Article by Ron Harper
Canada is notorious for its freezing temperature. But there’s one profession in this land known for severe wind chills and endless snow that’s literally cooler than others – being a ski instructor. As a ski instructor, you’ll have to be constantly exposed to powder, night in and night out.
For those who are not familiar with the lingo, powder refers to a thick layer of soft snow freshly formed from a recent snowfall. It is the initial sightings of this kind of snow that awakens the senses of skiers and snowboarders alike. For the ski instructor, it signals the start of another lucrative season.
So what does it take to be a ski instructor? The minimum requirement for skiing instructors in Canada is to become a Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) Level 1 Instructor or a British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) Level 1. With any BASI license, you can also teach in Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia, USA, and Switzerland.
To qualify for the BASI ski instructor course, you will need the following: an associate membership in BASI, a first aid certificate, and the ability to do basic maneuvers. You need to at least be 16 years of age. Once you’ve acquired Level 1, it is highly recommended to proceed to Level 2 to enable you to teach more advanced students.
One often overlooked component in a ski instructor training program is leadership training. It typically covers guiding, coaching, as well as outdoor leadership. One of the best places to undergo leadership training is Section 8 Snowsport Institute. This establishment offers this program in a 12-week format, where skiing instructors are taught the more sophisticated responsibilities of a ski instructor.
The leadership training program includes discussions on the fastest way to navigate down a race course, tearing up the terrain park, charging the off-piste steeps, and exploring the backcountry.
Ski instructor training should be a continuous process. There are always new technologies; new techniques; and, if you believe in Global Warming, even new weather conditions. Updated skiing instructors always have the advantage. If you can complete a ski instructor course that will allow you to qualify for both CSIA Level 1 and Level 2, that will save you a lot of time.
For more information about Ski instructor training please logon to our website http://www.snowchallengecanada.com/
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