The tale of Nonstop from the beginning

When Nonstop was founded, we set out with a vision to create more stoke, guiding committed skiers and snowboarders to more triumph on the hill and fostering a community of adventure.

We've come a long way, but our focus and principles have never altered. We remain a gathering place for like-minded skiers and snowboarders to explore. This is our story so far.

2002
year of inception

Two years after the turn of the millennium, Nonstop was born. Inspired by the Canadian Rockies, a young uni graduate turned snowboard bum by the name of Rupert Taylor founded the Nonstop concept in Fernie, BC. The winter of 2002-03 saw Nonstop run its first ever course: a season-long instructor training program designed to furnish budding pros with the skills to pursue a mountain existence, and give them a helluva blast along the way. This was not only the launch of Nonstop, it was the birth of an entirely new kind of ski and snowboard experience that would shape our industry. Today, we continue to innovate and create to help serious skiers and snowboarders breach their limits. Fernie still remains our motherland.

16
WINTERS OF SHRED AND COUNTING

Since the inception of Nonstop in 2002, we’ve made it our unwavering focus to carve a path for skiers and snowboarders to redefine their level, racking up 16 seasons of shred in some of the world’s most formidable mountain destinations. Over that time, we’ve learned a huge amount about crafting the highest quality ski and snowboard experiences. From record-breaking feats to the evolution of technique, from the deepest of pow days to the birth of fat skis, we’ve seen it all. Not a winter passes by without us adding touches of exploration to our endeavours, stretching our own boundaries to help you push yours. And we don’t plan on stopping.

9
destinations across 4 countries

We will forever look back to Fernie and the Kootenay Rockies as our original source of inspiration, and blueprint for all future exploits: a hardcore, off-the-beaten-track mountain combined with an authentic, funky local community. This has fuelled our expeditions across Canada and beyond. Fernie remains our backyard, and Canada has become our home, but Nonstop’s footprint extends far beyond that, to Italy, France and New Zealand. The variation in environments from resort to resort and country to country is staggering. Whether we're touring through Canada’s endless backcountry peaks in search of mythical snow stashes, or toasting a day in the Italian Alps with an après session long into the night, each of our handpicked locations serve to bring skiers and snowboarders together.

26
COURSES

We began our story with just a solitary program at our home mountain of Fernie, BC: an 11 week instructor course. Designed with an explorer’s touch, that same program remains a jewel in our crown, but over the years we’ve added to our portfolio, creating courses to suit a broad range of avid snowsports fans. From one original course, we now run up to 26 across multiple destinations, ranging in duration from one to 11 weeks, and varying in focus and outcome. Today, we have a two-fold offering of all mountain and backcountry camps for those looking to progress and challenge their snow skills, plus instructor and patrol training courses for those searching to fast-track a career in the mountains or experience a gap year or career break aboard.

50+
EXPERT COACHES, GUIDES AND PROS

By summer, our team is a small, close-knit group of 8+ people spread between offices in the UK and Canada. But when winter arrives, our team burgeons with 50+ coaches, guides and hosts as we take over the mountains. Our handpicked local pros are experts in their field and at the top of their game. Two legendary technical directors head up the design and delivery of our on-snow training, and their wealth of skill and experience are to thank for our forwarding-thinking programs. Our coaches will share their local secrets, guide you in ways of mountain life and, above all, boost your technique across the mountain. At last count, our team of pros had a collective total of 627 seasons of experience. And by the end of your time with us, these mentors will have become friends.

3
WORLD SNOW AWARDS VICTORIES

With over a decade of shred behind us, in 2013 we entered The World Snow Awards, an industry spectacle presented by The Telegraph Ski and Snowboard to honour the best brands and resorts in the ski and snowboard world. Stoked to be shortlisted, that year saw us shake the industry as we took home the award for ‘Best UK Tour Operator’, with our loyal fans helping us scoop the public vote. That was just the start. Testament to our never-ending focus on giving snow junkies a platform to explore and excel, further public votes saw us collect similar flagship accolades in 2014 and 2015. Three consecutive years of triumph, and we have our faithful followers to thank for that.

8,000+
PEOPLE THAT CALL THEMSELVES ‘NONSTOPPERS’

Sure, we’re all about skiing and snowboarding hard – nothing that beat that adrenaline-fuelled ride – but community and friendships are what bind us all together. From its humble beginnings, the Nonstop network has grown a great deal, and continues to get bigger with each passing winter. We’ve fostered a community of over 8,000 adventurous spirits, who left us with more experiences, friends and snow skills than they thought possible. In our maiden season just 40 dedicated skiers and snowboarders joined us in Fernie. Now, over 500 people gather across our destinations each winter in pursuit of progression.

2,500+
INSTRUCTORS TRAINED

During our 16-year history, we’ve successfully trained over 2,500 instructors, many of whom have gone on to travel the world to far-flung mountains and bring even more people into the world of snowsports. Whether it be reaching the pinnacle of the game, coaching or competing for national teams, or even launching new snow schools and snowsports businesses, our alumni have done us proud. We take great pride in providing this gateway, for the next generation of instructors to forge a lifestyle doing what they love.

20+
NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED

Our courses bring together people from all corners of the globe, and from all walks of life, united in their commitment for challenge and driven by a hunger for experience. Over the years, we’ve been joined by travellers representing more than 20 different nationalities. From Brits to Kiwis, Scandinavians to Germans, Americans to Aussies, Canadians to Argentinians. From students to graduates, young professionals to high-flyers, doctors to cab drivers, firefighters to business owners. Everyone has their own story, but all identify as skiers and snowboarders. One thing is certain: you’ll walk away from your Nonstop journey with invitations all over the world.

Over to you. Come, ride with us. Discover our ski courses / snowboard courses.