Become a Snowboard Instructor in Mount Washington, Canada
Begin your snowboard instructor course in Mount Washington, Canada – a true local gem on Vancouver Island known for its deep snowfall, laid-back atmosphere, and strong community spirit. Surrounded by pristine nature and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Mount Washington Alpine Resort delivers one of the highest average annual snowfalls in North America and a genuine Canadian mountain experience. With a mix of open runs, glades, terrain parks, and night riding, Mount Washington offers ideal conditions for developing both your riding and teaching skills throughout the season.
We’re proud to offer a Snowboard Instructor Course in partnership with Mount Washington Snow School. During the course, you’ll train across varied terrain while completing your PSIC Snowboard Level 1 and Level 2 certifications. The program prepares you for work as a snowboard instructor in Canada while developing you as a confident rider and educator. Once certified, you’ll become part of a close-knit snow school team where you’ll work as an instructor, teaching local families and visitors while enjoying a season defined by community, consistent snowfall, and authentic mountain life.
The Snowboard Instructor Course and Season in Mount Washington
Your snowboard instructor course in Mount Washington begins in early December, as the resort opens for another snow-heavy winter on Vancouver Island. After arriving in Canada and settling into your accommodation, you’ll start the season with a Snowminds welcome orientation, receive your lift pass, and get introduced to Mount Washington Snow School and your fellow Snowminders.
The course starts with an intensive Level 1 training program focused on building strong riding fundamentals, teaching skills, and confidence across varied terrain. Through a series of on-snow training days, you’ll prepare for your PSIC Level 1 snowboard instructor certification while training alongside experienced instructors in a supportive and community-driven environment. Mount Washington’s consistent snowfall, tree riding, terrain parks, and night skiing provide ideal conditions to develop both your technical riding and your understanding of how to teach progression.
After completing your Level 1 certification, you’ll move into snow school orientation and practical training, preparing you for your role as a snowboard instructor at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. From mid-December, the winter season begins and you’ll start teaching local families and visiting guests while continuing regular in-house training and professional development throughout the season. As part of the program, you will also complete your PSIC Level 2 certification during the winter, progressing further in your instructor journey within a strong, community-focused snow school environment.
From early December through spring, your season combine professional training, internationally recognised certification, and real work experience in a genuine Canadian ski resort. From your first training sessions to your first lessons under the lights or in fresh coastal snow, this program is designed to develop you as a rider, build your confidence as an instructor, and set you up for a full season as a snowboard instructor in Canada.
Life as a Snowboard Instructor in Mount Washington
Life as a snowboard instructor in Mount Washington is all about genuine mountain living, strong community, and spending as much time on snow as possible. Located on Vancouver Island and surrounded by wild coastal nature, Mount Washington offers one of the highest average annual snowfalls in North America and a refreshingly local Canadian ski culture. The resort attracts devoted riders, families, and locals who value good snow, friendly service, and a down-to-earth atmosphere.
Mount Washington Snow School will be your professional base for the season. The snow school is known for its strong sense of community, where instructors support each other both on and off the mountain. As a snowboard instructor here, you’ll work closely with experienced and highly qualified instructors, including senior PSIC trainers, and receive regular training throughout the winter. The terrain is varied and ideal for teaching progression, with open runs, glades, terrain parks, and night skiing giving you the chance to develop both your riding and teaching skills in a supportive environment.
Off the mountain, Mount Washington delivers a relaxed and authentic Canadian lifestyle. Most instructors spend time in the nearby town of Courtenay, where you’ll find local cafés, bars, and restaurants, along with a strong social scene among seasonal staff. On days off, you can explore Vancouver Island, hike through coastal forests, surf nearby beaches, or simply enjoy the slower pace of island life. The focus here is simple: ride hard, train well, and enjoy being part of a tight-knit mountain community.
By the end of the season, you’ll have completed your Snowboard Level 1 course, earned your PSIC certification, and gained real teaching experience at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. More than that, you’ll leave with improved riding skills, meaningful friendships, and the confidence to continue your snowboard instructor journey in Canada or beyond.
Travel Agenda
Our snowboard instructor course in Mount Washington is ideal if you’re taking a gap year, career break, or looking for a winter that combines professional training with an authentic Canadian mountain experience. From arrival through certification and into the season, the program is designed to guide you step by step into life as a snowboard instructor in Canada, so you can enjoy a full winter season in Mount Washington.
Below is an example of how the Mount Washington Snowboard Instructor Course and season typically unfolds:
Early December: Arrival in Canada and transfer to Vancouver Island
Early December: Snowminds welcome orientation, settling into accommodation, lift pass collection, and introduction to Mount Washington Snow School
Early December – Mid December: On-snow training focused on riding technique, teaching fundamentals, and preparation for the PSIC Level 1 snowboard instructor certification
Mid December: PSIC Level 1 certification exam
Mid December:
Snow school orientation and practical introduction to working as a snowboard instructor at Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Mid December – Spring: Teaching, continued in-house training, and work opportunities throughout weekends and peak periods, including completion of the PSIC Level 2 certification during the season.
The agenda is indicative and may vary slightly from season to season. Final schedules are always adapted to snow conditions, resort operations, and snow school planning to ensure the best possible training and learning experience.
What Is Included in the Snowboard Instructor Course in Mount Washington?
