Before You Begin

What Is The CSIA?

Ahead of your CSIA Level 1 and 2 course, we have put together a comprehensive overview of how your course will run and, specifically, what you can expect from your training and exams. Our team of trainers based in Panorama, Sun Peaks and Revelstoke have extensive experience in preparing our clients to be successful in their exams. Over the next few weeks, you will hopefully become certified as CSIA Level 2 ski instructors with the tools required to kick-start a career in the industry. Before you start, though, it’s important to know a little about the association under which you’ll be certified.

The Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance is a non-profit organisation and the main governing body to train and certify future and current ski instructors across Canada. Internationally recognised as one of the best in the world, they have been around since 1938 and have over 20,000 members.

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance – CSIA

The CSIA Level 1

The first step in a four-level system. Level 1 qualifies you to teach children and adults from a beginner level to an intermediate. During your training and exam, you will be exposed to CSIA skiing and teaching methodology and learn what it means to be a ski professional. After the first few weeks of training, you will be put through a continued assessment over three days, and upon completion of the exam, will be qualified as a CSIA Level 1 Instructor.

The Pathway

The pathway

Level 2 – Development of technical concepts and teaching methods. Qualifies instructors to teach intermediate skiers in situational environments. Consolidation of ski technique.

Level 3 – Able to demonstrate and ski to an advanced level. A Level 3 instructor has a deepened understanding of ski technique and can teach in various situations and terrain.

Level 4 – The highest level of certification, qualifying instructors to teach at the expert level and train instructors. Level 4’s help to inspire guests and instructors alike and seek to promote the growth of the ski industry.

Qualifications

The What, Who, How of these Internationally recognised certifications.

Heading to Panorama?

Panorama is a real hidden gem of a resort, used as our training academy and packed full of accolades its quickly getting a name for itself as the place to go for some world class groomers.

Heading To Sun Peaks

With three mountains leading into the resort, champagne powder, and over 4000 acres of terrain to explore for all abilities, Sun Peaks is an exceptional mountain. Factor in ski-in/ski-out accommodation ensures its reputation as one of British Columbia’s – and Canada’s – premier snow destinations.

Heading To Revelstoke

A new resort on our books but one of our favourites. A beautiful little resort nestled into a stunning back drop. Proving a perfect place to teach all family members. Whilst having the added bonus of the big mountain resort of Panorama just up the road.

Level 1 Training

The goal is to prepare you for the Level 1 certification exam and equip you with the tools to make a head start on the level 2 certification. You’ll develop an understanding of skiing and ski technique and be introduced to and develop teaching concepts and methodology. Work with video analysis and skier assessment. There will also be a specific focus on teaching children and mountain safety. 

Week One

During your first few days of training, the main goal is to get you comfortable on your skis again.  It’s ok to be a little rusty in week one, you will be given time to find your feet again. The trainers are there to help and will set up an environment to help you succeed. Beyond that, the focus will be developing your skiing. The training team will take a close look at your skiing, assessing your strengths and weaknesses, whilst putting together a plan on how to move you forward. The trainers will utilise video analysis throughout the week so that you develop understanding of your own skiing. Be open to their feedback, you might hear some things that are completely new to you. Your trainers have years of experience and will get you to where you need to be for the exam. There is method in the madness! You’ll be stripped back to basics for the first few days, focusing on key fundamentals that are crucial to demonstration and good skiing.

 

Week Two

Moving into the second week, you’ll feel the intensity ramp up a little. Now your trainers have begun preparing you for the exam. There is an introduction to teaching, which will involve skier assessment, video, practice teaching, safety, lesson plans and teaching children. As always, there will be a continued focus on your skiing, ensuring you’re progressing and able to demonstrate precisely. Time will be spent on low-end demonstrations and the lesson plans that make up your Level 1 exam; this involves teaching a beginner skier to intermediate parallel skiing. This is an intense couple of weeks, so staying well-rested, hydrated and well-fed will be important.

Exam Prep

The last few days before your exam. Final preparations to put you in the best position to perform during the exam. This week, you will understand everything expected of you during the exam and will be given opportunities to practice your teaching and demonstrations. This is a stress-free environment, and your trainers are there to support you. By the end of this last week of training, your trainers will have explained precisely what is expected of you during your exam. There will be some off-snow preparation and further reading for you to review in the days leading up to the exam.

The Level 1 Exam

The Level 1 certification exam is a three-day, continuous assessment. This means that no single point during the three days determines the final outcome. You will be continuously assessed from the first day to the last. You will be marked on your teaching of the lesson plans that you’ll have practised during training and marked on your skiing. There are also marks for safety and professionalism.

Your skiing is assessed in a series of demonstrations that are used during each of the lesson plans. The examiner is there to help you and will be very collaborative. You will be given multiple opportunities to teach and ski, and your examiner will be clear about what they would like to see from you. It’s an excellent three days of learning that will see you become a Level 1 ski instructor at the end of the three days upon successful completion.

CSIA Further Reading

Have a read through the CSIA Technical and Teaching concepts  before you get on the snow. Most of what you read here will be presented by your trainers on snow, so it’s helpful to be ahead of the game and have some basic understanding before you start. They will expect you to read through this before your exam.

Level 2 – Expectations

Level 2 is a significant jump from Level 1. The skiing and teaching standards are higher, and the exam places more emphasis on your decision-making. Skier assessment is challenged to a greater degree by peer teachers and skiing objectives that include a variable free run and short turns. That being said, the course and exams are set up to help you succeed, and your training and pre-courses will equip you with the tools you need to be successful. You will need to apply yourself and be willing to mould to the advice given by your trainers.

In the ski portion of your Level 2, there is the introduction of a basic short turn and a variable free run, neither of which is a requirement to pass the Level 1 ski exam. You must still demonstrate your low-end demos and basic parallel turns to pass. See the attached page for the CSIA Level 2 skiing exam criteria.

For the teaching portion of your Level 2 exam you will be given multiple teaching opportunities in a low stress environment . Examiners will look for lesson structure, skier assessment, lesson plan and appropriate use of task and task development.

Level 2 Candidate Guide

CSIA Level 2 Course and Exam

The CSIA Level 2 curriculum is comprised of a two day skiing development course, a two day teacher development course and final two day exam.

Skier Development

The Level 2 skier development course is designed to offer candidates an intensive two day skiing course focused on helping participants meet the Level 2 standards. Throughout the course you will be exposed to relevant terrain and different snow conditions. An understanding of the Skills Framework and Collaborative Teaching Approach will be beneficial prior to this course.

Teach Development

The CSIA Teach development course is designed to help candidates develop and practice teaching skills and strategies to a broader range of students and skill levels. Deepen understanding of lesson structure and use of the Collaborative Teaching Approach. There is a focus on assessment and development skills and risk mitigation. There is still a focus on personal skier improvement.

The Exam

Both the teaching and skiing standards of the Level 2 are evaluated in one day each respectively. The teach exam is evaluated in an ongoing assessment of teaching proficiency where candidates are given teaching opportunities, engage in group discussions and asked questions to allow the examiner to gauge the candidate’s knowledge in a low stress environment. The skiing exam is also marked in a full day ongoing assessment. The examiner will setup a range of ‘ski off’ runs, exposing candidates to various turn types, terrain and snow conditions to assess a whole range of skiing skills. The ski off criteria is available to view in the Level 2 candidate guide.