Season in Stoneham with Level 1 Ski Instructor Course

Experience life as an instructor in Quebec’s freestyle hotspot

Become a ski instructor in Stoneham, Canada

Begin your ski instructor journey in Stoneham, Canada – a dynamic and social ski resort located just 30 minutes from Quebec City. Set in the heart of Québec, Stoneham Mountain Resort is known for its energetic atmosphere, challenging terrain, and strong freestyle culture. With a mix of steep runs, night skiing, terrain parks, and a lively local scene, Stoneham offers a unique blend of resort skiing and city life, making it an exciting place to start your career as a ski instructor.

We’re proud to offer a Level 1 Ski Instructor Course in Stoneham, where you’ll train toward your CSIA Level 1 certification while becoming part of a large and welcoming snow school team. The course combines on-snow training with professional instruction and includes French language lessons, helping you integrate into the local culture and daily life in Québec. Throughout the season, you’ll develop your skiing, teaching skills, and confidence while working as a ski instructor in a busy ski school environment with guests of all ages. Stoneham is the perfect destination if you want a social, high-energy season with strong training and real instructor experience.

The Ski Instructor Course and Season in Stoneham

Your ski instructor course in Stoneham begins in late November, just as the resort gears up for a busy winter season close to Québec City. After arriving in Canada and settling into your accommodation, you’ll take part in a Snowminds welcome orientation, receive your lift pass, and be introduced to the Stoneham Snow Sports School and your fellow Snowminders.

The course starts with an intensive Level 1 training program, combining on-snow instructor training with French language lessons. Over approximately 10 training days, you’ll focus on improving your skiing technique, learning core teaching principles, and preparing for your CSIA Level 1 certification. Training is delivered by experienced instructors in a high-energy ski school environment, giving you a strong foundation for working as a ski instructor in Québec.

After completing your Level 1 certification, you’ll move into ski school orientation and practical training, preparing you for your role as an instructor at Stoneham. From December onwards, the season quickly picks up pace. Stoneham is one of the busiest resorts in the region, with strong demand from local skiers, school groups, weekend visitors, and evening guests due to popular night skiing. You’ll begin teaching while continuing to receive in-house training and support throughout the season.

Running from late November through spring, your season in Stoneham will combine professional training, an internationally recognised certification, cultural immersion, and real ski school work experience. From your first training sessions to your first lessons on the slopes just outside Québec City, your season in Stoneham is designed to help you grow as both a skier and an instructor.

Life as a Ski Instructor in Stoneham

Life as a ski instructor in Stoneham is about combining real ski school experience with vibrant local culture and city access. Located just 30 minutes from Québec City, Stoneham Mountain Resort offers a lively, high-energy environment where skiing, teaching, and social life blend seamlessly throughout the winter season. With challenging terrain, night skiing, terrain parks, and a strong local ski community, Stoneham is an exciting place to live and work as an instructor.

Stoneham Snow Sports School will be your professional base for the season. With a large and welcoming team of instructors, the ski school offers a supportive learning environment where you’ll gain hands-on teaching experience alongside ongoing training. The resort is one of the busiest in the region, meaning plenty of opportunities to work with local skiers, school groups, families, and evening guests. This fast-paced setting helps you quickly build confidence and develop your teaching skills.

Off the mountain, life in Stoneham is closely connected to Québec City. When you’re not teaching or training, you can explore one of Canada’s most historic and cultural cities, known for its cafés, restaurants, nightlife, and European-style charm. Combined with a friendly ski school atmosphere and a strong social scene among instructors, Stoneham offers a well-rounded winter experience both on and off the slopes.

By the end of the season, you’ll have completed your Level 1 ski instructor course, earned your CSIA certification, and gained valuable experience teaching in a busy Canadian ski resort. More than that, you’ll leave Stoneham with strong friendships, improved skiing skills, cultural insights, and the confidence to continue your journey as a ski instructor.

 

Travel Agenda

The Stoneham Level 1 Ski Instructor Course is ideal if you’re taking a gap year, career break, or looking for a winter that combines professional development with real ski school life in Eastern Canada. From arrival and training to certification and teaching, the program is structured to guide you step by step into life as a ski instructor, so you can enjoy a full season in Stoneham.

Below is an example of how the Stoneham Level 1 Ski Instructor Course typically unfolds:

  • Late November: Arrival in Canada and transfer to Stoneham / Québec City area

  • Late November: Snowminds welcome orientation, settling into accommodation, lift pass collection, and introduction to Stoneham Snow Sports School

  • Late November – Early December: On-snow instructor training combined with French language lessons, focusing on skiing technique, teaching fundamentals, and preparation for the CSIA Level 1 exam

  • Early December: CSIA Level 1 certification exam

  • Early–Mid December: Ski school orientation and practical introduction to working as an instructor at Stoneham

  • Mid December – Spring: Teaching, continued in-house training, and work opportunities during busy weekends, school groups, evening skiing, and holiday periods

 

The agenda 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

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What Is Included in the Ski Instructor Course in Stoneham?

