GAP YEAR SKI SEASON
Our 18 week Piste to Profession gap year ski season programme combines a multitude of ski industry disciplines, created to challenge you both on and off the slopes, with the opportunity to become a fully qualified BASI ski instructor and a lifetime experience you will never forget!
GAP YEAR SKIING: THE ULTIMATE SKI SEASON
All of our courses are delivered by highly trained professionals, and follow a rewarding programme that raises the industry bar. Like our holidays we believe that if you are going to do something then do it to the best of your abilities, gaining your Piste to Profession qualification with Powder Byrne will give you the confidence required to achieve high standards in your chosen field.
THE SKI INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
You will be given bespoke training with the full season Powder Byrne professionals, where the standard of customer service is second to none. The course will cover subjects that will enable you to deliver a premium level of service to any age of guest. You will be given a Health & Safety Exec approved course covering all the requirements to gain your BASI qualification. The programme includes:
17/18 week course from December to April in Switzerland
Return flights and transfers
Self-catered accommodation in close proximity to lifts and amenities
Personal discounts on and off the mountain
Work permit for the whole season
DBS Check
Specialist Winter Medical Insurance Policy
Ski Instructors Insurance
Specialist 24/7 support
The programme price is from £11,450 per person for the Powder Byrne winter season. The price does not include optional extra experiences, training or qualifications which a student may wish to add.
Applications are open for the Piste to Profession programme 2021. Please note that each season we work very hard to develop and enhance our programme for our students, so updates on the next Piste to Profession programme will follow as soon as possible. The below information will give you an understanding of the elements we have included in our Piste to Profession programme in previous seasons, but are subject to change and further development.
BASI Level 1 Qualification
THE ENTRY LEVEL COURSEThrough intensive training you will successfully complete the 5 day Alpine Level 1 Instructor course + safeguarding children module. All registration fees and assessment fees are included in the cost of the programme.
BASI Level 2 Qualification
ADDITIONAL COST AND QUALIFICATIONCompleting the BASI Level 2 qualification is an additional cost to the course and is dependent on you reaching a proficient level of skiing. We will help and nurture you along the way to ensure the best chance of success.
Local Ski Instructors Course
INTENSIVE TRAININGAll instructors who want to work for any Swiss ski school must pass a week of intensive training. As part of the P2P programme you will benefit from this bespoke training course that will enable you to apply for work with the ski school in the future.
Child-Specific Ski Instructors Course
RUN BY SPECIALISTSThis course is a dedicated course run by specialist childcare ski instructors that develops your skills in working with children on the slopes. Successful completion will result in you being awarded a childcare instructor specific certification.
Powder Skiing and Avalanche Awareness Course
VALUABLE MOUNTAIN SKILLSOur local mountain guide runs a practical course on avalanche awareness that will give you valuable skills in dealing with situations on the mountain when conditions take a turn for the worse.
EXPERIENCE A WINTER SKI SEASON
Ski School Shadowing
WORK EXPERIENCEThrough the season you will gain relevant experience that will allow you to complete the number of hours required by BASI to become a fully qualified instructor (35 hours for BASI Level 1 and 35 hours for BASI Level 2).
Tour Operator Work Experience
WORK FOR POWDER BYRNEWe believe the best way to learn is through experience, which is why all participants will have the opportunity to join the Powder Byrne professionals at selected weeks in the season. You will become a full member of the team, expected to deliver the premium service that we offer our clients.
Ski Rental and Ski Technician
EXPERIENCE A WORKING SKI SHOPThe programme gives you the opportunity to join the team in the largest ski rental shop in the resort to gain an understanding of the operations involved in a ski technician’s work.
Ski Patrol Shadowing
BEHIND THE SCENESYou will be given the opportunity to join the professionals as they prepare the mountain for safe day-today skiing.
Ski Event Experience
FREESTYLE EVENTSThere are a number of international snow sport and freestyle events each season across our Swiss resorts. You will be given the opportunity to become part of the operational team delivering the events, and you’ll get to experience a ski resort when the professionals are in town!
FUN ON THE MOUNTAIN
Freestyle Clinics
KICKERS, RAILS & TRICKSFreestyle and park skiing is growing in popularity and stature every year, with the halfpipe, slopestyle and ski-cross events firmly cemented as some of the most popular at the Winter Olympics. Under the expert eyes of our freestyle instructors, you will learn how to hit the kickers, ride the rails and pull off some tricks that James Woods would be proud of.
Race Coaching
DOWNHILL AND GIANT SLALOMYou will be given tuition by one of our top instructors in race techniques to take your skiing to the next level. Prepare to ski faster then you ever have before, pushing your body and mind to master the technique, speed and style of an alpine ski racer.
Ski Touring
EXPLORE THE MOUNTAINSOur local mountain guides will provide you with the necessary equipment and techniques to join them in exploring some of the regions hidden treasures.
Other Disciplines
TAKE YOUR PICKAlthough the P2P programme is geared towards skiing, you will have the opportunity to try snowboarding, snow-shoeing, ice-climbing and any other snow sport pursuits that take your fancy. Other off-piste activities will also be available such as rock climbing, high ropes courses, ice hockey games and the End of Season Party in London.
Lauberhorn World Cup
WEEKEND TRIP TO GRINDELWALDJanuary sees Switzerland host one of the more infamous races in the World Cup calendar – the Lauberhorn. We take a weekend road trip to Grindelwald to watch the race close up and join the after race party!
SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR PISTE TO PROFESSION TEAM TO FIND OUT MORE
ONCE A CLIENT, ALWAYS A CLIENT
Client Testimonials
AN ESTABLISHED BRAND THAT YOU CAN TRUST
