, and again between Landesskilehrer 1 and Landesskilehrer 2, participants must complete and provide evidence of 10 days of practical experience in a ski school.
Download the practical experience confirmation form:
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/cc568a_9c36202580ae4812af5f2679499542b1.pdf
How do I become a snowboard instructor?
Snowboard instructor education is divided into several course modules. After successfully completing the first module, the Anwärter course, you are qualified to work in a ski school.
To complete the Snowboard Landesskilehrer qualification, the following modules are required:
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Anwärter (Level 1+2): 10 days
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Snowboard Landesskilehrer (Level 3): 10 days
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Alpine Course: 7 days
More information about Austrian snowboard instructor education:
https://www.snowsports.at/post/snowboardlehrer-ausbildung
Between the Anwärter and Landesskilehrer modules, participants must complete 10 days of practical experience in a ski school.
Download the practical experience confirmation form:
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/cc568a_9c36202580ae4812af5f2679499542b1.pdf
What qualification do I receive after completing my education with Snowsports Academy?
The ski and snowboard instructor examinations are conducted by the Vienna Ski and Snowboard Instructors Association in accordance with Vienna state law and the guidelines of the Austrian Ski School Association (ÖSSV).
After successfully passing the examination, participants receive an Austrian ski instructor or snowboard instructor certificate.
What are the requirements for participating in an Anwärter course?
Participants must turn 16 within the calendar year in which the course takes place.
Ski: You should be able to ski safely, using parallel turns, on all slopes and in all snow conditions at a normal speed without holding up the group.
Snowboard: You should be able to snowboard safely on all slopes and in all snow conditions at a normal speed without holding up the group.
There is no entrance examination.
What does a typical day during a course look like?
The exact daily schedule depends on the course content and weather conditions.
A typical day starts with breakfast, followed by practical training on the mountain. Practical sessions usually finish at around 2:30 p.m. Theory sessions take place in the afternoon and/or evening and may include video analysis and group discussions.
The detailed schedule is provided by the course instructors at the beginning of the course.
Who are the instructors at Snowsports Academy?
Our instructors are experienced ski and snowboard instructors. All hold the qualification of state-certified snowsports instructor, the highest level of Austrian snowsports instructor education.
How do I book a course?
Course registration is available through our website. Simply select your preferred course and follow the booking instructions.
When should I register for a course?
We recommend registering as early as possible, as participant numbers are limited and some courses fill up quickly.
Is there a waiting list if a course is fully booked?
Yes. If a course is fully booked, you can join the waiting list. If a place becomes available, participants are contacted in the order in which they joined the list.
How do I pay for the course?
Course fees are generally paid online through our booking platform by credit card. In some cases, payment by bank transfer may also be available.
A deposit of 20% of the total amount is due at the time of booking. You can also choose to pay the full amount immediately. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 21 days before the course begins.
All payment details are provided during the booking process.
What is included in the course price?
The course price includes the course fee, examination fee, certificate fee, access to the e-learning platform, video analysis and theory sessions.
Depending on the course, additional services such as accommodation, lift passes, accident insurance, and travel and cancellation insurance may also be available to book.
In some cases, only the course itself is offered. Any additional services must then be organised independently by the participant.
I already have accommodation and/or a lift pass. Will the course be cheaper?
If the selected course allows these services to be booked separately, you can book the course without them and the total price will be reduced accordingly.
Can I book a single or double room?
The standard accommodation package includes rooms shared by two to three people. For most courses, single or double rooms can be booked for an additional charge.
Can I rent ski or snowboard equipment?
For courses at the Kitzsteinhorn, ski equipment can be rented on the morning of the first ski day directly from Bründl Sports at the Alpincenter mountain station.
Bründl Sports is a partner of Snowsports Academy. Participants may receive discounts on purchases, equipment rental and ski servicing.
How do I get from the hotel to the ski area and back for courses at the Kitzsteinhorn / Zell am See?
Transport between the hotel and the ski area must generally be organised independently by participants.
Depending on the hotel and ski area, the journey usually takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes each way. Public transport may be available depending on the course location. Detailed information is sent to participants before the course begins.
If you are travelling without a car, you can contact other participants in advance to organise a carpool. Around three weeks before the course begins, we provide access to an online communication platform. Access details are sent by email.
