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CASI L1 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

4 weeks

Qualifications

CASI 1

Style

instructor

Ability

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

Travel To

Calgary, AB

Deep snow, fast progression, and the start of something awesome. This 4-week course in Fernie is your shortcut to earning the CASI Level 1 — combining expert coaching with powder days and a full immersion in mountain life. Ride legendary terrain, push your snowboarding to new levels, and plug into Fernie’s down-to-earth community. You’ll leave certified, stoked, and hungry for more.

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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
+

Age +

Nationality +

Full Course Story 4 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Looking for a short but unforgettable snowboard season? Our 4-week instructor course in Fernie hits the sweet spot — packing professional coaching, freeride progression, and full-on good times into one incredible month in the Canadian Rockies.

You’ll train with our expert CASI coaches to sharpen your technique and build the foundations to pass your Level 1. At the same time, you’ll be charging through Fernie’s iconic terrain — from wide-open bowls and tree lines to natural hits and powder stashes. Whether your goal is to teach or just elevate your riding, this course gets you there fast.

Off the hill, life is just as full. You’ll stay in the Nonstop lodge with an easy-going crew of like-minded snowboarders, relaxing in the hot tub, exploring the town, and soaking up the local lifestyle. Our MORE Program stacks the season with epic activities — think frozen lake skating, night laps at Pass Powderkeg, and a calendar full of socials.

Whether it’s a gap year, a career break, or just a new chapter on your snowboard journey, this course is a launchpad for bigger adventures. Short season, serious impact.

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ride with Nonstop +

Timeline

Here’s how your 4-week journey in Fernie is set to unfold — a taste of the instructor life, Nonstop style. This is a guideline and may flex.

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4

Welcome to Fernie. We’ll meet you at Calgary Airport and roll into the Rockies for your first look at your new mountain home. After a welcome dinner with your coaches and crew, it’s time to get dialled. You’ll hit the slopes for coaching, explore Fernie’s five legendary bowls, and settle into training life. Off snow, we’ll tour the town, help you dial your gear, and dive into the local scene.

You’re warmed up, and now it’s time to build. We’ll introduce CSIA/CASI instructor techniques and start to layer in the theory behind great teaching and riding. Expect coaching focused on your personal progression, plus practical teaching drills. Midweek, we’ll mix it up with a trip to Kimberley — a hidden gem with big terrain and zero crowds.

Training ramps up as we prepare for the Level 1. You’ll hit steeper pitches, refine your form, and start delivering mini lessons to your peers. Our 1-2-1 coaching sessions give you targeted feedback, while optional avalanche safety training gives you a crash course in mountain awareness. If you’re thinking long-term, our instructor workshop is packed with tips.

This is the week it all comes together. Your CSIA/CASI Level 1 exam runs over three days — both riding and teaching are assessed. With all the prep, and huge support from the crew and coaches, you’ll be ready. We celebrate the milestone with a legendary Nonstop party. There’s also time to explore the backcountry with ski touring or just ride for the love of it — you’ve earned it.

Here’s how your 4-week journey in Fernie is set to unfold — a taste of the instructor life, Nonstop style. This is a guideline and may flex.

Week 1 +

Week 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 hits different than a typical ski area – it’s a real-deal mountain town full of soul and energy. Hidden in the southeast corner of British Columbia, Fernie is shaped by powder-loving locals who live for the mountain. As the rule goes, shops close if it’s a big pow day, 20 cennies plus! Downtown brings its own vibe, with indie shops, local coffee spots, good eats, an old-school cinema, and a community that welcomes newcomers like old friends.

Fernie’s après and nightlife strike a perfect balance, with everything from lively to low-key. The go-to après hangout is all about the Griz Bar at the base of the ski hill – grab jugs of Kokanee with your mates, play a bit of pool, or vibe out on sun deck in spring. Back in town, there’s lots going on with live music and DJ sets at The Northern, open mic nights at The Brickhouse, and legendary karaoke at the Ranging Elk. The scene has a bit of everything, and it’s damn cool.

Terrain +

Powder +

Culture +

Nightlife +

Coaching

Get ready for four weeks of next-level development, guided by a team of top-level snowboard coaches. You’ll work through CASI’s framework, train to demo skills clearly, and develop the tools you need to coach beginners with confidence. Alongside the tech sessions, you’ll ride Fernie’s wild terrain — boosting your freeride flow and control every day.

Coaching Spec +

Group Size

Groups

By Ability

Coaches

Level 3/4

Video Analysis

Yes

Sessions
1-2-1
Groups
Coaches
Qualifications

Each week includes four days of focused coaching, blending technique work, teaching practice, and freeride sessions. Whether you’re carving groomers or dropping into Fernie’s trees, no two days are the same — and everyone takes your riding further.

