Snowboarding and skiing: kit, costs and safety
Typical UK prices for lessons and instructor courses, who governs what, and the FIS slope code every skier and snowboarder follows.
In this guide
- What you need first: Nothing. Read this before you book.
- What's next: You've reached the end of both tracks.
Good kit and good habits keep you riding all season.
Typical UK prices
- A private hour with kit, or a full learn-to-ride day on an indoor slope: £70 to £140. On alpine snow, a lift pass and hire are often extra.
- A private lesson: £45 to £110 an hour.
- BASI Level 1: up to about £900 for an indoor centre package. BASI's own fees from 1 June 2026 are £600 for Level 1, £900 for Level 2 and £89 for membership.
Who does what
- Snowsport England: the national governing body for skiing and snowboarding in England. It runs instructor and coach awards and licenses coaches and instructors.
- Snowsport Scotland: the Scottish governing body, with its own instructor courses, including a Fast Track Level 1 and 2.
- Snowsport Cymru Wales: the governing body in Wales, recognised by Sport Wales.
- BASI: the British Association of Snowsport Instructors, whose Level 1 to Level 4 system leads to international qualifications.
- GB Snowsport: runs the programme aimed at World Cup podiums and Olympic and Paralympic medals, and sells FIS licences.
The slope code
The FIS Code of Conduct sets 10 rules for every skier and snowboarder:
- Don't endanger others.
- Stay in control, and match your speed to your ability, the snow, the weather and the crowds.
- Coming from behind, choose a line that doesn't endanger people ahead.
- Overtake with enough space for the other person to move.
- Look up and down the slope before you set off, rejoin a run or move uphill.
- Don't stop in narrow places or where you can't be seen. If you fall there, move clear fast.
- Walking up or down, keep to the side.
- Respect all signs and markings.
- At an accident, help.
- After an accident, everyone involved and every witness exchanges names and addresses.
Source: Who We Are, Snowsport England; Snowsport Scotland; Snowsport Cymru Wales; Ski courses and Why are our prices changing?, BASI; About Us, GB Snowsport; FIS Code of Conduct for Skiers and Snowboarders, FIS; 999 and 112, GOV.UK; 112, European Commission, checked October 2026.
Governing body: Snowsport England in England, Snowsport Scotland in Scotland and Snowsport Cymru Wales in Wales. They set the standards for skiing and snowboarding, so they're the official places to find out more. Instructor qualifications also come from BASI.
Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.
The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.
