Suomen Hiihdonopettajat

Name

Suomen Hiihdonopettajat

Legal name

Suomen Hiihdonopettajat ry

Website

https://hiihdonopettajat.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Instructor Training & Certification

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAAAJAC

Ski & Snowboard Schools (Instruction & Coaching)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities)

SECONDARYMPAKAJAI

Winter Sports & Snow Training Schools (Ski, Snowboard, Ice Sports)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Camps, Academies & Training Centers

SECONDARYMPAKAJAK

Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Camps, Academies & Training Centers

Keywords

• Ski instructor training
• Snow sports certification
• ISIA certification
• Alpine skiing education
• Winter sports instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Sirkka

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees including joining fee (25€) and annual dues (45€), providing access to training system, member benefits, and ISIA certification.
2. ISIA Certification Fees: Fees for ISIA Stamp (15€) and ISIA Card (20€) certifications, providing international recognition and lift ticket discounts at partner ski centers.
3. Training Course Fees: Revenue from organizing Instructor 1, 2, 3 courses and various modules at partner ski resorts. Course prices vary by type and duration.
4. Custom Training Orders: Ski schools and resorts can order custom training courses, with prices determined per order based on location, duration, and group size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Suomen Hiihdonopettajat ry (SHOry) provides a modular training and certification system for snow sports instructors across alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark, cross-country skiing, and adaptive skiing. The offering comprises three progressive core instructor courses (Levels 1, 2, 3) plus a flexible suite of discipline modules, leading to ISIA Stamp and ISIA Card international qualifications as well as a European CTT professional certification.

Product overview

Suomen Hiihdonopettajat ry (SHOry) operates as a training organization offering a modular instructor certification system for alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark, cross-country skiing, and adaptive skiing. The core offering consists of three progressive Instructor courses (Levels 1, 2, 3) in alpine skiing and snowboarding, supplemented by specialized 2-4 day discipline modules covering telemark, cross-country skiing, adaptive sports, freestyle, race training, and avalanche safety. SHOry provides pathways to international ISIA (International Ski Instructor Association) qualifications at Stamp and Card levels, as well as European CTT professional certification through Opetushallitus. The training structure combines mandatory core courses with optional modules that can be completed in flexible order, culminating in snow camps for ongoing professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Demo Team Finland: The organization's demo team preparing for Interski Vail 2027 international event.

