The B.E.E.S. 1er Degree Alpine Skiing Diploma legally allows fully qualified instructors to train and teach skiing and snowboarding at all levels and to lead groups on and off-piste anywhere in the mountiains with the exception of glaciated areas and without the intent of using mountaineering equipment.

This diploma is recognised all over the world and fully qualified professionals can chose to work independently, within a ski school or for any form of legally recognised organisation (e.g. U.C.P.A).

Training for the B.E.E.S. 1er Degree Alpine Skiing Diploma is governed by E.N.S.A. (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme) in Chamonix. They have been established to oversea and manage the development of individuals specialising in the art of teaching sports in the mountains.

STAGE ONE

Pass the "Test Technique" and then enroll at E.N.S.A.

The Test Technique is obligatory for anyone who wants to begin their Ski Instrucotrs programme. Once you have passed this examination and the following "preformation" or equivalent examination, it is possible to enroll in a ski school as a trainee instructor.

The examination is organised by the Regional and Divisional Sports Departments in France. It is a Special Slalom Examination that is time evaluated. Each competitor is required to ski within a percentage of a predetermined time that is set by a Racing Official over a race of 50-60 seconds in length. The percentage time requirements are 20% for men and 25% for women.

IMPORTANT : Applicants must be 18 years or over.

The PROSNEIGE TRAINING CENTRE is setup to train participents for this examination.

STAGE TWO

Becoming a Trainee Instructor

The pre-training course lasts 15 days and is evaluated by E.N.S.A.
Course content includes : Basic technical, theoretical, practical, educational and safety elements necessary for working in the initial teaching environment.

Examination : The course assessment consists of three main parts :
- A Practical : Teaching Senario + Technical Demonstrations.
- A Technical Evalution : Techincal Skiing Demonstration.
- A General Note : Overall performance based on the two weeks.

Successful applicants obtain their "Livret de Formation" or Training Certificate. This is valid for 4 years during which time participents are required to persue further levels listed on the programme. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the certificate being revoked at the end of that period.

The "Livret de Formation" allows individuals to start working as a trainee or "stagiere" within registered organisations or ski schools in France only.

Twenty days minimum work experience is then required before training can continue.

All trainees are eligible for payment at this stage while working within a controlled environment under the supervision of a national instructor.

FOLLOWING ON

The Eurotest

The Eurotest is the next stage on the agenda. Unlike the technical test it is a Giant Slalom time evaluated alpine skiing race. Performance must be within or equal to 18% (men) and 24% (women) of an officially registered time.

Download the full curriculum details.

Prosneige offers specific training programmes for the Eurotest.

To by-pass the Pre-Training or French "Preformation" it is necessary to have the following foreign examinations :

Certain other foreign degrees excempt you from the Test-Technique and the Pre-Training :