The Association of Professional Teachers of Skiing and Ski Schools in the Czech Republic was founded in 1992 due to insufficient educational system of instructors working in commercial ski schools. This organization brings together professional ski teachers who meet the criteria necessary for working in commercial ski schools. At present, APUL associates over 3800 ski and snowboard instructors and 29 ski schools (which, due to their capacity, represents about 2/3 of this labour market).
In May 1994, APUL was officially accepted to the ISIA (International Ski Instructors Association). It closely cooperates with partner associations of other countries in the area of methodology and teaching system. Individual grades of APUL education (D, C, B and A courses) comply with ISIA international standards and are internationally recognized. APUL is also a full member of INTERSKI ČR.
ISIA determined specific conditions for its members that specify the scope and content of the education system of teachers. At ISIA congress in 1999 in Spain, a change of the ISIA statutes was adopted, which sets the obligation to meet the minimum standards in teachers’ education. This means observing the 450-hour limit of training lessons, inclusion of the "second instrument" lessons, teaching in at least one foreign language etc. Till today, no other ski instruction qualification granted in the Czech Republic has met these conditions, apart from APUL. Based on these facts, APUL has developed a new concept of education and has also obtained accreditation from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.
At present, APUL is the leader in the training of professionals in the area of winter sports in the Czech Republic. In the last 3 years, there have been many innovations in APUL's educational system, which relate to the content of lessons, teaching material, evaluation of courses, selection of lecturers and management of APUL itself. The APUL lecturers’ staff largely consists of professionals who work as winter sports instructors up to 10 months a year. The requirements placed on APUL lecturers' staff, which guarantees the world-class quality, is the best invitation to the APUL courses.
