Ski Instructor Course: All you need to know

So, you’re thinking about becoming a ski instructor. Or maybe you just want to improve your skiing. Well, a ski instructor course may be just right for you.

I’ve been thinking about becoming a ski instructor for the last 5 years. It’s something that’s been playing on my mind. I put it aside often believing it wasn’t the right time, perhaps not the right career choice, I wasn’t a good enough skier or was just too late.

After completing the summer in Cornwall working for Global Boarders Surf Company, I realised I loved working outside and relished the chance to teach someone a skill they perhaps didn’t think they could do. So, with the encouragement and support of friends and family, I signed up for the 8-week combined course with AllTracks Academy. It was my best decision yet! 

I had previously researched a range of companies offering ski instructor courses. I settled on AllTracks as although they run courses globally, they trained in Whistler, Canada (somewhere I’d always wanted to ski). The course dates suited my plans (I wanted to be home for Christmas with my family and had a ski holiday with friends in January). Plus, they offered a course that would allow me to get my CSIA level 1 & 2 and included 2 weeks off-piste-focused training at the end.

This is your guide to what to expect from the 8-week combined ski instructor course offered by AllTracks Academy. 

Pre-course 

I arrived in Vancouver on 16th February 2022, a few days before the course began on the 19th. With Covid still causing issues, Canada’s policy at the time was to test upon arrival. You, therefore, had to quarantine until you received your results. Hence, AllTracks suggested arriving a few days early to compensate for this, ensuring you didn’t miss the start of training. I booked my flight to allow for a few days prior to explore Vancouver and acclimatise to the time zone. I had 2 full days exploring Vancouver and met up with fellow coursemates as more arrived in the city. It was a great way to get my Canadian adventure started! 

Interested in exploring Vancouver? Read my post “How to spend 2 days in Vancouver” for the full low down.

The transfer from Vancouver to Whistler was due the evening of Saturday the 19th. It’s included in the course details and most people would normally choose to travel up then. However, one of my course-mates had organised a transfer earlier in the day. A few of us were lucky enough to be included.

We arrived in Whistler early afternoon, dumped our bags at our accommodation and wandered the town to get our bearings. We enjoyed a quick lunch in Beacons and met more coursemates. Then checked in at 4pm to Tantalus Lodge to see who we’d spend the next 8 weeks with. 

Once everyone arrived over the course of the day, a few of us went for drinks that evening at Amsterdam. Sunday morning, Guy Hetherington, technical director of AllTracks Academy greeted us. He took us for a tour of the village, showing us where we were to meet our instructors the next morning, and highlighted useful POIs including the supermarket, post office, customer services for the mountain and relevant ski shops.

Those of us that needed ski equipment then followed Guy into CanSki. With his guidance, we purchased skis, boots and anything else we required for the course. We then had the afternoon to ourselves. I collected my ski pass the previous day, so spent the afternoon doing life admin to prepare myself for the first day of ski instructor course training and socialising with my new ski friends.

For everything you need to know about life in Whistler, read my ultimate guide here.

Week 1 – Welcome

Day 1, we met outside Merlins bar & restaurant, over on Blackcomb side, at 9am. After checking in with our relevant ski instructor course leaders (AllTracks run multiple courses simultaneously), we headed up the mountain. We skied a warm-up run and the group was quickly halved by those who felt comfortable immediately skiing a double black and those who weren’t keen to do it first thing. Some further skiing and those halves were split again, via skiing ability, creating 4 training groups. 

For my first week, we had Laurie, one of the instructors who work closely with AllTracks. He’s also often responsible for arranging which groups have which coach for the week. 

With Laurie, we explored the mountains and found our ski legs again as many people had not skied for a number of years due to Covid. We often followed the structure of a technical morning and freeskiing afternoons to put into practice what we had learned from the morning.

Week 2 – AllTracks Training

A new week means a new instructor and for week 2 we had Josh, (an AllTracks veteran). Plus, a much-needed fresh dump of powder! Although we had the CSIA Level 1 looming the following week, the consensus across the instructors was to make the most of the new snow as we’d improve our skiing no matter what. 

It was such a fun week learning how to ski in deep powder, through trees and how to manage bumps.

Week 3 – CSIA Level 1 Training & Exam 

After 2 weeks of training and getting us up to speed, it’s time for the CSIA Level 1 exam. More of an “assessed development”, you’re guided and assessed across 3 days. Here you need to meet the expectations of 14 out of 16 requirements to pass. 

Level 1 allows you to teach anyone from never having skied to intermediate parallel turns. Across the 3 days, we taught each other the steps to skiing. We took turns playing instructor and guiding the group with demonstrations of snowplough and intermediate parallel turns. 

