Ski Instructor Training in Finland
The Finnish Ski Area Association (FSAA) organizes ski instructor courses (Instructor 1) in ski resorts across Finland – making it easy to find a nearby course and a suitable time. The training begins with online studies, which must be completed before the on-site practical training.
The FSAA instructor course is discipline-specific (separate courses for alpine skiing and snowboarding) and provides the skills to teach beginners the fundamentals of skiing or snowboarding. To participate, you’ll need solid skiing or riding skills, a genuine interest in developing as both a skier and an instructor, and a recommendation from your local ski school.
The online part covers skiing/snowboarding techniques, core concepts and terminology, equipment basics, pedagogical principles, and the Werneri teaching concept. Depending on the participant, the online studies take about 10–20 hours. The on-site sessions focus on themes introduced in the online phase.
Both the FSAA and Finnish Ski Instructors Association (SHORY) Instructor 1 courses total approximately 80 hours of study.
How to Apply for Ski Instructor Training
Start by contacting your local ski school. They will assess your skill level and, if suitable, recommend you for the FSAA course. Instructor 1 courses for both skiing and snowboarding are available throughout Finland. You can ask your ski resort for upcoming schedules – they are also published on Ski.fi.
For details on SHORY courses and application instructions, visit the SHORY website. SHORY is a member of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA).
FSAA Trainer Courses
Those who complete the FSAA Trainer Course are qualified to train ski and snowboard instructors within their own resorts and schools. The program is designed around the needs of beginner instruction and provides new trainers with the essential tools for effective teaching. The total training time is around 80 hours.
Entry requirements for FSAA Trainer Course applicants:
- Active teaching experience
- Completed ski instructor, coaching, or pedagogical training (or equivalent background from competitive sports, education, coaching, or foreign instructor systems)
- Motivated, open-minded, and willing to develop
- Possibly already involved in instructor training at their ski school
- Recommendation from their ski school
- A short video demonstrating personal skiing or riding must be attached to the application.
Train a certified instructor trainer for your resort and start offering local instructor courses this season!
Welcome to the slopes – and to the world of teaching skiing!