In short, we’ve got your winter in Mount Washington covered – from professional snowboard training and internationally recognised certification to accommodation and job placement at a genuine Canadian ski resort. The Mount Washington Snowboard Instructor Course is designed to give you a structured and well-supported start to your season in Canada, so you can focus on developing as an instructor and becoming part of a close-knit mountain community.
Below is an overview of what’s included in the Snowboard Instructor Course in Mount Washington:
- A winter season in Mount Washington, Canada with a level 1+2 snowboard instructor course
- Job placement at the local ski school*
- Return flights to and from Canada from a major international airport* including two pieces of checked-in luggage**
- On-ground transportation to the ski resort from the airport
- Organized season accommodation with the first 3 weeks included***
- Breakfast and dinner 5 days per week for a total of 15 days
- A total of 6 training days before the Canadian level 1 snowboard instructor certification, and another 6 snowboard training days during the rest of the season before the level 2 exam in March
- The Canadian level 1+2 snowboard instructor certifications (including CASI exams, course materials, and certificates)
- Season lift pass (during course and employment)
- Snowminds team leader and social events
- Help with the visa application (if needed) and other practical formalities before departure
- Preparation material and pre-travel fitness program
- Kick-off Event prior to the season in Denmark, or online
- Pro-deals at Snowminds Store
- Opportunity to join our Heli Skiing Camp in Revelstoke.
- Opportunity to finish the experience on our Season Finish Trip to Hawaii
- Invitation to the Snowminds Reunion Party after the winter season
- A strong community with fellow Snowminders
- Confidence in a Danish registered travel company that is a member of the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund
- Travel protection with Snowminds Money Back Guarantee
What’s not included?
- Visa fees, cancellation, and travel insurance
- Security deposit and rent for seasonal accommodation after the first 3 weeks
- Travel activity after the season ends (including, transport from your destination to the airport)
- Equipment pocket money and anything else not mentioned above
* The job placement 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.
*** You will live with other instructors 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 is shared with another participant. Please be aware that the accommodation can change from season to season.
Application Requirements
At Snowminds, we carefully select motivated and committed candidates who are ready to develop into professional snowboard instructors. A positive mindset, strong work ethic, and genuine enthusiasm for teaching are just as important as your riding ability. If you’re adventurous, eager to learn, and ready to take on responsibility in a supportive but professional mountain environment, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.
To apply for the Mount Washington Snowboard Instructor Course, you should:
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Feel comfortable riding red runs
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Speak English at a conversational level
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Have a genuine interest in working with children
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Be positive, responsible, and professional in your approach
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Enjoy teaching and be motivated to continuously improve your skills
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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.
Mount Washington Snow School has a strong focus on teaching children and local families, particularly at beginner and intermediate levels. Previous experience working with kids is therefore a strong advantage and may be required as part of 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 at Mount Washington, and what it takes to succeed as a snowboard instructor in Canada. 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 Mount Washington snowboard 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 in one of Canada’s most welcoming and community-driven ski resorts.
“The snow at Mount Washington is unreal — you just want to be on the mountain every day.”
- Snowminds Instructor in Mount Washington
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 snowboard instructor is arranged with Mount Washington Snow School before departure. You’ll know exactly where you’ll be spending your winter, allowing you to prepare for your season on Vancouver Island with clarity and confidence.
The job placement is conditional on successfully passing your PSIC Level 1 snowboard instructor certification, which the majority of Snowminds participants complete during the course. In the event that you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, Snowminds works closely with Mount Washington Snow School to support you and explore possible solutions, so you can continue developing your skills and remain part of the season.
We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with Mount Washington Snow School and our structured approach to transitioning participants from training into work. Our focus is to ensure you arrive at Mount Washington with a clear pathway into instructing, strong professional support, and the best possible foundation for a successful winter in one of Canada’s most community-driven ski resorts.
Accommodation
The first three weeks of accommodation during your course are included in the Mount Washington program. We arrange pre-paid private accommodation in close cooperation with the ski school/resort at the comfortable and cosy Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community in Courtenay, ensuring you have a secure accommodation offer where your housing is arranged before your departure.
You’ll be living in shared apartments, sharing a room with fellow Snowminds instructors and/or other resort staff. The units are modern and come with a full kitchen and everything else you’ll need to feel right at home. It’s a great setup that makes it easy to bond with your new colleagues and really feel like part of the community.
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 4.5 month 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 the return journey is included in the course price. We book your return flight based on your preferred travel date at the end of the season.
Please note that transportation from Mount Washington or your accommodation back to the airport for your return journey is not included, as many participants travel on, leave on different dates, or plan trips after the season.
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’re in Canada, airline change fees and possible fare differences may apply. We’re always happy to help you explore your options and assist with any flight changes if needed. We also cover post-season travel ideas at the Snowminds kick-off event, so you can start planning your next adventure early.
Language
All training and certification on our snowboard instructor courses in Canada are conducted in English. It is therefore a requirement that you speak English at a conversational level in order to participate in the course and work as a snowboard instructor.
Snowminds partners with ski schools across both Eastern and Western Canada. At Mount Washington, you’ll work in a fully English-speaking environment while teaching primarily local families and visiting guests. This gives you valuable, real-life experience using English on and off the mountain, while developing strong teaching and customer service skills in a supportive, community-driven Canadian ski resort.
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 Mont Washington with level 1 & 2 snowboard instructor course
from €9.395
Mount Washington, Canada
Early December to April