Become a Snowboard Instructor in Sun Peaks, Canada
Start your snowboard instructor journey in Sun Peaks, Canada – one of the country’s most welcoming and well-balanced mountain resorts, and the second largest ski area in Canada. Located in the interior of British Columbia and spread across three interconnected mountains, Sun Peaks is known for its wide-open terrain, reliable snowfall, and relaxed ski-in ski-out village atmosphere. With fewer crowds, consistent conditions, and a strong sense of community, Sun Peaks is an ideal place to take your first steps toward becoming a snowboard instructor.
We’re proud to offer a Level 1 Snowboard Instructor Course with an optional level 2 in partnership with Sun Peaks Sports School, a highly respected school with a strong focus on training and instructor development. Throughout the course, you’ll take part in structured on-snow training and work toward your CASI Level 1 certification, preparing you for work as a snowboard instructor in Canada.
Once qualified, you’ll join an international yet close-knit team of instructors and start working as an instructor. You’ll be, teaching guests from around the world while building confidence, experience, and friendships in a supportive mountain environment.
The Snowboard Instructor Course and Season in Sun Peaks
Your snowboard instructor course in Sun Peaks begins in late November, as the resort prepares for another winter season in the interior of British Columbia. After arriving in Canada and travelling to Sun Peaks, you’ll settle into your accommodation, take part in a Snowminds welcome orientation, receive your lift pass, and be introduced to Sun Peaks Sports School and your fellow Snowminders.
The course starts with an intensive Level 1 training program, featuring structured on-snow training days focused on improving your snowboarding technique, developing teaching skills, and preparing you for your CASI Level 1 certification. Training is delivered by experienced instructors in a supportive and professional school environment, giving you a strong foundation for working as a snowboard instructor in Canada.
Once you’ve completed your Level 1 certification, you’ll take part in snowboard school orientation and practical training, preparing you for your role as an instructor at Sun Peaks Sports School. From mid-December onwards, the winter season gains momentum, and you’ll begin teaching guests during busy holiday periods. For those that want to continue their development, there is the option to take level 2 training and go for the level 2 exam alongside your employment.
From late November through early spring, your season combines professional training, internationally recognised certification, and real work experience at one of Canada’s largest and most respected mountain resorts. In short, we’ve got your season in Sun Peaks covered – from your first training turns to your first lessons on the wide, uncrowded slopes of one of Canada’s most enjoyable winter destinations.
Life as a Snowboard Instructor in Sun Peaks
Life as a snowboard instructor in Sun Peaks is about more than just teaching snowboarding – it’s about becoming part of a close-knit mountain community while spending an entire winter on the slopes. Located in the interior of British Columbia and spread across three interconnected mountains, Sun Peaks combines wide-open terrain, reliable snow conditions, and a relaxed village atmosphere, creating an ideal environment to work, learn, and live throughout the season.
Sun Peaks Sports School will be your professional base for the winter. Known for its supportive culture and strong focus on instructor development, the school offers a welcoming and professional environment where new instructors are given the time and guidance to grow. You’ll work alongside instructors from around the world, gaining hands-on teaching experience while developing your skills in a setting that values quality instruction and teamwork.
Off the mountain, Sun Peaks offers a laid-back social scene with cosy bars, cafés, and restaurants all located within the ski-in, ski-out village. When you’re not teaching or training, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the uncrowded slopes, ride with friends, join staff activities, and enjoy the long winter season that runs from late November through early spring.
By the end of the season, you’ll have completed your Level 1 ski instructor training – and if you choose to progress, your Level 2 certification as well, while gaining valuable real-world teaching experience at one of Canada’s largest resorts. Just as importantly, you’ll leave Sun Peaks with lasting friendships, memorable powder days, and the confidence to continue your instructor journey wherever it may take you next.
Travel Agenda
Our snowboard instructor course in Sun Peaks is ideal if you’re taking a gap year, career break, or simply looking for a winter that combines professional development with authentic mountain life. From arrival to certification and into the heart of the season, the program is designed to guide you step by step into life as a snowboard instructor in Canada.
