Inštruktor Alpskega Smučanja 1 / Smučarska zveza Slovenije

The Športno in Kulturno Društvo, Dabaneja, is the host of the course with Lloyd Langford Expedition Training being the sole UK based provider with permission to recruit British Instructors to the course. 

Successful applicants on completion of the entire program will hold a remit to work as assistants or under the supervision of more experienced and qualified instructors in the mountain resorts throughout the Republic of Slovenia. As an entry-level qualification that allows you to teach beginners, level 1 is usually only recognised in the country of the awarding body. A level 2 certification is generally the minimum needed for international recognition. This is what most employers expect, regardless of the system, and so achieving this after attaining your level 1 should be your goal if you want to work worldwide.

In the circumstances that areas for which the candidate seeks employment outside of the UK and Slovenia is regulated by regional oversight of alpine skiing qualifications, further awards or sign off procedures may need to be completed to gain employment.

Our Alpine Ski Instructor Level 1 course is now recognised by the British Associations of Snowsports Instructors (BASI) in the United Kingdom. Upon completion of the course, successful candidates are awarded the same remit as a BASI Alpine Level 1 Instructor: ‘certification to work only on indoor snow slopes and dry slopes or in a mountain environment for a BASI Approved Ski School if working under the direct supervision of a Level 2 or above-qualified member’.

To be granted the BASI Alpine Level 1 Instructor remit on completion of this course, the following requirements are mandatory:

• Complete a BASI Safe Guarding Module  
• Complete a BASI Recognised and Validated First Aid Course – Minimum 12 Hours / 2 Days 
• Submit an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service Check)

We appreciate this is one of the biggest and most frustrating questions to British Aspirant Ski Instructors, however unfortunately this is a topic well beyond the scopes of this text box, and one we fear will take years to fully appreciate and understand. We sincerely advise you to visit gov.uk and check out the guide for British citizens travelling to the Republic of Slovenia/other EU countries for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa, work permit or residence permit.

Visa frustrations aside, one lesson we believe is woefully clear is that all future aspirant ski instructors wishing to pursue this pathway, attain a level 1 qualification and progress to their level 2 for international recognition and potential employment opportunities, will have to start this journey locally. This means holding qualifications that are widely recognised within the EU will provide you with a significantly better standing to potential employers post BREXIT than home award qualifications. 

All candidates must demonstrate that their personal skiing is of an acceptable standard before attending the course.

Prior to the beginning of the course, the director for snowsports courses will provide all candidates with 2 days at a mountain resort to settle in and allow for critical evaluation of personal performance on the snow by either himself or a representative. Should a candidates performance need sharpening up or tweaking prior to the course, it will be done here. At the end of the two days of skiing, candidates who have not shown they are either at the standard expected of a course attendee or can’t maintain the correct performance consistently will be advised to withdraw from the course.

Upon the commencement of the course, the course director reserves the right to in case of insufficient skill or knowledge to permanently decline candidates attendance upon the course.

Aspirant candidates must complete their training no later than three years after their enrolment, and any exams can be taken no more than three times. 

The conditions for completing the programme are as follows:

• Completing and passing the theoretical part of the course (contents determined in the curriculum)
• Completing and passing the practical part of the course (contents determined in the curriculum)
• Completing and passing a practical demonstration of leading a group
• Completing and passing the pedagogical practice
• Completing and passing both the theoretical and practical exams in front of the Board of Examiners, determined by the implementing body on the basis of Rules on National Board of Examiners by SITAS.
• Complete a practical placement at a mountain resort consisting of 40 hours instructing on piste

Candidates who successfully complete the course will acquire the title of Alpine Skiing Instructor Level 1 and whose licence is validated for that season can enrol in the programme Alpine Skiing Instructor Level 2.