What Is The CSIA?

You’re about to become a CSIA Level 1 ski instructor and begin working for a Canadian ski school, but before you do, it’s probably a good idea to know who the CSIA are and what it means to be a Level 1.

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.

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 your three weeks of training, you will be put through a continued assessment over three days, and upon completion of the exam, you can begin work for your ski school.

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.

Pre-Season Training

Over the course of these three weeks of training, you’ll come to understand your skiing like never before. The goal is to prepare you for the Level 1 certification and be ready to teach for the ski school upon successfully completing the exam. 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.

Week One

During your first week 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 week, 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 and for teaching in the ski school. 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.

Week Three

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 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.

Getting the Most out of your Season

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.

Life After Exams 

You did the work and hours of training; now, you’re qualified as a CSIA Level 1 instructor. The real fun starts now. A day or two after the Level 1 exam, you’ll have your Ski+Ride induction. This will be led by senior management of the ski school and will walk you through the operations of the ski school and essentially everything you’ll need to know to start work the day after. This orientation is held on and off snow. You’ll also be presented with your uniform on this day. This training is separate from the training received before your exam and is specific to the operations of the ski school.

You’ll be busy! Stepping head first into the Christmas period, you can expect to be busy from the get-go! However, you won’t be without lots of support from management and senior members of the ski school. Your first day or two will likely see you shadow some lessons. This is your opportunity to see how it’s done in an authentic setting. You’ll observe another pro’s lesson and learn how to manage a real lesson. Please take advantage of this opportunity, as it will soon be your turn to lead a class.

Work And Level 2 Training

As you settle into life as an instructor you’ll come to know the workings of the ski school and will soon feel like one of the team. You’ll make many friends outside of the WSC group, and the season will really kick off. Once you’re through the busy Christmas and New Year period, you’ll start your Level 2 training. This will be run by the same trainers you had for your level 1 and will run alongside your regular work week. Your schedule will depend on whether you’re in the intern or hybrid program. As you work and train each week, you’ll see your skills really develop. The ski school also offers additional training to ensure you’re well prepared for your Level 2 come the end of the season.