Products and services

• Opettaja 1 -kurssi (Instructor 1 Course) Entry-level ski/snowboard instructor course providing foundational knowledge of the profession and readiness to teach beginner-level students in easy conditions. Includes 1 remote day with pre-course assignments. Targeted at individuals who can ski blue and red slopes comfortably.
• Opettaja 2 -kurssi (Instructor 2 Course) Intermediate instructor course that deepens professional competence and provides capabilities to teach more advanced students. Includes skill analysis, development area identification, and teaching methods application. Requires at least 20 hours of teaching experience plus a workplace reflection discussion.
• Opettaja 3 -kurssi (Instructor 3 Course) Advanced instructor course providing capabilities to work with all skill levels in various conditions. Covers challenging terrain, different snow conditions, performance analysis, and advanced teaching methods. Duration: 8.5 days (68 hours). Available at Levi, Pyhä, Ruka, Ylläs.
• ISIA Stamp Certification Intermediate-level International Ski Instructor Association qualification achieved by completing Courses 1-3, a second-discipline module, avalanche safety course, three elective modules, and first aid training. Annual certification fee 15€. Holders appear in the ISIA Database and receive lift-ticket discounts at 27+ Finnish ski centers.
• ISIA Card Certification Advanced-level ISIA qualification requiring ISIA Stamp plus FINLAV LT2 course, two additional modules, and passing the ISIA Technique Test. Annual certification fee 20€. Recognized internationally across ISIA's 38 member countries.
• Alpine Skiing/Snowboard Module (Alppihiihto/lumilautailu-moduuli) Four-day discipline module covering sport technique fundamentals, teaching methodology, and skill practice. Provides qualification to teach beginner-level students and serves as ISIA-path discipline certification.
• Telemark Module 1 & 2 Four-day Telemark 1 and 2 modules for telemark instructor training. Module 1 covers basic teaching and skill development at beginner/intermediate level; Module 2 advances to advanced techniques in challenging conditions.
• Cross-Country Skiing Module (Maastohiihtomoduuli) Module covering traditional and skate skiing technique and teaching. Can be taken as a 4-day course, two 2-day modules (separate techniques), or a single 2-day module. Provides qualification for cross-country skiing instruction in ski schools.
• Adaptive Alpine Skiing/Snowboarding Module (Soveltava alppihiihto ja lumilautailu -moduuli) Four-day module for teaching skiers with hearing, visual, mobility, or comprehension support needs. Covers teaching methods, assistive equipment use, and adaptive techniques for various ability levels.
• Freestyle Module (Freestyle-moduuli) Two or four-day module for refining freestyle skills in park and slope environments. Covers freestyle culture, skills practice, and teaching methods for ski schools.
• Race Course Module (Ratalaskumoduuli) Module providing race course training fundamentals. Teaches giant slalom course riding, course construction for events, and speed-skiing teaching techniques. Includes video analysis and personal development planning.
• Avalanche Safety Module (FINLAV Pro1 + Rescue / FINLAV LT2) Avalanche safety courses including FINLAV Pro1 + Rescue (24+8 hours) for professionals and FINLAV LT2 (32 hours) for deeper expertise. Required for ISIA Stamp and Card qualifications. Delivered in partnership with the Finnish Ski Association (Ski.fi).
• Ski Patrol Course (SHKY:n Ski Patrol -kurssi) Ski Patrol training offered through Suomen Hiihtokeskusyhdistys (Finnish Ski Resort Association). Provides rescue and safety skills for ski patrol operations.
• SHOry Snow Camps (SHOry:n lumileirit) Customizable snow camps for skill practice and teaching development. Topics include interaction/communication, alpine/snowboard technique, pedagogy, and off-piste riding. Also serve as ISIA update days for active instructors.
• Custom Training Orders for Ski Schools and Resorts Bespoke group training programs ordered by ski schools and resorts for their staff, with pricing determined per order based on location, duration, and group size (maximum 12 participants per instructor).
• Winter Days (Talvipäivät) Member Event Annual member event hosted at Finnish ski resorts (Koli in 2025, Himos in 2026) combining training, networking, ISIA certification updates, lift passes, meals, and evening entertainment. Member and non-member pricing tiers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 38 countries recognize ISIA qualifications for ski instructors
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• ISIA (International Ski Instructor Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHOry is a member of ISIA, the international umbrella organization for ski instructors with 38 member countries. SHOry's training system is ISIA-audited and meets ISIA minimum standards. SHOry members can earn ISIA Stamp and ISIA Card qualifications and appear in the ISIA Database.
• Finnish Ski Association (Ski.fi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish Ski Association manages FINLAV avalanche safety courses that are part of SHOry's ISIA pathway. Also offers Ski Patrol training relevant to ski instructors.
• InterskiflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterski is the international congress for snow sports instructors held every 4 years. SHOry organizes participation in Interski events, with Demo Team Finland representing Finnish instructors at Interski Vail 2027.
• 27+ Finnish Ski CentersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki centers including Levi, Ruka, Ylläs, Vuokatti, Kalpalinna, and others offer lift ticket discounts (50-100%) to ISIA Stamp and ISIA Card holders. Discounts vary by center and certification level.
• Finnish Olympic CommitteeminorOthersSHOry maintains membership in the Finnish Olympic Committee as part of its organizational network.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Svenska Skidlärarföreningen (Swedish Snowsports Association): Swedish ski instructor association providing ISIA-aligned certification across Nordic and alpine disciplines. Regional peer with similar Nordic-climate operational context and ISIA pathway, but serving the Swedish market rather than Finland.
• NZSIA (New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance): New Zealand ski instructor certification body offering ISIA-aligned training. Regional peer with comparable certification structure but southern-hemisphere operating geography.
• APSI (Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors): Australian national ski instructor association offering ISIA-aligned certification. Regional peer operating in the southern hemisphere ski season, structurally similar but serving Australia rather than competing directly with SHOry in Finland.

Direct peers

• Austrian Ski Instructors Association (ÖSSV): Austrian national ski/snowboard instructor body offering ISIA-aligned certifications. Direct peer as an Alpine country ISIA member with similar training pathway structure and EU/EEA-relevant credentials.
• CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance): Canadian national ski instructor association with a tiered certification system and ISIA affiliation. Comparable to SHOry in providing internationally recognized instructor credentials and ongoing professional development.
• Swiss Snowsports: Swiss national federation for snowsport instructors, providing ISIA-compliant training and certification across alpine disciplines. Direct peer as a country-level ISIA member with regulatory recognition and modular instructor education.
• BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors): UK national ski and snowboard instructor association offering ISIA-aligned certification pathways. Directly comparable as a country-level ISIA member body providing modular instructor training, certifications, and member services — analogous to SHOry but in the UK.
• PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America & American Association of Snowboard Instructors): The largest US ski/snowboard instructor association, offering tiered certification (Level 1-3) and member education similar to SHOry's Instructor 1-3 pathway. Directly comparable as an ISIA-affiliated national instructor training body.

Broad incumbents

• École du Ski Français (ESF): France's dominant ski school operator with a much larger footprint, providing instructor training and on-mountain instruction. Broad incumbent in the same snow-sports instruction category, but operating as a commercial ski school chain rather than a national certification association.

Others

• Interski: International umbrella federation of which SHOry is a member. Functions as the standards body and congress organizer rather than a direct training competitor; included for ecosystem/standards context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Hiihdonopettajat
• Instagraminstagram.com/finnishsnowsportinstructors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/suomen-hiihdonopettajat-ry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Suomen Hiihdonopettajat