Ski & Snowboard Instructor Course (CSIA Level 1) in Canada, Fernie

Ski and Snowboard Instructor Course
What better location to complete you CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance) qualification that the epic Canadian Rockies! This 5 week course will push your personal skills to new levels, by taking to the slopes under the expert guidance of our experienced course leaders and instructors, as well as giving you the platform to kick start your career in snow sports by gaining your CSIA Level 1 Instructor qualification.

5 Week Ski or Snowboard Instructor Course
Through daily lessons from our awesome professional instructors, who are all qualified to at least CSIA Level 3 or 4, you will receive the perfect training experience throughout your 5 weeks on the course. Over what is only a relatively short period of time, our dedicated team will transform your basic snow skills, techniques and knowledge, whilst also teaching you the best ways to pass your new skills and techniques onto other budding skiers and boarders.

Whether you are an aspiring snow sports instructor, or simply want to build on your own skills and experience, this 5 week programme will give you all you need to take the next step on and off the snow. As well as working on your instructor skills and personal technique in the comfort of the on-piste locations, you will also have the opportunity to explore the whole mountain as you experience the fresh Rockies powder in a range of off-piste excursions.

As well as some awesome skiing and snowboarding activities, you will also have plenty of free time to take advantage of the incredible social life on this course! “Never a dull moment” is a bit of an understatement, as you will no doubt be overwhelmed with the activities available to you, that can include cat-skiing, ice-hockey matches, husky-sledging, igloo camps and more!

Location of Your Instructor Course
This course is currently available at a choice of two amazing destinations depending on personal preference. The first location is the well established and highly sought after destination of Fernie in British Columbia. Fernie offers the longest vertical in the Canadian Rockies as well as a huge amount of snowfall.

The second location is Banff in Alberta. This is a particularly popular destination for gap year participants due to a drinking age of 18yrs+, so those on their gap year will have the flexibility to head out socialising with their fellow participants without the constraints of age restrictions. On this programme you will have access to three impressive separate sites, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay.

Gap Year and Career Break Skin and Snowboard Courses in Canada
Back dramatic improvements to your ski or snowboard skills, make awesome new friends with like minded people, and gain a qualifications that could be the stepping stone into an amazing new career! This could be the best and most constructive 5 weeks of your life. What a way to spend your gap year, career break or student holiday!

Please contact us for specific dates for the year you are interested in.

Jan – Feb
Feb – Apr

Visa
British Nationals will not require a visa to enter Canada for up to 180 days. You can check your visa requirements by visiting the Canadian Government website.

Locations
We offer our incredible Ski and Snowboard Instructor Courses in two of the most sought after destinations in the Canadian Rockies. Each of the awesome towns that we run our courses in are famed for being a true part of the snow culture, that Canada has gained worldwide recognition for. We currently operate in two distinct locations in Canada, each offering the same amazing courses, in a different setting with different benefits that will attract a different type of person.

Fernie, British Columbia
Fernie is top destination for skiers and snowboarders, and is regularly the most popular destination for course participants of all ages and levels of experience. Fernie is famed for its outstanding powder, steeps and trees to get your heart racing, and a beautiful laid back culture due to the un-commercial, friendly nature of this dazzling ski town.

• Fernie regularly has the highest level of snow fall in Canada, with an average of 29ft per season, which is the reason that world famous Fernie powder!
• Fernie has the largest single resort ski area in the Canadian Rockies, and also the longest vertical so hold onto your hats!
• Fernie has won a host of accolades, such as Top North America Resort, North America’s Coolest Town, and Best Ski Town in Canada.

Banff, Alberta
Banff is a fantastic, lively ski town which is nestled deep in a beautiful national park setting in Alberta. Making for some stunning scenery as well as some of the top slopes in Canada, this fun-loving town is truly alive. Banff is made up of 3 separate ski resorts, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Norquay, and combined these 3 resorts make up the largest ski area in Canada.

• On a Sporting Opportunities instructor course in Banff you will have the unique opportunity to train at all 3 ski resorts, making for a hugely diverse and exciting experience.
• Due to the 3 resorts, Banff has a lively, party town atmosphere with lots of fun and interesting things going on.
• The drinking age in Alberta province is 18yrs+, which makes Banff an excellent location for gap year travellers looking to enjoy a bit of freedom and to let their hair down on their time off.

