The ultimate fast-track course, and the only course of its kind to most of the Level 4 modules. The fastest way to gain your ISTD qualification with unparalled pass rates.
This is a 12 week training course designed for those looking to gain their Level 4 ISTD qualification and improve their personal performance. It is a residential course comprising top quality training and most of the key modules required to achieve the overall qualification. The ISTD is the highest level of qualification within the BASI system and holds an internationally recognised standard. People who intend to make a career in the ski industry will need to achieve this level as part of their long-term career strategy.
Going from BASI Level 3 to Level 4 is a considerable step up and most of those who choose to go down this route are making a commitment to working in the ski industry as full time ski instructors, for the medium term at least. It is hard work but very rewarding and it requires 100% dedication to succeed at this level and subsequently launch a full-time career in the sport, but with the expert tuition of ICE's experienced team of BASI Trainers, who all train regularly at Level 3 and Level 4, your hard work will be channelled in the correct direction and you stand the best possible chances of success.
There are 8 modules to complete for the BASI Level 4 ISTD and the full list of these can be found in the BASI Pathway . As well as world class training towards the technical and teaching assessment weeks, this course enable you to complete 5 of the modules required to achieve the overall level. When done separately in many different resorts, the cost of attending these modules with travel, accommodation, liftpass and BASI course costs soon mounts up, and this course with ICE enables you to save money in the long term as well as receive the very best in training.
This is the only course of its type offering the package below on a 'course only' or residential basis.
Below is a timetable of the course for the 14 Weeks you will be with us in Val d'Isère and working in Italy.
The course begins with the BASI Coaching course, which is a core module for the Level 4 qualification. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:
Time spent with your Trainer on the hill: 25hrs
Time spent with your Trainer off the hill: 5 hrs
Time spent in specialist evening presentations: 5hrs
Total training time: 35hrs
The BASI EMS Training Course - 4 days. This is a core module for the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification. This is a 4 day training course which progresses on from the BASI Mountain Safety course. It trains the student to lead tours out with the ski area boundary and deal with all the hazards which can be encountered while on day tours. Very little time will be spent revising ISIA material, so come prepared. The course can contain long days on the hill with big ascents carrying a rucksack. It may be necessary to be on steep, exposed terrain. A typical ascent may be up to 1000m. For a full equipment and reading list click here, Level 4 European Mountain Security Log Sheet click here, for Log Book Guidelines click here and for the Log Book Policy click here. Here is a summary of what to expect this week
Time spent with your Guide on and off the hill: 32hrs
Total training time: 32hrs
Race training week. This week you will do some giant slalom race training with former World Cup skiers and Olympians Alain Baxter and Chemmy Alcott. Alain is the most successful skier ever in British history and is a great guy, Chemmy is a force unto herself - world class skier and inspirational character. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to ski with racing royalty and hone your skills at the same time. This is key preparation for your Eurotest. We also say goodbye to the 4 week course at the end of the week so will have an ICE party to send them off in style. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:
Time spent with your Trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs
Personal performance training. This is a chance to work on your action plan which is ongoing through the course. You will be looking at all areas of the mountain including on piste long and short turns, variable snow (off-piste), bumps, steeps. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:
Time spent with your Trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs
Personal performance training. This is a chance to work on your action plan which is ongoing through the course. You will be looking at all areas of the mountain including on piste long and short turns, variable snow (off-piste), bumps, steeps. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:
Time spent with your Trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs
In previous years, this week has been spent teaching in Italy. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible without an EU passport, so for 2022 students will have the choice as to whether they stay in Val d'Isere for weeks 6&7 or whether they go home for two weeks before resuming training in week 8.
Personal performance training. This is a chance to work on your action plan which is ongoing through the course. You will be looking at all areas of the mountain including on piste long and short turns, variable snow (off-piste), bumps, steeps. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:
Time spent with your Trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs
EMS assessment - La Grave. This course completes the Level 4 European Mountain Security. It is a three day course which may involve one day using uplift and the other two touring away from the ski area. The tours are big days and may contain up to 1000m of ascent carrying a rucksack. There may also be early starts to make use of winter's limited daylight and stay safe before the sun warms certain slopes. All logged tours must be complete before this course in order for you to be eligible. You will be assessed in all of the techniques learnt on the training course. There will be a written paper on:
Time spent with your Trainer on/off the hill: 24hrs
Total training time: 24hrs
Further race training specifically in Giant Slalom in preparation for the EuroTest. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:
Time spent with your Trainer on the hill: 25hrs
Time spent with your Trainer off the hill: 10hrs
Total training time: 35hrs
EuroTest. This will take place in Morzine and the date you are allocated could be anytime this week. Training is offered on those days of this week that you are still in Val d'Isere. More details on this will be given during the course.
Time spent with your Trainers on the hill: TBA
Total training time: TBA
Personal performance training. This is a chance to work on your action plan which is ongoing through the course. You will be looking at all areas of the mountain including on piste long and short turns, variable snow (off-piste), bumps, steeps. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:
Time spent with your Trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs
The program above follows how the course has run in recent years but should not be viewed as a definitive itinerary which will be communicated to you week to week via the members area of the website. It can be subject to some variation depending on weather conditions and other circumstances, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Candidates are required to have achieved the BASI Level 3 and must hold a current licence.
Extra accommodation can be arranged to enable you to stay in Val d'Isere for Weeks 6 & 7, when you would normally have been away teaching. Unfortunately there is an extra cost to this, and please ensure you choose the correct course to include this.
BASI have agreed to defer the required 200 hours and these can now be completed after the course has been finished enabling you to still take the technical and teaching modules which are laid on in Val d'Isere at the end of the season specifically for students on this course (more below).
The EMS assessment course (3 days) and EuroTest (1 day) take place in different resorts. The course fees and all administration in arranging these modules is included as part of the course, however travel, accommodation and logictics to attend these modules is not and you will need to arrange your own travel and accommodation to these venues.
