3-5 Week CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor Course

Course Type Ski Instructor
Dates 29th Nov-22nd Dec | 1st-30th March
Price From £4150
Venue Canada - Sun Peaks
Qualifications CSIA Level 1 Certificate
Add Flights? Optional for flights £550

About the Trip

Become an instructor on one of our 3-5 week short ski instructor courses. This course is an entry-level lifestyle holiday leading to the CSIA Level 1 qualification. The programme is designed to improve your skiing ability across all-mountain terrain or give you that first leg up to becoming a professional instructor.

You’ll be a certified ski instructor by the time you go home. The 3-week program starts in November, and the 4-week program runs in January. Short courses are ideal for good intermediate skiers. You can extend the introductory 3-week programme by 1 to 2 weeks either before or after the start of the course.

Please get in touch with us for availability and prices.

Features

Level 1 WSC Training Program

CSIA Level 1 Exam and Membership.

Ski In/Out Accommodation

Breakfast and Dinner

Season Lift Pass

Resort Rep on site 24/7

Benefits

Early and late start dates.

3-5 week options.

Guidance with insurance,  equipment, banking, communication & clothing.

Support with visa applications and future job opportunities.

Further bolt-ons available.

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

Hearthstone Lodge

Located in the heart of Sun Peaks Resort, the Hearthstone Lodge is the perfect base for a short snowboard instructor course. Forgot your goggles or want to head back for Lunch? The Hearthstone is ski-in/ski-out and only a short walk from all the shops, restaurants and ski lifts. Based on the alpine style with spacious rooms, it has everything you need to make it a home-from-home.

The studios and 1-bedrooms suites are well set up for both short and long stays. All feature a kitchenette, gas fireplace, dining area and free wireless internet. The dining room table seats four people, and there’s a flat-screen TV and comfy sofa for relaxing when the room is set up for single or double occupancy. Rooms are set out in blocks, so you’ll be next to all your fellow instructor mates.

Guest amenities include a fitness room, outdoor hot tubs, ski storage and a laundry area.

Facilities: Ski-in, Ski-out | Outdoor Hot Tubs | Gym 24 Hour | Reception| Lockable Ski Storage | Wifi | Fireplace | Kitchen | Ensuite

Resort

The resort of Sunpeaks is nestled snuggly in the valley between 3 mountains spanning 4200ac of fantastic terrain,

Take the lifts to the Top of the World, and breathe in the expansive vistas as the snow ghosts bow to the Bluebird mornings. Catch one of the 13 lifts, get immersed in one of the 137 runs, and disappear into 16 gladed areas.
Finding some of the best-untouched powder amongst tree-lined runs to the 10-acre terrain pack is a treat for anyone wanting to get the most out of this fulfilling venue. Avoid the white-out days, the chaos and long lift queues that plague some of our neighbouring resorts.
Offering some of the best conditions that BC offers and officially the sunniest resort in BC, it’s no surprise that people flock from around the world to see what the fuss is about. Maybe that’s why the Interski trials are held here.
Back it up with enough hotels, shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and amenities to make it the 2nd most extensive resort in Canada, and you’ve got a world-class venue to keep the most discerning characters grinning from ear to ear. Prepare to be astounded.

Breakfast and Dinner

If it’s one thing, we want you to do. It’s to stay fuelled up.

Four breakfasts and dinners per week are included with your course, meaning you’ve got time to relax and concentrate on what’s important. But the best bit. We don’t use just one restaurant; we use 5. With pretty much the pick of the menu, it gives you enough variety every week to not get bored and ensures you’re getting what you need.

Special nights are arranged during the course when everyone can get together for something a little different. Mexican Margherita night anyone?

As great as it is being catered for, there’s plenty of time to cook for yourself back in your studio. We get it. Sometimes it’s nice to relax, order a pizza, make yourself a big bowl of pasta, and catch up on Netflix. Regardless of your culinary skills, there are plenty more places to eat out in Sunpeaks village. 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 what is possible, or even suggest self-catering if that works better for you. We’ll also give you plenty of advice on how much to budget for all your extra costs, plus that odd cheeky beer!

Training Package

Level 1 Training

5 days a week, provided by CSIA pro-instructors Level 1 course conductors will take training and provide one-to-one feedback as you prepare for the level 1 exam.

CSIA Level 1 ski instructor exam

The level 1 ski instructor course exam is included in the price.

CSIA Membership & Instructor Licence.

As part of your course we enroll you with the CSIA. Membership for the year is included and you will be provided with a login to the CSIA website where you can sign up for further training and exams if required. Upon completion of level 1 you will be a licenced instructor.

Shadow Teaching

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

Additional Training Option

Further certifications are available during extra weeks at the end of the programme.
Including Avalanche Skills Training, Adaptive Ski Instructor Qualification, Race Coaching certification and Park course.
Many clients extend their stay by a week to take full advantage of the additional training options.

Visa Assistance & Job Opportunities

We have partnerships and connections with several sports schools across the world, and can offer guidance to help you to find employment as instructor once qualified.
We provide comprehensive advice and assistance 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 5 days a week, typically Monday – Friday. Days off and weekends can be spent shadowing snowboard lessons & free-riding.

