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 an 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 2 or 4 person bedroom. 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 sharing a dorm style/shared room, with a range of facilities and amenities close to hand including, WiFi, kitchen, lounge, swimming pool and laundry facilities.
11 Week 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, and start to think about whether you want to continue to take the Level 2 or take on the All Terrain Programme and work on your personal skills.
Week 6 – Develop your dynamic skiing and carving skills under our team’s expert tuition.
Week 7 – Continue with your off-piste skills development and begin your Level 2 training.
Week 8 – Gain further experience on an all-mountain terrain, focusing on freestyle elements and instructor training.
Week 9 – Start working on demonstration techniques, as well as testing yourself with drops and trees in open terrain.
Week 10 – Further private lessons and preparation for the imminent Level 2 exam.
Week 11 – Level 2 CSIA exam which lasts for 5 days. Time to celebrate upon completing, and making plans to travel the world with your new qualification.
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! Each excursion is worth a certain number of credits, each being worth $10. Included in your course package are 25 credits which you can spend any way you wish, and can also be topped up if you decide to get involved in more activities, thus allowing you to pick and choose exactly what you do in your spare time!
On the second night of your course you will attend a presentation by the Course Director who will go over the course calander and explain which extra excursions are available and how to book up.
Excursions available:
Banff
• Cat Skiing/ Boarding
• Avalanche Safety Training
• Snowmobiling
• Night skiiing
• Support Local Hockey Team at Hockey matches
• Weekend Trip to Revelstoke Mountain Resort
• Weekend trip to Fernie.
• Day trip to kicking horse resort
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
