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The PSIC: An Instructors Perspective
Guide Summary
The Professional Ski Instructors Of Canada is a new certification body in Canada, founded in 2023 to train and certify ski instructors. Before the arrival of the PSIC, skiers and instructors who wanted to become certified in Canada did so with the CSIA, the main governing body in Canada for the past 85 years. Now, the PSIC offers instructors a new pathway, meaning those wanting to become certified as new instructors or gain higher certification must decide whether to stick with the tried and tested or switch to the PSIC.
What Is The PSIC?
The Professional Ski Instructors of Canada offers a new system of training, education and certification to the ski industry and instructor community in Canada. A direct relationship and partnership with ski schools drives a curriculum that specifically caters to current and future ski school & industry demands. Principles of excellence, inclusivity and respect provide a superior learning environment to aspirational and ski teaching professionals.”
The PSIC is a new system founded in 2023, led by industry professionals, many of whom were closely associated with the CSIA. Looking to develop new ideas, they offer a new innovative approach to certifying ski instructors, adding value to the industry. The PSIC works closely with ski schools across Canada and tries to cater to the industry’s ever-changing demands. The PSIC is, like the CSIA, working with a traditional four-level system, with those becoming fully certified recognised as the best in the industry with expert skiing and teaching skills. The PSIC trains and certifies ski instructors in Canada, aligning itself with international standards set by the ISIA. Although not yet a member of the ISIA.
My Views On The PSIC
I, like many, was unsure about what the PSIC meant for the industry, particularly for instructors in Canada. It’s still too early to make conclusive judgements on the PSIC. However, I think certain assumptions can be made. The first thing to say is that I certainly don’t think the formation of a new governing body is a bad thing. The PSIC offers another option for those passionate about skiing and ski teaching to train, become certified and begin helping skiers. If this is to end with more people skiing more often, then I’m on board with it.
Just because I’m a member of the CSIA, doesn’t mean I should degrade the PSIC or wish for its failure. In nearly all other aspects of work and business, competition is a good thing. If the PSIC offer an attractive product that is well delivered and marketed, then the CSIA must do the same if it wishes to stay competitive. If both governing bodies compete to produce the best product possible, then this is only a good thing for its members and, subsequently, its end users, which are the general skiing public. This must always be the intention, though, to produce a product with the members and end users at the forefront. As soon as the focus from either system switches to trying to sink the other, that’s when the product delivered to its members will suffer.
Education With The PSIC
In regards to the product delivered on snow, the PSIC will no doubt ensure exceptional quality. The senior leadership team of the PSIC is spearheaded by some of the top pros in the industry, many whom were part of the team to lead the CSIA through a number of successful seasons. With passionate people at the top and a team of dedicated professionals in its licensed professional training team, I expect the courses delivered to its membership to be of the highest quality.
That being said, I do believe the PSIC currently lacks some foundation, particularly in it’s education. The CSIA, in comparison, has time and resources behind it. With over 20,000 members and a rich history, the CSIA has solid foundations and is a member of the ISIA. Because of this, it’s not hard to argue that the CSIA have more resources available to its candidates at this stage. The CSIA utilises the Skills Framework, Collaborative Teaching Approach, Performance Model and Getting Started manuals to provide a clear blueprint for instructors to educate themselves and their students. Based on my own experience, I feel the PSIC is lacking in this area and needs more time to develop the same depth in its education.
International Recognition
A key consideration for Instructors is understanding how their certification is acknowledged internationally. The International Ski Instructors Association is the world governing body for professional ski instructors. The main alpine nations formed ISIA in 1970 to represent the best in ski instruction around the world. Currently, there are 38 member states who collaborate to ensure the highest standards of professional practice. They offer two levels of certification to Snowsports instructors. As it currently stands, the CSIA represents Canada.
Being members of the ISIA, this allows instructors certified under the CSIA to obtain their ISIA stamp and become internationally recognised. The PSIC has yet to obtain ISIA status, and thus, instructors qualified under the PSIC may find their work opportunities overseas to be more limited than their CSIA counterparts.