Accommodation
Fernie, British Columbia
Accommodation in Fernie is located at a purpose built 40+ bedroom ski lodge in the heart of the town. Participants taking part in the instructor course in Fernie will have their own queen size bed in a comfortable single, 2 or 4 person bedroom (please see Arrival Dates for room prices). All the rooms are en-suite, and all participants have access to a range of awesome facilities, such as restaurant, lounge, kitchen, bar, movie room, games room, sauna, and a ski lodge would not be complete without a hot tub for relaxing those aching limbs after a long day on the slopes.

Banff, Alberta
The accommodation in Banff is located in hotels and hostels in the town centre. Being centrally located the accommodation provides easy access to the local amenities in the town centre, and also provides a great base for nights out and partying with your fellow participants. Participants on the instructor course in Banff will be placed together in either the hotel or the neighbouring hostel, so you will never be on your own in this buzzing ski town. You will be in a comfortable single, 2 or 4 person bedroom (please see Arrival Dates for room prices), with a range of facilities and amenities close to hand including, WiFi, kitchen, lounge, swimming pool and laundry facilities.

Weekly Course Structure
Week 1 – Settle in to your new surroundings, explore the local area and start your ski or snowboard lessons.
Week 2 – Work on your technique, stance & balance with our professional instructors.
Week 3 – Prepare for your CSIA Level 1 exam with private lessons.
Week 4 – Work on your off-piste skills and practice your teaching/coaching skills, developing your own style.
Week 5 – CSIA Level 1 exam. Prepare for some cracking celebrations upon completion!

Work Experience and Job Prospects
During your time on your ski or snowboard instructor course in Canada you will have a range of opportunities to gain experience in an instructor’s environment as part of the local community days that give our course participants the chance to coach kids on the slopes.

As part of the package all participants are invited to attend job seminars which will outline the options available to qualified ski and snowboard instructors post course completion. For those taking part in the 3 week Level 1 Instructor course, the course takes place in November, before the season begins, so this will give you plenty of opportunities to find some paid work in Canada for the remainder of the season.

Extra Excursions
Your time in Canada is about much more than gaining your instructor qualification, and we have developed a wide selection of extra excursions to make sure you experience life on the slopes to the max! Depending on availability and the timing of your trip excursions may include:

Banff
• Cat Skiing/ Boarding
• Avalanche Safety Training
• Snowmobiling
• Night skiing
• Support Local Hockey Team at Hockey matches

Evening Courses
• Yoga
• Indoor Climbing

Fernie
• Cat Skiing/ Boarding
• Split Boarding
• Back Country Ski Touring
• Avalanche Safety Training
• Winter Camping
• Snowmobiling
• Night skiing
• Lake Ice Skating
• First Aid Course
• Photography Workshop
• Support Local Hockey Team at Hockey matches
• Build your own ski’s workshop

Evening Courses
• Yoga
• Sports Massage
• Language Courses
• Indoor Climbing

Accommodation
All instructor course participants will be accommodated in either a ski lodge, hotel or hostel, depending on course location. Facilities include, shared rooms, kitchen and lounge, hot tub, sauna and bars & restaurants.

Food
Breakfast (continental) is provided 5 days per week, Monday – Friday. Dinner is provided 4 days per week, Monday – Thursday. You will have to budget for lunches and weekend meals. We recommend a budget of approx. $230 per week to cover basic food costs, however this could be cheaper if participants make packed lunches using the kitchen facilities provided in accommodation.

Airport Pick-up
A member of our in-country team will be there to meet you at the airport on arrival and transfer you to your accommodation. Airport transfers are only available on the start date provided.

Professional Coaching
5 weeks of professional coaching and one-to-one sessions, weekly technical sessions, video analysis, career advice, and coaching experience in local ski school.

Level 1 Exam Fees
The CSIA Level 1 examination fees are covered.

Lift & Ski Passes
Lift and ski passes are provided for your resort locations, for the duration of your course.

Training
All pre-departure advice is provided, as well as a comprehensive orientation and induction on arrival in-country.

Support
24 hour support and guidance from our in-country team.

Flights; Insurance; Ski/Snowboard kit; Lunches and Weekend meals; Working Holiday Visa (required if planning to work after the course); Any additional spending money for social activities.

Preferred Duration
This is an 5 week course, so participants are required to take part for the full 5 weeks.

Pre-requisites
Participants can range from beginners to more experienced skiers or snowboarders, as everyone is put into a group to match their level. You should have a keen interest in skiing or snowboarding.

Ideal For
Ski and Snowboard Gap Year and Career Breaks; Ski and Snowboard Instructor Courses; CSIA Level 1 Qualification; Winter Ski Seasons in Canada; Holidays in Canada; Ski Resort Work in North America.