Level 1 + 2 Snowboard Instructor Course

Welcome to Canada. Hop on our transfer from Calgary to Fernie and meet your coursesmates and instructors at the welcome dinner. We’ll give you a tour of our favourite hangouts around town, and our equipment workshop will help you decide what gear you need for the season. On-snow, the first few days are designed to get you settled into training. We’ll show you around Fernie’s five bowls and start to break down your riding with improvement coaching. We’ll ramp up the training and introduce you to CSIA/CASI teaching methodology, developing your understanding of instructor techniques. To mix things up, we’ll head over to neighbouring resort Kimberley: uncrowded with a ton of epic terrain.

The intensity steps up and you’ll be exploring more challenging terrain and steeper pitches. You’ll learn how to demo CSIA/CASI teaching techniques and get involved in simulated scenarios. We’ll also roll out a series of one-to-one private coaching sessions to work on individual areas of improvement ahead of the Level 1. If you’re thinking about becoming an instructor, our workshop on what to expect and application tips is invaluable. If you’re keen for another certification, avalanche skills training takes place to boost your mountain know-how.

The CSIA/CASI Level 1 exam. Your three-day assessment is challenging but super fun. Teaching and riding are assessed in two parts – pass both and you’ll be a qualified instructor. We often enjoy a 100% pass rate and we’ll celebrate with a blowout end-of-exam party. You’ll also learn how to wax and tune your own gear with our informative workshop, and the weekend is your chance to try ski touring, accessing backcountry terrain using the powder of your body and mind. Next up: Level 2.

CSIA/CASI Level 2 gets underway. Teaching and riding go hand-in-hand as you hone your skills for moguls, off-piste and short radius turns, before teaching these skills to your peers. You’ll also be ready for one of the biggest highlights of the season – a backcountry cat skiing/boarding day with Fernie Wilderness Adventures, with a snowcat taking you to remote slopes. There’s also the opportunity to put your teaching skills to use, volunteering to teach at a nearby local ski hill.

We continue to add to your arson of skills by developing your all-mountain expertise. You’ll expand your knowledge of CSIA/CASI teaching methodology and refine your all-terrain prowess, with our second round of one-to-one private coaching maximising every opportunity for progression. Freestyle skiers and snowboarders can complete an optional CSIA/CASI Park certification, we’ll host an epic bonfire party in the woods and fat biking is your chance to explore Fernie’s trails by new means.

It’s time for that final push towards your goals. You’ll be ready to test your skills on a jaunt to legendary Castle Mountain and there’s another season highlight with winter survival camping, builing and sleeping in your own igloo. Snowboarders will continue to hone their riding and teaching skills, while skiers will take two pre-requisite training courses for the CSIA Level 2, each two days focussing on ski and teach development. You’ll feel competent on a huge range of terrain types and snow conditions by now, all set for the Level 2 assessment. Skiers with a thirst for speed can also complete the CSCF Race Coach Level 1 qualification, bolstering their skills and CV.

For the last official week, it’s Level 2 exam. Skiers will take the second component of the CSIA Level 2 with two-days of assessment, and snowboarders will have four back-to-back exam days. You’ll be evaluated on your teaching and riding and, when you pass both, you’ll be qualified to teach internationally in places like Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland. This epic final week culminates with an almighty Nonstop graduation party and farewell dinner.