• 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 ultimate fast track course, and the only course of its kind to include most of the Level 4 modules. 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 Level 3 to BASI 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 a full time ski instructor, for the short term at least. It is hard work but very rewarding. It requires 100% dedication to succeed at this level, and subsequently launch a full time career in the sport. However, with the expert tuition of ICE's experienced team of BASI trainers, who all train regularly at Level 3 and Level 4 standard, 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 enables 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. This course with ICE enables you to save money in the long term as well as receive the very best training.s

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
  • Up to 40% off your 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 with Lynn Mill
  • Training within the performance threads
  • Avalanche awareness course
  • Freestyle clinics
  • Ski tuning clinics
  • Fitness and physiotherapy advice
  • Freeride clinics
  • Psychological training
  • All training course fees
  • Accommodation for 10/12 weeks (Not included in 'course only' version)
  • Evening meals 5 days a week (Not included in 'course only' version)
  • Airport transfer. (Inbound only. Not included in 'course only' version)
  • Lift pass (Not included in 'course only' version)
  • French lessons
  • Male and Female mentors

Pre course:

  • Pre course information pack.
  • Telephone support

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'Isère.

Week 1 - BASI Level 4 Module:

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: 5hrs
Total training time: 25hrs

 


 

Week 2 - BASI Level 4 Module:

The 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 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

  • 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
  • Rope work for security on steep ground
  • 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 race training with former British Champion Lynn Mill. Lynn won 17 Championship titles and achieved many international podiums. You will alao have a Slalom session with former Brittish Masters Champion and BASI trainer Rupert Tildesley These training opportunities arekey preparation for your Eurotest. 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 and 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 and 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:

In previous years, this week has been spent teaching in Italy. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible without an EU passport, so for 2023 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.


 

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 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 - BASI Level 4 module:

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 days 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 winters 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:

  • 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 EuroTest. Here is a summary of what to expect this week:

  • GS Training through gated courses
  • 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 - BASI Level 4 module:

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.

  • 2 runs through a GS course for the EuroTest

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

 


 

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 and 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 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.

Pre-requisites:

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

Teaching hours:

As part of the requirements for the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification you are required to log 200hrs of teaching experience. In previous years, Weeks 6,7,13 and 14 have been spent teaching in Italy. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible without an EU passport, so for 2023 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. The course will finish after Week 12.

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 200hrs 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 ISIA speed test (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 logistics to attend these modules is not and you will need to arrange your own travel and accommodation to these venues.

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 - Spaces available

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BASI Level 4 ISTD Seasonal Training + ISTD modules - Residential
05 January - 29 March 2025
£8950 - Spaces available

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Unparalleled pass rates.

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

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

Meet Our Team

At the heart of the ICE training program 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 also 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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