Level 4 ski instructor

What is a level 4 ski instructor and why you should always book one at the ski school!

In most ski schools worldwide, you pay the same for lessons with a Level 1 ski instructor as for a Level 4 ski instructor. Often, this is wasted money. As an ordinary guest, it’s difficult to recognize the difference, although there are significant differences in quality, technique, fun, and experience. This leads to fewer guests booking lessons in ski schools, as many ski schools hardly employ Level 4 instructors anymore.

There are two main reasons for this: First, only about 70 new Level 4 ski instructors are trained annually. Second, many ski schools want to save costs and pay Level 4 ski instructors too little wage. Many experienced ski instructors therefore decide to become self-employed or go abroad where they are paid better.

Due to the lack of experience and technical knowledge of Level 1 and 2 instructors, boring and less meaningful exercises and lessons are often conducted in ski schools. There’s too much talking and not enough skiing. The feedback is often unhelpful, and video analysis is rarely used.

Additionally, most group courses in ski schools nowadays are beginner courses. Most beginner courses are taught by Level 1 or 2 instructors, although experience is especially necessary in beginner instruction. Many beginners therefore give up and never return to a ski school. We are losing future ski school guests.

We want to set an example and differentiate ourselves from this trend. Our philosophy is to no longer employ Level 1 or 2 instructors and to bring back the high quality of Austrian ski schools. Our goal is to be among the best ski schools in the world again.

The differences between Level 1 and Level 4 ski instructors:

Level 1 and 2 ski instructors:

• Training: Basic training covering basic teaching techniques and safety aspects.
• Duration: 10-day training only or even less
• Contents: Teaching basic skiing techniques such as the plow and first parallel turns.
• Experience: Mostly at the beginning of their career, often as a year abroad.
• Focus: Mainly children’s lessons
• Didactics and feedback: Not very pronounced
• Exercises: Often boring and monotonous exercises

Level 4 ski instructor:

• Training: Highest level of training, combined with a very intensive and demanding examination. Includes advanced movement analysis, in-depth technical understanding, and professional teaching behavior.
• Teaches: Beginners, advanced to expert levels. Can also teach specialized programs like race training or freestyle. Often able to train and examine ski instructors themselves.
• Experience: Many years of experience and extensive knowledge in all areas of skiing. Level 4 ski instructors are often leaders or trainers in ski schools.

Always book and ask for an experienced Level 3 or 4 ski instructor! The costs are the same, but you actually get the quality you pay for. No more disappointments and waste of money.