AST Level 1 Training 

Between weeks 3 & 4, we spent our weekend embarking on our Level 1 Avalanche Safety Training. This course runs separately via Extremely Canadian. It consists of pre-course videos and a meeting, plus 2 days of mountain training. 

The pre-course materials provide you with all the necessary information as to why and how avalanches occur, including real-life stories. There’s then a pre-training Zoom meeting where your course leader discusses the plan for the weekend, what to expect from the weather and how this affects avalanches too. 

On day 1, you learn how to use avalanche safety equipment, such as probes, transceivers and shovels and the processes by which to save someone or multiple people if an avalanche occurs. We practised in teams how to search for a missing person, via buried transceivers in the snow. 

Day 2 consists of more backcountry skiing and discussions on what terrain relates to the chances of an avalanche occurring. We went to the boundaries of the ski resort and climbed up the Flute Summit (2012m high) – a good 20-30 minute climb. We enjoyed some thick untouched powder on the way down. 

It was a great but tiring weekend, full of vital information! 

Week 4 – CSIA Level 2 Training 

As part of the CSIA Level 2, there is mandatory training with a CSIA instructor across 4 days. 2 days focus on improving your ski technique to reach the minimum pass across 4 examined runs; snowplough, intermediate parallel, short turns and free ski. The other 2 days focus on your teaching ability. You spend time watching members of the public skiing, determining what’s not working, why and then how to fix it. You then assign a drill to fix the cause of the problem, teach your fellow course-mates and give them specific feedback as you go. 

It was a valuable 4 days of training, but more monotonous when compared to the previous weeks. Plus, I’m all for constructive criticism, but I found it quite draining with the continual feedback and constant concentration needed to improve. I ended the first 2 days of ski development aware that I was just below the pass mark, but felt there was further improvement following the 2 days of teaching.  

Week 5 – AllTracks Training

Into our final week of training before our CSIA Level 2, our group had quite the mix! We ended up with a different instructor every day due to staff illness. It wasn’t too much of an issue as each instructor offered something different to take away.

On day 1, we lucked out with a dump of fresh powder! Dave took us out of our comfort zone by tackling double blacks across the Blackcomb mountain. 

An older instructor taught us on day 2. He focused heavily on technique and made us do drills all day. It was useful but we didn’t gel as well as everyone else we’d had so far.

Day 3 was the wettest ski day of my life! I fully expected it to be awful and for us to finish early as we were soaked from the get-go. However, our instructor, Max, was so positive and made it so fun we stayed out all day.

Our final training day for the week saw us bringing everything together across our skiing and teaching development, enabling us to iron out those last-minute queries and worries.

When you’re not skiing in Whistler, see what other fun activities you can try here.

Week 6 – CSIA Level 2 exam

Week 6 started out stressful. Never one to enjoy performance exams, I felt I had a lot riding on the 2-day CSIA level 2 exam as I had my heart set on instructing in the future. 

The first day was our teaching exam. Once again, it was more of an “assessed development”. We had group discussions on what we would do to improve someone’s skiing depending on whether there was an issue with their rotational, pressure or edging control. From there, we broke into smaller groups. We taught each other drills that would solve the cause and provided feedback throughout. As it’s a developmental exam, the focus is on your continual learning over the day and as long as you take on the feedback you should be fine.

Halfway through the examination process and it was time for our skiing to be under scrutiny. With the 4 assessed runs, the plan is set out from the start of the day depending on the conditions. A few practise runs help get your legs warmed up to the pistes you’re assessed on. Then, you have 2 tries at each ski run with your best mark taken for each part. From there, an average mark is taken and you need a 6 or above to pass. 

Once the 2 days ended, we all met outside the Westin hotel for our results. I cut it close on the skiing, but thankfully passed both elements!  

With the pressure off, we got back to enjoying skiing again! And there’s no better way to do so than a scavenger hunt around the resort. We split into small groups and had to complete as many tasks as possible with photo or video evidence. Points were awarded for the funniest or most creative results. It was such a great way to enjoy a ski all together before most people were due to head home after the 6-week ski instructor course.

Week 7 – Off-piste

Those of us that were left for the 2-week off-piste training were joined by a new group of keen skiers. We met outside Merlin’s on the first day to check everyone in. Once we uploaded and skied a warm-up run, we had a ski-off down an off-piste black run to split the team into 3 groups of similar abilities. 

The day before, we had a dump of 51cm of snow! Our instructor for the week was Finn (another AllTracks veteran). He got us comfortable with the deep powder and helped me realise that speed is my friend in such conditions. 

