Snowboard Internship with Guaranteed Job

Course Type Snowboard Internship
Dates 29th Nov-1st April
Price From £5700
Venue Canada - Various
Qualifications CASI Level 1 & 2 Instructor Certificate
Add Flights? Add flights for £450

About the course

Work an entire season and gain an internationally recognised CASI Snowboard Instructor qualification.
Head out to Canada at the start of the season and start working as a qualified snowboard instructor by Christmas. Interns train for CASI level 1 at either Sun Peaks or Panorama before beginning work at a resort of your choice in December. Once working for the sports school, training will continue with the snow school, and you will have the option to take CASI level 2 before the end of the season.
To apply for an internship, you must have the right to work in Canada. All interns obtain working holiday visas. These are available for many nationalities. Please visit our visa page for more information or contact us to determine if you’re eligible.
To be eligible for this internship, you must have the right to work in Canada or be able to get a working visa. If you are between 18 and 35, you may be eligible to apply for a holiday working visa. A visa specialist is available to assist with work permit applications 7 days a week. (Sorry, not 24hrs a day, though!)

Features

7 Day per week visa assistance by email, text or phone with our in-house visa expert.

3.5 weeks of Level 1 WSC training with CSIA module/exam.

Guaranteed seasonal winter job once you pass your Level 1. 100% pass rate. Instructors work for the snow school for a full season.

8 days of Level 2 training included.

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 included.

Pre-organised accommodation during your work phase.

Season lift pass and discounts in resort with your WSC Card.

Full season in Canada. Summer work available afterwards.

Benefits

Personalized service from start to finish with a smooth onboarding process.

Turn key operation. Guidance from start to finish with your visa application, police report, Biometrics, insurance, certification, equipment, banking, communication & clothing.

Trouble free and full support before, during and after the internship to find further employment.

Guaranteed positions BEFORE you have your visa secured.

Clock up your teaching hours to make your CV shine.

Enough Level 2 training included to give you the strongest advantage of passing your Level 2 exams.

Full season to do all the bolt-ons you want.

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

Slope-Side Accommodation in Resort

Hearthstone & Horsethief Lodges

We use centrally located hotels in the heart of the resort in both Sun
Peaks and Panorama. The ski-in and ski-out hotels are the ideal base for
training during the internship and have all the amenities you require
to make it a home-from-home – but with all the benefits of staying in a
hotel.

Occasionally (depending on your level of internship program), interns move straight into staff accommodation. In this
case the hotel facilities are still available for interns to use, and the
accommodation is paid for during the training period.

Facilities

Ski-in, Ski-out accommodation
Access to Outdoor Hot Tubs or
Free unlimited use of Panorama Thermal Hot Pools
A Gym at each resort
24 Hour Reception
Launderette
Lockable Ski Storage
Wifi
Housekeeping Service
Safety Deposit Boxes in the rooms
En-suite
Towels & Linens (changed weekly)
Hair Dryer
Thermostat Controlled Heating
Cable TV

Staff Accommodation

Staff housing is pre-arranged before the start of the internship. Staff
lodgings are in high demand in ski resorts and have a long waiting list,
as part of your internship, you are at the top of the list and have
guaranteed staff housing lined up before the start of the season.
Staff accommodation is payable by the intern, usually on a bi-weekly
basis once in the resort.

Panorama

Panorama is a hidden gem of a resort – an Alpine-style, ski-in-ski-out hideaway deep in British Columbia’s Purcell mountains. In 2020-2021 Panorama ranked top globally for the most space per skier. Put it this way there are 3000 beds in the resort and 3000 skiable acres (we’ll let you do the maths), meaning you never have to worry about overcrowded runs. Panorama has a village feel, but it’s far from sleepy.

There is a vast ski area and varied terrain on offer. It includes one of the most significant vertical drops in North America. The powder heaven is The Taynton Bowl – there’s enough to keep your adventure going for months, no matter 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 Wild Thing – Panorama’s longest trail at 6.5km long that leads back into the Village.

Then there’s The 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 Horse Shoe.

Hidden Valley

A small resort in the Cypress Hills Provincial Park near Elkwater, Alberta, this is a local’s ski hill. The Alberta provincial government owns and operates Hidden Valley and is open 5 days a week. You’ll live and work with like-minded people. Since the resort is closed two days a week, you’ll have the chance to explore as a group in other areas in Alberta, like Castle Mountain, to get that big mountain fix.

