Instructing & Coaching
The purpose of this page is to hopefully assist LSR Trainees in their journey to becoming fully qualified instructor or coaches.
Becoming a instructor or a coach can, from the outside, be a complex and daunting task with many different elements required, which update regularly. Current instrcutors and coaches are always happy to pass on a bit of knowledge and aid you in your journey.
This page will focus on BASI Level 1 Instructor Qualification and UKSS Level 1 Foundation Coach (formally UKCP), with a wee bit of next steps at the end.
We will also cover a few bits not included in BASI or UKSS that are required to work as a coach, with a focus on Hillend.
Becoming a instructor or a coach can, from the outside, be a complex and daunting task with many different elements required, which update regularly. Current instrcutors and coaches are always happy to pass on a bit of knowledge and aid you in your journey.
This page will focus on BASI Level 1 Instructor Qualification and UKSS Level 1 Foundation Coach (formally UKCP), with a wee bit of next steps at the end.
We will also cover a few bits not included in BASI or UKSS that are required to work as a coach, with a focus on Hillend.
BASI or UKSS?
This is normally one of the first questions that comes up when someone is starting their journey to becoming a instructor or coach and on the surface its a quick answer.
- British Association of Snowsports Instructors (BASI) = Instructing
- UK Snowsports (UKSS) = Coaching
There is no absolute between the two of these, however, the most common qualification is the BASI Instrcutor. This instructing qualification allows you to work in snow sports, starting from dryslope and indoor as a Level 1, all the way through to a fully independent and/or high qualified Level 4 across the world.
Most alpine coaches hold a UKSS Coaching qualification, which is effectively the racer equivalent of BASI Instructor. This is a little bit more niche, much like racing itself, as it only qualifies you to coach racers and not instruct the public. As a result, most coaches hold both a instructor and coaching qualifications.
There are other qualification you can get that are as equally certified and accepted as the above. Snowsport Scotland Instructor is a prime example of this, alongside the likes of the Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors, BASI Coaching, Canadian qualifications and all the European qualifications. Much like Chartership in Engineering or Accountancy, the majority of these are recognised across the world.
Instructor vs Coach
Now this is an age old questions and the answer is that is it really up to you and what you want to do. However, the majority of coaches also have instructor qualifications. There is also consideration for where you want to coach/instruct as some ski centres will not employ you if you only have a coaching qualification (as you can technically only teach racers).
In short, it is advised to get both so you can instruct and coach. This also means you get the knowledge and understanding that comes with both sets of qualifications. While there is plenty of overlap between instructing and coaching, things are not like BASI central theme and instructors not learning how to set courses etc.
Again, it comes down to what you want to do.
Example - LSR Head Coach Callum Henderson who only holds his BASI L1 Instructor (and SSS L2 Instructor) but holds his UKSS Level L3 Head Coach (IVSI) qualification, as he focuses pretty much solely on alpine racing. You have others that go the opposite way and have their BASI L3 or L4 and a UKSS L1 or L2 (you can have a wee look at the coaches bio page). There are also those who have L3 or L4 in both and are high proficient in all areas. Then you have the UKSS and BASI Tutors who coach coaches and instruct instructors, teach those who teach you.
BASI L1 Instructor Qualification
Welcome to your first foray into instructing. The first thing to note is that the qualification is a multiple module qualification and requires all the parts to be completed in order to be able to use it. Its not as simple as attend a training course and off you go, but it is better for having these modules.
First things first in gaining your BASI L1 Instructor qualification is to sign up for a course. This can be done on the BASI website (link in the button below).
Subject to passing this course, you will move onto completing the rest of the modules.
Child Protection/Safeguarding Children Online Course –
This is included within your BASI Level 1 Instructor Course and can be completed online at any time.
2-Day Outdoor First Aid Course –
This needs to be done before you undertake any work (majority of ski centres require it for shadowing as well). You can find hundreds of these courses online, just make sure they are Snowsports/BASI suitable. We don’t want you doing a course to find out it doesn’t meet the requirements; any course can be confirmed with SSS and BASI for accreditation.
35 Hours Snowsport School Experience –
This is also known as your shadowing hours, where you will shadow a currently qualified instructor. This can be done at any ski centre that allows you to undertake shadowing (there is a separate bit on shadowing at Hillend further down this email). As you have completed and “instructor” qualification you must shadow instructor sessions, such as ski schools. Race training falls under “coaching” rather than “instructing” and cannot be used as shadow hours towards your BASI L1 shadow hours. Please note that you must catalogue your shadow hours and provide written breakdown of the sessions you have completed, which will be signed by the instructor you are shadowing.
