Ski instructors in Canada

Becoming a Ski Instructor in Canada

You wanna become a ski instructor…you like Canadian powder. So what an opportunity to gain your ski instructor qualifications in Canada. If you go down that route, you will quickly become familiar with the acronym CSIA – Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance. Most instructor courses will give you training for the Level 1 and Level 2 certification

CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor

In terms of skiing standard, candidates must be a competent parallel skier and they can expect to take on diverse terrain throughout the course as well as varied snow conditions. This is Canada after all!

The course is 4 days long and open to skiers over the age of 15 years old.

The Level 1 ski instructor qualification is a basic introduction to ski teaching. Candidates will learn the CSIA technique and methodology as well as being taught how to interact with children during a lesson. As well as receiving important advice for successfully gaining their qualification, candidates will also be given tips for long term development of their skiing.

Applicants who gain their level 1 are certified to teach beginner skiers up to intermediate parallel skill level.

CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor

This certification is open to advanced skiers that have passed the Level 1 qualification.

Upping the ante a little, this course is 5 days long.

The level 2 qualification allows candidates to improve their understanding if the CSIA technique and methodology. It combines practical ski teaching methods, technical development and understanding and improvement of guest service skills (very important in Canada)

Focuses will also be on terrain adaptation, fast track to parallel, safety and class management.

Successful candidates are qualified to teach skiers up to intermediate parallel ski level.

CSIA Level 3 Ski Instructor

When you have achieved your Level 2 qualification, the obvious next step is…you guessed it…Level 3! You could say that the skiing standard required here is: women, not girls! And those that have passed their Level 2, of course!

It is a 5 day course + 2 day examination phase. The CSIA technique and methodology will be drilled even more and candidates will also improve their situational teaching skills and be introduced to instructor training. As part of this course, you will work on strategies to improve and perfect skiing skills for advanced skiers and you will also be not only nailing bumps-skiing but also teaching the technique!

CSIA Level 4 (ISIA) Level Ski Instructor

Welcome to the world of Godliness…! The Level 4 course is an exceptionally tough course and exam that has a reassuringly low pass rate! CSIA Level 4 is an internationally recognised course designed to further enhance the abilities of already experience instructors into leaders. Being Level 4 certified creates opportunities for professional development and international representation via Interski.

Duration: Level 4 is split into two parts. The mid-winter portion of the course presents the material, and the exams allows a period for development. The mid-winter portion consists of six days, roughly half of which concentrates on teaching and instructor training, with the rest looking at expert skiing skills – think carving through a large mogul field (and often on one leg!). Candidates then register separately for the exam-half of the course, which is 4 days long.

About the Author: SnowSkool has been operating ski instructor courses at the Canadian resorts of Banff and Big White since 2003.


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