• BASI LEVEL 4 ISTD SKI INSTRUCTOR COURSE

    Training exclusively with BASI Trainers

Just amazed at how much I learned. Just cannot wait to get out in the open and shake my stuff. 
Luke Dodunski
10 week full-time - Residential - BASI Level 1 and 2 course

12 Week BASI Level 4 ISTD Seasonal Course

  BASI Level 4
  Residential & catered or course only
  Liftpass included

The only course of its kind to include most of the Level 4 modules! This is the fastest way to gain your ISTD qualification with unparalleled 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 pathway 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 ISIA Level 3 to BASI Level 4 ISTD 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 a full time ski instructor. It is hard work, very rewarding and It requires 100% dedication to succeed at this level. Subsequently, it will launch a full time career in the sport. With the expert tuition from ICE's team of BASI trainers, who all deliver course to the highest standard, your hard work will be channelled in the right direction and you stand the best possible chances of success.

There are 8 modules to complete for the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification 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 enables you to complete 3 of the modules required to achieve the overall level. These include: the ISIA speed test and the IMS training and assesment weeks. ICE can tailor your choices of contributions to these modules or others if prefered during the booking process (pricing may be adjusted). This course with ICE enables you to save money in the long term as well as receive the very best training. 

This is the only course of its kind offering the package below on a Course Only or Residential basis.

On the course:

  • Personal performance training
  • Exclusively BASI Trainers
  • Biomechanical assesments
  • Hands on boot fitting advice
  • Free ski testing
  • Pro deals on Dynastar ski equipment
  • Level 4 IMS training course (Level 4 module)
  • Level 4 IMS touring experience (Level 4 module)
  • Level 4 IMS assessment course (Level 4 module)
  • ISIA Speed Test (Level 4 module)
  • Race training 
  • Training within the performance threads
  • Avalanche awareness course
  • Freestyle clinics
  • Ski tuning clinics
  • Fitness and physiotherapy advice
  • Freeride clinics
  • Ski specific psychological training
  • Training course fees
  • Accommodation for 12 weeks (Not included in the 'course only' version)
  • Evening meals 5 nights a week (Not included in the 'course only' version)
  • Airport transfer. (Inbound only and not included in the 'course only' version)
  • Lift pass (for course duration and not included in the 'course only' version)
  • French lessons
  • Male and Female mentors

Pre course:

  • Pre course information pack through the ICE App
  • Telephone support
  • Visa application advice 

Post course:

  • CV advice
  • Professional references
  • Industry contacts
  • Career advice
  • Discounts on equipment
  • Further courses with BASI

Below is a timetable of the course for the 12 Weeks you will be with us in Val d'Isere.

Week 1:

Personal Performance Training.

The course begins with the personal performance coaching. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • Personal performance training with a BASI Trainer
  • Video analysis
  • Boot fitting advice
  • Free ski testing
  • Presentation on biomechanics and injury prevention
  • Presentation on ski equipment
  • Presentation on mountain safety/avalanche awareness

Time spent with your trainer on the hill: 15hrs
Time spent with your trainer off the hill: 5hrs
Time spent in specialist evening presentations: 4.5hrs
Total training time: 24.5hrs


Week 2:

L4 Module - BASI IMS Training Course.

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 teaches you how to lead tours out with the ski area boundary and deal with all of the hazards which can be encountered while on day tours. Very little time will be spent revising ISIA material from the Mountain Safety, so come prepared. The course will contain long days on the hill with big ascents carrying a heavy rucksack and 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.

You will be required to form a log book of tours as part of this module: Level 4 IMS 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

  • Training in mountain safety, navigation, avalanche awareness etc.
  • Ski touring in the Espace Killy
  • 4 days of training
  • Snow & avalanche hazard management, including multiple burial search techniques
  • Advanced navigation and map work
  • Incident management
  • Route selection including kick turns & setting a skinning track
  • Mountain awareness i.e. Flora, fauna, glaciology, etc.
  • The end of week 2 ICE party! - a chance to let your hair down after a busy couple of weeks!

Time spent with your guide on and off the hill: 32hrs
Total training time: 32hrs


Week 3:

Race Training Week.

This week you will do some Giant Slalom & Slalom race training with British Masters Champion and BASI Trainer Rupert Tildesley. These training opportunities are key preparation for your ISIA Speed Test in Giant Slalom which is a key module in the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification. 

Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

Time spent with your trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs


Week 4:

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/short turns, variable snow conditions, bumps & steeps.

Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • Personal performance training with a BASI Trainer
  • Continued development towards the Level 4 exams
  • The 4 week course ICE party!

Time spent with your trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs


Week 5:

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/short turns, variable snow conditions, bumps & steeps.

Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • Personal performance training with a BASI Trainer
  • Continued development towards the Level 4 exams

Time spent with your trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs


Week 6 & 7:

Great news! Working with Interski is back in place since the changes of Brexit! During these 2 weeks you will have the opportunity to go away and work with Interski in the Aosta Valley. Students will have the choice as to whether they go to work in Italy, travel home for 2 weeks or stay in Val d'Isere for weeks 6 & 7 before resuming training in week 8.

Please note: Their will be an aditional cost to stay in Val d'Isere for weeks 6 & 7.


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/short turns, variable snow conditions, bumps & steeps. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • Personal performance training with a BASI Trainer
  • Continued development towards the Level 4 exams

Time spent with your trainers on the hill: 15hrs
Total training time: 15hrs


Week 9:

L4 Module - IMS Assessment.

This course completes the Level 4 International Mountain Safety. It is a 3 day course with big days of touring which could involve up to 1000m of ascent carrying a heavy rucksack. There may also be early starts to make use of winters limited daylight to stay safe before the sun warms certain slopes. Your logbook must be complete before this course as it is a requirement. You will be assessed in all of the techniques learnt on the training course.

There will also be a written paper on:

  • Knowledge of safety
  • Off piste skiing
  • Mountain weather and environment

Time spent with your trainer on/off the hill: 24hrs
Total training time: 24hrs


Week 10:

Race Training.

Further race training specifically in Giant Slalom in preparation for the ISIA Speed Test. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • Giant Slalom training
  • Test race
  • Equipment preparation
  • Mental preparation

Time spent with your trainer on the hill: 25hrs
Time spent with your trainer off the hill: 10hrs
Total training time: 35hrs


Week 11:

Personal Performance Training.

This is the 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/short turns, variable snow conditions, bumps & steeps.

Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • Personal performance training with a BASI Trainer
  • Continued development towards the Level 4 exams

Time spent with your trainers on the hill: 15hrs

Total training time: 15hrs


Week 12:

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/short turns, variable snow conditions, bumps & steeps.

Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • Personal performance training with a BASI Trainer
  • Continued development towards the Level 4 exams

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. It is subject to change, which will be communicated to you week to week via the members area of the website and ICE App. 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. There may be further additions to the course pla/program which have not yet been confirmed for the coming year but if this is the case, they will be communicated to you in plenty of time.

Skiing Standard

Candidates are required to have achieved the BASI Level 3 ISIA qualification and must hold a current BASI licence.

Teaching Hours
As part of the requirements for the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification you are required to log 200hrs of teaching experience. Weeks 6, 7, 13, & 14 can be spent teaching in Italy with Interski to help with this. 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. If you do require these extra weeks in the accomodation, they must be agreed with an ICE Director in advance. They also come at an extra cost and are subject to availability. This course will finish after Week 12.

BASI have agreed to defer the required 200hrs and these can now be completed after the course has been finished enabling you to still take the Technical and Teaching modules.

*Technical & Teaching Modules

The 5 day Technical & 5 day Teaching modules for the ISTD Level 4 course are not included as part of the 12 week course.

IMS Assessment and ISIA Speed Test
The IMS Assessment Course (3 days) & the ISIA Speed Test (1 day) may take place in different resorts. The course fees and all administration in arranging these modules is included. However, travel; accommodation, lift passes and logistics to attend these modules are NOT. You will need to arrange these details yourself. Please reach out to a member of the ICE team to clarify these details further or if you have any questions.

Insurance
It is vital that you are properly insured against injury, loss of personal effects and curtailment. It is a requirment on booking that you have proper insurance in place. Please see our Insurance tab on the website for Terms & Conditions/further details.

In The Background
Whilst this is an opportunity for you to expand your horizons and get the most from the time you spend abroad, there will always be the guidance of the ICE team should things go wrong. Whether it is for a medical reason or just a shoulder to lean on, the ICE team will be there to help, should you require it.

Call us on 0870 760 7360 for more information. Choose option 3 to speak directly to a BASI trainer, who can discuss course content, accommodation, career opportunities, and answer any questions you may have about the course or skiing in general.

12 Week BASI Level 4 ISTD Seasonal Course

Dates and prices

BASI Level 4 ISTD Seasonal Training + ISTD modules - Course only
05 January - 29 March 2025
£5150 - Limited spaces

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BASI Level 4 ISTD Seasonal Training + ISTD modules - Residential
05 January - 29 March 2025
£8950 - Course full
Please consider one of our other longer courses

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Unparalleled pass rates.

ICE provides you with world class training exclusively with BASI Trainers. This results in an important connection between training and examination. In turn, this produces unparalleled pass rates.

BASI Level 1
100%
BASI Level 2
85%
BASI Level 3
75%

Meet Our Team

At the heart of ICE Training, is its highly experienced team of BASI Trainers.

Qualified to the highest level in the BASI system, with years of experience in training instructors, racers and recreational skiers to reach their full potential, the standard of training you will receive with ICE just simply can’t be matched anywhere else!

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