The Arlberg is not only considered the cradle of skiingbut also the home of the first ski school in the world. But first things first: of all people, a resourceful Norwegian civil engineer (he was on site for the construction of the Arlberg tunnel) is said to have strapped two boards under his boots here in the mornings towards the end of the 19th century in order to ski to work - an absolute novelty. He found imitators, and in the young Hannes Schneider someone who later further developed the telemark technique initially practiced and invented the so-called stem curve, which was replaced in the 1930s by the parallel turn still in use today. Soon locals and visitors alike were being taught the art of skiing downhill on two boards in groups at the ski school founded by Schneider in St. Anton am Arlberg in 1921. Much has changed since then, but Austrian ski schools are still pioneers today: nowhere else is the training of instructors longer and harder; only those who have passed at least one exam are allowed to instruct guests.

©GettyImages

Much more than alpine skiing

There are currently around 700 ski schools in Austria, employing around 17,000 snow sports instructors (of which around 5500 are female). Snow sports instructors? Yes, read that right! Since 2004, the ski instructors of yesteryear have officially borne this name. The reason: the instructors no longer only teach alpine skiing, but also teach snowboarding, cross-country skiing and various trend sports such as snow fox, scooter or snowblading and offer ski tours and snowshoe hikes. But what makes a good snow sports instructor? "A good education and sound knowledge are the basis. In addition, he should have the ability to respond to guests individually," says Richard Walter, President of the Austrian and Tyrolean Ski Instructors Association, and adds: "A well-groomed appearance and restraint towards the guest are important - serving the clichés of the past is no longer appropriate. A broad general knowledge is also important; no one wants to have to talk exclusively about skiing for a week."

Fun and adventure under professional guidance 

Group courses (now mainly for children from the age of four) are still the classic ski school offer. Because one thing is for sure: for beginners it is definitely advisable to get lessons from a professional. Incorrectly learned techniques are very difficult to get rid of again. But also more and more experienced carvers take a private snow sports instructor to become even better, safer and faster on and off the slopes. "I guess it's every skier's goal to keep improving," believes Ski Instructors Association head Richard Walter. "The beginner wants to get from A to B safely, the intermediate skier wants to be technically clean on the ski, the third group wants to venture onto the moguls or into tracked snow, and the expert skier wants to go off-piste. The absolute supreme discipline in skiing is then called deep snow skiing." For winter sports enthusiasts looking for an extra dose of fun and new adventures, ski schools and their specially trained snow sports instructors are the right place to go - not least because they not only impart the technical know-how, but are also able to "correctly assess the condition and ability of the guest," as Richard Walter emphasizes. For deep snow you definitely need practice and a good basic condition. Some ski schools have now also added race training or avalanche search exercises to their programs, or offer heliskiing excursions and ski tours at home and abroad. Ski schools have also started to cater for the needs and requirements of the youngest guests: If they are still too young to ski themselves, there are often special baby clubs with competent childcare, while mummy and daddy can work on their perfect turns.

Learn to ski from the best

Which ambitious skier hasn't wished to get tips from a real professional athlete on how to conquer the next hurdle? Multiple world champion and overall World Cup winner Marc Girardelli from Lustenau, who competed for Luxembourg in his racing era, offers tailor-made and exclusive ski days. "The sport is important, but it's also about the cuisine and the fun," Girardelli explains. "I always say I'm not a ski instructor. I've never taken it that far. Nevertheless, every customer has still learned to ski or got better with me," says the ex-professional. "Ski before nine" is once again the motto for snow-hungry early risers who want to be shown the slopes of the Carinthian Nockberge before sunrise by Franz Klammer, the ski star of the 70s and 80s. In an exclusive circle, the World Cup downhill will be conquered, after which the Olympic champion will give insider tips and reveal tricks for the perfect carving turn. Whether ski racer or snow sports instructor - in any case you can rely on the top quality of the providers as a winter sports enthusiast who wants to learn.

Skiing star of yesteryear Olympic champion Franz Klammer today conquers the slopes of the
Carinthian Nockberge. ©GettyImages

Best of Ski Schools

The oldest, largest and most popular ski schools in the Alpine region in the ultimate ski school check.

Ski School Arlberg (Ö)

Founded: 1921
Snow sports instructors and guides: approx. 380

The ski school founded by ski pioneer and actor Hannes Schneider is the largest, oldest and one of the best in Austria.

• Extensive program:
  In addition to classic skiing and snowboarding courses, ski tours, off-piste and on-piste guiding, cross-country skiing courses, telemark training, snowshoeing, but also trend sports such as Snow Fox as well as freeride lessons are offered. The program "Without Handicap Skiing at the Arlberg" is aimed at people with special needs.

• Excellent offer for children:
  "Hoppl's Kinderland" is a true children's paradise with nine conveyor belts, a children's carousel, practice lifts, the Hoppl Express and a children's stage. The Hoppl kindergarten offers competent care for the little ones.