In short, we’ve got your winter in Stoneham covered – from professional training and certification to lift access and job placement at one of Québec’s busiest ski schools. The Stoneham Level 1 Ski Instructor Course is designed to give you a structured and supportive start to your season in Canada, so you can focus on developing as an instructor while enjoying life both on and off the mountain.

Below is an overview of what’s included in the Ski Instructor Course in Stoneham:

  • A full winter season in Stoneham, Canada with level 1 instructor course
  • Job placement at local ski school at Stoneham*
  • Return flight tickets to Quebec City**
  • Transfer from Airport to Stoneham
  • 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 10 training days before the Canadian level 1 ski instructor certification
  • Canadian level 1 ski instructor certification (including CSIA/PSIC exam, 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?

  • Costs related to 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 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 Stoneham Level 1 Ski Instructor Course, you should:

  • Feel comfortable skiing parallel on red runs

  • Speak English at a conversational level

  • Have a genuine interest in working with children and teens

  • Be positive, responsible, and professional in your approach

  • Enjoy teaching and be motivated to improve your skiing and instructional skills

  • Be at least 18 years old at the start of the program

  • Be eligible and prepared to live and work in Canada from late November through the end of the winter season

Stoneham Snow Sports School works with a wide range of guests, including local skiers, school groups, families, and evening visitors. A willingness to engage with children and young skiers is therefore essential. Previous experience working with kids is considered a strong advantage.

The course and ski school operate primarily in English, but Stoneham is located in a French-speaking region. You do not need to speak French to apply, but an openness and willingness to learn and use basic French during the season will significantly enhance both your work opportunities and overall experience. French language lessons are included as part of the course to support your integration.

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 Stoneham, and what it takes to succeed as a ski instructor in Québec. After the interview, we’ll let you know whether we can offer you a place on the team.

Due to high demand, places on the Stoneham ski instructor course are allocated on a first come, first served basis, with monthly application deadlines. Applying early significantly improves your chances of securing a spot and starting your winter as a ski instructor just outside Québec City.

“GO! You’ll probably have a way better experience in a smaller resort compared to a big one because you get to know the people working in the resort much better!”

- Snowminds Instructor in Stoneham

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 Stoneham Snow Sports School before departure. You’ll know exactly where you’ll be spending your winter, allowing you to prepare for your season in Québec with clarity and confidence.

The job placement is conditional on successfully passing your CSIA Level 1 ski instructor certification, which the majority of Snowminds participants complete during the course. Once certified, you’ll move into your role as a ski instructor at Stoneham, teaching local skiers, school groups, families, and evening guests in one of the region’s busiest ski schools.

If you do not pass the CSIA Level 1 exam on your first attempt, Snowminds works closely with the ski school to support you and explore possible solutions. Our aim is always to help you remain part of the season, continue developing your skills, and gain valuable experience in the resort where possible.

We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with Stoneham and our structured approach to training and job placement. This ensures you arrive with a clear pathway from training into work, backed by ongoing support throughout the season. The result is a smooth transition from course participant to working ski instructor — and a winter in Canada where you can focus on learning, teaching, and making the most of the experience.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Stoneham

The first three weeks of accommodation during your course are included in the Stoneham program. We work closely with local property owners to arrange suitable housing for you in a pre-paid private house in Stoneham. This ensures you have a secure accommodation offer where your housing is arranged before your departure.

The living situation offers a cozy atmosphere with shared rooms with other Snowminds instructors, short walk to the base of the lifts.

The full season’s rent, along with a security deposit, is to be prepaid approximately one month before your arrival. This provides security and simplicity for your winter stay, so you don’t have to worry about rent payments during the season. Accommodation rates vary depending on availability each season, but typically will be a full-season agreement of approximately 800-900 EUR a month per person, 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 your journey home is included in the course price. We book your return flight date based on your preferences. Transport to the airport for your return journey is not included, as many participants travel on to other destinations, leave at different times, or plan further adventures after the season.

If you would like inspiration or help planning road trips or onward travel, we’re always happy to assist. This is also something we typically discuss during the kick-off event, giving you plenty of time to start dreaming about post-season 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.

Should you decide to change your return flight date while in Canada, a change fee and possible fare difference may apply. We’ll gladly help you explore the available options and find the best solution for your plans.

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.

At Stoneham, the ski instructor course and training are delivered in English, ensuring you can fully follow the program and certification process. However, Stoneham is located in a French-speaking region of Québec, and many guests and colleagues speak French as their first language. While French is not required to join the course, a willingness to learn and use basic French during the season will significantly enhance both your work opportunities and your overall experience.

To support this, French language lessons are included as part of the Stoneham course, helping you integrate into daily life at the resort and in Québec City. You’ll gain valuable experience working in a bilingual environment, developing both your communication skills and cultural understanding while teaching in one of Eastern Canada’s busiest ski resorts.

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

Course Icon Season in Stoneham with Level 1 Ski Instructor Course

Course Icon from €7.795

Course Icon

Course Icon Stoneham, Canada

Course Icon Early December to April

Course Icon Sign up deposit: €200

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Any Questions? Call us!