+ WHEN DOES THE TRAINING TAKE PLACE & HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

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The Test Technique Training course lasts 20 weeks.

Training starts 8th November 2021 and ends 1st April 2022.

+ HOW MUCH DOES THE COURSE COST?

Training costs 8200 Euros (a place on the course can be secured with a €2000 deposit). The remaining balance is due a minimum of 25 days prior to the start of the course.

Deposits are negotiable in the current climate however please note that training has continued as normal this year despite the pandemic.

+ WHAT'S INCLUDED?

• 14 weeks of professional technical and race training
• 1-4 weeks work experience in a registered ski school (optional)
• 1 season lift-pass
• Priority in lift-queues
• Ask about our RACE SKI offer!

Please note that ACCOMMODATION IS NOT INCLUDED!

+ HOW MANY OTHER TFSA STUDENTS WILL THERE BE ON THIS COURSE?

When you train with TFSA you are part of a large group of French and international trainees. This number can be anywhere between 15 & 30 individuals. There is an approximate ratio of 6-10 trainees per trainer.

+WHAT DOES THE COURSE QUALIFY YOU TO DO (AND WHERE)?

This course by definition prepares and trains you for the Test Technique Slalom Examination. This exam is a pre-requisite and entry level examination for the French National Ski Diploma.

This course also provides trainees with the technical level and all-terrain skiing experience that is essential when in pursuit of any international or European ski diploma.

There are no qualifications issued on this course, however, applicants who pass the "Test Technique" Slalom Examination (taken in both January and March) will be eligible to work in a French national ski school if:

1. Following success in the Test Technique they then go on to pass the “Preparatoire” (2-week basic teacher training module for the French National Ski Diploma).

2. They already have or go on to achieve an equivalent level to the "preparatoire" from another national diploma such as the BASI Level 2.

N.B. No part of the French National Ski Diploma is at any point valid anywhere in the world until the diploma is completed.

+ WHERE DOES THE TRAINING TAKE PLACE?

All TFSA courses take place primarily in the major ski resort of Serre Chevalier in South East France. Serre Chevalier boasts over 150 miles of ski slopes and is renowned as a Mecca for free-riders and a rich training ground for racers. The resort offers a wide range of off-piste experiences and its high snow record and abundance of larch trees have made it famous for its excellent tree skiing. Read more about Serre Chevalier in our Resort Guide

+ WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE?

The objective of this course is to pass the entry level examination for the French National Ski diploma. This examination is known as the “Test Technique”. To pass the Test Technique applicants are required to race against a pre-determined time that is set by the fastest of two race openers. The entry time is set in accordance with a calculation that is based on a percentage (approximately 18% for men and 21% for women) of the openers time and their FIS Ranking. To pass you must race faster than the entry time.

+ WHO RUNS THE COURSE?

This training opportunity is the consequence of a unique alliance of freindship between TFSA & CRFCK. The CRFCK is a "Centre de Formation" or alpine sports training facility that has been specifically allocated, by the French Department of Sports & Education, the responsibility of training suitable participants to become ski instructors during the winter. During the Summer months the CRFCK has the responsibility of training instructors in an abundance of sports instruction including Rafting; Kayaking; Climbing; Mountain leading; Orienteering; Mountain Biking; Fitness Instruction & Life-saving.

+ WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE? WHO IS THIS COURSE AIMED AT?

To qualify for this course applicants must have the following attributes:

• Approximately 15+ weeks of skiing experience

• A degree of all-terrain / off-piste skiing experience.

• Consider themselves to be an advanced skier.

• A high level of physical fitness and a background in sport.

This training is a portal to becoming an outstanding skier. If you think you have what it takes, do get in touch to discuss the course in more detail. Following careful consideration and discussion it will be decided if applicants are suitable for the program. Following enrolment on the course there will be a succession of tests during the opening period of the season to ensure an applicant suitability for the training. This is high-lighted in the terms and conditions so please read them thoroughly.

+ IS THE COURSE RIGHT FOR ME?

Whilst the majority of people who take this course are aged between 18 and 25, it should not be viewed as a post-school or post-university jolly! It is a professional training course aimed at proficient skiers who are either seriously considering a career as an international ski instructor or looking for a challenge unlike anything else in the world.

The best way to find out if you are really suitable for this program is to contact us and then fill out our questionnaire and arrange a telephone or online interview.