If you complete all these modules and are signed off by BASI, you are ready to instruct. Congratulations!!!
UKSS L1 Foundation Qualification (Formally UKCP)
Welcome to your first foray into coaching. The first thing to note is that the qualification is a multiple module qualification and requires all the parts to be completed in order to be able to use it. Its not as simple as attend a training course and off you go, but it is better for having these modules.
We add in the "formally UKCP" statement as it recently changed name (same qualification) but some people still call it UKCP due to habit.
First things first in gaining your UKSS L1 Foundation qualification is to sign up for a course. This can be done on the SSS website (link in the button below) or via a SSS Certified Training Centre such as LSR (we would email this stuff out).
Subject to passing this course, you will move onto completing the rest of the modules.
Child Protection/Safeguarding Children Online Course –
This is included within your UKSS L1 Foundation Course and can be completed online at any time.
2-Day Outdoor First Aid Course –
This needs to be done before you undertake any work (majority of ski centres require it for shadowing as well). You can find hundreds of these courses online, just make sure they are Snowsports/BASI suitable. We don’t want you doing a course to find out it doesn’t meet the requirements; any course can be confirmed with SSS and BASI for accreditation.
35 Hours Snowsport School Experience –
This is also known as your shadowing hours, where you will shadow a currently qualified instructor. This can be done at any ski centre that allows you to undertake shadowing (there is a separate bit on shadowing at Hillend further down this email). As you have completed an “coaching” qualification you must shadow race training sessions, such as LSR. Please note that you must catalogue your shadow hours and provide written breakdown of the sessions you have completed, which will be signed by the coach you are shadowing.
UKSS L1 Foundation Log Bog –
As part of your shadowing you have to complete a log book. This is done as part of your shadowing and is used as a way of documenting what you have done while ensuring you cover specific criteria in your shadowing.
If you complete all these modules and are signed off by an SSS Tutor, you are ready to coach. Congratulations!!!
PVG
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is managed by Discolsure Scotland. It helps ensure people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot do regulated work with these vulnerable groups.
In short, all coaches and instructors must have a valid PVG in order to work and in most cases shadow.
You can apply for your PVG at the link below, and it is with you for life.
Hillend - Shadowing
Moving onto the specifics of Hillend as this will be the main ski centre for the majority of LSR Trainees who undertake their instructor/coaching qualifications.
To shadow, both instructor and coach, at Hillend you must apply to shadow, which can be done by contacting Hillend reception. You must have your BASI L1 Instructor Course Certificate and/or UKSS L1 Foundation Certificate, Child Protection/Safeguarding Children Online Course Certificate, 2-Day Outdoor First Aid Course Certificate and your PVG/Disclosure Scotland Certificate to start your shadowing application.
It is worth noting at Hillend has lots of people wishing to shadow and does periodically closes applications to shadow when they physically cannot take more shadow instructors on the slope. You can check the status of these application closures here - https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/directory_record/684/ski_instructor_shadowing/category/150/more_advanced_coaching
All instructor shadowing is organised by Hillend, after your application is completed and you have done all the paperwork. They will aid in scheduling classes for you to shadow, covering varying ages and abilities to try and give you an all-round experience.
Coaching shadowing is done the same, the only slight difference is that LSR Head Coach Callum Henderson can organise the shadowing of LSR sessions. However, you must have been through the whole application process with Hillend and Callum will need to be given approval by Hillend to proceed.
You can shadow at any ski centre or resort, as long as the person you are shadowing is suitable and able to sign you off. Example, a UKSS L1 cannot sign off another UKSS L1, it must be signed off by a UKSS L2 or above.
When you have completed all yoru shadowing and everything else you are all set to be employed and start working. The only last requirement is to be 18 years old or older to work at Hillend (some other centres it is lower).
Help
Lastly, current coaches and instructors are always willing to help. This is regardless of ski centre, club affiliation or anything else like that.
Any queries, grab a coach or instructor and they will be more than happy to help, they have been through the whole thing before and live a breathe it as a job.
You can also reach out to the likes of BASI and SSS for any queries and they will point you in the right direction.
LSR Head Coach & UKSS Coaching Tutor Callum Henderson - headcoach@lothianskiracing.co.uk
Snowsport Scotland - heather@snowsportscotland.org
British Association of Snowsports Instructors - basi@basi.org.uk
Lothian Ski Racing
