Become a ski instructor in Kimberley, Canada
Begin your ski instructor course in Kimberley, Canada – a laid-back mountain resort nestled in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia. Known for its dry “Purcell Powder,” sunny days, and uncrowded slopes, Kimberley offers an authentic Canadian ski experience with a strong local community feel. With varied terrain spread across four distinct mountain faces, reliable snowfall, and a relaxed village atmosphere, Kimberley is an ideal place to commit to a full season of progression as a ski instructor.
We’re proud to offer a Level 1 + Level 2 Ski Instructor Course in partnership with Kimberley Winter Sports School. Throughout the season, you’ll train in a supportive and close-knit ski school environment while working toward both your CSIA Level 1 and CSIA Level 2 certifications. This structured progression allows you to build strong foundations early in the season before continuing your development as an instructor through advanced training and real teaching experience.
Once qualified, you’ll join a global team of instructors and start working as an instructor. You’ll be, teaching guests from around the world while developing your skills in one of British Columbia’s hidden gems.
The Ski Instructor Course and Season in Kimberley
Your ski instructor course in Kimberley begins in early December, just as the resort opens for a sunny and snow-filled winter season in the Purcell Mountains. After arriving in Canada and settling into your accommodation, you’ll start with a Snowminds welcome orientation, receive your lift pass, and be introduced to Kimberley Winter Sports School and your fellow Snowminders.
The season starts with an intensive Level 1 training program, focused on building strong technical skills and teaching foundations. Through a series of on-snow training days, you’ll work on improving your skiing, understanding the fundamentals of instruction, and preparing for your CSIA Level 1 certification. Training is delivered by experienced and highly qualified instructors in a close-knit ski school environment, allowing for personal feedback and a strong learning curve.
After completing your Level 1 certification, you’ll move into ski school orientation and begin working as an instructor at Kimberley Alpine Resort. Throughout the early and mid-season, you’ll continue teaching while receiving regular in-house training and support. As the season progresses, the focus shifts toward further development and preparation for the CSIA Level 2 certification, allowing you to build on your experience and advance your skills as an instructor.
From early December through spring, this course combines structured progression from Level 1 to Level 2, internationally recognised certification, and real work experience in a relaxed and authentic Canadian ski resort. In short, your season in Kimberley is designed to support long-term development as both a skier and an instructor – from your first training turns, through real teaching experience, and onward to achieving your Level 2 certification in one of British Columbia’s most welcoming mountain communities.
Life as a Ski Instructor in Kimberley
Life as a ski instructor in Kimberley is about becoming part of a genuine Canadian mountain community while developing your skills on and off the slopes. Located in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Kimberley offers a relaxed atmosphere, sunny winter days, and uncrowded terrain – creating an ideal environment to learn, teach, and enjoy a full winter season in the mountains.
Kimberley Winter Sports School will be your professional home throughout the season. As a smaller, close-knit ski school, it provides a supportive learning environment where instructor development is a clear priority. You’ll work closely with experienced instructors, receive regular training, and gain hands-on teaching experience with a mix of local guests and visiting families. This personal approach supports steady progression throughout the season, both as a skier and as an instructor.
Off the mountain, Kimberley delivers a laid-back mountain-town lifestyle. The resort and town are known for their friendly community, ski-in/ski-out access, and strong social connections among instructors. In your free time, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ski with friends, join organised ski school activities, and explore nearby Resorts of the Canadian Rockies destinations using your RCR lift pass.
By the end of the season, participants will have completed both Level 1 and Level 2 ski instructor training and earned their CSIA Level 1 and Level 2 certifications, while gaining valuable teaching experience in an authentic Canadian resort setting.
Travel Agenda
Our ski instructor course in Kimberley is well suited for a gap year, career break, or anyone looking for a winter focused on progression, community, and real mountain life. From arrival through certification, the program is structured to ease you into life as a ski instructor in Canada, so you can enjoy a full winter season in Whistler.
Below is an example of how the Kimberley Ski Instructor Course and season typically unfolds:
- Early December: Arrival in Canada and transfer to Kimberley
- Early December: Snowminds welcome orientation, settling into accommodation, lift pass collection, and introduction to Kimberley Winter Sports School
- Early to mid December: On-snow Level 1 training focused on technical skills, teaching fundamentals, and preparation for the CSIA Level 1 exam
- Mid December: CSIA Level 1 certification exam
- Mid December: Ski school orientation and practical introduction to working as an instructor at Kimberley Alpine Resort
- Mid December to April: Teaching, ongoing training, and continued development throughout the winter season
The itinerary is indicative and may vary slightly from season to season. Final schedules are always adapted to snow conditions, resort operations, and ski school planning to ensure the best possible training and learning experience.
