The French system is perceived to be a bit of an enigma and, to be fair, it is very different to any other instructor body in the world - it is formidably demanding. Before you can even think about setting foot in a ski school, you need to prove your worth as a talented skier by passing the infamous “Test Technique” special slalom examination. Applicants are required to race down a slalom course and beat a professionally registered time. This requires a very challenging level of training, and that’s where we come in.

For you to be successful on this course, we provide an intense program designed to transform you into an athletic ski racer. Not for the faint hearted, we’ll work hard with you to perfect your technique and racing experience, while shaving every possible second off your slalom times. Of course, being an instructor course, we also teach you how to pass on your highly refined skills, whilst working towards your “Préformation”, the French equivalent of a Level 2 instructor qualification.

As well as race training, you’ll spend a lot of your time “working” on free-skiing all over the mountain – ie having fun! With Serre Chevalier as your home, you’ll have an abundance of world-class free-ride terrain right on your doorstep. This resort has a massive amount of off-piste itineraries and is renowned for its fantastic tree runs.

Christian leads the way

Christian Delafield, our course director in Serre Chevalier has skied for over a quarter-century. He is fully qualified under the French system with a Brevet d’Etat d’éducateur sportif (B.E.E.S. 1er Degree) in Alpine Skiing. Originally from Jersey, he is leading the charge to bring more foreign nationals into the French system, with total support from the French themselves.

While on the course we encourage participants to practice their language skills as much as possible. We hope you will become a part of the community in Serre Chevalier and therefore will do our best to help you find suitable accommodation. We can help you source everything from one bedroom apartments to shared housing for season workers.

Over this 20 week course, you’ll work towards your Test Technique and Preformation, but that’s only the start of your journey. With those two qualifications under your belt, you’ll be able to enter a ski school the following season, where you can get a respectable wage as a trainee instructor. Over the following few years, you’ll get loads of on the job training as you pass through the many tests and qualifications leading up to your ultimate goal – a BEES 1er Degree.