You’ll live in the small community of Elkwater, a short drive from Hidden Valley. Elkwater has a simple cafe, a restaurant in the hotel, a convenience store, and a village hall with a Pool table, a Fuzzball table, wifi, and games located in Cypress Hills lakes’ pretty surroundings parks.

You’ll soon be considered a local, and will benefit from the spirit of small-community living, easily finding ride-shares to the nearby city of Medicine Hat, where there are plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and a cinema.

Owned and operated by the Alberta Parks, Hidden Valley employees benefit from a high wage and regular hours. You will be guaranteed a minimum of 24 hours a week of work and in peak times will get 30.

Level 1 instructors at Hidden Valley are likely to earn more per hour as Alberta Parks currently own the resort. The latter has a higher minimum wage of around $18 per hour. You will also enjoy benefits such as complimentary lift passes for other alternatives (Castle Mountain) and further training opportunities.

Hidden Valley interns train for their CSIA level 1 at Panorama. They are transferred to Hidden Valley once qualified in mid-December for ten weeks. Further training is available at Hidden Valley. On your return to Panorama at the end of the season, you will receive a dedicated eight days of Level 2 training and the opportunity to take your Level 2 exam. If you are a snowboarder, there’s an excellent chance you will get your Level 1 ski, too, for free! 

Sun Peaks Resort

One of the largest ski areas in Canada – second to only Whistler Blackcomb – Sun Peaks is a ski-in ski-out resort nestled in the Kootenay mountains. It is considered Whistler’s beautiful sister, yet it doesn’t suffer from the same crowding issues. It’s big enough to party but small enough to get to know the locals – as an intern at Sun Peaks. Your workmates will become your second family. Sun Peaks is a great place to spend your first season. Most of our interns return to work here year after year.

Interns at Sun Peaks typically earn around $15-16 per hour and average approximately 15-20 hours of work per week – enough to cover rent and food. Anything leftover is a bonus.

Sun Peaks staff accommodation is a 20-minute walk (or a short free bus ride) from the centre of town and the main ski area. Most ski school staff are housed here, making for a great atmosphere. Sun Peaks has a bustling centre. With bars, shops, restaurants, a convenience store, and plenty of things to do – like ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiles and dog sled tours, to name a few. The winter community is large at Sun Peaks. With thousands of seasonal visitors, Peaks ride-shares to the local city of Kamloops are easy to find for cinema trips, shopping, and icem hockey games. So why not enhance your experience and take one of our Bolt-On trips to Revelstoke and Silverstar.

If it’s one thing we want you to do. It’s to stay fuelled up. Our slopeside accommodation has kitchenettes as a minimum standard offering, allowing you to cook for yourself if you don’t want to go out. We get it. Sometimes it’s nice to just relax and order a pizza or make yourself a big bowl of pasta and catch up on some Netflix. Regardless of your culinary skills, there are plenty of places to eat out in Sunpeaks village. Or, if you are over at Panorama, the free shuttle can take you to one of the eateries in Invermere. Whether you’re a vegetarian*, meat fiend, spice lover, or want something simple, there’s something for everyone.

*Please say if you have dietary requirements as we can advise which venue is best for you. Want to know what to budget? Then ask for a callback. We can give you a thorough idea of what you will spend throughout your season in Canada, along with all your living costs and the odd necessary cold beer after a hard day on the slopes.

“The Snowboard Instructors internship program at panorama is probably one of the best choices I have ever made. It’s a fantastic adventure and experience.” – Sylvian Lachance

“They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So picture this. Powder days in Tayton Bowl laying down some of the first tracks on untouched runs. People from all over the world brought together by a well deserved Jug of “hit the deck” at the end of the day. Some questionable decisions and late nights on the dance floor ! Breakfast buns and a coffee from the summit hut to keep you going the next day. As Rik would say. Feeling Olympic today ! The Winter Sports Company brought us all together and will always be cherished for inspiring confidence , forming friendships and sharing memories. Say Cheese and strike your pose. It’s your turn next.” –

Panorama 2021/2022
Chiara Lyn

 

Training Package

Level 1 Training

5 days a week, provided by CASI level 3 & 4 instructors. In addition, level 1 course conductors will take training and provide one-to-one feedback as you prepare for the level 1 exam.

