Ari Marttila
Alpine Ski Instructor · PDS Snowsport
Ski & Snowboard School, Zermatt, Switzerland.

0
Years of Skiing Experience
0
Years of Ski Instruction
0
Languages of Ski Instruction

Ari & The Call of the Slopes

An alpine skiing instructor with over 60 years of skiing experience. Winters in Zermatt and Cervinia, summers in Tampere.

Unforgettable Days in the Alps.

Personal ski instruction in Zermatt- on slopes where the scenery is every bit as breathtaking as the skiing itself.

Ari Marttila was eight years old when his skis first carried him into the snowy landscapes of Ruka, Finland. That was the beginning of a love story with skiing spanning over 60 years. The call of the slopes has stayed with him throughout his life.

In 1990, Ari joined the Ruka Ski School and completed his first ski instructor qualification. It opened the door to teaching, but skiing itself had already held a special place in his heart long before that – and it still does today. Over the years, Ari has shared his skills as an instructor for around ten years in total, sometimes more, sometimes less, but always with passion.

In 2022, the call of the mountains took him to Méribel, France, where he pursued an international qualification in the Three Valleys. Then, in November 2023, the journey continued to Zermatt, Switzerland, where he joined PDS Snowsport as a ski instructor, in the shadow of the Matterhorn. During the winter seasons, Ari is based in Zermatt and Cervinia, teaching in Finnish, English and Spanish.

Summers are spent back home in Finland. From June to September, Ari leads ski technique camps in Tampere, welcoming skiers of all levels – whether the goal is mastering the first turn or adding the finishing touches to your technique and speed.

And in winter, the call leads to Zermatt: join PDS Snowsport to learn, improve and share the joy of skiing with Ari on the slopes.

At 68, Ari knows one thing for certain: you may be an instructor for ten years, but you remain a skier for the rest of your life. And the slopes are still calling.

0
CAMP WEEKS
0
DAYS / CAMP
0
PRICE (€)

Camp Weeks & Dates

Registration closes one week before each camp. Weather permitting.

CAMP FEE €50 · 2 DAYS / PERSON

Includes training, coaching, photo and video material, and a water bottle.

Kaleva Sports Park
Grass field · Tampere · Weather permitting
WHAT TO BRING
• Sportswear + running shoes
• Large towel
• Ski poles
• Personal accident insurance

Summer Ski Camps in Tampere. Six Modules. One Strong Foundation.

Every camp is built around the same comprehensive approach. The goal is to develop skiing skills, balance and confidence – making the transition back to the snow easier. The content is adapted to each participant’s starting level and goals.

Fundamentals, technique and off-season training — all in one package. From beginners to advanced skiers. No age limit.

01 THE FOUNDATIONS OF SKIING

Balance, body position and weight transfer form the foundation of good skiing. We practise the movements that build the foundation of your technique.

Better control, smoother turns and greater confidence on the slopes. Personalised coaching and video feedback help you see what to focus on to improve your skiing.

Good skiing technique comes from movement and balance. We practise coordination, mobility and body control – both on and off the skis.

The right equipment supports learning and makes skiing easier. We explore the role of skis, boots and other gear, along with how to maintain them.

A good skier controls their speed, line and surroundings. We practise safe movement and decision-making on the slopes and in the snow.

Summer training is all about preparing for winter. We explore how to continue training, prepare for the season and make the most of your first days back on the slopes.

+358 45 263 2446 (FI · WhatsApp)
+41 76 779 0102 (CH · WhatsApp)
ari@zermattski.net

WINTER · ZERMATT & CERVINIA

PDS Snowsport

In Zermatt, Switzerland and Cervinia, Italy. Ski instruction in Finnish, English and Spanish.

PDS Snowsport

Zermatt · Matterhorn Ski Paradise

360 kilometres of pistes. Two countries. One unforgettable ski experience.

Discover the breathtaking world of Zermatt and Cervinia, where skiing takes you across the Swiss and Italian Alps, beneath the iconic Matterhorn.

From perfectly groomed pistes to high alpine glacier landscapes, every day brings new opportunities to explore, improve your skiing and enjoy the mountains.

Skiing in the shadow of the Matterhorn.

Zermatt and Cervinia form one of the largest and most spectacular ski areas in the Alps, with around 360 kilometres of pistes connecting Switzerland and Italy.

With Ari as your instructor and guide, discover the best of the mountain, find the right slopes for your level and make the most of every day on the snow.

Zermatt has won the Best Ski Resort Report 2026 comparison for the fifth time, based on reviews from 50,000–60,000 visitors.

