Level 1 snowboard instructor course & job in Canada

Get a snowboard instructor certification and a job at a local ski school in Canada

Join us on an unforgettable snowboard instructor course in Canada

Take your first step toward becoming a snowboard instructor in Canada and ride some of the world’s most iconic mountains. Our snowboard level 1 courses in Canada combine world-class terrain with a welcoming mountain culture and legendary powder snow. Since 2015, we have guided Snowminders to unforgettable seasons on Canadian slopes.

At Snowminds, we are passionate about helping motivated riders unlock their potential on the mountain. Our snowboard instructor training takes place across more than 10 stunning resorts throughout Canada. Through focused coaching from experienced snowboard trainers, you’ll work toward your Canadian snowboard level 1 qualification while enjoying a full winter in the mountains, including the opportunity to work as a paid snowboard instructor at one of our partner resorts.

Each Canadian resort offers something unique, and our long-standing local knowledge allows us to place every instructor where they will thrive. Whether you are drawn to Whistler’s vibrant mountain town and vast terrain, the mix of urban life in Vancouver with deep powder at Cypress Mountain, the relaxed community feel of Marmot Basin, or the freestyle-focused slopes and French influence of Stoneham in Eastern Canada, our snowboard instructor courses in Canada are designed to match both the destination and your personal goals.

A winter season as a snowboard instructor in Canada

Live out a full winter in Canada while training, working and immersing yourself in the snowboard instructor life with Snowminds. For more than a decade, we’ve supported dedicated snowboarders in turning their passion into a season on the mountain, with guaranteed job placement for those who complete the programme successfully. Your season kicks off with a focused training period designed to prepare you for your Canadian Level 1 snowboard instructor qualification, led by skilled trainers who are with you throughout the process.

After passing your exam, you’ll move straight into paid work as a snowboard instructor at one of our long-standing partner snowboard schools. Most working days are centred around lessons in the mornings and early afternoons, leaving plenty of time to enjoy free riding, explore the resort and share laps with new friends. You’ll be part of an international instructor team and quickly settle into Canada’s relaxed and welcoming mountain lifestyle – where social evenings, shared experiences and big mountain scenery are all part of everyday life.

As the season progresses, there are plenty of opportunities to continue developing your riding. You can add further training such as Level 2 preparation, freestyle or backcountry courses, or join our renowned heli-camp in Revelstoke. If you’re keen to accelerate your progression, our combined Level 1 and 2 snowboard instructor courses in Canada are also available.

When winter comes to an end around April, many Snowminds instructors choose to keep the adventure going. Some celebrate the season with a post-winter trip to Hawaii, while others travel through Canada and the USA together – a memorable way to wrap up an incredible gap year in the mountains.

Recommendation: Check out our 5 Star reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Facebook and learn more about Snowminds from our ski and snowboard instructors!

Pictures from the destination

Snowbording off-piste Revelstoke, Canada
Instructors teaching in Stoneham, Canada
Snowboard instructor in Stoneham, Canada
Instructor teaching in Sun Peaks, Canada
Snowminds instructors in Cypress, Canada
Communal dinner with Snowminds instructors, Canada
Ski instructors in SilverStar, Canada
SilverStar village, Canada
Evening activities in SilverStar, Canada
Evening activities in SilverStar, Canada
Ski instructor in Whistler, Canada
Evening team activity in Sun Peaks

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM SNOWMINDS?

When you travel with Snowminds we help you every step of the way and help take care of all the practicalities. That way you can focus on packing your bags and good vibes and preparing yourself for your winter adventure.

Below, you can click your way to our different destinations in Canada, where you can do a level 1 snowboard instructor course. Here you can apply for the course you are most interested in doing.

With our Level 1 snowboard instructor course in Canada, you can look forward to the following benefits:

  • A winter season in Canada as a snowboard instructor
  • Job placement at a local ski school in Canada*
  • Round-trip flights to and from Canada**
  • Transportation to your destination from the airport
  • Organized season accommodation***
  • Breakfast and dinner during the course
  • Season lift pass
  • Snowboard training delivered by professional snowboard instructors
  • The Canadian level 1 snowboard instructor certification (including exam, course materials, and certificates)
  • Snowminds program manager and social activities
  • Kick-off Event prior to the season in Denmark, or online
  • Invitation to Snowminds Reunion Party after your season
  • A dedicated team to support you before, during, and after the winter season
  • Help with the visa application and other practical formalities before departure****
  • Preparation material and pre-travel fitness program
  • Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
  • Confidence in a Danish travel company that is a member of the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund
  • Travel protection with Snowminds Money Back Guarantee
  • A strong community with fellow Snowminders 

 

What is 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 + seasonal accommodation is contingent on successfully passing the recruitment process at the ski school and the level 1 exam.

**Economy Class Return flights are included from the following major international airports: London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen with 2 pieces of checked baggage included. If you prefer to fly from other airports, such as Edinburgh or Sydney, we can upon request try to organise this at a potential extra flight cost. 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. 

Read more about our Level 1 snowboard instructor courses with job in Canada

Here you can read more about the destinations in which we offer our Level 1 snowboard instructor courses in Canada. If you want to get to the next level immediately, check out our Level 1 and 2 snowboard instructor courses in Canada or our Level 2 add-on options.

KEY DETAILS ABOUT THE COURSE

Who can apply?

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.

PAID JOB PLACEMENT

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.

ACCOMMODATION

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.

SALARY EXPECTATIONS

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

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.

LANGUAGE

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.

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 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.

Course Price

Course Icon Level 1 Snowboard Instructor Course with job in Canada

Course Icon from € 7.795

Course Icon

Course Icon November - April

Course Icon Sign up deposit €200

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