The Ultimate Ski Instructor Course
With the course starting in January it means you will experience the full force of Lake Louise's endless snowfall.
What's Included?
For a full breakdown of the course, as well as a chance to compare our 11 week Instructor Course in Banff with our other courses check out what's included.
Basecampers will be picked up and dropped off from/to Calgary Airport on the start and finish dates of the course.
On the Mountain
Weeks 1 – 3 – Focused Level 1 Training and Personal Development – AST Level 1 Qualification
Week 4 – CSIA Level 1 Exam
Weeks 5 – 9 – Focussed Level 2 Training and Extended Personal Development – First Aid Course
Week 10 – CSIA Level 2 Exam and Job Interview
Week 11 – Race or Freestyle Qualification
Employment Opportunities
Each Basecamper has a guarenteed job interview with the Lake Louise Ski School with the aim of returning the following season to work as an instructor with 5 highly regconised qualifications.
Accommodation & Food
All you can eat breakfast 7 days a week and dinner 5 night a week.
Extra Activities
Each Basecamper has access to 600 activity credits throughout the course. Each extra activity has a credit value allowing Basecampers to pick and choose their extras up to a value of 600. Activities include cat skiing, snow mobiling, Calgary Ice hockey trip, ice skating and more.
CSIA Level 1
The entry level ski instructor qualification for teaching novices and young children how to ski.
The Canadian Ski Alliance (CSIA) level 1 is an introduction CSIA technique and methodology, and the role of ski teaching within the ski industry.
CSIA Level 2
Having completed the Level 1 award, Level 2 is the next level for skiers in the Canadian system looking to start teaching intermediate skiers out on the mountain. Both the training and final examination for this award require dedicated training and a high level of skiing. Historically Basecamp students have enjoyed a high level pass rate, and this is something we pride ourselves on. Whilst the CSIA award enables you to teach all over the world, you will have discovered Canada now and will find it hard to go anywhere else.
CFSA Level 1
The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association (CFSA) is the governing body in Canada for the sport of Freestyle Skiing. Basecampers will complete a 2 days freestyle course to qualify as a CFSA Level 1.
AST Level 1
The Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 Course will provide an entry-level decision-making framework that is based on the most advanced knowledge available. It is suitable for use by people with basic training and little experience.
AST Mission Statement:
To provide leadership, development, communication, coordination and delivery of public avalanche safety products and services through a collaborative, diverse and multilevel network.
First Aid
Basecampers will do a 2 day mountain specific first aid course preparing and educating partipitants for future use.
Who is this course best suited to?
If you are looking to work in the industry there is simply no course that is a better path into the industry! This course is ideal for anyone looking to qualify as a level 2 instructor wishing to return the following season to work as an instructor, or for those wanting a once in a lifetime experience with improving skiing at the forefront.
How good do you have to be at Skiing before the course?
We ask that you can ski comfortably down red runs and occasional blacks – Watch Here – More Questions Available Here
Travel Insurance
Insurance is compulsory on all Basecamp courses and as all payments are non-refundable we recommend you take out insurance before the time of the first invoice.
There are a range of companies which offer travel insurance, we have had good experiences with World Nomads in the past, and their details are below.
It is important that you are happy with the policy yourselves – please make sure you read and understand the policy details thoroughly before purchasing. We would also emphasise the insurance policy is a personal arrangement between you and the insurer.
Please make sure you have read and fully understand the policy before the start of he course. If you wish to arrange your own insurance Basecamp will require proof of cover, and full details before you start the course. Any such cover must be no less favourable than World Nomads policy.
BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH WORLD NOMADS
Flights
Deals on flights are best found by booking early, so if you have booked your course early then you are more likely to get a cheaper fare. You will need to arrive in Calgary on the start day of your course where we will meet you at the aiport and transfer you over to Banff.
Where to buy a flight?