Reviews

Authentic reviews from PDS Snowsport’s VIP ski lessons and guided tours in Zermatt and Cervinia.
Read more reviews on tripadvisor

The Best Decision!

We booked a two-day guided ski tour with PDS and had an excellent experience from start to finish. Both our guides were fantastic.

On the second day, Ari planned an incredible day for us. The conditions were perfect, and we were able to ski through the glacier paradise around the Matterhorn and make our way to Cervinia for lunch.

Ari was extremely knowledgeable, shared interesting facts about the mountains and was incredibly patient with our group. On the first day, we skied with Simon in more challenging weather conditions, but he made the very best of it.

I highly recommend PDS, and especially Ari and Simon, if you are looking for an unforgettable guided skiing experience!

Clarissa R, 23 April 2026 · VIP Ski Lesson · Zermatt

Excellent Lessons and Guiding Services

My daughter and I recently returned from a skiing trip to Zermatt. While we were there, we booked a full-day ski lesson and a guided trip to Cervinia. Both experiences were with Ari, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.

He provided well-planned exercises to improve our carving skills and understood my limitations while keeping things interesting for my experienced 18-year-old daughter.

He was kind enough to record videos of our lessons for us to use later. As an experienced sailor, Ari noticed the wind was picking up and took us back to the Swiss side before the lifts closed.

PDS was easy to deal with, and I would recommend them to anyone.

Mark R, 12 April 2026 · VIP Ski Lesson · Zermatt

The Grandchildren’s First Ski Trip – The Swiss Alps, Zermatt

Our ski trip to Zermatt was an unforgettable experience. I took my four grandchildren skiing for the first time and booked the trip through PDS Snowsport. What made the experience truly amazing was our ski instructor, Ari Marttila.

My grandchildren, aged 18, 16, 13 and 10, had never skied before. Ari was a true professional and an exceptionally kind person – punctual, and always keeping us informed.

He took the time to work with each child, helping them feel safe and encouraging them along the way. He filmed videos throughout the day and sent them to us that evening, complete with his own comments.

The experience was so wonderful that we booked another full day with him. If you have children and are looking for an excellent ski instructor, I highly recommend Ari Marttila.

Carlos C, 6 April 2026 · VIP Ski Lesson · Zermatt

Mahtava kokemus Arin kanssa!
Matkustin hiljattain Zermattiin ja palkkasin Arin PDS Snowsportilta oppaakseni 1,5 päiväksi. Hän näytti minulle kaikki Matterhornin eri laskettelualueet ja antoi samalla hyviä neuvoja tekniikkaani. Otimme junan ylös Riffelbergiin ja laskimme alas Igloo-hotellille, minkä jälkeen jatkoimme Matterhorn Glacier Paradisen tutkimista. Ari tiesi aina, missä olivat parhaat olosuhteet, eikä koskaan kyllästynyt siihen, että pyysin pysähtymään valokuvaa varten! Mahtava kokemus, joka teki Zermattin-matkastani todella ikimuistoisen.

Starr2, 1.4.2026 · Boston, Massachusetts · VIP-hiihtotunti · Zermatt

Private Ski Lessons with Ari

My family and I had three half-day lessons with Ari, and we absolutely loved it. He was highly experienced both in teaching and in showing us around Zermatt.

We were all at different levels, and he was able to give each of us personalised feedback so we could improve. He also knew the mountain extremely well and showed us exactly the right slopes to practise on.

We loved the experience and his individual approach to teaching.

Aditya G, 9 March 2026 · Private Lesson 3 h · Zermatt

A Fantastic VIP Ski Day

We booked a full day of private ski lessons with Ari. I wanted to gain more confidence and improve my performance, and my husband joined me.

When we met Ari, I immediately felt at ease. He is so friendly and patient, and a truly excellent ski coach for all levels. He started at our level, helped us with our technique and corrected some bad habits we didn’t even realise we had. He was also an excellent mountain guide in Zermatt, taking us to areas suited to our ability.

I was expecting a basic “ski down the slope” kind of lesson. With Ari, we got demonstrations, follow-me runs and videos that showed our progress.

The PDS lessons were worth every penny – you won’t regret it. We will definitely book with him again.

cbblack1, 5 March 2026 · Chapin, South Carolina · VIP Ski Lesson · Zermatt

Translation Notice
This website uses automatic translation technology. While we aim to provide accurate translations, some wording or meaning may vary between languages. If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact us directly.

Back to top