The PSIC has only been around for a year, so it’s challenging to give a conclusive answer about which is better. However, I think it’s safe to say that the CSIA’s longevity and membership signal it’s not going anywhere, and with ISIA membership, it is supported and respected by international associations worldwide—a safe bet for an instructor looking to work overseas and obtain ISIA status. The PSIC needs a little more time before the same conclusions can be made.
What The PSIC Do Well
One thing I think the PSIC should continue to develop is the continuity and format of their courses and exams. I really like what they’ve done so far. The PSIC has tried to create a system in which the experience delivered to candidates on an course or exam is very similar through levels 1 to 4. With a focus on meeting objectives based on ski to snow interaction, there is more emphasis on skiing to what the situation dictates. If on the day of an exam candidates are fortunate to have perfect groomed slopes, then of course the objectives can change, allowing for more performance and speed, however if on the following day conditions change, leaving candidates with choppy, challenging snow, then those objectives would no longer be appropriate and the tactics and techniques employed by the candidates would need to change. This doesn’t mean the skill level is diminishing, but recognising what is happening on the day instead of pushing the envelope and striving for one defined objective. I think this allows for more freedom and will result in skiers more well rounded in all conditions. By educating instructors in this way, our end users are more likely to be given a similar experience.
The CSIA Level 4 academy has created a very similar experience to this and I would certainly be in favour of a more linear move to this structure from the CSIA across all levels.
What Does The Future Hold For The PSIC?
At this stage it’s hard to say for sure. The PSIC has only had one season, and no doubt its senior leadership team were able to take lessons from it and also identify its strengths. I expect membership to increase, the more accessible the PSIC becomes to ski instructors across Canada. More courses and exams, held in more and more resorts across Canada will only increase its popularity and membership. Who knows what this will mean for the CSIA. Funnily enough though, in the PSIC’s debut season, the CSIA had a record year for course participation. Make of that what you will. My hope is that the formation and development of the PSIC increases participation for both systems. With more people talking about ski instructing, asking questions and getting involved, this can only be a good thing. If you’re a ski instructor in Canada, take a course with both this season and make your own decision on which pathway is right for you.
Personally, I think the PSIC will be in a much stronger position in a few years time, especially if it can cement itself internationally. The people at the top are too experienced and have enough skin in the game to know what it takes to make it a success.
FAQs
It would help if you had the following to become a Ski Instructor
1. A decent existing skill level. Only obtained by time on the snow skiing and more often than not taking ski instructor training through a provider such as the Winter Sports Companies Level 1 ski instructor course
2. A Ski Instructor Qualification can be achieved by attending and successfully passing a Ski Instructor Course with an examination.
3. Once qualified, you need a job in a Snow School as a Ski Instructor. Canada has the most significant potential for employment in a resort unless you have a European passport. Taking a Ski Instructor Internship through a provider such as The Winter Sports Company can give you that training, certification and guaranteed employment.
A typical salary ranges from $17-19 as a Level 1 ski Instructor to $19-22 as a Level 2. A level 3 instructor can start to make a good living with more hours and a higher wage of $23-28, depending on the resort. Private lessons and tips will help increase your take-home pay. When you reach fully certified Level 4 standard, you can maximise your earning potential and hours and become a sought-after commodity. This level will significantly increase your employability and offer many other gateways to earn a considerably well-paid salary.
With most governing bodies within the ISIA (International Ski Instructors Association) which has 38 nations conforming to an international standard, the accepted format of 4 Levels of skiing consists of the following. Level 1 instructor course teaches a basic introduction to skiing and assumes the instructor can parrallel ski. An introduction to children is often introduced at this level. Level 2 concentrates on more advanced techniques and allows you to instruct intermediate skiers. Level 3 Is a much higher certificate, centering around advanced technique on challenging terrain in all conditions. . Finally most governing bodies except the New Zealand system have a Level 4 which is the final level allowing the instructor to teach any level of skier.
Both apply similar methods of teaching. Ski instructors work with skiers to develop fundamental skills to help them ski better for the purpose of recreation. Ski coaches work with skiers and ski racers to develop skills specific for competition.
