11 week
Red Mountain Ski Instructor Course
If you’re serious about taking your skiing to the highest level, Red Mountain has to be high up on your list. Think about the ski resort of your dreams and this lesser-known mountain will probably tick all of your boxes.
Red Mountain is THE “steep and deep” resort, with an amazing snow records, vast challenging terrain, hardly anyone else on the slopes and not a single lift queue! This amazing experience doesn’t end on the slopes, with plush slope-side accommodation and a great local town, it’s unbelievable that this is the cheapest of all our 11 week ski instructor courses!
Steep and Deep. When looking at a trail/piste map of Red Mountain, you’d be for forgiven for being a little underwhelmed. Out on the slopes, it’s a very different story though. We fell in love with the resort as soon as we visited it and, several years on, we are still blown away by the variety of challenging skiing that you’re presented with every day. The resort consists of two mountains (Red and Granite) and, once at the top, you can ski 360 degrees around each. There is a vast amount of un-groomed, powder filled terrain for you to explore, that will blow you away every day of the season.
Number one for value! With a comprehensive package and NOSTOP’s legendary 11 week programme, the price of this course is unbelievable. There simply isn’t a better value course out there.
Train as an instructor. The learning curve is as steep as the slopes in Red Mountain and our high level, experienced pros will have you skiing like an instructor in no time at all! They’ll also teach you how to pass on your tightly honed skills to others, so that you are fully prepared for your CSIA level 1 and 2 exams.
Not interested in instructing? If you’d rather carry on developing your all mountain skiing without worrying about becoming an instructor, you can choose to move on to our AMP programme after your level 1 exam in week 5. AMP focuses on your all round technique, so that you can learn to confidently enjoy world class off-piste terrain, without having to worry about teaching techniques.
You couldn’t be in better hands. As well as taking part in the most popular and highly refined instructor training programmes on the market, you’ll be under the guidance of one of the most experienced instructors in Canada. Mark Impey, our Red Mountain Course Director, is a level 4 examiner and represents CSIA internationally, as a member of the “CSIA National Demonstration Team”. If that’s not praise enough, he’s also the former CSIA Western Programme Director, overseeing all instructor training and exams. The fact that he’s chosen to make Red Mountain his home is praise to the quality of the resort!
Experience BC. The experience of living in the mountains of BC shouldn’t end at the resort boundaries. We’ll make sure that you get the most out of your stay by organising a whole range of activities that you can enjoy as part of our “Activity Credit” scheme. From the beginning of the course you’ll have 25 credits to spend on anything from Cat Skiing to Winter Camping. Check out our full list of activities in Red Mountain below.
Extra Activities In Red Mountain
The "Activity Credit" scheme is a real highlight of our courses! Here are just some of the activities you can enjoy during your stay at Red Mountain:
- Avalanche safety training (AST level 1)
- Cat skiing
- Weekend soak and ski getaway at Nelson / Whitewater
- Salmo night skiing
- Weekend trip to Fernie Alpine Resort
- Snowshoeing at Nancy Greene Lake
- Winter camping survival trip
- Guided backcountry skiing
- Winter first aid
Convenience and Luxury. When you think of ski camps, you probably picture hostel-style accommodation. In a lot of cases, you wouldn’t be far off the mark! Our brand new condos in Red Mountain blow that right out of the water though. They sit right at the base of the resort, a stone’s throw from the lifts. You’ll have your own double bed, and each modern stylish condo has its own sitting room, dining area, fully equipped kitchen and hot tub! There’s even a gym on site.
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
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
Luxury accommodation in slope-side condos.
Dinners
Served four nights per week. Meals are healthy and hearty to help you recharge after a day of lessons.
Lift queue priority during lessons
24 hour staffing
Course centre
Level 1 CSIA examination fees
Training for CSIA 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
Farewell party
10% Discount on meals at resort restaurants
A 10% discount is available in Fernie to Nonstop clients at the resort day lodge (cafeteria) and also after 6pm, Mon - Wed, at Kelseys, a smarter on-mountain restaurant.
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
Settling in, lessons & exploring
Week 2
Hone technique & lose bad habits
Week 3
Level 1 training & private lessons
Week 4
Level 1 practice & off-piste skills
Week 5
Level 1 exams & celebrations!
Decision time
Choose between Level 2 or AMP
Week 6
Caving & speed / Level 2 training
Week 7
Bumps, powder & short radius turns
Week 8
All-mountain, freestyle & Level 2
Week 9
Tree skiing, drops & demo teaching
Week 10
Level 2 prep & private lessons
Week 11
Level 2 CSIA exams (5 days)