+ WHAT HAPPENS IF MY SKILLS OR PHYSICAL FITNESS TURN OUT NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THIS COURSE?

TFSA has a lot of experience talking to potential applicants and establishing whether they are fit and experienced enough to take on their chosen course, so it is very unlikely that you will start the course and discover that everyone else is streets ahead of you. In the unusual event that you are found to be unsuitable for the Test Technique Training course then we will ofcourse refund you accorndingly with the exception of your deposit.

+ WHAT IF I AM TOO GOOD FOR THIS COURSE?

If you are too good for this course then you already have a European or International Ski Instructing Diploma.

If you are already a racer and hoping to pass the Test Technique then this is the perfect place for you. Exams are in January and March. If you pass in January then we will guide you through the "Preparatoire" or BASI Level 2 and then continue your training with the Euro Test.

Get in touch if you are in doubt and we will work out what is best for you.

+ DAY TO DAY – WHAT IS INVOLVED? WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON THIS COURSE?

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

The course begins with a minimum 2-week physical preparation.

WHY?

• Because physical preparation significantly reduces the risk of injury.

• Because it gives the trainers a chance to assess trainees individually. This makes it easier for them to determine a person's abilities and limitations in a ski training situation and throughout the season and consequently make more educated decisions on your future at the end of the first season.

• Because this is sports education and learning how best to train and maintain ski fitness is essential for the individual and also teaching to others in the future.

• Because it is notably sociable and fun and therefore a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other in a relaxed environment while enjoying some team building. Expect to take part in some or all of the following: Running Hiking Mountain Biking Swimming Football Touch Rugby Volley Ball Basket Ball Plyometric Workouts Core Work Stretching

• It is a great time to get to know everyone and a good time to start practicing your French.

SKI TRAINING (Early-December to the end of March early April)

Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm with one hour for lunch at midday.

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THIS COURSE:

1. SLALOM SKIING: The end goal is the Test Technique so for much of this course you are going to be slalom training. This will be introduced gradually after a couple of weeks on the slopes. As a general rule slalom training takes place in the mornings from 9-12am.

2. TECHNICAL TRAINING: This takes place on and off-piste and will vary from day to day in terms of the intensity and nature of the learning. Some days will be spent covering miles and others will be spent looking at technique in more detail. This will be adapted according to the group dynamic, snow conditions and physical form.

3. FREE-RIDE / OFF-PISTE SKIING: When it snows then anything goes! A huge part of your technical training will involve skiing in variable and tough terrain. This is a key part of the training and learning experience. However, when it really snows there is little and no point in slalom training and every point in powder skiing. So don’t be late because no one will wait!

IN GENERAL

This is a professional training federation including applicants from all over France and the rest of the world. In order to get the most out of each training day, we ask that all attendees arrive punctually in time to depart at 9am (Mon-Fri).

This course offers focused, high-end training. The demands are huge, both physically and mentally, but you can expect to have the time of your life and for your level of skiing to improve beyond your wildest dreams!

By the end of your first season with us you should be able to make an informed decision about whether ski instructing is the life for you. If you decide that you want to pursue a career teaching skiing in Europe then you have made the right decision and you are in the right place. We will be able to offer career advice to you personally and guide you in the right direction, almost certainly encouraging you to keep training hard!

+ WHY TRAIN WITH TFSA AND NOT ELSEWHERE?

All TFSA instructors are trained to highest possible level and handpicked for their communications skills, technical backgrounds in ski racing and their advanced knowledge and ability in all aspects of skiing. Our trainers and our training federation has decades of experience training aspiring instructors in a variety of sports. ITS WHAT THEY DO! Our objectives go beyond examinations and qualifications. We aim to build characters and confidence, allowing individuals to develop into proficient all-round skiers and skilled ski racers with a comprehensive understanding of this devilishly technical sport. Regardless of whether you want to pursue a career as a ski instructor you will by default develop into an outstanding skier and you will without doubt enhance your ability to maximise potential.

+ WHAT MEASURES ARE IN PLACE IF THE CONDITIONS ARE NOT SUITABLE TO TRAIN?

This rarely happens (in our years of experience, there are maybe 2 days every season where training is curtailed by the weather). In the event that you do have an impromptu mid-week afternoon off, you will probably find that the time is made up at a weekend, or you may just be grateful for an unscheduled nap, as the demands of this course really are exhausting!