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CSIA L1 Ski Instructor Course

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Hold My Place

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Course Spec Overview Timeline Resort Coaching Activities Accommodation Inclusions Dates & Prices FAQs Reviews

Course Guide

Hold My Place

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Location

Banff, Canada

Duration

4 weeks

Qualifications

CSIA LEVEL 1

Style

instructor

Ability

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

Travel To

Calgary, AB

Four weeks. Three legendary resorts. One epic start to your instructor journey. Train across Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay as you chase powder, refine your turns, and work toward your CSIA Level 1. With big terrain, expert coaching, and Banff’s buzzing town on your doorstep, this is a high-energy month of progression, connection, and full-send mountain living.

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Course Spec

Terrain

Groomer

Powder/Trees

Backcountry

Freestyle

A punchy mix of instructor training and freeride. Ski piste, trees, and powder while refining your all-mountain technique.

Ability

Ability Guide

Novice

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

For intermediate to advanced skiers ready to step up, qualify as an instructor, and ride with more precision and style.

Age

18-29

30-39

40-49

50+

Popular with pre- and post-uni riders, often as part of a gap year — but open to anyone keen for a mountain challenge.

Nationality

UK + Europe

AUS + NZ

N. America

Other

Bringing together riders from around the world for borderless friendships and community, bound by a shared love for snow.

Course Spec

Terrain +

Ability
Ability Guide
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Age +

Nationality +

Full Course Story 4 Weeks in Banff, Canada

Short, sharp, and impactful — this 4-week course is the ultimate intro to life as a ski instructor. You’ll train for your CSIA Level 1 in Canada’s adventure capital, with high-level coaching, legendary terrain, and Banff’s unbeatable seasonaire scene setting the vibe. It’s the first chapter of our longer instructor program — perfect if you’re tight on time but still want a big-mountain experience and a recognised qualification.

By day, you’ll train across three world-class resorts: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mount With expert coaching, you’ll get the skills to nail your Level 1 and ride with more control, flow, and style. Expect full days on the mountain, fast progression, and a crew that quickly feels like family.

Off the hill, the adventure keeps rolling with our famous MORE Program. Think frozen canyon walks, snowmobiling, group hikes, and nights out in Banff’s legendary bars. From start to finish, it’s four weeks of high-energy learning, epic powder days, and new friendships forged in the wild.

Whether you’re here to start an instructor career, tick a bucket list goal, or just live it up in the mountains for a month, you’ll be part of a crew that trains hard, skis harder, and makes every day count.

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Timeline

Here’s a guideline on how your 4-week Banff instructor course is set to unfold – a high-energy month of skills, friendships, and mountains.

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4

Touch down in Calgary and jump on the group transfer to Banff, your base for the next four weeks. We’ll kick off with a welcome dinner and town tour. On snow, it’s all about finding your feet and getting to know the Big3 – Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Norquay. Coaching starts right away, with your first intro to CSIA/CASI instructor techniques on easy groomers.

Now the pace picks up. Level 1-focused coaching ramps up with video analysis, technical drills, and plenty of mileage across Banff’s diverse terrain. You’ll begin simulated lessons and get to grips with the core skills of teaching. Off snow, you can complete avalanche safety training – giving you backcountry awareness and an essential new qualification.

This week is about dialling everything in. You’ll sharpen your technique on and off piste, practice teaching scenarios, and get personalised feedback through a 1-2-1 coaching session. By now, confidence is high, and you’re riding with intent. Expect a serious progression leap heading into the big one: the Level 1 exam.

Time to step up. The three-day CSIA/CASI Level 1 exam at Sunshine Village puts your teaching and riding to the test. With a high pass rate and full support from your coaches, success is well within reach. Once it’s done, we’ll celebrate with a Nonstop-style send-off: après, awards, and a final blowout with your new crew.

Here’s a guideline on how your 4-week Banff instructor course is set to unfold – a high-energy month of skills, friendships, and mountains.

Week 1 +

Week 2 +

Week 3 +

Week 4 +

Resort

Banff is unique, home to a bouncing town and three varied ski areas – Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay, collectively known as the Big 3. Between each, there’s powder, steeps, trees, open faces and parks, plus mega views everywhere you turn. Every week you’ll ride all three resorts, which we rotate between depending on the snow, weather, and kind of terrain we want to ski.

Resort Spec +

Resorts

Average Snowfall

30 ft

Vertical

3,550 ft

Skiable Acres

7,748

Terrain
Snow
Culture
Nightlife

Banff is home to the Big 3 — three diverse ski areas offering a combined 8,000 acres of terrain and some of the best snow and views in Canada. Across Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Mount Norquay, you’ll find everything from deep powder and steep lines to tree runs, open faces, and terrain parks.

Banff’s Big3 resorts see up to 30 feet of legendary Canadian Rockies powder each season — light, dry, and endlessly skiable. Sunshine Village tops the snowfall charts thanks to its high elevation and ideal location, pulling in up to 9 metres per winter. Its 7,200-foot base-area altitude keeps the snow cold and dry. Lake Louise averages 5 metres, delivering consistent coverage across its vast terrain, while Norquay, the smallest of the three, still clocks in with 3 metres and quick access to fresh lines.

Set in the heart of a National Park, Banff is a vibrant mountain town with epic scenery and plenty of energy. It’s the central hub for accessing the Big3 resorts, connected by free shuttles. The town blends Canadian hospitality with a global buzz, offering loads to explore off the slopes — from local shops and lively bars to brunch spots, hot springs, and art galleries. The main street is always alive with things to do, and regular events like film festivals, rail jams, and wildlife sightings (hello elk!) keep the town feeling dynamic and fun.

