As we approach the winter snowsports season, coaches and instructors will be planning their activities. When doing so it is vital that they keep in mind their:

• Licensed range of operation, and
• Working rights in respective countries

Every snowsports coaching and instructing qualification has a specified range of operation or remit. Coaches and instructors are only authorised to operate within that remit. For example, an instructor holding a qualification exclusively for use at UK artificial centres is not licensed or insured to operate in a mountain environment in the European Union.

In addition to a specified range of operation, coaches and instructors are only authorised to operate in countries where, as UK citizens, they can do so legally. Any coach or instructor who hopes to operate outside of the U.K. must ensure that they have working rights in their host country before undertaking work.

Whilst this has always been the case, it is even more incumbent upon members post-Brexit to check that their planned activity is approved in the country or region where they intend to work. Before Brexit, UK citizens had working rights across the EU; it is now the case that the working rights for UK citizens are determined by each nation and in some cases by regions.

BASI and the Home Nations Governing Bodies have produced extensive guidance on this subject which can be found here. It remains the case that the position is fluid and whilst we have not been able to find definitive answers to every question, we are still working hard on this topic and will share any updates when we receive them from official channels.

Our clear advice is to ensure that you know the legality of working in a country before arranging activity.

Remember that if you operate outside of the range of operation of your qualification or contrary to local regulations, including working rights, any insurance you may hold from your qualifying body is highly likely to be void.