Become a Ski or Snowboard instructor

There are many different ways to qualify as a ski or snowboard instructor and a few key things to consider. It’s an incredibly exciting path to take and the following information will help to set you on your way.

Qualifying as an instructor

One of your first considerations should be where you want to qualify and work as an instructor. There are many national instructor bodies that allow you to not only instruct in the country in which you gained your qualification, but also in many other countries around the world. The most popular qualifications that you may have heard of are Canada’s CSIA (for skiers) and CASI (for snowboarders), New Zealand’s NZSIA, Britain’s BASI and the US’s PSIA (for skiers) and AASI (for snowboarders).

The levels of qualification

Each of the above instructor bodies offer four levels of qualification. Generally speaking Level 1 allows you to teach beginner and novice skills, for BASI it only allows you to teach on artificial slopes, whereas for all the others you can teach on the mountain. Level 2 allows you to also instruct intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Levels 3 and 4 are far more technical and include instructor training (pedagogy).

Working overseas

Once at Level 2 standard under each of these bodies you will be eligible to work at ski schools in most countries, with the main exception being France. We find Western Canada to be the best place in the world to train as an instructor, due to its incredible terrain and snow conditions. By gaining Canada’s CASI or CSIA qualifications you will be in an excellent position to get a job in ski schools in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, USA and the UK, as well as Canada.

Quaranteed interviews with resorts of the Canadian Rockies

Every year Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) employ hundreds of ski and snowboard instructors at their four Western Canada resorts: Fernie, Kicking Horse, Nakiska and Kimberley. Due to the confidence that their Snow School Directors have in our graduates, RCR offer guaranteed interviews to anyone that successfully completes one of our Fernie based programs and gives them priority in the hiring process.

Fernie and Kicking Horse are renowned for their big mountain terrain and epic snow conditions, so this is an amazing opportunity to work in a truly world-class resort and progress your skills to the limit. Nakiska and Kimberley offer great skiing and more family friendly terrain, and subsequently have ski schools with plenty of work for aspiring rookie ski or snowboard instructors.

The value of work experience

On your Nonstop course, you can take part in work experience, which is extremely beneficial when you are applying for a ski or snowboard instructor job.

During our 11 week course, you will be able to shadow experienced instructors at the local ski school, where you'll learn new teaching techniques and get some hands-on experience. Having this on your CV will help you to stand out from the competition, and Ski School Directors will look favourably on the effort you have made.

Experience running your own lessons with community days

We believe in giving as much back to the communities that we operate in as possible and have come up with a project that kills two birds with one stone. Our Community Days in Fernie and Red Mountain are designed to get local residents, who don't usually ski or snowboard, onto the slopes. These residents live in the mountains but can't afford to ski. Therefore we have teamed up with local resorts so that they offer free lift passes and equipment and we provide our newly qualified instructors (that's you) for free.

The project has been a massive success. As well as getting more people on the hill, our newly qualified instructors benefit massively from teaching people without supervision for the first time.

"I just wanted to let you know that I am extremely impressed with the quality of instructors that Nonstop has trained and would be more than happy to review applications from graduates of the program. The ski pros that I have been able to recruit from Nonstop's program have delivered exceptional customer service, demonstrated a solid technical and teaching background and most importantly have shown what great people skills they have."
Mike Manara, Mt. Washington ski school director, BC.

Do you need a work visa?

It is only necessary to arrange a working visa if you intend to work outside of you country/territory of origin.

You do not need to arrange a visa if:

• You are taking part in an instructor course but don’t intend to work that season
• You have a British or European passport and intend to work in Europe

If you do intend to work in a foreign country, you need to arrange a work visa with that country before you make your travel plans.
Applying for a Canadian work visa. Enquire LUEX for more information.

Careers advice from the experts

As part of our Nonstop courses we offer a careers seminar. These are hosted by the Technical Director in your resort and often the local Ski School Director, plus past Nonstop clients come along to give their advice on how they got their jobs.

You'll get a first hand and realistic view of working as an instructor and you'll learn how to apply for an instructor job and get yourself known. You'll also get advice on visa applications, especially for those over 30, who need to be sponsored by a ski school.

