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Ski Instructor Internship

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Hold My Place

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Course Guide

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Location

Fernie, Canada

Duration

19.5 weeks

Qualifications

CSIA LEVEL 1

Style

internship

Ability

Advanced

Expert

Travel To

Calgary, AB

This exclusive instructor internship in Fernie is your fast-track into the ski industry — blending pro coaching, qualifications, and a guaranteed job as an instructor. You’ll train for your CSIA 1 with Nonstop, then hit the slopes as a certified instructor with Fernie Snow School — all while living, working, and riding with a tight crew in one of Canada’s most legendary resorts.

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Course Spec

Style

Groomer

Powder/Trees

Backcountry

Freestyle

The initial focus is on prepping for CSIA 1, but you’ll sharpen your all-mountain game too — from groomers to powder, building flow across terrain.

Ability

Ability Guide

Novice

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

For advanced to expert skiers who want to break into instructing. You should be comfortable on all pistes and keen to develop skills to teach.

Age

18-29

30-39

40-49

50+

Perfect pre- or post-uni, on a gap year, or looking to kick-start a long-term career in the mountains. Expect a like-minded crew with a shared goal.

Nationality

UK + Europe

AUS + NZ

N. America

Other

An international mix of riders, coming together from around the globe. One mountain, many passports — and friendships that go far beyond the season.

Course Spec

Style +

Ability
Ability Guide
+

Age +

Nationality +

Full Course Story 19.5 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Fast-track your way into the ski industry with this season-long internship in one of Canada’s most iconic mountain towns. Exclusive to Nonstop, this program blends pro coaching, qualifications, a guaranteed instructor job, and a full winter living in Fernie — all wrapped into one epic experience.

It kicks off with a three-week Nonstop course designed to prep you for your CSIA Level 1. You’ll train with our experienced coaches, dialling in your technique and teaching skills on Fernie’s world-class terrain. Once qualified, you’ll join the Fernie Snow School as a rookie instructor — teaching real lessons, building your confidence, and getting valuable on-the-job experience.

Expect a typical week to include 4–5 days of paid work, plus plenty of time to freeride the steeps, trees and bowls Fernie is known for. Throughout the season, you’ll have the chance to continue your development with in-house training towards your CSIA Level 2, and stay plugged into the Nonstop community with ongoing support. You’ll also have access to our MORE program — a curated series of epic local adventures and away days designed to make your days off count.

We’ll set you up with a home base in Fernie’s down-to-earth town, a crew of like-minded skiers, and the structure to thrive in your first season as an instructor. This internship is designed for strong skiers with a Canadian working holiday visa, and includes a friendly interview process with both Nonstop and the Snow School Director.

This is the ultimate way to launch your instructing career — with powder days, paychecks, and progression all built in.

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Timeline

The season unfolds fast — here’s a rough guide to how your internship will play out.

Weeks 1–2
Week 3
Week 4+

We kick things off with focused coaching and full-mountain immersion. You’ll be dialling in your technique, learning how to teach, and getting to know your crew. Expect a packed schedule of training, resort exploration, and good times — all while settling into your new home in Fernie. You’ll also get familiar with the snow school environment, meet mentors, and start picturing life on the job.

Time to put it all into action. You’ll sit your CSIA Level 1 assessment, with full support from your coaches. Most riders pass easily thanks to solid prep and miles on the hill. When it’s done, it’s time to celebrate — because the real adventure is just getting started. You’ll get kitted out in your official snow school uniform, and prep for your first day as a paid instructor.

Welcome to the Fernie Snow School. You’ll step into your new role as an instructor, teaching real lessons and earning as you go. Most weeks include 4–5 days of work, leaving space for freeriding, side-quests, and plenty of mountain living. With access to in-house training, you can keep progressing towards your Level 2. This is where your season truly comes to life.

The season unfolds fast — here’s a rough guide to how your internship will play out.

Weeks 1–2 +

Week 3 +

Week 4+ +

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

Your internship kicks off with three weeks of high-impact coaching from Nonstop pros — designed to get you ready to crush the CSIA Level 1 exam. You’ll develop your technical skiing, sharpen your demos, and learn how to deliver great beginner lessons. It’s the perfect prep to launch into your role as a working ski instructor with Fernie Snow School.

Coaching Spec +

Group Size

Groups

By Ability

Coaches

Level 3/4

Video Analysis

Yes

Sessions
Groups
Coaches
Qualifications

For the three-week training phase, sessions run four days a week and blend technical drills, teaching practice, and lots of guided mileage across Fernie’s legendary terrain. You’ll build confidence in your own skiing, learn how to teach others, and gain a solid understanding of the CSIA methodology.

With just 8 internship spots available, this is an intentionally tight-knit crew. During the Nonstop training phase, you’ll join skiers on the three-week course in coaching groups capped at 8 — matched by ability to ensure plenty of personal feedback and support. It’s a focused environment that builds strong progression and real camaraderie. After training and certification, you’ll step into life at Fernie Snow School — joining a professional team of over 150 instructors for the work phase of your season.

Led by Level 3 and 4 pros, the coaching team brings serious experience — and an infectious love of skiing. These are instructors who know the CSIA system inside-out, and they’ll guide your technical and teaching development with sharp insight, practical feedback, and a passion for helping new instructors thrive.

You’ll train for your CSIA Level 1 — a foundational instructor certification that qualifies you to teach beginner-level skiing in Canada. After passing the assessment, you’ll join the Fernie Snow School as a certified instructor, with access to regular in-house training and mentorship. This support helps you continue developing your teaching and technical skills — and begin working toward your CSIA Level 2, should you choose to pursue it.

Sessions +

Groups +

Coaches +

Qualifications +

Meet Your Coaches +

Learn More

Julie

Ski Coach // Fernie

Learn More

Ben

Ski Coach // Fernie

Learn More

Joel

Ski Coach // Fernie

An absolute blast, lovely people and a very welcoming environment. I've had so much fun getting to know all the staff as well as the ski school members. The set up had been fantastic. The coaching was excellent. Learnt so much and have made good friends with the coaches. Set us up for success very well. "

Charlie Alexander

I've loved the internship. Nonstop have been really supportive in their roles, couldn't recommend it enough. Get yourself out to Fernie. "

Joe Gleeson

Ski Instructor Internship

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 19.5 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ski with Nonstop +

Weeks 1–2 +

Week 3 +

Week 4+ +

Resort Spec +

Terrain +

Powder +

Culture +

Nightlife +

Coaching Spec +

Sessions +

Groups +

Coaches +

Qualifications +

Meet Your Coaches +

Fernie Local Houses +

What's Included

On Snow

+

Acommodation and Meals

+

Travel

Other

+

+

Not Included

Dates & Prices

How To Book

Where To Meet

FAQs

How good do I need to be to join the Fernie internship program? +

Who comes on the Fernie internship? +

How do I apply for the Fernie internship? +

Do I need a working visa for Canada to join the internship? +

How much will I earn on the Fernie internship? +

Where can I work after the internship? +

Meet Our Team

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