Ski instructor course in Canada with a job

Marmot Basin

Travel dates: approx 26th of October 2023 til April/May 2024.
Level 1 Training Program: (From €8295)
– 12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 1 Certification
– Training in a secondary role + job placement in ski school is combined with a role in another department e.g lift operations + rentals*

Mont-Saint-Anne

Travel dates: approx 4th of January 2024 til April 2024.
Level 1 Training Program: (From €7295)
– 10 half-day training sessions in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 1 Certification

Panorama Mountain Village

Travel dates: approx 22nd of November 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 Training Program (From €7995)
– 12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 1 Certification

Silver Star Mountain Resort

Travel dates: approx 21st of November 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 Training Program (From €8295)
–  12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC Level 1 certification
– Training in a secondary role + job placement in ski school is combined with a role in another department e.g lift operations + rentals

Stoneham Mountain Resort

Travel dates: approx 20th of November 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 Training Program (From €6595)
– 12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification combined with French language lessons
– CSIA or PSIC Level 1 certification

Sun Peaks Resort

Travel dates: approx 22nd of November 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 Training Program (From €8295)
–  12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
–  CSIA or PSIC Level 1 certification
–  opportunity to book 20 Day Back Country course

Whistler 
Travel dates: approx 23rd of November 2023 to April/May 2023. Level 1 training program (From €7695)

• WBSSU training program in preparation for level 1 certification
• CSIA or PSIC level 1 certification 
• Note: meal plan is not included in Whistler, 4 weeks of accommodation is included rather than 3. 
• After successful completion of course, level 2 training + certification options provided in resort by ski school.

Read more about the opportunity to become a ski OR snowboard instructor in Whistler here.

Level 1 + 2 Ski Instructor Programs

Big White Mountain Resort

Level 1 + 2 Training Program (From €10.290)
Travel dates: approx 2oth of November 2023 to April 2024.
–  12 training days for Level 1
– CSIA or PSIC Level 1 certification
– 7 training days for Level 2
– CSIA or PSIC Level 2 certification

Kimberley Mountain Resort

Travel dates: approx 5th of December 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 + 2 Training Program: (From €8995)
– 6 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 1 Certification
– 6 training days in preparation for level 2 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 2 Certification

Marmot Basin

Travel dates: approx 26th of October 2023 til April/May 2024.
Level 1 + 2 Training Program:  (From €10.290)
– 12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 1 Certification
– Training in a secondary role + job placement in another department e.g lift operations + rentals
– 10 training days in preparation for level 2 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC Level 2 Certification
– Training in a secondary role + job placement in ski school is combined with a role in another department e.g lift operations + rentals*

Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Travel dates: approx 5th of December 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 + 2 Training Program: (From €8995)
– 6 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 1 Certification
– 6 training days in preparation for level 2 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC level 2 Certification

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Travel dates: approx 22nd of November 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 + 2 Training program: (From €9995)
–  12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC Level 1 certification
– 10 training days in preparation for level 2 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC Level 2 certification

Silver Star Mountain Resort

Travel dates: approx 21st of November 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 + 2 Training Program (From €9995)
–  12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC Level 1 certification
– 15 half-day training days in preparation for level 2 instructor certification
– CSIA or PSIC Level 2 certification

Sun Peaks Resort

Travel dates: approx 22nd of November 2023 to April 2024.
Level 1 + 2 Training Program (From €10.290)
–  12 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification
–  CSIA or PSIC Level 1 certification
– 7 training days in preparation for level 2 instructor certification

The Snowminds job placement and how it works

The job placement means that you have security in traveling to Canada with a job as an instructor already arranged in a local snow school. You will already know at which destination you will spend your season at, before departure. The job placement is naturally conditional on passing your ski or snowboard certification, which 99% of our students successfully pass. Even in the situation you do not pass, we still do everything we can to ensure you a job in the resort. That way you enjoy your season like everyone else and then retake your certification when ready. We are proud to say we have always been able to find a job for 100% of our instructors after graduation from our training course.