For data protection reasons, we cannot provide your contact details directly to other participants.
If you are unable to arrange transport before the course, please contact our office team in good time. We will be happy to assist with organising transport to the ski area.
What happens if I fail an examination?
If you do not pass an examination, you can take a retake examination. Only the subject that was not passed needs to be repeated.
Registration for retake examinations is available online at:
https://booking.snowsports.at/de/snowsports-academy/wiederholungspruefungen-retakes/
How difficult is it to find a job as a ski or snowboard instructor?
Ski schools regularly recruit instructors in Austria and internationally. Employment opportunities depend on factors such as season, location, qualification level and language skills.
Snowboard instructors may also choose to complete the Ski Module and become dual-qualified instructors, allowing them to work as both ski and snowboard instructors.
How do I find a job?
Each participant is responsible for finding their own employment.
Our SnowsportsConnect job platform connects snowsports instructors with ski schools:
https://www.snowsportsconnect.com/de/fur-lehrer
In which countries and Austrian federal states is a Snowsports Academy qualification recognised?
Snowsports Academy primarily educates ski and snowboard instructors for Austrian ski and snowboard schools.
Recognition requirements may vary between Austrian federal states and between countries. Participants should therefore check the applicable requirements with the relevant authority or employer in the region or country where they intend to work.
Education and examinations in German and English
Snowsports Academy offers ski and snowboard instructor education programmes and examinations in both German and English.
Recognition requirements for working as a ski or snowboard instructor may vary between Austrian federal states and other countries. Participants should therefore check the applicable requirements in the region or country where they intend to work.
If you are planning to work in Austria, we recommend choosing the German-language examination where possible.
I would like to complete Austrian ski or snowboard instructor education while gaining experience abroad. Is that possible?
Yes. Snowsports Academy offers opportunities to complete Austrian ski and snowboard instructor education outside Europe.
For example, Anwärter courses may be offered during the summer months in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, and during the winter in Parnassos / Kalavrita, Greece.
For information about current international courses, please contact us directly.
How do I get a ski or snowboard instructor ID card?
To receive a ski or snowboard instructor ID card from Snowsports Academy, you must be a member.
Membership is available here:
https://booking.snowsports.at/de/snowsports-academy/mitgliedschaft-memberships-1/
I already have an instructor qualification and would like to have it recognised. What do I need to do?
If you have already completed instructor education with another institution and would like to continue your education with Snowsports Academy, please contact us at:
If you have completed an international qualification and would like to work in Austria, recognition is handled by the competent authority in the Austrian federal state where you intend to work. Please contact the relevant state authority for information about the applicable procedure and requirements.
Do I need to be a member of Snowsports Academy to attend a course?
No. Membership is not required to participate in a course.
Do I need health and accident insurance?
Each participant is responsible for having adequate health and accident insurance.
Accident insurance that includes helicopter rescue is strongly recommended. Please note that an education course may be treated as a professional event for insurance purposes, which may affect the coverage provided by some insurance policies.
Accident insurance can also be purchased as part of the course booking process through our insurance partner, UNIQA Österreich Versicherungs AG.
Details can be found in the Terms and Conditions.
What happens if I have to cancel the course, for example due to illness or injury?
If you cancel a course, our cancellation conditions apply.
Travel and cancellation insurance can be purchased as part of the booking process through our insurance partner, Europäische Reiseversicherung AG. Coverage depends on the terms of the selected insurance policy.
Further information can be found in the Terms and Conditions and at:
https://service.europaeische.at/doc/de/Informationsblatt_KomplettSchutz-IPID-KS_2021-DE-001.pdf
What happens if I become ill or injured during the course?
If you become ill or injured during the course, please inform the course leader or instructor immediately. Depending on the situation, medical treatment may be necessary.
Snowsports Academy does not provide medical services but can assist with organising initial care or transport to the nearest doctor or hospital.
If illness or injury prevents you from continuing the course, please contact Snowsports Academy to discuss the next steps.
As a goodwill gesture, participants who become ill or injured between days 1 and 5 of a course may receive a 30% discount on the course fee when booking a replacement course, provided that a medical certificate issued at the course location is presented.
Refunds for unused lift-pass days must be requested directly from the lift company and require a medical certificate. No refunds are provided for unused accommodation costs.