Snowboard Instructor Courses, Performance Camps and Accommodation

At Base Camp we run a variety of different courses each offering a unique combination of coaching, qualifications and accommodation to compliment the surrounding environment.

Each course is carefully designed to blend adventure with training to help you achieve your goals and qualify as an instructor.

If becoming a snowboard instructor is not your thing we can help too - we run a series of  Perfomance Camps alongside many of our Instructor Courses and have a wide range of accommodation packages for the week, month or season.

On all our courses and accommodation packages a  Support Team looks after the day to day running of your experience in resort. Together they organise various events to make your time with us as fun and exciting as possible, and are on hand for information and advice to ensure the well being of each person on the course.

PASSION FOR SNOWBOARDING: a thorough knowledge of skiing and snowboarding and a proven track record of dynamic and pioneering courses

QUALITY COACHING: coaches include Olympians, World Cup competitors, World Powder 8 competitors, French Freestyle Team members, British Demo Team members, French Downhill Development Team members

INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: different qualifications depending where you want to work and find work after the course through our recruitment service

WORLD CLASS RESORTS: awesome powder, challenging terrain, a charming atmospheres and a lively nightlife

A PERSONAL, EFFICIENT & FRIENDLY SERVICE: small and personal classes and a support team looking after the day to day running of the course

Instructor Courses & Performance Camps

A Base Camp snowboard course is an adventure in itself; making new friends, discovering new environments and expanding your horizons are just as important as developing skills and gaining qualifications for life.

While each programme is unique, all our courses share a similar structure to provide you with a course that is demanding and fulfilling.

You have lessons 5 days a week combining a mixture of coaching and examination courses. Classes are small and personal and decided on experience and ability.

During each programme we initially focus on improving your technique while developing the teaching skills you need to be an instructor. Coaches rotate between groups so that you benefit from their collective expertise and experience a variety of different teaching styles and techniques.

Once you have acquired the required skills and knowledge we go on to explore the more high performance disciplines such as freestyle or off-piste. Every programme is designed to be flexible so you can tailor it to suit your needs and develop the disciplines that interest you.

As well as snowboard coaching each programme also consists of evening workshops, video analysis and weekly feedback sessions. These compliment your on-snow work and, along with our Ski & Snowboard Maintenance Clinics, Avalanche & Mountain Awareness Courses and First Aid Courses, give you an all-round approach to skiing and snowboarding.

AVALANCHE & MOUNTAIN AWARENESS: Covering a mix of theory and practical skills, topics include understanding snow, how and why avalanches occur, recognising avalanche warning signals, snow slope interpretation, route choice and execution, full training in the use of safety equipment for avalanche search and rescue and ‘real’ avalanche scenarios.

SNOWBOARD TUNING CLINIC: a comprehensive clinic covering base preparation and filling, gouge filling and patching, base and side edge sharpening and tuning, waxing theory and practice, and binding mounting and adjusting.

FIRST AID (Instructor Courses only): Our Emergency First Aid course gives as much knowledge and practical experience as possible. Topics include the principles of first aid, basic life support, common medical emergencies, wounds and bleeding, shock, the effects of heat and cold and outdoor safety procedures. A First Aid Certificate is a prerequisite for most ski schools.

WEEKENDS: While there is plenty going on at weekends, it is important to be able to unwind and rest. We organise various courses and trips to make the most of your time but weekends are also an opportunity to ski and board with friends, to work on the skills you have learnt during the week or to go out and have fun! 

Base Camp snowboarding courses – which will you choose?

Snowboard Instructor Courses

Level 1 & 2 Course - BASI/CASI Qualifications

Length: 11 weeks

Start dates: January

Location: Meribel, Val d'Isere, Whistler, Banff, Argentina

• Gain a well respected qualification and start teaching immediately

• Transform the way you ride and master high performance disciplines

• Spend the season living and breathing the sport you love

The course

You’ll spend a season in mountains learning to become an instructor. Your technique will transform as your highly trained instructor helps you to master the basics, and then takes you on to discover high-performance disciplines like freestyle or off-piste.

