Duration: 12 Weeks
On this comprehensive ski instructor course and mountain leadership training program you will learn from top certified CSIA examiners, specialty coaches and mountain guides while gaining a plethora of industry recognized certifications. You will receive a wide variety of technical ski training with regards to; teaching demonstrations, performance carving, alpine racing, off piste steeps, moguls, powder, trees, and terrain park to name a few. Backcountry travel and alpine wilderness skills are also an integral part of this course and will prepare participants for a wider range of experiences and professions. Weekly video analysis and performance evaluations will speed learning. Leadership and teaching skills are practiced in the field and supplemented with evening workshops and theory sessions. Throughout the program we offer optional work practicum opportunities with the Mount Washington Snow School where you can gain valuable hands on experience to boost your resume. The schedule is action packed but to ensure you are never bored… we offer many social, recreational and cultural activities on days off.
Certifications
The following are all included in the course fees:
CSIA – Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance – Founded in 1938 the CSIA is the governing body for ski instruction in Canada and has over 20,000 members. The CSIA is recognized by the ISIA (International Ski Instructors Association) and its four levels of certification are highly regarded world wide.
CSIA Level I – 4 Days – This is an introduction to CSIA skiing and teaching methodology. Level 1 enables you to develop skiers from beginner to an intermediate parallel level.
CSIA Level II – 5 Days – This course requires a higher standard of skiing and Teaching. It focuses on the development of parallel skiers with an introduction to terrain adaptation. It also covers effective analysis and development, techniques and strategies for effective communication, group dynamics, lesson planning and alternate teaching methods.
CSIA Terrain Park Module – Trained Status – 2 days – (Optional 3rd day of exams gives you “Certified Status”.) This course will give you the skills and knowledge to safely teach students in the terrain park and will cover etiquette and teaching progressions for switch skiing, boxes, rails, jumps, spins and grabs.
Avalanche Safety Training AST 1 – 3 Days – Endorsed By the Canadian Avalanche Association the AST 1 certification is integrated into your introduction to ski touring and winter survivals skills training. The course covers recognition of avalanche terrain, safe backcountry travel, snow pack evaluation, avalanche rescue skills and risk management at an introductory level. This is a prerequisite to the AST 2 advanced avalanche course and is now required to achieve ISIA international ski instructors stamp.
Avalanche Safety Training – AST 2 – 5 days – The more advanced AST 2 certification is integrated into your advanced backcountry mountain skills trip. This course looks more in depth at travel in avalanche terrain, snow pack evaluation, avalanche rescue skills and risk management. This is a prerequisite for the professional guiding level avalanche courses.
Essential Wilderness First Aid & CPR level C – 6 Days (50+hrs) – This intensive course teaches you how to manage injuries and illness in a remote wilderness setting. You will learn how to improvise treatments and evacuations with limited supplies. It is jammed packed with realistic simulations. A requirement for many outdoor leadership positions.
Upon finishing the course you will receive a Snowsport Leadership Training Certificate of Completion, a written evaluation and in many cases we will act as a reference for future employment.
Course Structure
Due to the diverse nature of this course, the day to day structure varies depending on the curriculum set out for that time period. A weekly schedule is always posted in your chalet. During the average on hill training week we spend four to five full days training on snow with the odd training day off hill. In addition we occasionally hold indoor theory workshops in the evenings. During the backcountry skills, wilderness first aid and CSIA exam weeks the days tend to be longer and the schedule becomes more demanding. On weekends you have the option of participating in a work practicum, free skiing, or other planned group activities. Please check the course syllabus to get an idea of how the curriculum is laid out.
Included in the costs: 12 weeks shared slope side accommodation, all transportation within the program, weekday evening meals, full seasons pass at Mt. Washington Resort (good for XC and night skiing), all coaching, guiding and training fees, CSIA level 1 & level 2 exam and membership fees, Avalanche Safety Training level 1 & level 2 certification fees, backcountry safety equipment & touring gear rentals, 50 hr Wilderness first aid & CPR level C certification fees, video analysis, evening workshops, all course materials, work practicum opportunities, some organized activities and social events, Program DVD, certificate of completion, and written evaluation. (Optional bonus 13th week includes: free-skiing days and surf trip to the Pacific Rim National Park with accommodation, rentals and surf lessons)
Addtional Costs: Transportation to Vancouver Island, Travel medical insurance (mandatory) or trip cancellation insurance (optional), breakfast lunches and weekend dinners, personal ski and camping equipment, Additional organized road trips and extra curricular activities, spending money.