Guaranteed lob

Upon completing the level 1 exam, you will enrol with the Snow School and begin working for the rest of the season. As a working snowboard instructor, you will receive a full uniform, a staff season pass, and a place in staff accommodation. In addition, other benefits such as discounts across the resort and deals and/or reciprocal lift pass at partner resorts in Canada (varies for each resort).

Further Training

Panorama & Hidden Valley interns receive 2 weeks of dedicated level 2 training at the end of the season.

In addition, sun Peaks Resort offer dedicated training sessions before the lifts open to the public each morning with the sports school.

CASI Level 1 Snowboard instructor exam

The level 1 course exam is included in the price.

Level 2 modules and exams are optional and can be booked directly with CASI upon completion of level 1. Level 2 costs approx $510.

CASI Membership & Instructor Licence

As part of your course, we enrol you with CASI. Membership for the year is included, and you will be provided with a login to the CASI-ACMS website, where you can sign up for other exams. Upon completion of level 1, you will be a licenced instructor.

Shadow Teaching

Shadowing real lessons is integral to training as an instructor and helps prepare trainees for exams. Working closely with the sports school,

participants can use free-ski days during training and once working on shadowing instructors.

Additional Training Option

Further certifications are available during the internship. Additional courses vary depending on the resort and include Avalanche Skills Training and Adaptive Snowsports.

Instructor Qualification, Race Coaching certification and Park course.

Visa Assistance & Guaranteed Work Interview

We have partnerships and connections with several sports schools worldwide. We offer a guaranteed interview with Panorama for the following season after successfully completing your Level 2. We also provide two further guaranteed consultations at resorts in Canada and Japan. In addition, comprehensive advice and assistance are 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. It will ensure you are snow-fit in time for the start of your course.

Weekly Schedule

Professional coaching is provided five days a week, typically Monday – Friday. Weekends can be spent shadowing ski school & free-riding.
Securing a Visa: Comprehensive visa application advice & support from a Working Holiday Visa specialist.

Before you depart: We put you in touch with the resort to get your official job offer & accommodation in place before you travel.

This schedule is a guide and may change. Full support and guidance are provided during immigration and setting up documentation to work in Canada. Training is provided by experienced level 3 & 4 CASI instructors who work closely with each individual and tailor the programme to the group. Video analysis is provided throughout the course.

Week 1

Settling in, activating work permit & Social Insurance Number, and set up a bank account. Introduction to ski instructing. Calming any egos and getting rid of bad “holiday riding habits.”

Week 2

Ski improvement and technique the CASI way – including video analysis. Looking after your kit – Board Tuning workshop. Consolidating the new technique.

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

Week 3

Final week level 1 training. Making the drills and technique consistent. Strengthening the building blocks for Level 2 preparation. Following into the CASI Level 1 exam before starting work for the Snow School.

Week 4

Snow School enrolment, staff orientation, & move to allocated staff accommodation with your new besties!

Week 5-19+

Work for the Snow School, additional Level 2 training & an option to take CASI Level 2 exams towards the end of the season.

"EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS !"

Chiara Lyn - 21 Jul 2021
"Lets talk customer service for a second ! The Winter Sports company is by far the most admirable company I have had the opportunity to work with. The team by definition is what you would expect. Patient , reliable and extremely informative."

Bolt on courses

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 recreational ice-skating, groomed skating, 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 & Sun Peaks Snowboarding

Panorama enjoys regular snowfall over four months, which delivers light, dry powder. As a result, skiers and snowboarders can ski extensive vertical, tree-lined areas and powder bowls from early December to mid-April. Guests in Panorama enjoy 3000 acres of varied terrain, which isn’t bad considering there are 3000 beds in the resort! That includes beginner and intermediate trails, epic double-black diamond zones, and the Rockstar terrain park. If it’s good enough for RedBull and the Junior World Championships, it’s good enough for us!

