Snowboard Leadership Training

Duration: 12 Weeks

On this comprehensive snowboard instructor course and mountain leadership training program you will gain industry recognized certifications and receive technical snowboard training in a wide variety of disciplines from on piste carving to free riding the steeps and trees. You will also learn to ride the rails and air it out in the terrain park. Top certified coaches and weekly video analysis will speed learning. Backcountry travel and alpine wilderness skills are an integral part of Section 8 programs and will prepare participants for a wider range of experiences and industry professions. Leadership and teaching skills are practiced in the field and supplemented with evening workshops and theory sessions. Throughout the program there are optional work practicum opportunities with the Mount Washington Snow School where you can gain valuable experience. The schedule is filled with action but to ensure you are never bored we offer many social, recreational and cultural activities on days off.

Certifications

The following qualifications are all included in the course fees:

CASI Level 1 – 3 days -CASI is the governing body for snowboard instruction in Canada. During the level one course you will be introduced to the skills concept, work on improving individual riding skills and gain theoretical and practical knowledge of teaching progressions. The course also covers creating a positive guest experience and teaching children. Candidates are required to pass riding and teaching evaluations on the final day.

CASI Level II – 4 Days – This course requires a higher standard of snowboarding and focuses on the development of intermediate riders. It also covers effective analysis and development, techniques and strategies for effective communication, group dynamics, lesson planning and alternate teaching methods.

CASI Park Instructor – 2 Days – This course certifies you to teach in the terrain park a develops your personal freestyle skills. Park etiquette and safety will also be covered.

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 – 5 Days (50hrs) – 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. Once or twice per week we also hold indoor theory workshops in the evenings. During the backcountry skills, wilderness first aid and CASI 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 riding, or other planned group activities. Please check our course syllabus to get an idea of hoe 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 riding, equipment locker, all coaching, guiding and training fees, CASI level 1 & level 2 exam and membership fees, Avalanche Safety Training level 1 & level 2 certification fees, backcountry safety equipment rentals and group gear, 50 hr Wilderness first aid and CPR certification fees, video analysis, evening workshops, all course materials, optional work practicum opportunities, some organized activities and social events, Program DVD, certificate of completion, and written evaluation. (Optional bonus 13th week includes: a 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.