Pictures from the destination
What Is Included in the Ski Instructor Course in Kimberley?
In short, we’ve got your winter in Kimberley covered – from professional training and internationally recognised certification to accommodation and job placement at a welcoming Canadian ski resort. The Kimberley Level 1 + Level 2 Ski Instructor Course is designed to support your development across a full winter season, giving you a structured and progressive pathway into life as a ski instructor in Canada.
Below is an overview of what’s included in the Ski Instructor Course in Kimberley:
- A full winter season in Kimberley, Canada with level 1 +2 instructor course
- Job placement at local ski school at Kimberley
- Return flight tickets to Canada*
- 1 night of accommodation in arrival city
- Transfer from arrival city to destination
- Accommodation for first 3 weeks
- Arranged seasonal accommodation (rent not included)***
- Season lift pass (during course and employment)*
- Breakfast and dinner 5 days per week for a total of 15 days
- A total of 6 training days before the Canadian level 1 ski instructor certification + 6 training days before the Canadian level 2 ski instructor certification
- Canadian level 1 + 2 ski instructor certifications (including CSIA/PSIC modules, exams, course materials, and certificates)
- Kick-off Event prior to the season in Denmark, or online
- Preparation material and pre-travel fitness program
- Snowminds team leader support
- Arranged social team events
- Practical support with Visa, SIN + Bank accounts****
- Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
- Invitation to Snowminds Reunion Party after the winter season
- Confidence in a Danish registered travel company that is a member of the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund
- Travel protection with Snowminds Money Back Guarantee
- A strong community with fellow Snowminds instructors
What’s not included?
- Any costs related to meals, visa, vaccines, insurances, living expenses (i.e, seasonal accommodation rent)
- Travel costs at end of season (incl. transport from destination to airport at end of trip)
- Equipment and any other costs not mentioned under “included”.
* Job placement, season lift pass and seasonal accommodation is contingent on successfully passing the recruitment process at the ski school and the level 1 exam.
**Return flights are included from the following major international airports; London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen with 2 pieces of checked baggage included. We will happily arrange flights from other areas, such as Edinburgh or Sydney, upon request and likely extra charges. In all cases, please be aware that there may be additional costs depending on the departure airport, flight availability, and price increases! We will notify you before final flight bookings are made in such cases. You are also welcome to book your own flights, in which case we provide a 700 euro discount on your trip.
***Accommodation is in shared accommodations of varying sizes and quality. Some units have bunk, twin, or sofabeds, and others have double beds, in which case the bed will be shared with another participant. Please be aware that accommodation can change from season to season, in most cases rent for full season and security deposit is to be paid in full before arrival.
****Please note that you must have a Canadian visa approval before departure and the Canadian government requires you to have at least 2500 CAD in your account upon entry to Canada.
Application Requirements
At Snowminds, we carefully select motivated and committed candidates who are ready to grow into professional ski instructors. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and genuine enthusiasm for teaching are just as important as your skiing ability. If you’re adventurous, outgoing, and ready for a winter of learning and responsibility, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.
To apply for the Kimberley Level 1 + Level 2 Ski Instructor Course, you should:
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Feel comfortable skiing parallel on red runs
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Speak English at a conversational level
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Have a genuine interest in teaching and working with people
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Be positive, responsible, and professional in your approach
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Enjoy learning, feedback, and continuous development
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Be motivated to progress throughout a full winter season
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Be at least 18 years old at the start of the program*
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Be eligible and prepared to live and work in Canada from early December through the end of the winter season
*Please note: In British Columbia, the legal age as an adult is 19. While you can join the course at 18, we recommend being 19 or older to fully be able to take part in social activities.
Teaching in Kimberley often involves working with children and families, so previous experience with kids is considered an advantage and may be taken into account during the recruitment process.
Once you’ve submitted your application, our team will contact you for an initial call, followed by an online interview. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the course, life in Kimberley, and what it takes to succeed as a ski instructor in Canada. After the interview, we’ll let you know whether we can offer you a place on the team.
Due to limited availability, places on the Kimberley ski instructor course are allocated on a first come, first served basis, with regular application deadlines. Applying early significantly improves your chances of securing a spot and starting your winter in one of British Columbia’s most welcoming ski resorts.