Week 8 – Off-piste

All of a sudden, we were into our final week of training. Our instructor, Sam, certainly pushed us to our limits. With 7 weeks of training behind us, it was a fun chance to put everything we’d learned together and ski some of the most challenging runs in the resort. I, thankfully, got over my fear of the Sudan Couloir (a double black that had me too frozen to complete my first turn the first time down), and skied it another 2 times. 

We also survived some sketchy drop-ins at higher Pakalolo and the Cirque. Plus, a few more runs from Spanky’s ladder into the Diamond Bowl and a final trip to the ice cave at Blackcomb Glacier finished us off. 

Heading home

On Saturday 16th April 2022, the AllTracks ski instructor course came to an end and we grabbed the transfer back to Vancouver Airport. I, however, had a new adventure ahead of me – more of that to follow…

What’s included in the ski instructor course? 

Accommodation

AllTracks have varying options for accommodation in Whistler. Depending on how much you want to pay, depends on whether you’re sharing a room or have it to yourself. I was in Tantalus Lodge and shared a 3-bed apartment with Sarah and my roommate, Chloe. It’s in an ideal location only a 5-10 minute walk to the lifts and town. 

Training

Training is provided 4 days a week (9:30am – 3pm) and conducted by hand-picked level 3 & 4 instructors from Whistler Blackcomb. The coaches change week to week, so you get a different pair of eyes on you. This is a great way of ensuring you get a variety of information and experience. 

CSIA Level 1 Exam

The CSIA Level 1 exam is 3 days and is conducted by a qualified examining instructor. The exam is more of an assessed development experience where discussions, questioning and demonstrations allow you to acquire the skills needed to teach someone who has never skied before to ski intermediate parallel turns. 

Transfer

The transfer to and from Vancouver Airport and Whistler is included only on the first and last day of the course. The transfer to Whistler usually departs after the arrival of the 7pm BA flight. Depending on flight delays, it could see you in Whistler around 10pm/11pm.

The return transfer at the end of the course departs at 10am and takes 2 – 2.5 hours, dropping you back at Vancouver airport. 

Season pass

Your ski pass is included for the entirety of your course dates and will allow you to ski during training and non-training days. You receive a code from AllTracks prior to your arrival. When you get to Whistler, simply head to the Customer Service Desk to retrieve it.

What’s not included in the ski instructor course?

Flights

It’s up to your to organise and book flights to and from Vancouver. But if you need help AllTracks will assist you in finding the right flight for you. From there, you can decide if you want anytime in Vancouver pre or post-course or perhaps fly somewhere completely new and hold off from heading home. 

Food

AllTracks do offer an evening meal 4 nights a week for an additional price. However, most people go self-catered as the accommodations are well equipped to cook most things. There are a couple of supermarkets in town to choose from, but the food is definitely expensive up in the mountains. We often rotated who would cook each night which took the pressure off cooking every evening – very wholesome! 

We also went out for dinner a fair bit and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Whistler.

For all my recommendations, check out my post Where to eat in Whistler here.

Equipment

All the ski equipment you need is provided by you. If you’re missing anything there are plenty of shops to choose from around town. Plus, Guy will assist you in any ski or boot purchases on the first day. 

Insurance

It’s up to you to ensure you have the right cover for your trip. This includes ensuring you have winter sports cover for the duration of your trip. You will need to forward your policy number and details to AllTracks prior to starting the trip. I took mine out with BigCat insurance, but AllTracks provide a lot of options too. 

CSIA Level 2 training and exam (approx £600) 

Even though it’s a level 1 & 2 marketed course, the Level 2 CSIA training and exam is an additional purchase. However, this does mean it’s optional. I would encourage you to do your level 2, especially if you want to instruct. It’s a great skill to have on your CV and will make you a better skier for it. If you decide you’re not going to use it in the future, it will mean there’s no tuition in week 4 of your course. 

Spending money

With lessons finishing around 3 pm, 4 days a week, the evenings and long weekends are yours to do what you want. Most days you’ll return knackered. But there’s usually always someone keen to head into town or hang out in each other’s apartments. I’d advise a budget of $200-$250 a week to cover groceries, meals and drinks out, activities and any purchases you want to make. 

For everything you need to know about life in Whistler, read my ultimate guide here.

Doing a ski instructor course was always something that lingered in the back of my mind but I never believed it would actually happen. I had the best 8 weeks living in Whistler and I’m so grateful for the people I met along the way. The training I received through AllTracks Academy has set me up beautifully for a future in instructing. I’m pleased to say I’ve accepted a job at Whistler Blackcomb Ski School for the 2022/23 season! 

If you’re thinking of becoming an instructor or would like to improve your skiing, I would highly recommend signing up for this 8-week ski instructor course with AllTracks Academy.

Els x