We reccommend STA Travel. STA (Student Travel Association) are great at finding good deals on flights, round the world trips and much more. They offer flexibility with changing flights and will be able to offer you support whilst you are away. Please see below for contact details of the STA Basecamp Travel Agent:
Claire Purvis
Tel – +44 (0)1618 308758
Email – [email protected]
STA WEBSITE
Expedia and Opodo are always places to look for cheap flight options. Whilst they may come in cheaper than STA they may not offer as much flexibility on changing flights/destinations. However if you are set on arriving and departing on set dates have a look at either website.
What happens if I want to stay out in resort longer?
We reccommend that you buy a return flight for the finish date of your course and then you can change it whilst in Banff for a smaller fee than buying two singles if needs be. Please check the flight change flexibility options before you purchase your flight.
Transfers
Transfers are provided on all courses strictly on the arrival and departure dates only. Please make sure you are in Calgary by 4pm so we can pick you up at the airport. Getting a direct flight that leaves the UK between 11am-1pm will get you into Calgary between 2pm-4pm.
Arriving in Resort
Transfers are included on our Courses, to resort on the start day of the course, a Basecamp representative will be at the information desk in the arrival hall with a Basecamp sign and a Basecamp jacket. Please see travel details above.
If you are arriving before the course starts then we can arrange for you to pick up your ski pass. We will try and help you best we can to settle in but we are unable to offer full support in resort as we are concentrating on preparing for the course. Please make sure we have all your details particularly your photo and date of birth as these can cause delays.
Please submit the travel information Rider information sheet as soon as possible. It is very important to make sure that your details on the form are correct, as this is the information upon which we base our transfer itineraries, etc.
Depending on timings (whether flights are delayed etc) there will be a short social drinks in the evening of the first day of the course. Most courses will start the next day with an introductory talk after breakfast from our Ski Director and Resort Manager. We will also make sure that each person is fully equipped with lift pass and ski or snowboard equipment so that you can head up the mountain for a couple of hours practise that afternoon if you wish.
Coaching will begin early on the first or second morning of the Course or Camp and there will be various events planned during that first week where you will have a chance to get to know your way around the resort and meet everyone on the course. Please be patient as we settle everyone into the resort over the first few days and weeks – there will be people from all across the world, with very different needs and requirements and we will do our best to help everyone get the most out of the course as quickly as possible.
Accommodation Deposit
Upon arriving in Banff at the Ptarmigan Inn they will take either credit card details or $150 in cash as damage deposit which is refundable at the end of your stay once an inventory has been agreed between yourself and the hotel staff.
Kit List
Below is a brief list of some essentials we advise you to bring but please try and keep your packing to a minimum as much as possible – you will value the additional space, less clutter and it will leave room for the inevitable in-resort purchases! Please also be aware that many airlines now have quite strict regulations in place regarding excess baggage. We very strongly recommend you check these before you fly – excess baggage fees have risen substantially, particularly on budget airlines.
Footwear
Comfortable indoor shoes
Walking boots or tough trainers
Casual Clothes
Socks
Trousers/Skirts
T-shirts/Tops
Shirts
Pullovers/Jumpers
Jacket
Scarf
Wash bag
Towels
Ski / Snowboard Clothing
Socks
Thermals
Vests
Pullovers
Ski/Snowboard Jacket & Pants
Hat
Neck Warmer/ Face Protector
Goggles
Gloves
Sunglasses
Sun Tan Cream
Helmet – now compulsory in Canada – can be bought in resort with many options.
Other things to bear in mind
Small Notepad to fit in Coat Pocket & Retractable Pencil (Pens will freeze)
Plug Adaptor
Mobile Phone – internationalise. See client FAQs.
Ipod
PC/Mac
Music
Camera – plus chargers, etc.
Books
DVDs
Card
Lots of clients choose to bring laptops but we don’t recommend travelling with many valuables.
Pre Season Information Pack
We will be sending you a pre season information pack nearer the time of the start of your course. If you have any questions in the meantime please just let us know.
