In Canada, SnowSkool runs ski instructor courses at two resorts – Banff and Big White. The training in both resorts focuses on the ski instructor exams of the CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance) - up to Level 2. The CSIA is an active member of the ISIA (International Ski Instructors’ Alliance). This organisation aims to provide clarity on the equivalency between national ski instructor regulatory bodies. In short, the ISIA tries to tell us whether the CSIA is better than BASI (UK) or NZSIA (NZ) or PSIA (USA). Unfortunately the equivalency standards only kick in at higher levels - so are pretty irrelevant for SnowSkool courses!

CANADIAN SKI INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS WITH SNOWSKOOL

CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor

Level 1 is a four-day examination in which candidates have to meet the required skiing and teaching standards stipulated by the CSIA. In practice, you must display that you can perfectly ski - and teach - linked parallel turns to beginner and early-intermediate skiers.

SnowSkool pass rate: 100%
Available on: All SnowSkool Canada Ski Courses
Employment: In Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Japan, UK (snowdomes & dryslopes) and the USA

CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor

Like the Level 1 exam, the CSIA Level 2 is also split into two parts – teaching and skiing. However, this one is a five-day exam and to pass, candidates must show focus and development throughout the whole ski instructor course. In practice, Level 2 candidates will be expected to teach intermediate skiers, effectively analyse their own skiing and work on terrain adaptation (teaching skiing in difficult conditions and on all terrain). The CSIA Level 2 ski instructor qualification represents a significant step-up from the Level 1 qualification.

SnowSkool pass rate: 87%
Available on: SnowSkool Banff 13 & 14 Weeks, SnowSkool Big White 11 Weeks
Employment: In most countries (ex. France and Italy)

CSCF Entry Level Race Coach

Open to those with the CSIA Level 1 ski instructor qualification, the CSCF (Canadian Ski Coaches Federation) Entry Level Race Coach qualification is a three-day exam focused on improving your own race skills through gates (both slalom and GS) and learn how to pass these skills onto beginner racers.

SnowSkool pass rate: 100%
Available on: SnowSkool Banff 13 & 14 Weeks, SnowSkool Big White 11 Weeks
Employment: Along with CSIA ski instructor qualifications.

CSIA Snowpark Certification

This is a freestyle ski coaching qualification. During the exam you will be taught how to pull various freestyle skiing moves: switch skiing, various grabs, 180s and 360s and how to grind basic rails. Perhaps more importantly, you will have to demonstrate an ability to teach these skills!

SnowSkool pass rate: 100%
Available on: SnowSkool Banff 13 & 14 Weeks, SnowSkool Big White 11 Weeks
Employment: Along with CSIA ski instructor qualifications.

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