Week One

Introduction to ski instructing. Calming any egos and getting rid of any bad “holiday skiing habits”.
Getting the correct skiing fundamentals in place, setting you on the best path from straight from the start.

Week Two

Skiing improvement and technique the CSIA way – including video analysis. Looking after your kit – Ski Tuning Workshop. Consolidating the new techniques.
Bolt Ons introduced at the weekends.

Week Three

Final level 1 training & CSIA Level 1 exam

Optional Week Four

Optional extra week – additional courses available (AST, Park Course 1, Canadian Adaptive Snowsports, 5 day Revelstoke Steep & Deep with Heli)

Optional Week Five

Optional extra week – free-skiing, additional training available (intro to level 2).

"Winter 2018 - Sun Peaks"

Scott Howitt - 6 Apr 2020
"Winter 2018, I got involved with the Winter Sports Company. I did the Level 1&2 Course at Sun Peaks and passed both! I had such an amazing time and loved every minute of it . Go forward just over two years, and I am now a CSIA Level 3. I wouldn't be where I am now without the support and guidance from the Winter Sports Company. So thanks for everything!"

Bolt on courses

The Bolt-ons are the point where you can turn your already stellar winter season into something truly unforgettable. Whilst some are devised to improve your CV, some enhance your smile. The Heliski experience will have you grinning from ear to ear all the way back home through your front door. So decide what is critical for your you, an adrenaline ride,  gap year, career-breaking, mid-life crisis-soothing adventure? Or something that will put another few dollars on your wages and make your instructor resume stand out?

These are ancillary offerings to our clients once onboarded. It is a simple, transparent method so you can cherry-pick what you want and, more importantly, not be forced into paying over the odds for something you do not wish to.

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.

Canadian Adaptive Snowsports

Canadian Adaptive Snowsports Level 1 certifies instructors to teach skiers and snowboarders with disabilities.

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.

Tree Wells & All Mountain

An absolute must do! A one day course for all skiers and snowboarders who venture off the groomed runs. Dangers are lurking closer than you think.

End of Season Race Event

Participants will be able to test their skills and stamina to pick that race winning line and win the coveted Winter Sports Co Trophy amongst other prizes. End of March

ACA-CSC Entry Level Race Coach

Entry Level certification enables the holder to be hired by a club or ski school to start coaching in an entry level ski racing program.

Introduction to Back Country Touring

New to backcountry touring, looking to escape the crowds, this is the course for you!

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of safe backcountry travel, including terrain assessment, hazard analysis, companion rescue as well as equipment familiarization, and backcountry touring techniques.

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.

Off Piste & Powder Training

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

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

Day out at Harper Mountain

This includes a day on the mountain with tubing in the morning, followed by lunch, followed by an afternoon of skiing

Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is a real experience – there is quite simply nothing like the sensation of being in control of your own dogsled and husky team, putting your trust in your dogs and earning their friendship in return.

Trip to Silverstar

Trip to Silverstar Resort. Enjoy the laid-back mountain, Have a change of scenery and see what all the buzz is about.

Ski & Board Tech Tips

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

Ice Hockey Night

Watch the Kamloops Blazers in action. Great night out.

Terrain Park Training

Sick of landing on your backside, face planting under rotating, losing your balance or worse, your nerve…..all these answered and more in our Terrain park day.

What is included

Sunpeaks Skiing

A good snow base falls early in the season, and Sun Peaks continues to receive fresh powder all season. Sun Peaks is an ideal resort for a short ski instructor course; with a vast area across three mountains and a pro sports school, there is all the terrain you could want for 3-4 weeks of training. You’ll soon tackle it all, from powder bowls and terrain parks to piste-perfect groomers and mogul fields. Sun Peaks is a vibrant and friendly place, it will capture your heart, and it won’t be long before you return to get your level 2.

Flights

For maximum flexibility, internships can be booked with or without flights.
Flights depart from London, UK. Flights from alternative airports can be arranged; please contact us for a quote for this service.

Transfers

Outbound and return transfers are included from 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.

Meal Plan

Your meal plan will include four breakfasts and dinners per week.

Training Package

Includes 20 hours of training per week by Level 3 & 4 instructors.

CASI Level 1 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 technical skiing and your people skills. The exam is three days long, and you are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Weekly Socials

From Pool comp night, Floodlit riding at 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 some experiences to remember for the rest of your life, with new lifelong friends.

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.

CASI Membership

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

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 approx £660)
BACKCOUNTRY (3-14 day Backcountry experiences are also possible at the end of this course.)

Book Your Course Today

Achievement, fun and ski improvement condensed into a 3-4 week schedule. This programme is designed for skiers who want to make the most of their limited time off. To become a ski instructor in a short time requires a degree of dedication and commitment to the course. With your fellow trainees, you will work hard and play hard. This is the holiday of a lifetime and is a great way to improve your skiing across all the terrain in an open mountain environment.

Hold My Place

Dates & Prices

Dates Accommodation Triple Room Double Room Single Room Flights Extra Weeks

29th Nov to 22nd Dec

Hearthstone Lodge

£4150

£4400

+£350 a week

+£550

+£550 for any extra weeks added on

1st March to 30th March

Hearthstone Lodge

£4425

£4650

+£350 a week

+£550

+£550 for any extra weeks added on

FAQ

Find out all of the most frequently asked questions