8 Week Fast Track Level 1 & 2 Ski Instructor Course

Course Type Career Break | Ski Instructor
Dates 4th Jan-1st March
Price From £6440
Venue Canada - Panorama
Qualifications CSIA Level 1 & 2 Instructor Certification
Add Flights? Add flights for £550 Heli, for £660

About the Trip

This intense, 8-week ski instructor course is the fastest way to complete your Level 1 and 2 CSIA instructor tickets.

Panorama has some of the best-advanced terrains in Canada. It is home to not one but numerous “Hall of Fame” Level 4 instructors. It is perfect for those who are short on time, short on funds or for the more advanced skiers who have the skill-set to push themselves.

You’ll receive over 120 hours of dedicated Winter Sports coaching during your course, which is only four days less than the 11-week program! Also included are all CSIA modules and exams for levels 1 and 2, meaning there are no extra costs to pay. Additional days are included for shadow teaching with the ski school, as well as your AST 1 Avalanche Awareness course, which helps provide you with the skills to safely go off-piste, venture into the Taynton Power Bowl and ride the Monster on your days off.

At the end of the course, there is an option to join an incredible 3-run x Heli Day so that you can experience untracked deep powder skiing and put your new skills to the test.

If the Junior World Championships & Red Bull have endorsed this stunning resort, it’s certainly good enough for us.

Features

Over 110 hours of intense training!

Level 4 “Hall of Fame” instructors.

The 4th biggest vertical in Canada.

Home of the 2022 Junior World Championships.

Biggest slope-side hot pools in BC.

No lift queues, no problem

Guaranteed job interview for the following winter

Benefits

Gain your Level 1 & 2 in the shortest time possible, from some of the best instructors in the game.

Streamline your costs, no nonsense training package = More money in your back pocket to Bolt-On another resort or some back country training.

You’ll be pushed to your limits by varied & challenging terrain.

Click to see what the fuss is about!
Accommodation
About the location
Meal Plan
Testimonials

Invermere Inn & Apartments

Both residences are located in the Canadian working town of Invermere, not far from the Lake, which is host to the largest ice skating rink in the world, according to the Guiness Book of World records! It’s also only 25 mins from Panorama and has some excellent accommodation with the bus stop conveniently located right outside. Supermarkets or eateries are evenly spread amongst Invermeres town centre.

There are spacious two-person rooms as standard in apartments or hotel rooms with large double beds. For those wanting more privacy, it’s also possible to get a single room with or without cooking facilities for a relatively affordable amount. Book early, though, as places tend to go quickly.

Panorama is a hidden gem of a resort – an Alpine-style, ski-in-ski-out hideaway nestled deep in British Columbia’s Purcell mountains. Panorama has a village feel, but it’s far from sleepy.

With a vast ski area and choice of terrain on offer – including one of the largest vertical drops in North America and the powder heaven that is Taynton Bowl – there’s enough to keep your adventure going for months, no matter what your level.

If the Taynton Bowl isn’t enough, you can head to the Extreme Dream Zone. This is located on the front side of the Taynton Bowl and is all double black diamond terrain, with tight trees and big moguls. And not forgetting Never Never Land – Panorama’s longest trail at 5.5km long. It starts at the top of the Taynton Bowl as a double black diamond steep, narrow gully before winding out onto a fast groomed, tree-lined run that leads into the Village.

Then there’s Rockstar Terrain Park, 1km long with over 6 acres of terrain. Rockstar is littered with massive jumps, tabletops, kickers, boxes and rails. The park is located off the Mile 1 express on the Powder trail.

Cater for yourself in Invermere either in self-catered apartments or choose from one of the eateries in town. As well as a 10-15% discount at all resort-owned restaurants, bars and cafes. A great mix of takeaways and restaurants can be found in Invermere to keep you well-fuelled up for the following days. In addition, group meals will be arranged for big get-togethers in the resort, town, or at the Grey Wolf Lodge.

Mike O Shea

Absolutely mega, do it !

