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CSIA L1 + 2 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

Fernie, Canada

Duration

11 weeks

Qualifications

CSIA LEVEL 1 & 2

Style

instructor

Ability

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

Travel To

Calgary, AB

The original Nonstop course. Set in a world-class powder zone, this is 11 weeks of steep lines, deep snow, and high-level progression. With five legendary bowls, massive vert, and one of Canada’s best coaching crew, you’ll charge toward your CSIA Level 1 + 2 while unlocking your freeride potential. Big mountains, big snowfall, and unforgettable Canadian adventures — it starts here.

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Course Spec

Style

Groomer

Powder/Trees

Backcountry

Freestyle

A blend of instructor training and freeride coaching. From tech turns to Fernie’s legendary powder stashes, you’ll dial it all.

Ability

Ability Guide

Novice

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

For intermediate to expert skiers ready to push limits and earn instructor qualifications. You’ll train in ability-based groups for focussed progression.

Age

18-29

30-39

40-49

50+

One of our most diverse crews — from gap year riders to career-breakers and future instructors. If you’ve got a passion for skiing, you’ll find your people here.

Nationality

UK + Europe

AUS + NZ

N. America

Other

A international mix of riders. Expect friendships that cross borders, with a tight-knit community built around shared mountain moments.

Course Spec

Style +

Ability
Ability Guide
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Age +

Nationality +

Full Course Story 11 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

The one that started it all. Since 2002, our flagship Fernie course has been the launchpad for skiers chasing big dreams, deep snow, and mountain-town living at its best. Rooted in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this is 11 weeks of pro coaching, legendary terrain, and full-throttle winter immersion — with a tight crew to match.

Fernie is the real deal: five playful bowls, epic ridgelines, and some of the best tree skiing on the planet. This place delivers serious snowfall and serious soul, all wrapped up in a no-frills, all-stoke local vibe. You’ll ride it all — steeps, chutes, powder fields — and still make it back to town for lodge hangs and a local band at The Northern.

At the core is top-tier coaching from a team of Canadian pros. You’ll train toward your CSIA Level 1 and 2 certs, with a sharp focus on both freeride progression and teaching technique. Want to ditch the exam track and go all in on personal riding? An option after the Level 1, our exclusive All Mountain Pro path lets you do just that — exploring fresh terrain, boosting skills, and living the big-mountain dream.

Away from the coaching, the adventure keeps rolling with our jam-packed MORE Program: think cat-skiing in remote BC backcountry, avalanche training, road hockey, and powder-chasing road trips. Every week’s got a new high point — and every trip is part of the story.

Fernie’s where it all began. If you’re ready to ride hard, level up, and live the season of a lifetime — this is the one.

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Forces Leavers & ELCAS +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Timeline

Here’s how your 11-week season is set to go down. This is a guideline, shaped by the snow, the crew, and the Nonstop flow.

Weeks 1-2
Week 3
Week 4
Weeks 5-6
Weeks 7-8
Weeks 9-10
Week 11

Welcome to Canada. It’s time to settle in, meet your crew, and join us for welcome dinner and drinks. We’ll tour town, help with gear setup, and get you ready for the season ahead. On-snow, you’ll ease into coaching as we explore Fernie’s five bowls and start breaking down your technique. We’ll introduce CSIA/CASI methodology, build your technical base, and kick off instructor-focused training. To keep things fresh, we’ll take an away day to Kimberley — quieter slopes, great terrain, and a change of pace.

We turn things up a notch with steeper terrain and more advanced drills. You’ll demo instructor techniques and practice real teaching scenarios, plus get 1-2-1 coaching to fine-tune your riding. Thinking of teaching full-time? Our instructor workshop covers job applications, tips, and what to expect. You can also earn Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 — a great addition to your mountain toolkit.

It’s time to qualify. Your CSIA Level 1 exam runs over three days, testing both your riding and teaching. It’s a challenge — but a fun one — and we’re proud to regularly hit a 100% pass rate. We’ll celebrate with a blowout party and downtime includes ski-tuning workshops and the chance to try ski touring in Fernie’s sidecountry. Next up: Level 2.

