Step by step · 11 guides

Snowboarding and skiing: from first lesson to pro

Start with your first lessons and Snowsport England Level 1, then pick a track. The UK slope track (Snowsport England) keeps you teaching on UK slopes. The mountain track (BASI) takes you to the top international awards. Both end with coaching, competitions and safety.

Quick links

Prices

What it costs

Experience day
£70 to £140 per person (private hour or indoor learn-to-ride day)
Become qualified
£600 to £900 (BASI Level 1, up to an indoor package)
Hourly
£45 to £110 an hour (private lesson)

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

Governing body

Competitions

Start here

Both tracks start with these two steps.

  1. Step 1: A beginner's guide to snowboarding and skiing in the UKYour first lessons in snowboarding and skiing in the UK.Read the guide →
  2. Step 2: Snowsport England Level 1: start teaching on UK slopesSnowsport England Level 1 (ski or snowboard): teach beginners on UK slopes.Read the guide →

UK slope track (Snowsport England)

After Level 2, skiers go on to Ski Development Coach. Snowboarders go to the coaching pathways (step 9).

  1. Step 3: Snowsport England Level 2: teach on your ownSnowsport England Level 2: teach on your own, with 20 logged hours.Read the guide →
  2. Step 4: Ski Development Coach: Levels 3 and 4Ski Development Coach, Levels 3 and 4 (ski only).Read the guide →

Mountain track (BASI)

  1. Step 5: BASI Level 1: your first step to the mountainsBASI Level 1: the four-day entry course for ski or snowboard.Read the guide →
  2. Step 6: BASI Level 2: teach in the mountainsBASI Level 2: eight days on the mountain, or the four-day UK Level 2.Read the guide →
  3. Step 7: BASI Level 3 ISIA: the international instructorBASI Level 3 ISIA: modules, 200 logged hours and a second discipline.Read the guide →
  4. Step 8: BASI Level 4 ISTD: the top of the systemBASI Level 4 ISTD: Teaching, Technical and, for skiers, Freeride.Read the guide →

For everyone

Both tracks end here.

  1. Step 9: Snowsport coaching pathways: race, park and mogulsCoaching pathways: alpine race, park and pipe, moguls and nordic, plus licensing.Read the guide →
  2. Step 10: Ski and snowboard competitions: from your first slopestyle to GBCompetitions: the English Slopestyle and Alpine Championships, the Scottish Park + Pipe Series and the talent pathway.Read the guide →
  3. Step 11: Snowboarding and skiing: kit, costs and safetyPrices, who governs what in England, Scotland and Wales, and the FIS slope code.Read the guide →

Ready to start? The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport, or use the enquiry form to have a coach found for you.