Level 1 Snowboard instructor course in Canada

Become a snowboard instructor in Cypress Mountain Resort

Cypress Mountain offers an incredible combination of world-class skiing and vibrant city life just minutes from downtown Vancouver. With diverse terrain, professional training opportunities, and a welcoming ski school team, being an instructor at Cypress means sharpening your skills while enjoying all the beauty and culture the Vancouver area has to offer.

Travel dates: End of November to April 
Level 1 Training Program:  (From €7995)
– 12 training days in preparation for level 1 snowboard instructor certification
– CASI level 1 Certification

If you want to take your snowboarding to the next Level, you can check out our Level 2 course here.

Become a snowboard instructor in Marmot Basin

You can find Marmot Basin, the highest ski resort in the Canadian Rockies, in the state of Alberta in the midst of Jasper National Park. Beyond an extensive season up until May, Marmot Basin and its surroundings offer incredible nature and wildlife. The ski school offers a real “family-like” atmosphere, and you will be closely involved in the Canadian culture.

Travel dates: Beginning of October til April/May
Level 1 Training Program: (From €8595)
– 12 training days in preparation for level 1 snowboard instructor certification
– CASI 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*

In Marmot Basin you also have the opportunity to take your Level 1 and Level 2 snowboard instructor certification. Take a look at our Level 1 and 2 snowboard instructor courses in Canada!

Become a snowboard instructor in Stoneham Mountain Resort

Stoneham Mountain Resort, located just 30 minutes from Quebec City, offers a vibrant mix of challenging terrain and freestyle features, including Quebec’s only Olympic half-pipe. Known for its lively atmosphere and strong focus on both skiing and snowboarding, Stoneham is a great place for instructors to grow their skills. The welcoming snow school team of 150 instructors ensures you’ll have both expert guidance and plenty of camaraderie throughout the season. Situated in a French-speaking region, Stoneham also provides an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and pick up some French along the way.

Travel dates: End of November to April 
Level 1 Training Program (From €7295)
– 10 training days in preparation for level 1 instructor certification combined with French language lessons
– CASI Level 1 certification

If you want to take your snowboarding to the next Level, you can check out our Level 2 course here.

Become a snowboard instructor in Sun Peaks Resort

Sun Peaks is Canada’s second largest ski area and is comprised of three distinct mountains. With 135 slopes and 6 meters of annual snowfall, Sun Peaks offers first-class conditions. The entire town is ski-in, ski-out and as a ski instructor in Sun Peaks you have unlimited opportunities and adventures.

Travel dates: End of November to April 
Level 1 Training Program (From €8595)
– 12 training days in preparation for level 1 snowboard instructor certification
– CASI level 1 Certification
–  opportunity to book 20 Day Back Country course

In Sun Peaks you also have the opportunity to take your Level 1 and Level 2 snowboard instructor certification. Take a look at our Level 1 and 2 snowboard instructor courses in Canada!

Become a snowboard instructor in Whistler 

Whistler Blackcomb is a world-class resort that boasts over 200 slopes, 31 kilometers of terrain, and an astounding 11 meters of annual snowfall. As a ski instructor in Whistler, you’ll not only gain experience at the world’s largest ski school, but you’ll also become part of a vibrant international community. Beyond the slopes, Whistler Village offers a lively après-ski scene, incredible dining, and plenty of nightlife, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Our Whistler ski instructor course does not have meals included, but instead 4 weeks of accommodation. Please see specific details and apply for Whistler specific course here if interested.

Travel dates: End of November to April/May. Level 1 training program (From €7995)

• WBSSU training program in preparation for level 1 certification
• CASI 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.

At Snowminds we pride ourselves in selecting the right people for our team of ski- and snowboard instructors. We are renowned amongst the ski schools for educating competent, energetic and top motivated ski- and snowboard instructors.

What we expect from you:

• You have snowboarded a minimum of 3-4 weeks
• You are positive, outgoing and adventurous
• You are serious, responsible and top motivated
• You are good with kids, teens, and adults
• You enjoy teaching and love being challenged  
• You speak English at a conversational level
• You are 18 years or above
• You are eligible for  Working Holiday Visa*

When you have sent your application, we will begin our recruitment process with you.  Our team of instructors will first give you a call to hear if you have any questions, and then invite you for an online interview.

During the interview, we will evaluate your candidacy while you have the opportunity to get more information about our courses and the experience as an instructor in Canada.

After the interview, we will call you and let you know whether or not we can offer you a spot on our team with a job placement for the winter season. 

We have a big interest in our courses and the spots fill up quickly. Therefore we have a “first come, first serve” principle with an application deadline each month. This means that the earlier you send in your application, the greater your chances are of joining the team and getting your dream destination.

Hit the apply now button below to get started, where you will find our prices and dates.

*Eligibility for Working Holiday visa depends on different factors such as which passport you hold and your age. Ask us if you are unsure.

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 event 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.