Banff’s nightlife is as lively as its slopes — a buzzing mountain town that knows how to have a good time. After a day on the hill, the vibe shifts from laid-back après to social evenings, with plenty of places to eat, drink, and catch up with your crew. Whether you're in the mood for a relaxed pint or something more lively, Banff has you covered.

Terrain +

Snow +

Culture +

Nightlife +

Coaching

This course blends technical coaching with instructor training to fast-track your progression. You’ll train across Banff’s three legendary resorts — Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay — each offering unique terrain to push your skills and prep you for your CSIA Level 1. Expect full days on snow, expert feedback, and serious mileage across Alberta’s best mountains.

Coaching Spec +

Group Size

Groups

By Ability

Coaches

Level 3/4

Video Analysis

Yes

Sessions
1-2-1
Groups
Coaches
Qualifications

Four days a week, you’ll be on the hill with your Nonstop coach, developing both your skiing and teaching skills. Sessions rotate across all three resorts, giving you exposure to varied terrain — from Lake Louise’s wide cruisers to Sunshine’s off-piste zones. We’ll balance instructor training with all-mountain development to make sure you’re exam-ready and freeride confident.

Before your CSIA Level 1, you’ll get a 1-2-1 coaching session tailored to your goals. It’s your chance to refine techniques, ask questions, and go into the exam with confidence.

We split groups by ability and attitude, keeping a max of 8 skiers per coach. This creates the right dynamic for fast improvement, tons of individual feedback, and a strong team vibe. You’ll learn from your coach — and your crew — every day.

You’ll train with Level 3 and 4 pros who live and breathe skiing. These legends know the CSIA framework inside-out and will guide you through the system with stoke and precision. Expect high-level insight, nonstop motivation, and a few powder-day detours along the way.

You’ll take your CSIA Level 1 — a cert that qualifies you to teach beginners. We’ll make sure you’re fully prepped to pass both the skiing and teaching components, with a strong track record of success.

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

Groups +

Coaches +

Qualifications +

Meet Your Coaches +

Learn More

Anna

Ski Coach // Banff

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Bryan

Ski Coach // Banff

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Charlie

Ski Coach // Banff

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Jake

Ski Coach // Banff

Activities

Beyond the skiing, Banff brings the energy. Our MORE Program unlocks a weekly lineup of unforgettable activities and socials, designed to immerse you in the Canadian Rockies and bring the crew together.

Experiences
Socials
How It Works

Every week features a chance to try something new. Rip through the backcountry on a snowmobile, explore frozen canyons, or head out on a dog sledding trip through the wilderness. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or just soaking up the scenery, this is your chance to dive deeper into the Rockies.

Banff’s nightlife is legendary. Between local bars and Nonstop-hosted socials, the vibes are strong on and off the hill. Expect group hikes, games nights, pool comps, and a party or two you’ll never forget.

You can craft your course to suit your energy, appetite, and bucket-list. Once you’re in Banff, we’ll walk you through the full lineup and help you build your dream month.

Experiences +

Socials +

How It Works +

Learn More

Norquay Night Riding

Ride floodlit slopes under starry skies on a night session at Norquay.

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CSIA Level 1

Earn your first instructor cert and build the foundation for your development.

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Banff Hikes

Stretch your legs and explore Banff’s beautiful trails with a social crew.

Learn More

Workshop Series

Hands-on workshops to support your knowledge and love for skiing and snowboarding.

Learn More

Snowmobiling

Throttle up and charge through alpine bowls and forest trails on a sled.

Learn More

Dog Sledding

Mush your own husky sled through forest trails and frozen backcountry.

Learn More

Johnston Canyon Ice Walk

Walk steel trails into a frozen canyon to towering ice formations and falls.

Learn More

Lake Louise Lake Skating

Skate across iconic Lake Louise with mountain views all around.

Learn More

Curling

Give curling a go with friends — Canada’s favourite icy pastime and full of laughs.

Learn More

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

Learn how to read terrain, use rescue gear, and make safe decisions in avalanche zones.

$ = Extra Cost

Beyond my expectations for sure. Couldn’t believe the level of coaching that was available to us and how lovely the instructors were. On snow was an experience that I will forever appreciate as it transformed my ski knowledge and ability over the 11 weeks. "

Arabella Barrio Frojan

A lot of fun and a very good experience. "

Riley Reeves

Great experience, would recommend to anyone that wants to do an instructor course. "

Maudie Galloway

CSIA L1 Ski Instructor Course

Scroll for full course details or download the Course Guide

Course Spec

Terrain

Ability

Age

Nationality

Course Spec

Terrain +

Ability Ability Guide +

Ability

Age +

Nationality +

Overview

Full Course Story 4 Weeks in Banff, Canada

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Week 1 +

Week 2 +

Week 3 +

Week 4 +

Resort Spec +

Terrain +

Snow +

Culture +

Nightlife +

Coaching Spec +

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

Groups +

Coaches +

Qualifications +

Meet Your Coaches +

Experiences +

Socials +

How It Works +

Irwin's Mountain Inn +

What's Included

On Snow

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+

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Accommodation and Meals

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Travel

Other

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Not Included

Optional Extras

Dates & Prices

How To Book

Where To Meet

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