Sun Peaks: It gets the same weather systems as Whistler. Yet as these systems move inland, it gets drier and colder and inevitably dumps on Sun Peaks. Giving plenty of powder days across 3 Mountains, 4200ac of skiable terrain, but without the crowds and, as the name suggests, plenty of Bluebird days. With one of the largest terrain parks in western BC, you can’t help but feel it’s a giant fun park for everyone.

Flights

For maximum flexibility, internships can be booked with or without flights.

Flights typically depart from London, UK. However, flights from alternative airports can be arranged. Please contact us for a quote for this service.

Transfers

Outbound and return transfers are included from Calgary or Kamloops Airport as standard with all bookings, subject to arrival times if you book your flights.

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 up to 20% in selected shops and restaurants and on some activities, equipment rentals, maintenance and repairs.

Shared hotel accommodation

Enjoy Ski-in/ski-out accommodation at the Hearthstone (Sun Peaks) or Horsethief & Toby Creek Lodges (Panorama). Bedrooms accommodate 2 per room and benefit from a shared ensuite, TV, high-speed internet and storage.

Once qualified, you will stay in staff accommodation pre-arranged by the WSC.

Staff accommodation

Upon completion of level 1, interns move into staff accommodation. Placement in staff accommodation is arranged before the course start date. Staff accommodation is paid for by the intern on a bi-weekly basis once working for the sports school.

Meal Plan

During your Level 1 training, your meal plan will include four breakfasts and dinners per week. Once you move into staff accommodation, you will be paying for your food.

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 by Level 3 & 4 instructors. Some are straight from the CSIA “Hall of Fame”!

CASI Snowboard Level 1 Instructor Exam

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

CASI Snowboard Level 2 Exams

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

CASI Membership

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

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (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 mechanical 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 with the Monster X Cat.

Weekly Socials

From Pool Comp night, Campfire socials, or Ice skating on the largest Ice skating trail in the World to the often hilarious and infamous Music Bingo night at the local watering hole before busting shapes on the dance floor, there’s always something going on in or around the resort. Between these and the Bolt-Ons, you will have experiences to remember with new lifelong friends for the rest of your life.

Not Included

FLIGHTS (add flights for an extra £550)
MEALS outside of the Meal Plan (4 breakfasts and dinners)
INSURANCE
ANCILLARY BOLT ON COURSES
EQUIPMENT OR RENTAL
HELI SKIING (Add Heli Skiing for an extra £600)
BACKCOUNTRY (3-14 day Backcountry experiences are also a possibility at the end of this course.)

Book Your Course Today

Touch down in Canada and start training straight away. You’ll spend three weeks with CASI pro-instructors who will coach you toward becoming a CASI level 1 instructor. During this time you will stay in hotel accommodation with fellow trainees. This is the beginning of working and living in a resort.

Expect to quickly make friends with the locals and become part of resort life. After the CASI Level 1 exam in mid-December, qualified interns will be offered full-time paid employment with the Snow School for up to 16 weeks. Then, as you complete the Winter Sports Company training programme, you’ll move into your new digs at staff accommodation and become part of a professional on-snow team for the rest of the season.

Snowboard instructor interns have a real job with the Snow School, gaining valuable on-snow teaching experience. The work varies, from teaching children on the bunny hill to beginner adults and some all mountain teaching. You’ll be encouraged to continue your self-development and train towards level 2 around working hours. Most interns complete the season as CASI level 2 instructors.

Applications are now being taken for our snowboard instructor internships. As long as your country participates in the IEC program, there is no restriction on nationality to apply for an internship – all we require is you to have the right experience and the right to work in Canada. In addition, most of our interns obtain working holiday visas. These are available for 18 to 30/35-year-olds. Visit our visa information page to find out if you’re eligible.

Winter Sports Company provides free assistance seven days a week to all interns through the visa application process. We will help you write your CV, show you how to obtain documentation such as police checks, and advise you on the timing of your visa application – crucial if you are to get one. So take it from us we know what we are doing, and most of our interns can secure a visa for Canada every year.

Hold My Place

Dates & Prices

Location Dates Double Room Single Room Flights

Panorama – Horsethief / Apartments

29th Nov to 1st April

£5700

+£550

SunPeaks – Hearthstone

29th Nov to 1st April

£5700

+£350 a week

+£550

Hidden Valley – Elkwater

29th Nov to 1st April

£5700

+£550

FAQ

Find out all of the most frequently asked questions