Get a copy of the careers manual

At the end of your course you'll receive an extremely helpful manual that is a great introduction and will help you to get started in the ski or snowboard industry. It includes:

• Where to work | Where your qualifications are recognised
• Your dream job | Advice on applying for instructor positions
• Visas, costs & pay | Advice on securing visas, securing work and rates of pay
• Case studies | Ex-seasonnaires give advice on working as an instructor
• Winter sports schools | Contact details of over 60 ski schools in 8 different countries
• Sample C.V. | Preparing an effective resume

Instructor pay and perks

Basic pay. As a level 1 instructor in Canada you can expect to earn approximately $12 CAD an hour in your first season. You will work 5-6 days a week for 4-6 or so hours a day. You will get paid approximately double for private lessons and many instructors make quite a bit from tips. You can also get paid more if you are requested for lessons. Many ‘Rookie’ (1st season) instructors supplement their wage with another job; i.e. bar and restaurant staff. Not only does this bring in more money, it also allows you to make more friends in the resort. Although it doesn’t seem like you earn much, life out in Canada is much cheaper (rent, food, beer etc) so it is plenty to live off. Plus, you get to live, play and work in the snow – it’s a perfect lifestyle!

Cheap meals. As a member of the resort snow school, you will be able to get heavily subsidised meals in the main resort restaurants.

Equipment deals. With CSIA or CASI membership you’ll be able to save a substantial amount of money on the purchase of your equipment through pro deals. The exact value of savings varies between suppliers, but discounts for major equipment generally runs between 30-50% off the retail price.

Ski and Snowboard instructor qualifications

Canada is an awesome country to train as a ski instructor and their qualifications are widely regarded as one of the best in the world.

Gain internationally recognised qualifications

Full list of ski instructor qualifications:

• CSIA Level 1 (3 and 11 week courses)
• CSIA Level 2 (11 week courses)
• CSCF Entry Level Race Coach course (11 week courses)
• CFSA Snow Park Certification Course (11 week courses)

Snowboard Instructors (CASI) qualifications:

• CASI Level 1 (3 and 11 week courses)
• CASI Level 2 (11 week courses)
• CASI Park Instructor Level 1 (11 week courses)

Level 1 qualifications

For most popular instructor systems, Level 1 is the first of four qualifications. With CSIA/CASI you will be eligible to instruct beginners and novices on the mountain. We expect the vast majority of our trainees to gain their Level 1 qualification and to date we have an impressive 100% pass rate. There is a fair amount of work available for Level 1 CSIA/CASI instructors in Canada and USA. It is also possible to find work outside of the country in which you gained your qualification, but having Level 2 will open far more doors.

Level 2 qualifications

Qualifying for CSIA/CASI Level 2 is when you'll really step up a gear. You’ll learn to instruct high level techniques and will be eligible to teach intermediate and advanced riders. Level 2 examinations are demanding and will require dedicated focus and commitment throughout the course. We were pleased to achieve an impressive 93% pass rate! Level 2 is very well recognised around the world and although most of our clients return to instruct in Canada (because they fall in love with the copious amounts of snow, empty pistes and friendly people!) many use their qualifications to travel around the world.

Check out our range of Level 1 & 2 combined ski instructor courses:

In Canada: 11 week Fernie course, 11 week Banff course, 11 week Red Mountain course
In New Zealand: 11 week Wanaka / Treble Cone course

If you already have Level 1, we have Level 2 only courses:

Each qualification is divided into two

Each qualification is assessed in two halves: teaching and skiing. Over the course of your exams, you will have to demonstrate sufficient skill levels in both areas. If you happen to pass one half but not the other, you can easily schedule a re-sit for the half that you missed out on.

CSCF Race Coach Qualification

Skiers on our 11 week Canadian programs will have the opportunity to take the CSCF Race coach course. It is a popular three day course which will push your speed and free skiing techniques while developing coaching skills for introducing children to race techniques.

Freestyle instructor qualifications

The CFSA and CSIA Snow Park qualifications enable you to become a qualified freestyle coach able to instruct terrain park and flat land freestyle up to intermediate skill levels. The 3 day course is divided between developing your coaching methods and improving your kicker, rails, and flat land skills. Which certification you gain will depend on your chosen course location. We have used the best possible local instructor resources in each resort, capable of offering you the best freestyle qualification available. In Fernie candidates will take the CFSA course and all other resorts will take the CSIA course. They are viewed equally by employers

CASI Park instructor Level 1

On our 11 week programs snowboarders can take CASI Park Instructor Level 1. With this qualifications under your belt, you’ll be able to teach beginner and intermediate freestyle lessons, from a rider’s first ollie to perfecting their backside 360s. You’ll be assessed on both your teaching and your riding skills and need to smoothly and consistently perform all the basic freestyle moves - straight airs, a variety of grabs, frontside and backside 180s and 360s and pipe riding.

GT&C

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