11 week
Banff Ski Instructor Course
Buckle your seatbelts for a season in Banff! This ski instructor course combines a massive ski area, amazing parks and our favourite party town.
Our classic 11 week programme is the most comprehensive course you’ll find; it truly is the ultimate season experience. Over 220 hours of coaching is only the beginning, our local course hosts will ensure that you make the most of this once in a lifetime experience!
First class training. Our team of instructors in Banff are second to none, all are qualified level 3 & 4 instructors and are dedicated to the Nonstop programme. With them, you'll have an unrivalled amount of high level coaching and, with group sizes kept to 8 people or less, you'll have plenty of one-to-one attention.
Ski three resorts not one!
Nonstop are the only company to provide a ski pass and train in all three of Banff's resorts; the largest ski area in Canada. To stick just in Lake Louise, Sunshine Village or Mount Norquay for a whole season can get a little restrictive, that's why we go to all three!
To instruct... If you've set your sites on becoming an instructor, we can give you the best possible opportunity to succeed! We've built a programme that will fully prepare you for the CSIA level 1 and 2 ski instructor qualifications, plus we'll give you a whole load of extra skills and practical advice that will set you on the path to success.
Or not to instruct... For those less interested in becoming an instructor we offer the "AMP" programme after the level 1 exam. AMP will allow you to continue developing your all-mountain skiing for the rest of the course, without worrying about teaching techniques.
Get the local knowledge. You couldn’t get a better Course Host than Emily Park. She took part in our 11 week course a few years ago, before becoming an instructor and making Banff her home. She now dedicates her winters entirely to our Nonstop programme and will be on hand to show you the best of the town and mountain, while giving you support whenever you need it.
Banff is in Alberta, where the drinking age is 18, making this a popular choice for gap year students!
The ultimate season. As well as ensuring you have an amazing time when you’re out skiing, we'll set up a constant stream of activities that will allow you to truly make the most of living in Banff National Park. To name just a few of them, you can go cat-skiing, visit natural hot springs, take yoga classes, go ice climbing, visit other resorts, watch ice hockey and go dog sledding. That's on top of regular social activities!
Extra Activities Available In Banff
Based in the stunning Bow Valley, there is a massive amount to experience in Banff. To get you started, we'll give you 25 of our "Activity Credits" to spend on some of our more special activities:
- Avalanche safety training (AST level 1)
- Guided backcountry skiing
- Day trip to Panorama, BC
- Day trip to Kicking horse, BC
- Snowmobiling
- Johnston canyon ice walk
- Trip to calgary
- Dog sledding
- Banff Natural Hot Springs visit
Accommodation slap bang in the centre. Banff town is buzzing! It has everything you need, with bustling streets filled with shops, bars and restaurants. Our accommodation at Irwin's Inn and the Samesun Hostel is the closest you'll get to the town centre, so you'll be able to go shopping or sample Banff's legendary nightlife whenever the mood takes you. Irwin’s is a great place to make yourself at home, with your own queen sized bed, en-suite bathrooms, cable TV and wireless internet. Plus you’ll have access to the hotel’s hot tub, gym, swimming pool and laundry facilities. Alternatively, choose the budget friendly, but super sociable, dorm room option at the neighbouring Samesun hostel.
The Package
Included:
Up to 25 hours/week professional coaching
On every week of the 11-week course you'll receive top class coaching for five hours a day from Monday to Thursday. Our coaches are not only the top of their profession but are great people who will inspire you as well as becoming friends. Further training hours include indoor technical sessions, video play back, private lessons, instructor work experience, and our additional training courses.
Full season lift pass (for Lake Louise, Sunshine Village & Norquay!)
We are the only training course provider to have permission to teach at all three of Banff's ski resorts. Training at just one would be extremely limiting - Banff is amazing because it has three ski areas! To get the most of this awesome ski area you need to ski/ride and explore all three ski areas.
Season bus pass
Our season bus pass gives you freedom to choose any public bus and enables you to head to whichever ski resort we're skiing/riding at that day and importantly to choose where you want to ski at the weekends.
Airport Transfers (if coinciding with group flights)
We include a shuttle service between the airport and the resort. The departure date and times are coordinated with the times of the group flights we arrange from London to Canada. If travelling at other times or on different dates then we can advise you on the public transfer services available.
1-to-1 private coaching sessions
These are run before your Level 1 and Level 2 exams and offer you the chance of individual tuition to iron out any problems you may have.
25 Activity Credits
Choose from a host of great activities like Avalanche training, snowmobiling, trips to other resorts and a whole lot more. Please refer to the 'extra activities' page for more information.
