Courses

Gap Year

You've put in the hours, got the grades and are all set to take on university, but before you do why not take a gap year with a difference and spend some time in the mountains?

The ultimate Gap Year experiences

Gap year BanffAt Nonstop we pride ourselves on being able to offer the ultimate, and most popular, gap year experience. We have courses to cater for all varying in length, aim and cost. There is one thing all of courses have in common though; you'll make great friends for life, gain internationally recognised qualifications, learn more about skiing and snowboarding than you can imagine, and you most definitely won't want to come home! Check out some of the options below.

11 Week Canadian Instructor Course

Happy new instructorsThe ultimate gap year experience and our most popular choice - more people come on our 11 week course on their gap year than any course on the market. You'll have an amazing winter that combines travelling to a new country, pursuing a passion, making a new friends from around the world and getting internationally recognised qualifications. Find out more about each of our course options:

11 week ski instructor courses in: Banff, Fernie and Red Mountain
11 week snowboard instructor courses in: Banff, Fernie and Red Mountain

3-5 Week Canadian Instructor Course

Gap year BanffOn our 3 and 5 week courses you'll iron out your technique, get to know the resort inside out and work towards your Level 1 CASI or CSIA instructor qualification. If you get your visa sorted out before you go out, you can then go on to work for the rest of the season.

3-5 week ski instructor courses in: Banff, Fernie
3-5 week snowboard instructor courses in: Banff, Fernie

6 Week 'MTM' Off-Piste Camp

Ski touringIf instructing doesn't appeal to you, but top notch training in the challenging off-piste and backcountry of Canada does, our 'Master the Mountain' course is the one for you. This course is perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders looking to take their technique to the next level and beyond!

Find out more about the 6 week "MTM" off pist camp here.

12 week New Zealand Ski instructor course

NZ skiersOur 12 week course in New Zealand is ideal for those planning to head down to the southern hemisphere between July and October. With access to New Zealand’s best off-piste terrain, this is a free-ski focussed course that will transform your technique around the whole mountain. This is also an amazing course for wannabe instructors, with an unrivalled amount of practical work experience at the local ski school included, as well as the option to take NZSIA Levels 1 and 2.

Find out more about our 12 week ski instructor course in New Zealand here.

Banff is in Alberta, where the legal drinking age is 18 (rather than 19 in BC and 21 in the US), so it's perfect for Gap Year ages.

New Instructors celebrate their level 1 success!

New Instructors celebrate their level 1 success!

Join in with local traditions

Join in with local traditions

"I spent the best part of my gap year in Fernie with Nonstop, recommended by lots of people. The course gave me my first experience away from home and living with people I'd never met, which was very beneficial for university. I met many people who I'll definitely stay in contact with, hopefully for many years to come and my skiing improved massively!"

Katie East - Fernie 11 Week Course

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International Students On Nonstop Courses

Our courses become a social melting pot of different cultures with people on gap years from all around the world.

Read Jacob Fulton's story on why he decided to do a gap year. Jacob is from the USA where Gap Year's are not as common, he provides some excellent advice for those thinking of taking a Gap Year. (This can be found at Planet GapYear. Gap Year Options - free online gap year planning resources for U.S. students and parents)

Where to go next:

+1 250 423 4622