This in-depth course covers of a wide range of teaching and technical skills, getting you ready to pass your exams and helping you to develop your snowboarding.

Devoting 11 weeks to your training will give you an unrivalled opportunity to create a solid foundation to your snowboarding, which you’ll then have the time to build on.

Your instructor will work with you to develop a technically correct platform – getting rid of any bad habits you may have picked up over the years and preparing you to make dramatic improvements.

From here, you’ll find that you quickly become a solid all-round snowboarder, able to adapt to terrain and conditions as second nature, and ready for new challenges.

The length of the course gives you this opportunity, and the time, to truly understand the theory behind snowboarding and what it takes to become an expert freestyle or off-piste snowboarder.

And, as the course is designed to give you a complete seasonal experience, you’ll have loads of time to integrate yourself into resort life – meeting other instructors, representatives, bar and resort workers and getting a real feel for life in the mountains.

Enhancing your season even further, the course is totally flexible to suit you and also includes many exciting trips and activities.

Useful information: Courses in Val d’Isere, Meribel, Banff and Whistler offer performance development only options. Some BASI courses offer a UK/France destination spilt – contact us for more details.

Prerequisites: Confident on European red / North American single black runs.

Post course: Your qualification will be accepted in Australasia, certain parts of Europe, and all North American resorts qualifying you to teach intermediates.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town, Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Why Base Camp?  -  Course Options  -  Course Diaries  -  Course Photos  -  Movies

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Level 1 Course - BASI/CASI Qualifications

Length: 4 weeks

Start dates: Nov & Jan

Location: Meribel, Val d'Isere, Whistler, Banff

• Develop key fundamental skills

• Learn the basics of safety teaching and theory

• Gain an insight into high performance discipline

The course

This four week course begins with two weeks of performance development. Initially, you’ll focus on improving your technique and the fundamental skills of snowboarding.

You’ll then concentrate on key skills while you develop the teaching ability needed to become an instructor.

During a week of exam preparation, you’ll learn about safety and group management, using both analytical and demonstration skills. In your final week, you’ll be continually assessed for your qualification, both on the slopes and in the classroom.

This is the ideal course to transform your snowboarding. Over a four week period, you’ll really have the time to develop and excel in elements of your technique, enabling you to reach your own targets and spend time focusing on the areas that you choose to.

At the same time, you’ll benefit from a crash course in the theory and understanding required to become a snowboard instructor, enabling you to practically apply this to your snowboarding whilst gaining a picture of what life’s like in this role.

Useful information: Courses in Val d’Isere and Whistler offer performance development only options, including the option to join the course for just the first two weeks. The final two weeks are available as a fast track for clients who are ready to go straight into instructor training and their exam – contact us for more details.

Prerequisites: Confident on European red / North American single black runs.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town, Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Why Base Camp?  -  Course Options  -   Course Diaries   -  Course Photos  -  Movies

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Level 2 Course - BASI/CASI

Length: 6 weeks

Start dates: Nov & Feb

Location: Meribel, Val d'Isere, Whistler, Banff

• Concentrate on high-performance disciplines

• Train in the finer technical points of snowboarding

• Gain hands-on work experience

The course

A professionally structured course that’s ideal for those who want to learn more.

Having already completed your Level 1, this course is highly vocational and very much focussed on passing Level 2 – preparing you to become a highly-qualified instructor.

During your six week course, you’ll develop both your teaching and technical skills as you learn more about high performance training. With an in-depth technical approach, you’ll explore skills such as stance and balance, edging, body movements, timing, coordination and adjustments for terrain and snow.

You’ll develop your communication skills and ability to provide well structured and relevant lessons through hands-on work experience throughout your course.

Group leadership, analytical techniques and constructive feedback sessions are just some of the areas that you’ll cover during this all-encompassing course.