Accommodation
We have two great accommodation options. The first in "Irwins Mountain Inn" where you'll have a really comfortable stay with a queen sized bed to yourself. Alternatively, you can opt for a dorm room in the Samesun Hostel next door.
Dinners
Served four nights per week. Meals are healthy and hearty to help you recharge after a day of lessons.
Continental breakfast
Served five days per week
Lift queue priority during lessons
24 hour staffing
You'll have easily the best person in Banff making sure your course is running smoothly and that you're happy & making the most of it. Emily Park has been doing seasons in Banff for over six years, has spent numerous seasons in New Zealand and is a competitive snowboarder doing really well in the UK scene. Em is a super fun and extremely efficient Course Director who will have a great impact on your time in Banff!
Course centre
At the hotel we have a chill out room reserved exclusively for our clients providing an area for you to socialise with your course mates, prepare some food, watch a film, play cards etc.
Level 1 CSIA / CASI examination fees
Training for CSIA / CASI Level 2 Instructor Certification
If becoming an instructor is your goal you should set your sights on gaining your level 2. We'll train you up to take the level 2 course either at the end of the 11 weeks or you can take it just after the course has ended giving you more time to train and prepare.
Video analysis
A great tool which we use on a weekly basis. The resorts have some great feedback facilities.
Weekly technical sessions
Work experience in local ski school
Once you have gained your Level 1 you are able to gain work experience at the local ski school. This will make your CV stand out from the crowd and also allow you to develop your teaching technique - an all round good experience.
Instructor Career advice
During the course there will be a seminar on working as a ski instructor covering job applications, work visas and typical hours and wages. In addition you will receive our 40 page advice handbook on "working as an instructor" which includes a directory of snow schools around the world.
Ski / snowboard maintenance tuition
Weekly social events
Each week your Course Director, Emily, will organise an evening event which provides a time when instructors and participants can socialise together off snow. These include trips to watch the local ice hockey team, ice skating, curling, pub crawls, evenings around a campfire in the woods, night skiing, indoor football, cinema trips etc.
Farewell party
Nonstop Hoody
10% Discount on Ski/Snowboard Equipment
Available in several local shops.
Optional extras:
Flights
We arrange return flights on Air Canada for those travelling between the UK and Canada. Flights cost from £650. You can opt for a flight on your booking form. If you arrange your own flight you can meet us at the airport for the group transfer bus to the resort. Please contact us with any questions.
Additional Activity Credits
The activity credit experiences are a key part of the 11 week course and form some of the main highlights of your trip. $250 worth of credit activities will be included in the cost of the course, however if you want to pack your season full of trips to other resorts, additional training courses, and new experiences such as dog sledding, cat-skiing, snowmobiling, etc. you can choose to buy additional credits at $10/credit. Make sure you check out all the information on the "Extra Activities" page. You can either pay for the additional credits when you book your course or when you get to Canada you can sign up for just a few select activities that you really want to experience.
Cat Skiing
This is a highlight of most people's trips to Canada and is available in the 'Credit Activities' package.
Evening classes
There are a range of evening classes available from sports massage to photography. These cost around $70 - $120 depending on the course. Details will be provided in the lead up to the course.
Not included:
Travel insurance
We can provide some information on suitable cover upon booking.
Ski / snowboard kit
If you don't yet own equipment it tends to be cheaper to buy rather than rent. We have arranged discounts in local stores - plus you'll get much better advice and service in the resort you do your course in. Skis, bindings, poles and ski boots range from $1,700 (£920 approx)- $2,700 (£1450 approx). Snowboard, boots and bindings will be slightly less.
Lunches & weekend meals
Spending money
Typical costs: Lunch: $15, Dinner: $15-35. Pint of beer: $5.50. Glass of wine: $7.
Additional instructor level exam fees
The Level 1 exam fee is included, but because not everyone chooses to take further instructor exams their fees are payable in Canada direct to the governing bodies. The Level 2 exam will be approx. $550 - $650 depending on when you book and the Race Coach and Park courses are approx. $300 each. The training for these additional courses is included.
Week 1
Settle in, explore & start lessons
Week 2
Hone tecnique, stance & balance
Week 3
Level 1 prep & private lessons
Week 4
Off-piste skills & practice teaching
Week 5
CSIA Level 1 exams & celebrations!
Decision Time
Choose the Level 2 or AMP path
Week 6
Dynamic skiing & carving skills
Week 7
Off-piste, moguls & Level 2 training
Week 8
All-mountain, freestyle & instructing
Week 9
Demonstration, trees & drops
Week 10
Private lessons and Level 2 prep
Week 11
Level 2 CSIA exam (5 days)