First 3 weeks of accommodation during the course is included at most destinations in Canada. Whichever resort you travel to, we arrange season accommodation housing for you. Many ski schools in Canada do not include accommodation as part of a work contract as they often work with a lot of local staff. Therefore, we work together with the ski schools to arrange good and fitting housing for you either in Staff Accommodation or in private rentals. You’ll be in shared accommodation with other Snowminds Instructors with a fantastic community like feel together with all your future colleagues.
The living situation differs from resort to resort. You often live in older houses, hostels or small apartments, where the dorm-like setting is cozy. It’s important to keep an open mind, as the accommodation will likely be very different to what you are used to at home or would typically experience on a ski holiday, for example, a 5 star ski chalet. Therefore, it is best to not expect luxury for your winter seasonal accommodation. However, we’re absolutely certain that your winter accommodation will quickly become your new home and your new colleagues your new family. We’re sure that you’ll have a little tear in your eye when the season is at its last chapter and you’re about to move out of your home.

Accommodation is not usually included as part of a work contract in Canada so the rent is either deducted from your salary or paid separately. In most cases, you will be asked to sign a housing contract before arrival and make a prepayment of the full season’s rent and a significant deposit prepayment. Rent varies, but typically lies between 450-1200 Canadian dollars a month.

Your wage depends on many factors, but you can expect to make around 15+ CAD per hour as a level 1 instructor and also get different bonus opportunities, for example, tips and extra private lessons if a guest wishes to book a private lesson and requests you personally.
In terms of financial expectations, let’s be clear: the job as an instructor will not make you rich money wise, but definitely rich with experiences. As a newly-educated instructor, you are typically on the “bottom of the food chain” regarding work. In other words, the more experienced instructors get first preference, but the more you show your passion and desire to work hard, the better. The amount you make as an instructor therefore often depends on both business levels in the resort, your own motivation, your working ethics and your previous working experience.
In general, it is very different from what our instructors earn and spend during the season since habits/personal budgets vary so much, but in general we recommend having a very minimum of 2000 CAD in pocket money so you can make the most of the season.

Since the instructor work is typically paid hourly, per lesson you teach, some instructors choose to pick up extra work in other departments on the mountain to supplement their income as an instructor. In Canada, there are typically opportunities to pick up extra shifts in rentals, lift operations and other departments in resorts.

TRANSPORT TO YOUR DESTINATION 

Return flights, to/from Canada and major airports such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, are included in our Canada course packages. We always try our best to book you on the same flight with other Snowminds instructors, or if this is not possible, arrange that you will arrive at a similar time.
When you arrive in Canada, there are a few practical things that we need to arrange so that you will be able to start employment at your ski school. This includes setting up a bank account and a Social Insurance Number. Depending on the location of your destination, this may mean that we stay a night together in the city before traveling to your new home for the winter. Your Snowminds Team leader will help you with these practicalities. Wherever your destination, we arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodation when you arrive in Canada.

CAN I VISIT OTHER DESTINATIONS?

There will certainly be an opportunity for this, especially during the quieter periods. Canada is a big country and the distances between some resorts can be long, which can make for some epic road trip opportunities. The best way to get around is by buying a car together with those you live with or renting a car. It will typically be possible to visit ski resorts “nearby” at cheap prices through the ski school. They will also in some cases be able to provide cheaper lift passes to other areas. In addition, there are possibilities for bus-routes between the destinations.

RETURN TRAVEL  

Your flight ticket is a return ticket, so the return flight journey is included in the price. We book a return date based on your wishes. The transport to the airport when you go home, however, is NOT included, as many travel on, have to go home on different dates or otherwise.

If you want inspiration for round trips etc. we can always assist with this and help arrange. It is also something we want to talk about for the kick off event, so you can already start dreaming about further travel opportunities.

If you change your mind while you are in Canada and would like to change your return flight date, then there will be a change fee and possible flight fare price differences, but we will happily look into the different options and possibilities for you.

The training and certification on all our courses in Canada will be in English and it is a requirement that you speak conversational English to attend the course.

Snowminds partners with ski schools in both Eastern and Western Canada, and our destination resorts in Quebec, such as Mont-Saint-Anne, Stoneham and Bromont, there are great opportunities to develop your French language skills.

Since there is a job placement included in this package, you will need to obtain a work permit before your departure. We will provide support and guidance to help you apply for the necessary visa, which gives you the right to work and travel in Canada for up to either 12 or 24 months (depending on which country you are from).

There is a limited amount of Working Holiday Visas allocated to each country and the process can take a long time. Therefore, we recommend that you secure your spot on the team as early as possible so that we can help you with the process and get the best chances of getting your hands on a visa.