• It's only here:
  The ski school is known for its high number of state-certified ski instructors from all parts of the world. Up to 20 different languages are spoken. You won't find this much multilingualism anywhere else!

• Prices:
  Group lessons for children from the age of four and adults cost € 105 per day, six private lessons come to € 429 per person.

skischool-arlberg.com
Kandaharweg 15,
6580 St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
T: +43 5446 341127

Charismatic pioneer Hannes Schneider, who later became an actor, founded a company in 1921 in St. Anton am
Arlberg the first ski school. ©Foundation Friends of Hannes Schneider/Family Herbert Schneider

Oxygene Ski & Snowboard School Courchevel (F)

Founded: 1992
Snow sports instructors and guides: approx. 300

This ski school has six locations in Les Trois Vallées, making it the largest English-speaking ski school in the region.

• Special Course Offerings:
  Off-piste guiding, paragliding, ski tours with overnight stay in a refuge, ski courses for people with special needs.

• It's only here:
  When the lifts are closed, you can ride your e-bike on the slopes. The ski school in La Plagne offers preparation courses for the "Superluge Derby" sled race.

• One-time offer:
  To celebrate the ski school's 30th birthday, there are free lessons on every 30th of the month.

• Prices:
  A children's ski course (from three years) costs from € 330,- for one week, two private lessons for up to three people are available for € 165,-.

oxygene.ski
Chez White Storm Courchevel 1850,
73120 Rue du Rocher, France
T: +43 5446 341127

©Oxygène Ski & Snowboard

Ski School St. Moritz (CH)

Founded: 1929
Snow sports instructors and guides: approx. 400

"Legends in red" is what the instructors at this ski school have been called for almost a hundred years. This training facility is the oldest and largest for skiing in Switzerland.

• Special Offer:
  In addition to teaching old techniques such as telemarking, this ski school offers a wide range of trend sports (including freeriding) in addition to the standard repertoire. Furthermore, ski tours, cross-country skiing, snowshoe tours, winter hiking and sleigh rides are offered.

• Promotion of young talent:
  Racing courses are on the programme in cooperation with the Upper Engadine Training Association and the St. Moritz Ski Racing Academy. The youngest are looked after in the "Snowli Kids Village" - here you will find, among other things, a conveyor belt, a carousel and a children's ski lift.

• It's only here:
  At the "Snowsports Day" you can go skiing, winter hiking and sledding in one day. The evening is spent enjoying an aperitif together.

• Prices:
  The children's ski school costs from CHF 350,- from Monday to Friday, participation in the "Snowsports Day" is possible from CHF 605,-.

skischool.ch
Via Stredas 14,
7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland
T: +41 81 830 01 01

Ski & Snowboard School 2000 Selva (I)

Founded: 1937
Snow sports instructors and guides: approx. 80

Teaching at a professional level is one of the strengths of the first and largest ski school in the South Tyrolean Val Gardena Valley.

• Wide range of courses:
  The classic offer is complemented by modern disciplines such as freestyle and freeriding. Challenging ski adventures await teenagers in the "Young Club".

• Special Service:
  Here everything is offered from one source: Ski and snowboard school, rental, shop, service center and ski pass sales point.

• It's only here:
  Early risers have the opportunity to improve their technique on empty slopes between 7:30 and 9 am. In general, a lot of emphasis is placed on technical training here: For example, there are slalom and giant slalom lessons at professional level, including video analysis.

• Prices:
  Half-day courses (three hours) cost € 93 in the high season, a private lesson comes to € 55 per person in the top season. All-inclusive price for the whole day in low season: € 336,-.

scuolasci-selva.it
Str. Meisules 252/B,
39048 Selva di Val Gardena BZ, Italy
T: +39 0471 795255

Ski school Fiss-Ladis (Ö)

Founded: 1953/54
Snow sports instructors and guides: approx. 300

The big boom in winter sports in Fiss came in 1967 with the construction of the chairlift to the Möseralm. In the meantime, the ski school on the Tyrolean sunny plateau has become one of the most renowned in the country.

• A wide range of courses:
  In addition to skiing and cross-country skiing courses, telemark training and various trend sports are on the programme. Furthermore, guided snowshoe hikes, freeride excursions and ski tours for beginners and advanced skiers are offered weekly.

• Known for:
  The ski school particularly stands out with its many attractions for children and teenagers. While the bambinis (from the age of three) take their first steps on skis and have fun in "Berta's Kinderland", teenagers can try out newschoolers, ski fox and scooters.

• New Offer:
  In the fun and practice arena with kickers, wave run, rails, cool sound and various lifts you can let off steam on the snowboard. New is the airbag for snowboarders and freeskiers to practice cool jumps.

• Prices:
  Group courses (four hours daily) cost € 320 for six days, two private lessons are available per person from € 155 (depending on time and day of the week). A snowshoe hike comes to € 49,-.

ski school-fiss-ladis.at
Ropeway 40,
6533 Fiss, Austria
T: +43 5476 6757

©Christian Waldegger