The Level 2 journey begins. You’ll work on moguls, steeps, short turns, and off-piste, while continuing to develop your teaching skills at a higher level. A cat-skiing day with Fernie Wilderness Adventures is a season highlight — riding remote powder lines with a snowcat drop. You’ll also have the chance to volunteer as an instructor at a local ski hill — solid experience, and great for the CV.

We double down on your all-mountain game. More coaching, deeper dives into CSIA technique, and a second round of 1-2-1 to maximise your progress. Optional freestyle certifications are available, plus we’ll host an epic woods bonfire party. You can even explore Fernie’s trail network by fat bike on a snowy adventure.

Time for the final push. We’ll road-trip to Castle Mountain for a fresh terrain challenge and run our unforgettable winter camping night — yes, you’ll build and sleep in your own snow shelter. Skiers dive into two key CSIA Level 2 prep courses — each two days focussing on ski and teaching development, while snowboarders fine-tune for their own assessments. You’ll feel competent on a huge range of terrain types and snow conditions by now, all set for the Level 2 assessment.

This is it. For the last official week, it’s Level 2 exam. Skiers complete two days of assessment, while snowboarders face a four-day exam. You’ll be evaluated on your teaching and riding — pass both and you’ll be qualified to teach internationally in places like Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland. We’ll wrap with a huge graduation bash and a final farewell dinner to send you off in style.

Here’s how your 11-week season is set to go down. This is a guideline, shaped by the snow, the crew, and the Nonstop flow.

Weeks 1-2 +

Week 3 +

Week 4 +

Weeks 5-6 +

Weeks 7-8 +

Weeks 9-10 +

Week 11 +

Resort

Fernie is a ski mecca with cult status for its deep powder, adventurous terrain and authentically Canadian town, just a few of the reasons Nonstop was founded here. Set in southeast British Columbia, it receives mega amounts of annual snowfall and has the biggest vertical in Canadian Rockies.

Resort Spec +

Average Snowfall

30 ft

Vertical

3,550 ft

Skiable Acres

2,500+

Alpine Bowls

Terrain
Powder
Culture
Nightlife

Fernie is a skier’s dream: raw, rugged and endlessly rideable. Home to five legendary alpine bowls – Cedar, Lizard, Currie, Timber and Siberia – this mountain is built for exploration. Whether you're carving groomers or dropping into steep chutes, Fernie serves up some of the most varied and exciting terrain in North America.

Fernie’s snowfall is the stuff of legend. With an average of 10 metres per season, it’s one of the snowiest resorts in the Rockies – and the quality is just as impressive as the quantity. A combination of the horse-shoe shape of the bowls, local weather systems and Pacific fronts are to thank for Fernie’s frequent dumps and feather-light flakes.

Fernie isn’t your typical purpose-built ski resort – it’s a real-deal mountain town full of soul, character, and community. Tucked into the southeast corner of British Columbia and rooted in mining heritage, Fernie is shaped by powder-loving locals who live for the mountain. When it dumps over 20cm, shops have been known to close – because skiing takes priority. Historic downtown adds to the charm, with indie shops, craft coffee spots, a vintage cinema, and a community that welcomes newcomers like old friends.

Fernie’s nightlife strikes a perfect balance: lively when it wants to be, low-key when you need it. The scene spans live bands at The Northern, cocktails at Fernie Distillers, and open mic nights at The Brickhouse. Après is more relaxed than Europe, but still has a strong pulse. At the base of the hill, the Griz Bar is the go-to hangout – pitchers of Kokanee flow, pool tables stay busy, and the sun deck comes alive in spring.

Terrain +

Powder +

Culture +

Nightlife +

Coaching

This is where the magic happens. Our coaching blends high-level instructor training with all-mountain progression — so while we prep you to crush your CSIA Level 1 and 2, we’re also chasing powder, refining your freeride game, and unlocking the full mountain. Whether you want to teach or just ski like a pro, you’ll come away more confident, more capable, and stoked on how far your skiing’s come — with world-class certs to prove it.