And of course – despite all the hard work involved – you’re here to enjoy yourself, so we never miss a powder day!

Useful information: Courses in Val d’Isere and Whistler offer performance development only options. The final 4 weeks are available as a fast track for clients who are ready to go straight into instructor training and their exam – contact us for more details.

Prerequisites: BASI Instructor Level 1, CSIA Level 1, or confident on all pisted runs.

Post course: Your qualification will be accepted in Australasia, certain parts of Europe, and all North American resorts qualifying you to teach intermediates.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town, Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Why Base Camp?  -  Course Options  -  Course Diaries   -  Course Photos  -  Movies

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Certificate & Level 1 Course - NZSIA

Length: 8 weeks

Start date: July

Location: New Zealand

• An intensive, fast-track programme

• Gain a qualification in your summer holidays

• Develop your snowboarding in Queenstown – the adventure capital of the world

The course

This truly unique, intensive eight weeks in New Zealand gives you the opportunity to fast track to qualifying in the Northern hemisphere summer.

You’ll discover the stylish, cool and totally adrenaline-packed approach to snowboarding in New Zealand, with its great snow conditions and steep, challenging environment.

Instructed by highly experienced British and Kiwi instructors – all of whom are examiners for governing bodies – you’ll be put through a demanding, technical programme as you prepare to pass your exams, achieving a highly respected qualification above the British and Canadian Level 2.

During your intensive course, you’ll work on and really improve your technique to develop exceptional all-round snowboarding skills. You’ll also develop a thorough understanding of the teaching skills required in snowsports, preparing you to pass your exams and be ready for work during the northern hemisphere winter.

Despite being instructor focused, the course also includes the unrivalled opportunity to try freestyle, racing and backcountry sessions, as well as a day’s heliskiing.

All in all – a great way to spend your summer!

Useful information: While you’re based in New Zealand, why not make the most of your trip by travelling and seeing everything that the adrenaline capital of the world has to offer? Contact us for more details.

Prerequisites: Confident on all pisted runs.

Post Course: Your qualification will be accepted in Australasia, certain parts of Europe, and all North American resorts qualifying you to teach intermediates.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town,  Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Why Base Camp?  -  Course Options  -  Course Diaries  -  Course Photos  -  Movies

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Accommodation Packages 

Ski/Board Seasonal Accommodation

Length: One week to one month

Start date: To suit you

Location: Meribel, Val d'Isere, Whistler, Banff

Further details

• Spend a season living in the mountains

• Have the flexibility to control your own time, allowing you to work part-time and snowboard part-time

Whether you’re looking to stay for a week or a month during the season or Easter, we can help. Our flexible accommodation packages are there to give you just what you need to help you make the most of the slopes, without costing a fortune.

Located across the major snow resorts, our varied accommodation has been hand-picked by us to give you exactly what you’re looking for. Always close to the action, you’ll never have to venture far to reach or slopes or the main resort bars and entertainment.

And as we’re more than happy to cater for specific requests, such as private apartments and en-suite rooms, you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for.

For more information on specific resorts or properties, please go on Seasonal Lets or contact the Base Camp office.

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Holiday Accommodation

Length: One week to one month

Start dates: Nov, Dec, Mar and Apr

Location: Meribel, Val d'Isere, Whistler, Banff

• Comfortable, fully-furnished and central accommodation

• Flexible start and end dates

Further details

Our ski season accommodation packages are ideal for flexibility and independence.

You’ll share your fully furnished living space with like-minded people, have a comfortable bedroom and all the bills included.

Making sure you make the most of your time away, Base Camp’s self-catering accommodation is located centrally. It also has the added bonus of a very knowledgeable resort manager on hand, ready to share with you anything you could possibly want to know about the area.

Useful information: Properties in Europe typically sleep four – those in Canada typically sleep eight.

Discounts are available if you’re looking to start your season late or finish early. Month long and week long accommodation is available at the start and end of the season, particularly over the Christmas/New Year and Easter holidays.  

