Snowboard Internship with Guaranteed Job

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