Below is an example of how the Sun Peaks Level 1 Snowboard Instructor Course typically unfolds:
- Late November: Arrival in Canada and transfer to Sun Peaks
- Late November: Snowminds welcome orientation, settling into accommodation, lift pass collection, and introduction to Sun Peaks Sports School
- Late November to early December: On-snow training focused on snowboarding technique, teaching fundamentals, and preparation for the CASI Level 1 exam
- Early December: CASI Level 1 certification exam
- Mid December: Snowboard school orientation and practical introduction to working as an instructor at Sun Peaks
- Mid December to early spring: Teaching, continued optional level 2 training, and work opportunities throughout holiday periods and the remainder of the winter season
- January – March: Opportunity to train for and complete your CSIA Level 2 certification
The agenda is indicative and may vary slightly from season to season. Final schedules are always adapted to snow conditions, resort operations, and school planning to ensure the best possible training and learning experience.
What Is Included in the Snowboard Instructor Course in Sun Peaks?
In short, we’ve got your winter in Sun Peaks fully covered – from professional training and internationally recognised certification to accommodation and job placement at a welcoming Canadian ski resort. The Sun Peaks Level 1 Snowboard Instructor Course is designed to give you a smooth, structured start to your season in Canada, allowing you to focus on developing as an instructor while fully enjoying life in a close-knit mountain community.
What’s included?
- A full winter season in Sun Peaks, Canada with level 1 instructor course, with the opportunity to progress to level 2
- Job placement at local ski school at Sun Peaks*
- Return flight tickets to Vancouver**
- 1 night accommodation in Vancouver
- Transfer from Vancouver to Sun Peaks
- 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 12 training days before the Canadian level 1 snowboard instructor certification
- Canadian level 1 snowboard instructor certification (including CASI 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 + 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 snowboard instructors. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and genuine enthusiasm for teaching are just as important as your snowboarding 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 Sun Peaks Level 1 Snowboard Instructor Course, you should:
- Feel comfortable on red runs
- Speak English at a conversational level
- Have a genuine interest in teaching and working with people of all ages
- Be positive, responsible, and professional in your approach
- Enjoy teaching and be motivated to improve your skills
- Be at least 19 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
Sun Peaks Sports School works with a wide range of guests, including families and children, so any previous experience working with kids is considered an advantage 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 Sun Peaks, 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 Sun Peaks 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 enjoyable ski destinations.
“I love Sun Peaks and that's the reason why I'm gonna stay for the summer and another season. You get to know everyone and it starts feeling like a family.”
- Snowminds Instructor in Sun Peaks
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 Sun Peaks Sports School before departure. You’ll know exactly where you’ll be spending your winter, allowing you to prepare for your season in Sun Peaks with clarity and confidence.
The job placement is conditional on successfully passing your CASI Level 1 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 the ski school to support you and explore possible solutions, so you can still be part of the season and continue developing your skills in the resort.
We’re proud of our long-standing partnerships and structured approach, which have consistently enabled Snowminds participants to transition from training into work at the ski school. Our focus is to ensure you arrive in Sun Peaks with a clear pathway into instructing and the support you need to make the most of your winter in Canada.
Accommodation
The first three weeks of accommodation during your course are included in the Sun Peaks program. We work closely with Sun Peaks to arrange comfortable and suitable housing for you in their Staff Accommodation. This means that right from the start of the winter, you will share your living space with other Snowminds instructors and/or seasonal resort staff, creating a fantastic, community-like feel with your future colleagues.
Staff accommodation options can vary from year to year. Snowminds instructors are typically placed in shared apartments with two, three, or five bedrooms. These units usually feature dorm-style rooms with bunk beds and shared kitchen facilities. It’s important to keep an open mind, as the housing will likely be very different from what you are used to at home, or what you might expect on a traditional ski holiday (don’t expect a 5-star ski chalet!). While it is best not to expect luxury from seasonal winter housing, we are absolutely certain that it will quickly become your new home, and your colleagues your new family.
In fact, we’re sure you’ll have a little tear in your eye when the season comes to an end and it’s time to move out!
Rent is typically deducted directly from your pay slips or paid separately on a bi-weekly basis. Please note that you will be asked to sign a housing agreement and pay a deposit prior to departure.
Accommodation rates vary depending on availability each season, but they typically range from $320 to $400 bi-weekly, per person.
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, 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 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 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
All 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 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 Sun Peaks with Level 1 snowboard instructor course
from €8.995
Sun Peaks, Canada
Mid-late November to April