Ahead of the Level 1 assessment, you’ll get a dedicated 1-2-1 with your coach. It’s your moment to refine your riding, clear up questions, and get mentally prepped to pass with confidence.

You’ll ride in small, tight-knit groups — no more than 8 per coach — matched by ability and vibe. It’s the perfect balance of individual feedback, shared stoke, and a solid crew to ride with throughout.

Your snowboard coaches are Level 3 and 4 pros who know exactly how to bring the best out of your riding. With deep experience training instructors, they’ll get you dialled for your exam while building your confidence, style, and all-mountain awareness. You’ll rotate coaches across the course for fresh perspectives and varied terrain.

You’ll be working toward your CASI Level 1 — your first official step as a snowboard instructor. The final week is all about the three-day assessment, where you’ll be tested on both your riding and your ability to teach beginner snowboarders. You’ll be well prepared — and ready to crush it.

Sessions +

1-2-1 +

Groups +

Coaches +

Qualifications +

Meet Your Coaches +

Learn More

Stan

Snowboard Coach // Fernie

Learn More

Kris

Snowboard Coach // Fernie

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Nikki

Snowboard Coach // Fernie

Activities

This is way more than just a training course — it’s a full-on Fernie experience. Through our MORE Program, you’ll tap into local adventures, freeride culture, and unforgettable fun that rounds out the season.

Experiences
Workshops
Socials
How It Works

From night laps under BC peaks to frozen lake skating, the MORE Program is stacked with once-in-a-lifetime moments. These are the stories you’ll be telling long after the snow melts.

We run practical weekly workshops that might cover board tuning, freeride safety, or insights into working in the snowboard industry. They’re hands-on, casual, and designed to deepen your mountain know-how.

Community is everything in Fernie — and you’ll feel it from day one. With group hikes, weekly après, lodge dinners, and hockey nights, the season is packed with fun ways to bond with your crew. You’ll finish with friends for life — and a seriously active group chat.

Once you’re in Fernie, we’ll walk you through everything on offer — from the big adventures to the downday activities. From there, you shape the season your way, picking what excites you, and making the most of your month.

Experiences +

Workshops +

Socials +

How It Works +

Learn More

CASI Level 1

Start your instructor journey and master the fundamentals of snowboard teaching.

Learn More

Team Après

Our weekly après is where the crew reconnects — drinks, laughs, and mountain stories guaranteed.

Learn More

Workshop Series

Hands-on workshops to support your knowledge and love for skiing and snowboarding.

Learn More

Street Hockey

Street rules. Team up and throw down with your crew in a classic Canadian road hockey battle.

Learn More

Fernie Hikes

Explore Fernie’s stunning trails and waterfalls on social hikes with your crew.

Learn More

Lake Skating

Lace up and skate laps on a frozen lake surrounded by snowy alpine peaks.

Learn More

Snowshoeing

Explore off-grid alpine trails on a social snowshoe adventure.

Learn More

Fat Biking

Pedal snow-covered trails with oversized tires and big grins on a guided fat bike tour.

Learn More

XC Skiing

Glide through peaceful forest trails on skinny skis — low impact, high reward.

Learn More

Pass Powderkeg Night Riding

Ride under floodlights and lap the T-bar at this retro hill with side hits and a terrain park.

Learn More

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

Learn how to read terrain, use rescue gear, and make safe decisions in avalanche zones.

Learn More

Ghostriders Ice Hockey

A local pastime and rite of passage, cheer on Fernie's ice hockey team, the Ghostriders.

$ = Extra Cost

This has been one of the best experiences of my life. It has made me want to return to Canada and spend more time on snow. The course has increased my love for skiing further and I've made friends for life. I couldn't have asked for a better place and environment to spend the season. "

Gareth Westwood

The Nonstop instructor course in Fernie, BC was awesome. I not only got way bettter at riding, but made some really close friends. Hanging out with the crew and pushing each other to improve made the whole experience unforgettable. The course struck the perfect balance between coaching and just having a blast with new people. If you want to up your snowboarding game and meet some great folks along the way, this is the place to be. "

Brendon Bennett

To come to a resort like Fernie for the season was such an amazing experience. I grew up ski racing and the coaching on the Nonstop program was some of the best I’ve had! I've since got my Level 4 in both the Canadian and Australian systems, with seasons teaching in Fernie and Whistler, as well as back in Australia. "

Brad Leicester

CASI L1 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 4 Weeks in Fernie, Canada

Who’s It For +

Technical Goals +

Required Experience +

Mandatory Equipment +

Why Ride with Nonstop +

Week 1 +

Week 2 +

Week 3 +

Week 4 +

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

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Travel

Other

+

+

Not Included

Optional Extras

Dates & Prices

How To Book

Where To Meet

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Why We're Different

rooted in progression

crafted for adventure

built for connection

rooted in progression

crafted for adventure

built for connection

Ability
Ability Guide
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