Ski Development Coach: Levels 3 and 4
Snowsport England's Ski Development Coach (Level 3) and Alpine Ski Development Coach (Level 4) take you from teaching lessons to coaching skiers over months and seasons.
In this guide
- What it is: Snowsport England's two ski coaching awards: Ski Development Coach (Level 3) and Alpine Ski Development Coach (Level 4). There's no snowboard equivalent on its pathway.
- What you need first: Level 3: Ski Instructor (Level 2) or a recognised equivalent. Level 4: Level 3 or a recognised equivalent. The minimum age is 16.
- What you'll learn: Profiling performance, planning long-term programmes and, at Level 4, mentoring other coaches.
- How long it takes: Six days (35 hours) of training at each level. Level 3 adds a portfolio and a one-day assessment; Level 4 adds a portfolio and a project.
- What's next: Coaching pathways.
You've got skiers coming back week after week. Now you plan their whole season.
Level 3: Ski Development Coach
- Training covers coaching principles, performance profiling, planning and coaching tools.
- After training, you build a portfolio with a 12-month programme, session records and reflections.
- Then you submit the portfolio and attend a one-day formal assessment.
You can coach on artificial slopes and indoor snow centres in the UK.
Level 4: Alpine Ski Development Coach
Snowsport England calls this the highest qualification in the UK snowsports coaching pathway. You'll attend advanced modules, work with mentors, complete a detailed portfolio and a project, and present your work for assessment. It adds the mountain environment to where you can coach.
To get your licence at either level, you also need valid first aid, safeguarding training and a DBS check.
Source: Ski Development Coach Level 3 and Alpine Ski Development Coach Level 4, Snowsport England, 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.
