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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

Fernie, Canada

Duration

3 weeks

Qualifications

CSIA LEVEL 1

Style

instructor

Ability

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

Travel To

Calgary, AB

Fresh tracks, focused coaching, and your first step into the instructor world — all in just three weeks. This early-season course in Fernie is your fast-track to CSIA Level 1. With pro coaching, deep Canadian snow, and full immersion in mountain life, you’ll build strong technique, gain respected qualifications, and kick off your winter with serious purpose.

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Course Spec

Terrain

Groomer

Powder/Trees

Backcountry

Freestyle

A mix of instructor training and technical ski coaching. From carving drills to precision turns, you’ll build solid skills for your Level 1.

Ability

Ability Guide

Novice

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

For intermediate to advanced skiers ready to progress with purpose. You’ll train in ability-matched groups for targeted development and fast improvement.

Age

18-29

30-39

40-49

50+

A diverse and motivated crew — from gap year riders to career-breakers and future instructors. If you love skiing, you’ll find your place here.

Nationality

UK + Europe

AUS + NZ

N. America

Other

An international mix of passionate skiers. Expect friendships that cross borders, with a crew bonded by shared goals and mountain stoke.

Course Spec

Terrain +

Ability
Ability Guide
+

Age +

Nationality +

Full Course Story 3 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Want to launch your ski season with impact? Our 3-week instructor course in Fernie is an intense and rewarding way to build your skills, earn your CSIA Level 1, and kick off winter the right way. It’s a short hit with a big payoff — combining top-level coaching and the unbeatable vibe of early-season Fernie.

You’ll ski with our experienced coaches to improve your technique and learn how to teach beginners with confidence. It’s a tight schedule, but we’ve fine-tuned the program to deliver everything you need to pass your exam and come out as a qualified instructor. Alongside that, you’ll be riding Fernie’s epic December snow — from smooth groomers to fresh powder and flowing terrain.

Off the hill, you’ll stay at the Nonstop lodge with a crew of like-minded skiers, soaking up the mountain town atmosphere. There’s plenty going on — from hockey nights and laid-back dinners to fireside beers.

This is a chance to earn a qualification, boost your skiing, and plug into one of Canada’s best mountain communities — all before winter really kicks off.

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Timeline

This one moves fast — here’s a rough guide to how your time unfolds. Expect full-on training and a serious technique boost.

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3

Welcome to Fernie. Meet your coaches, crew, and new mountain home. We’ll hit the slopes from day one with coaching sessions to sharpen your fundamentals. Expect focused technical drills, feedback loops, and full-mountain immersion to build confidence fast.

With your ski legs firing, we’ll shift gears into instructor-mode. You’ll dig into CSIA Level 1 methodology, practice simulated lessons, and polish your personal riding. Video analysis, personal feedback, and targeted drills will get you prepped for the assessment ahead.

This is what it’s all been building toward: your CSIA Level 1 exam. Across three days, you’ll be assessed on your skiing and teaching – and thanks to all the prep, most riders pass with flying colours. Once it’s done, we celebrate in true Nonstop style. You’ll finish the course with first instructore cert and a serious boost in your skills.

This one moves fast — here’s a rough guide to how your time unfolds. Expect full-on training and a serious technique boost.

Week 1 +

Week 2 +

Week 3 +

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 focused, high-impact training designed to get results. You’ll work with our expert Level 3 and 4 coaches to improve your skiing and teaching from day one. Whether you’re carving clean arcs, learning how to demo skills, or exploring Fernie’s terrain, you’ll be supported every step of the way.

Coaching Spec +

Group Size

Groups

By Ability

Coaches

Level 3/4

Video Analysis

Yes

Sessions
1-2-1
Groups
Coaches
Qualifications

Coaching runs four days per week, blending technical development, instructor training, and plenty of time on snow. You’ll learn how to teach, refine your own skiing, and ride a range of terrain — from groomed pistes to early-season powder.

You’ll train in small groups — no more than 8 skiers per coach — to keep the experience personal and focused. You’ll be grouped by ability and goals, creating a close crew to progress and hang out with throughout the course.

The coaching team is made up of experienced Level 3 and 4 instructors who specialise in developing new instructors. They’ll walk you through the CSIA system, sharpen your technique, and support your journey from skier to teacher.

You’ll work towards your CSIA Level 1. The final week of the course is dedicated to the three-day assessment, covering both skiing ability and beginner-level teaching. You’ll be fully prepared — and ready to pass.

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

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 3 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Week 1 +

Week 2 +

Week 3 +

Resort Spec +

Terrain +

Powder +

Culture +

Nightlife +

Coaching Spec +

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

Groups +

Coaches +

Qualifications +

Meet Your Coaches +

Experiences +

Workshops +

Socials +

How It Works +

Red Tree Lodge +

What's Included

On Snow

+

+

Accommodation and Meals

+

Travel

Other

+

Not Included

Dates & Prices

How To Book

Where To Meet

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