“Kimberley is such a special hidden gem and I loved my season here. The people are super welcoming, it is very easy going and it is a kid-friendly mountain for teaching as well. Kimberley Winter Sports School is amazing and I’ll definitely be back for another season.”
- Snowminds Instructor in Kimberley
Key Details About the Course
PAID JOB PLACEMENT
The Snowminds Job Placement and How It Works
The Snowminds job placement gives you peace of mind when travelling to Canada, as your position as a ski instructor is arranged with Kimberley Winter Sports School before departure. You’ll know exactly where you’ll be spending your winter, allowing you to prepare for your season in Kimberley with clarity and confidence.
The job placement is conditional on successfully completing your CSIA Level 1 certification, which is completed at the start of the season. Once certified, you move into ski school orientation and begin working as a ski instructor at Kimberley Alpine Resort, while continuing to develop your skills through regular in-house training.
Throughout the season, Snowminds works closely with Kimberley Winter Sports School to support your transition from training into teaching. In the event that additional support is needed early in the season, Snowminds and the ski school aim to help you continue developing within the resort environment wherever possible.
We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with Kimberley and our structured approach, which enables participants to progress from training into real teaching experience within a supportive and close-knit ski school. Our focus is to ensure you arrive in Kimberley with a clear pathway into instructing and the support you need to make the most of your winter in Canada.
Accommodation
The first 3 weeks of accommodation during your course are included in the Kimberley program. We arrange pre-paid private accommodation in Kimberley for the season, ensuring you have a secure accommodation offer where your housing is arranged before your departure.
The full season’s rent, along with a security deposit, is to be prepaid before your arrival, providing security and simplicity for your winter stay and no need to worry about rent payments during the season.
In Kimberley, we usually rent several apartment units right at the base of the resort, where you will be sharing a room with other Snowminds instructors and/or seasonal resort staff. The units offer a fantastic community feel and you should expect a social and cozy atmosphere in the accommodation, sharing each 2-bedroom suite with 4 people.
Accommodation rates vary depending on availability each season, but typically will be a 4 month agreement of approxmately 700-900 EUR a month, paid in full prior to departure.
WORK EXPECTATIONS
Please keep in mind that while Snowminds helps secure your position, your official employer for the season is the ski school. This means that all work expectations, daily responsibilities, and schedules are defined entirely by the ski school management.
While we will gladly provide guidance based on past seasons and ski school expectations, please note that Snowminds cannot guarantee your specific work hours, schedule, or lesson types.
In general, it is very different from what instructors earn and spend during the season since habits/personal budgets and seasonal work hours can fluctuate so much from year to year. So in general we recommend bringing savings with you so you can make the most of the season experience.
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.
Wages are paid at an hourly rate and depend on your certification level. 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
Transport to Your Destination
If we are booking your flights for you, then 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.
This means will stay a night in the city before traveling to the resort to settle into your seasonal accommodation. Your Snowminds Team leader will help you with these practicalities and help you settle in.
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. Some instructors decide to buy a used car together or rent a car. In addition, there are possibilities for bus-routes between some destinations in Canada.
Return Travel
Your flight ticket is a return ticket, meaning the journey back home is included in the price. We book your return flight date based on your preferences. Transport to the airport at the end of the season is not included, as many participants travel onward, leave on different dates, or continue exploring Canada after the course.
If you would like inspiration for road trips or further travel, we are always happy to assist and help you plan. This is also something we typically discuss during the kick-off event, so you can already start dreaming about additional travel opportunities.
If staying for summer sounds appealing, you can combine your winter with a summer season by taking our level 1 Mountain Bike instructor course in Whistler.
If you decide to change your return flight date while you are in Canada, a change fee and possible fare difference may apply. We’ll gladly help you look into the available options and support you with any adjustments.
Language
All training and certification on our ski instructor courses in Canada are conducted in English, and it is a requirement that you speak English at a conversational level in order to attend the course and work as an instructor.
Snowminds partners with ski schools across both Eastern and Western Canada. In Kimberley, you’ll work in an English-speaking ski school environment while teaching a mix of local guests and visiting families. This gives you valuable experience developing your communication and teaching skills in an authentic Canadian resort setting, while working closely with colleagues throughout the winter season.
If you want, the next step could be to convert any remaining language, visa, or practical information sections so everything is fully consistent for Kimberley.
Work permit
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 reserve your spot on the course 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.
Price
Season in Kimberley with Level 1+2 ski instructor course
from €9.395
Kimberley, Canada
Early December to April