Ski Patrol Course, Panorama BC, Canada

Course Type All Mountain | Career Break
Dates 6th Feb-1st April
Price From £6975
Venue Canada - Panorama
Qualifications Ski Patrol Modules | NUEC Level 3
Add Flights? Add flights for £550

About the Trip

Ski Patrollers are part of an elite management team, and employees must be well prepared and trained to a very high standard. It’s not for the faint-hearted and requires a good level of skill to get around the mountain in all conditions. You learn to rescue and administer first aid on the mountain, as well as avalanche control, rope rescue and lift evacuation. It’s full-on but extremely rewarding.

You’ll be first on the mountain, preparing the slopes for the day, looking after injured guests and ensuring everyone gets down safely when the mountain closes. You’ll learn about and get certified in outdoor emergency patient care, avalanche control, air rescue, helicopter orientation, toboggan handling, mountaineering and many other essential and fascinating skills that will help you find work within the Ski Patrol Service. Ski Patrollers require a lot of specialist equipment you will receive on loan during your course, ensuring you get real hands-on experience with patroller-grade avalanche safety gear.

Features
  • CPR – BLS for Healthcare Professionals
  • Advanced Protocol Training
  • Aerial Lift Evacuation & Self Evacuation
  • Avalanche Skills Training, Level 1
  • Incident Investigation
  • Helicopter Orientation, Air Evacuation, Air Rescue
  • Mentoring
  • Non-Urban Occupational Emergency Care, Level 3
  • Rope Rescue
  • Patient Extrication &
    Evacuation
  • Risk Management
  • General Patrolling
  • GPS & Compass Orientation
  • Snow Ready Fitness Programme
Benefits
  • Qualified to work anywhere in the world
  • Guaranteed job interviews for the top achievers
  • Safety skills to progress into the back-country
  • Improved risk management awareness
  • One-to-one mentoring with the Mountain Ops Team
  • Gateway to vocational employment options
  • Strong first aid skills to apply to any industry
Click to see what the fuss is about!
Accommodation
About the location
Meal Plan
Testimonials

Horsethief Lodge & Toby Creek Lodge

Located in the heart of Panorama Resort, Both Lodges used by WSC are an excellent base for a ski instructor course. With all the amenities you require, but with the benefits of staying in a hotel, you have the comfort to make the most of resort living.

Horsethief Lodge is a cosy home with easy access to the mountain up the Toby Chair or Village Gondola.

Lodge Amenities

  • Adjacent to the Toby Chair and steps from the free Village Gondola
  • Outdoor hot tubs in the courtyard
  • Common BBQ
  • Shared laundry facilities in the parking garage

Backing onto the waters of the Toby (a glacial river), Toby Creek Lodge is connected to the village by a free gondola and is just a short walk to the Toby chairlift.

Lodge Amenities

  • Close to the free Village Gondola for access to the mountain
  • Indoor hot tubs
  • Joint BBQ in the Horsethief Lodge courtyard
  • Shared laundry facilities on each level
  • General Store and located in the lodge

Panorama

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 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.

Breakfast and Dinner

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

4 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 1 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 just 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 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!

“The ski patrol course in particular is a very special opportunity that is hard to be beat. If you are serious about becoming a patroller this is the real deal”

– Roger Gibbon , Panorama 2022

Training Package

Training covers 13 modules. A full breakdown of module content can be found on our ski patrol qualifications page.

  • Module 1: CPR – BLS for Healthcare Professionals
  • Module 2: Non-Urban Occupational Emergency Care, Level 3
  • Module 3: Advanced Protocol Training
  • Module 4: Rope Rescue
  • Module 5: Aerial Lift Evacuation & Self Evacuation
  • Module 6: Patient Extrication & Evacuation
  • Module 7: Avalanche Skills Training, Level 1
  • Module 8: Risk Management
  • Module 9: Incident Investigation
  • Module 10: General Patrolling
  • Module 11: Helicopter Orientation, Air Evacuation, Air Rescue
  • Module 12: GPS & Compass Orientation
  • Module 13: Mentoring

Specialist Equipment

All specialist equipment required for training is provided as part of the course.