For more information on specific resorts or properties, please go on Seasonal Lets or contact the Base Camp office.

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Performance Camps

If you’re looking to discover how to get the absolute maximum from your snowboarding, a Base Camp Performance Camp is ideal.

Working in small groups coached by highly trained instructors, your technique will transform as you master the basics to move on to focus on the discipline that interests you.

Often running alongside our Instructor Courses, Performance Camps give you the time to concentrate on the areas of your sport that you want to improve, without the pressure of an exam.

Coaching is less structured and more geared towards exactly what you want to achieve from the course – enabling you to have a fantastic time, whilst rapidly improving your snowboarding.

And, making sure you make the most of your time away – the course is designed to give you a plenty of time to integrate yourself into resort life – meeting other instructors, representatives, bar and resort workers and getting a real feel for life in the mountains.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town,  Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Snowboard Improvement Camp

Length: 2, 4, 6, 8 & 11 weeks

Start dates: Nov, Jan, Feb & July

Location: France, Canada & New Zealand

• Focus purely on developing your performance

• Build confidence and ability on various terrains

With less emphasis on theory, you’ll concentrate on developing your all-round snowboarding skills, and see a fast and dramatic improvement to your technique.

Our coaches help you to build on your existing level of skill and expand your comfort zone – working with you to increase your ability in the steeps, off-piste and on varied terrain.

Useful information: Performance Camps usually run alongside Instructor Courses, but during the second half of a course the Performance Camp continues to focus on personal development while the Instructor Course concentrates on exam preparation. Contact us for more details.

Prerequisites: Confident on all European red / North American single black runs.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town,  Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Why Base Camp?  -  Course Options  -  Course Diaries   -  Course Photos  -  Movies

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Freestyle Camp

Length: 1 week

Start date: April

Location: Val d'Isere, France

• Perfect new manoeuvres with the help of international pros

• Learn perfect composure in the air

The camp

During camp you’ll learn both park and ppe manoeuvres, including grabs, flips and rotations. You’re here to have fun, so whether you’re attempting your first rail or looking to perfect your 540’s, you’ll get the best possible help from our international pro’s.

You’ll be trained by some of the best coaches in the industry, as we only work with the most experienced, professional riders who have all posted excellent competition results.

These exceptionally cool individuals are utterly inspiring and consistently entertaining, always with an amusing tale to tell.

They’ll help you to progress quickly, as you master your composure in the air – and once you’re happy with the park – taking you out into the backcountry. Freestyle snowboarding is all about trying new tricks, expanding your horizons and pushing yourself to the limit – all whilst having a laugh.

Prerequisites: Confident on all European red / North American single black runs.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town, Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Why Base Camp?  -  Course Options  -  Course Diaries   -  Course Photos  -  Movies

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Powder Camp

Length: 1 / 2 weeks

Start dates: Jan & Mar

Location: Meribel, Val d'Isere, Whistler, Banff

• Push yourself on new terrains

• Learn techniques to help you tackle the most challenging of situations

The camp

Discover the endless possibilities of free-ride snowboarding in Europe and North America’s leading backcountry resorts.

Our highly skilled coaches will help you to become in tune with the environment, learning the various tricks and techniques to help you tackle it.

You’ll be trained by some of the best coaches in the industry, as we only work with the most experienced, professional riders who have all posted excellent competition results.

These exceptionally cool individuals are utterly inspiring and consistently entertaining, always with an amusing tale to tell.

Whether you’re just trying short radius turns or practising more progressive forms of riding, our coaches will push you to the limit and teach you to develop the control and energy to ride down steeps and master big mountain riding.

Pre-requisites: Confident on and off-piste.

Further Information: Details on the Ski Area, Coaching Programme, Town,  Accommodation and Support Team are available on specific Resort pages.

Why Base Camp?  -  Course Options  -  Course Diaries  -  Course Photos  -  Movies

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Start your adventure >>