Alpine skiing · Swiss Snowsports / Swiss Snowsports Association
What This Qualification Covers
- The 2026/27 provisions describe planning and delivering teaching for beginner-to-expert guests, with expert technical demonstrations and professional communication, including handling conflicts.
- The ski assessment develops expert demonstrations through short-turn and carving variations, switch skiing, moguls, jumps and giant slalom. The award also assesses teaching; a race result alone is not the complete qualification.
- Backcountry Basic Instructor develops avalanche rescue, planning and group management for activities outside marked pistes within the applicable legal limits. It does not replace the specialist training or permit required for regulated risk activities.
- A course level does not issue a cantonal risk-activities permit. Check the actual activity, terrain, completed safety training and applicable authorisation separately; foreign recognition and the right to work also require their own checks.
FASS country rules
These are the active qualification conditions configured on FASS. They do not confirm that a person has met them or has permission to teach. Local professional and immigration requirements still apply.
No active FASS rule is recorded for these qualifications. This does not establish permission to teach or lack of recognition.
Training and Progression
- The standard admission route to Teaching and Technique requires the preceding level, current First Aid Level 1 IAS, Practice 1 teaching experience and Law and Obligation. The level is completed through the teaching/technical assessment and Backcountry Basic Instructor; a partial transcript should remain a partial result.
- Level 4 then adds further professional modules, an elective, Practice 2 and the federal professional examination. Level 3 is not the protected federal professional title.
- The 2025 revision includes specific transition arrangements for older Instructor and safety modules. The shortened Backcountry Basic transition course was limited to 2025/26; from 2026/27 the published transition guidance requires the complete module where it remains outstanding.
Check the awarding body's current syllabus for entry requirements, course dates, fees, and assessment rules.
Sources and Further Reading
- Swiss Snowsports: current training model (all four disciplines) (opens in a new tab)
- Swiss Snowsports: implementing provisions, Edition 1.1, 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
- Swiss Snowsports: 2025 training revision and transition conditions (opens in a new tab)
- Swiss Snowsports: risk-activities law and competent authorities (opens in a new tab)
Official source review
Official sources checked on .
The official course model, level pages, 2025 transition guidance and implementing provisions Edition 1.1, 2026/27 were read. The provisions give separate technical assessments for ski, snowboard, Nordic and Telemark. This guide describes the current pathway; historical certificates require their own transition assessment. Course training and a cantonal risk-activities authorisation remain separate.