I just returned from a mega seven weeks with Wintersport’s in Canada! I have held the ambition of being a ski instructor since the first lockdown of doom. As soon as I chatted with Rik on the phone, I knew Wintersports was the company to go with, his warmth and enthusiasm were infectious. I am convinced Emma is bionic; her organisational skills were superb. All the dross of booking flights and sorting the correct travel documents were handled by her with ease. On these sorts of trips, you always expect to get a few problematic folks, but everybody on the course was fantastic. The group was small enough to get to know everyone really well but large enough to do your own thing if you wished. Before going to Canada, I thought I had matured into a sensible drinker who knew his limits. Sorely mistaken was I; the T-Bar and Ullabar were watering holes that were frequented often. The spacious rooms meant I could always find my time when the social battery drained. Now onto the skiing; it was fantastic. The snow is better than in the alps. Period. The instructors were balletic in the masterful control of their skis. It was inspiring to watch. All of them were super friendly and genuinely interested in making our skiing as good as possible.
Mike O Shea

Training Package

Level 1 and 2 Training

120 hours of on snow training is provided by CSIA level 3 & 4 instructors. Level 1 and 2 course conductors mentor the programme, take training and provide tailored one-to-one feedback as you prepare for the exams.

CSIA Level 1 ski instructor exam

The level 1 CSIA course and exam is included in the price. The course runs for 3 days with the first 2 days dedicated to instruction and the final day put aside for the on snow assessment.

CSIA Level 2 Development Modules and Exams

There are 2 separate 2-day modules to complete before taking the L2 exams. Each module is provided by the CSIA and helps to fine-tune both your skiing and teach technique, and are fantastic non-assessed courses. The 2-day CSIA L2 exam is scheduled for the final week. Both modules and exam are scheduled into your 8 weeks and included in the price, they can be removed should you wish to just train ($935)

AST 1

Included in the course is the Canadian Avalanche Level 1  course, which will help prepare you for the hazards associated with going off-piste.

Shadow Teaching

All participants have the opportunity and are encouraged to shadow the sports school on days off from pro-coaching. Shadowing real lessons helps prepare trainees for exams and provides observational experience in a mountain environment.

Heli-Skiing

After the level 2 exams, an optional guided heli-skiing trip (approx cost £660) is arranged with RK Heli-ski at the end of the course. All heli-skiing equipment is provided (powder skis/poles) and powder-pack including transceiver and other back-country equipment.

Cat Skiing

Take the easy trip up to the T bowl, for your first off piste and powder run.

Visa Assistance & Guaranteed Work Interview

We have partnerships and connections with several sports schools across the world and offer a guaranteed interview with Panorama for the following season after the successful completion of your Level 2. We also provide two further guaranteed interviews at resorts in both Canada and Japan. Comprehensive advice and assistance is given to all Winter Sports clients when applying for working holiday visas.

Snow Ready Fitness Plan

Created for Winter Sports by a personal trainer & instructor, this 8-week pre-season fitness programme targets the muscle groups used in skiing & snowboarding and will make sure you are snow-fit in time for the start of your course.

Weekly Schedule

Professional coaching is provided four days a week, typically on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. Wednesdays and weekends can be spent shadowing ski school & free skiing. However, you will receive a training guide in the lead-up to the course.

Week One

Settling in, exploring and introduction to being a ski instructor

Week Two

CSIA Standards – Ski improvement and technique – including video analysis.

Week Three

Continued improvement & CSIA Level 1 course and exam

Week Four

AST 1 and L2 Teaching experience, bumps and medium & short radius turns

Week Five

Level 2, all-mountain, freestyle and intermediate parallel

Week Six

Teaching practice for bumps and L2 Module

Week Seven

Level 2 Module, exam and Heli Day

"Panorama 2022-7 Weeks of action packed fun"

James Kempa 2022
"The resort itself was brilliant offering a large variety of terrains to improve your skills on, also a large powder bowl great for weekend shredding. there are good facilities on the resort with a few options for food and drinks and well as outdoor hot-pools great for relaxing in after a long day of training. I am hoping to return this season to work at Panorama!"

Bolt on courses

An average of 30 hours of training and coaching time per week, over a 10 week programme. Training is delivered by BASI pro instructors, typically Monday- Friday. This schedule is a guide and may be subject to change depending on conditions and the requirement of the group. For those who pass BASI level 2 there is potential for employment as an instructor, subject to interview.

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

Learn and equip yourselves with the knowledge and confidence to understand the conditions ahead and to make that often critical decision.

Companion Rescue Skills

This course is a refresher for those with previous AST 1 training, and an effective way to build on those rescue skills learned. One-day course.

CASI Park Level 1

Candidates on the course will spend time exploring snowboarding technique and teaching methods as they relate to introductory terrain park and freestyle snowboarding.

Basic First Aid Course

For the 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work Course, attendees are taught a mixture of both practical and theory. You’ll learn how to examine a casualty, familiarize yourself with basic life support and learn how to control bleeding and trauma.