Coaching Spec +

Group Size

Groups

By Ability

Coaches

Level 3/4

Video Analysis

Yes

Sessions
1-2-1
Groups
Coaches
Qualifications
Pro Start
All Mountain Pro

The typical setup is four coaching days per week, with a varied schedule that blends instructor training and all-mountain development. Sessions include technical training, teaching practice, and freeride exploration. Our goal is to prepare you pass your CSIA Level 1 and 2, while pushing your personal skiing to the next level.

Before each exam phase, you’ll have a 1-2-1 session with a coach. These are tailored to your personal goals — whether that’s refining technique, building confidence, or clarifying the CSIA framework — and are a great chance to set targets and ask questions.

This course suits a range of abilities, from strong intermediate to expert. We match you with others of a similar ability and mindset, with no more than 8 skiers per coach. This keeps coaching personal and dynamic, with plenty of one-on-one feedback and a fun, social group atmosphere.

The backbone of the Nonstop experience, you’ll learn from Level 3 and 4 pros with deep experience training instructors and an infectious passion for the sport. You’ll rotate between coaches each week to gain a mix of insights, teaching styles, and fresh terrain knowledge — great for both progression and future instructor work.

You’ll train for the CSIA Level 1 and 2 certifications — Level 1 qualifies you to teach beginners, while Level 2 is internationally recognised and allows you to teach intermediate skiers around the world. Both levels assess your skiing and teaching separately — pass both components and you’ll earn the full certification.

Alternatively, you can choose to pursue the PSIC Level 2 Big Mountain Coach qualification, in place of CSIA L2. This certification focuses on big mountain skiing and teaching skills, preparing you to instruct in more challenging terrain and conditions. We cover the cost of either cert, so you can select the pathway that best suits your goals and teaching aspirations.

If you’re serious about becoming an instructor, we’ll help you stand out. You can work toward extra certifications like freestyle or avalanche safety, and gain experience by shadowing local instructors and volunteering on a local community initiative. Industry workshops, mentoring, and guaranteed interviews with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies will give you a strong start in the ski world.

If your focus lies more in refining your personal skiing than in teaching, you can switch to our All Mountain Pro pathway in latter part of the course, rather than chasing the Level 2 cert. With structured goals and learning criteria, this track dials in your freeriding skills — powder, steeps, and technical terrain — with no exams, just progression. It’s a great option if you want to push your limits and explore the mountain to the fullest, without the pressure of certification.

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

Groups +

Coaches +

CSIA L1 + 2 Ski Instructor Course

Scroll for full course details or download the Course Guide

Course Spec

Style

Ability

Age

Nationality

Course Spec

Style +

Ability Ability Guide +

Ability

Age +

Nationality +

Overview

Full Course Story 11 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Forces Leavers & ELCAS +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Weeks 1-2 +

Week 3 +

Week 4 +

Weeks 5-6 +

Weeks 7-8 +

Weeks 9-10 +

Week 11 +

Resort Spec +

Terrain +

Powder +

Culture +

Nightlife +

Coaching Spec +

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

Groups +

Coaches +

Qualifications +

Pro Start +

All Mountain Pro +

Meet Your Coaches +

Experiences +

Certifications +

Workshops +

Socials +

How It Works +

Red Tree Lodge +

Fernie Local Houses +

What's Included

On Snow

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+

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Career Support

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

FAQs

How good do I need to be to join a Nonstop instructor course? +

Who comes on the Fernie instructor course? +

Why the Fernie instructor course? +

What size are the coaching groups on a Nonstop instructor course? +

What is the typical pass rate on the CSIA/CASI 1 and 2? +

Where can I work once I've qualified in Fernie with my CSIA/CASI 1 and 2? +

What is the minimum age to join in Fernie? +

Can I work during the season in Canada? +

What other costs are there and how much spending money will I need? +

Should I join the pre-stay and post-stay weeks? +

Which Nonstop instructor course is for me? +

Meet Our Team

Ability
Ability Guide
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