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CASI L1 + 2 Snowboard 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

CASI 1, CASI 2

Style

instructor

Ability

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

Travel To

Calgary, AB

Based in Fernie, BC, one of Canada’s top powder destinations, this 11-week program is all about charging steeps, lapping deep snow, and levelling up. With five epic bowls, a soulful freeride vibe, and some of Canada's best coaches, you’ll train for your CASI Level 1 + 2 and unlock next-level flow. Big lines, big progression, and the season of a lifetime — it all kicks off here.

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Course Spec

Terrain

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 riders 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 snowboarding, 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

Terrain +

Ability
Ability Guide
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Age +

Nationality +

Full Course Story 11 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

This is where Nonstop snowboarding began — and it’s still one of the best shred seasons out there. Since 2002, our flagship Fernie course has been the launchpad for snowboarders chasing deep snow, instructor qualifications, and the full Canadian winter experience. Nestled in the rugged Canadian Rockies, Fernie delivers huge snowfall, endless freeride lines, and a proper local vibe that makes you feel right at home.

Over 11 weeks, you’ll train for your CASI Level 1 and 2 certifications with Canada’s best coaches. Training blends technical development with freeride-focused progression — helping you build smooth, confident riding while preparing to teach with skill. From groomers and steeps to powder fields and trees, every session is a chance to level up.

Outside coaching, the MORE program fills your weeks with off-snow adventures and big-mountain extras — from cat-boarding in the BC backcountry to avalanche training, road trips, and nights watching Fernie’s local hockey team throw down.

Whether you’re chasing a snowboard career or just want to ride hard for a season, this course delivers it all: deep days, a tight crew, world-class coaching, and the ultimate mountain-town vibe.

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Forces Leavers & ELCAS +

Why Ride 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 CASI 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 CASI 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. Level 2 prep continues, as you fine-tune your riding and toolbox of teaching skills. 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

Our coaching in Fernie is about as good as it gets. You’ll train with Level 3 and 4 pros who balance high-level exam prep with real-world freeride development. Whether your goal is to become an instructor or simply ride with more fluency, our coaches will push your skills to the next level — all while shredding some of the most fun terrain in North America.

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

You’ll ride four days a week with your Nonstop coach, with sessions blending technical development, freestyle practice, and off-piste riding. It’s a mix of focused instruction and laid-back progression, all geared toward CASI Level 1 + 2 — or personal milestones.

Before each exam, you’ll ride a personal 1-2-1 session with a coach — a chance to fine-tune your skills, clarify the CASI framework, ask questions, and get targeted feedback on where to focus.

Riders are grouped by ability and riding goals, with a maximum of 8 per coach. That means loads of one-on-one input and a chilled, supportive group dynamic that makes progression feel easy — and fun.

You’ll ride with a team of elite Canadian coaches with a proven record of developing riders fast. Many are CASI evaluators and seasoned pros with deep knowledge of Fernie’s terrain. You’ll rotate through different coaches over the season to gain a range of perspectives, riding styles, and mentoring.

You’ll work toward your CASI Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 qualifies you to teach beginners, while Level 2 is internationally recognised and allows you to teach intermediate riders. Each cert covers both riding and teaching — both aspects and you’ll secure the qualifications.

For aspiring instructors, we offer loads of extras to bolster your CV — shadowing local pros, volunteering on our ‘Community Days’ program, and attending industry workshops. You can also pick up additional certifications like avalanche safety or freestyle, and graduates get guaranteed interviews with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.

If you’re more focused on personal skiing than teaching, you can switch to the All Mountain Pro route in latter phase of the course, instead of the Level 2. This track dials in your freeriding skills — powder, steeps, and technical terrain — with no exams, just progression.

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

Groups +

Coaches +

CASI L1 + 2 Snowboard 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 11 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Forces Leavers & ELCAS +

Why Ride 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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+

+

+

+

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? +

Ability
Ability Guide
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