Revelstoke Steep & Deep

Make the Pilgrimage, learn to ski deep on the most vertical mountain resort in North America, with over 1,700 metres of elevation, filled with pure heaven to enjoy. A real bucket list item

Heli-Ski/Board (1 day experience)

Landing on top of the world in a deserted, pristine snowfield with endless untouched slopes will, without a doubt, be one of the best feelings you will ever experience.

Paragliding

This amazing experience combines the air and the snow, an original and extremely fun experience – with both a wing and skis you can carve down the slopes and then take to the air.

Sled-Mobile

Enhance your CV and give the resort director another reason to hire you. Gain your BCSF smart sledding course certificate and use it for future employment.

Banff Blow Off

Its not quite Ibiza but its a good night out and access to some new terrain for the days we are there, taking in the new runs on Sunshine & Lake Louise.

Ski & Board Tech Tips

This course covers routine tuning, maintenance, fitting and basic repair work.

Ice Skating

At over 30km in length, the Whiteway is the largest ice rink in the world, offering ice-skating as well as groomed skate and classic cross-country ski trails.

Intro to Ski Touring

Equip yourself with the knowledge of a ski mountaineer, learning the first steps to glacier travel and crevasse rescue. Learn about steep ski techniques, steep snow climbing, belays, rappels and snow anchors.

Guided Backcountry Tours

Explore Panorama backcountry with a local professional guide.

Off Piste & Powder Training

Offers a blend of coaching geared toward boosting your technique in deep snow, giving you the ability to charge through powder with confidence.

What is included

Panorama Skiing

Panorama enjoys over four months of regular snowfall, which delivers light, dry powder. From early December to mid-April, skiers and snowboarders can ski big vertical, gladed areas and powder bowls. Guests in Panorama enjoy 3000 acres of varied terrain that includes beginner and intermediate trails, epic double-black diamond zones, and the Rockstar terrain park.

Transfers

Outbound and return transfers are included from Calgary Airport as standard with all bookings, subject to arrival times if booking your own flights.

Accomodation

Single room: £7200
Double room: £6350

Meal Plan

Meals are not included, but discounts are readily available throughout Invermere and the resort with the WSC card. Budget approx CAD$80-150 per week depending on your culinary skills.

Season Lift Pass

Your lift pass is season long. This means if you decide to add additional weeks, your lift pass will be valid.

Lift pass benefits include discounts in selected shops and restaurants and on some activities, equipment rentals, maintenance and repairs.

Resort Representative

A rep is in the resort to oversee the course. Reps are knowledgeable about the resort, qualifications and training and have often taken part in the course previously.

Training Package

Includes 20 hours of training per week

CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor Exam

CSIA Level 1 is the first big step to becoming a ski instructor. The qualification is split into three main components; your teaching of skiing, your own technical skiing and your people skills. The exam is three days long, and you are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

CSIA Level 2 Development Modules and Exams

The Level 2 ski instructor certification is for advanced skiers who have passed the Level 1 certification. The course enables ski instructors to improve their situational teaching skills and to better understand CSIA technique and methodology and the role of ski teaching within the ski industry.

CSIA Membership

Regular Members enjoy a wide-variety of Member Benefits including Pro Deals, General Liability Insurance and Accident, Death and Disability coverage.

AST 1

Learn and equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to understand the conditions ahead and to make that often critical decision.

Cat Skiing

Cat skiing is a form of backcountry exploration, taking you away from the borders of controlled ski areas to ride through untouched powder. Take a ride to the top of The Taynton Bowl.

Not Included

FLIGHTS (add flights for an extra £550)
MEALS (lunches and Weekends)
INSURANCE
ANCILLARY BOLT-ON COURSES
EQUIPMENT OR RENTAL
HELI SKIING (Add Heli Skiing for approx £660)
BACKCOUNTRY (3-14 day Backcountry experiences are also possible at the end of this course.)

Book Your Course Today

The only complaint we had last year was that they wanted to stay out longer. So we listened and made this 7-week success into an 8-week programme giving you more time to rest, free ski or sign up for more Bolt-ons. We are constantly tweaking and improving. With a 100% pass rate last year at Level 2, excellent accommodation, fantastic mountain terrain and competitive prices this no-nonsense course is proving hard to compete with.

Hold My Place

Dates & Prices

Dates Accommodation Double Room Single Room Flights

4th Jan to 1st March

Invermere Inn & Apartments

£6440

£7350

+£550

FAQ

Find out all of the most frequently asked questions