You will receive a pack with all the essential equipment required to work with the ski patrol. Items include Avalanche safety gear: probe, shovel, transceiver, first aid supplies and medical equipment. Backpacks are on loan and must be returned in good condition. They can be purchased at the end of the course in the resort if requested.

Additional Training Options

Become ultra employable and become a ski or snowboard instructor too. CSIA level 1 and CASI level 1 are available by joining the 11 Week Ski Patrol + Instructor level 1 course starting in January.

Visa Assistance & Job Opportunities

We have partnerships and connections with several sports schools across the world. We can offer guidance to help you to find employment as a patroller 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. It will ensure you are snow-fit in time for the start of your course.

Snow Ready Fitness programme

Not included in the course price is the core textbook. Outdoor Emergency Care – 5th Edition costs approx £89.99 and must be purchased before the course start date.

 

Weekly Schedule

Ski Patrol training is provided 4-5 days a week, typically Monday-Friday. Mentoring and shadowing the Patrol team is often then scheduled for days over the weekend, plus a two week period at the end.

Week One

Settling in, resort orientation and acclimatisation. Introduction to general ski patrolling. Rope Rescue.

Week Two

Aerial lift evacuation & self evacuation, introduction to GPS & Compass, Risk Management and Incident Investigation.

Week Three

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 and mentoring with Ski Patrol

Week Four

Non-Urban Occupational Emergency Care, Level 3

Week Five

Non-Urban Occupational Emergency Care, Level 3

Week Six

Advanced Protocol, Patient Extrication Evacuation, Heli-Orientation & Air Evacuation

Week Seven-Eight

On-mountain mentoring with Sun Peaks Ski Patrol,

"What an incredible experience!"

Roger Gibbon - 6th March 2022
"Rik, Emma and Rob were brilliant. They were unfailingly helpful and eager to help make the experience the best it could be. I was constantly amazed how WSC team were constantly thrown curve balls, that they took in their stride, making sure every one got the courses and experience necessary to become instructors or ski patrollers and have great time while doing it. The ski patrol course in particular is a very special opportunity that is hard to be beat. If you are serious about becoming a patroller this is the real deal."

Bolt on courses

Because it’s not just about becoming an instructor! Add on something extra, whether another qualification or simply something for fun or on your bucket list. You’ll be able to sign up for your bolt on’s well in advance before you depart, and will be sent a link to all the available courses for your stay. There’s something for everyone and everybody’s budget. Want to look a little more in-depth, look at our dedicated Bolt-On page.

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 sledging course certificate and use it for future employment.

Banff Blow Off

It’s not quite Ibiza, but it’s 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

Sun Peaks Skiing

A good snow base falls early in the season, and Sun Peaks continues to receive fresh powder all season. As a result, sun Peaks is an ideal resort to learn ski patrol, making first tracks in the morning and getting the last lift at sundown. 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 be a full-time ski patroller.

Transfers

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

Shared hotel accomodation

Enjoy Ski-in/ski-out accommodation at the Hearthstone Lodge. 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.

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

Ski Patrol training is provided 4-5 days a week, typically Monday-Friday. In addition, mentoring and shadowing the Patrol team is often scheduled for days over the weekend, plus two weeks at the end.

Heli Skiing

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.

Weekly Socials

From Pool comp night, Flood lit riding and Mexican Margarita Night. 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.

Not Included

FLIGHTS (add flights for an extra £550)
MEALS (lunches and Weekends)
INSURANCE
ANCILLARY BOLT ON COURSES
EQUIPMENT OR RENTAL
BACKCOUNTRY (3-14 day Backcountry experiences are also a possibility at the end of this course.)

Book Your Course Today

Hold My Place

Dates & Prices

Dates Accommodation Price Flights

6th Feb to 1st April

Horsethief Lodge & Toby Creek Lodge

£7325

+£550

FAQ

Find out all of the most frequently asked questions

Find out more
Lorem ipsum

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis dapibus rutrum vulputate. Mauris sed eros nec est vehicula mattis ac vitae ligula. Maecenas vitae tristique sapien, vitae pellentesque lectus.

Home
Why choose us

Get a free one hour consultation

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis dapibus rutrum vulputate. Mauris sed eros nec est vehicula mattis ac vitae ligula. Maecenas vitae tristique sapien, vitae pellentesque lectus.

Sample Page