FAQ's

Do I need a visa in order to come on one of your courses?
Most nationalities don't need a visa in order to come on one of our courses. UK passport holders will enter Canada on a six-month tourist visa that is issued upon arrival. You only need a visa if you are planning on working in Canada or want to stay for longer than 6 months. During our instructor courses you will be provided with more information regarding work visas for when you want to become a ski instructor. Visit www.bunac.org for more information.

Does NONSTOP arrange insurance?
We do not sell travel insurance directly to our clients but will of course give guidance on what sort of cover is suitable. You will need to buy an insurance policy that has sufficient cover for your course. There are a number of companies that will cover you for the course but please note that the majority of winter sports policies are not sufficient for all the activities you will be participating in. We can offer you advice on this once you have booked.

What standard do I need to be?
In general, we welcome snowboarders of all standards and experiences however some snowboard courses do have a required minimum standard. For full details check out our "Ability Chart" in the "Which Course for You" section of this website.

How fit do I need to be?
The fitter you are on arrival the more you'll get out of the course and the less likely you are to injure yourself. For the 6 week Master the Mountain course you need to have a high level of fitness as a lot of time is spent backcountry touring which can be very tiring if you're out of shape.

Does my lift pass cover weekends?
Yes NONSTOP provides a lift pass which covers weekends. In Banff you will be able to choose whether you ride at Lake Louise, Sunshine or Norquay.

When do I get to ride outside of the coaching times?
You will have a couple of hours a day to free-ride and you can also board at the weekends, although your body will need a rest at some point! You will normally have three 'non-group coaching' days per week although some of these are taken up by the additional training such as private lessons, avalanche awareness courses, first aid, and winter camping. Your remaining time is available for free-riding with friends or to go on one of the many weekend trips arranged.

How much freestyle is involved in our courses?
The Level 1 and 2 CASI instructor examinations do not include freestyle aspects of the sport. However during the lessons our coaches will take you to the numerous kickers and hits that build up around the resort and develop your confidence and technique in the air.

We do have a 2-week freestyle snowboard course in Banff which is perfect if hitting kickers and the park is your thing. Check out our improvement courses section for full details.

What are the parks and half pipes like?
Fernie offers a rail park with extensive rails and boxes to master. On top of this the whole resort is full of natural kickers and drops that your instructors will show you.

Red Mountain is more renowned as a free riding destination and the mountain is littered with natural hips, drops, cliffs and kickers. There is a designated park with kickers and rails throughout. Red Mountain hosts the Canadian Freeski Challenge which sees North America's extreme skiers and telemarkers airing off big cliff drops into lines down some of Canada's most challenging terrain.

At Banff, Sunshine, Norquay and Lake Louise all have parks. Sunshine has an extensive park with plenty of kickers, tabletops, rails and a half pipe. Lake Louise is pretty similar and Norquay has a great park and is particularly popular with our clients as you often have the park to yourself as Norquay is so quiet during the week.

Fernie has some amazing natural kickers, cat-track drops, cliffs, tree jibs and gullies. Additionally there is a rail park for those wanting to progress their rail skills.

Whistler has some of the best parks in the world which include kickers and rails for all ability levels from beginners to pros. There's also a sweet half-pipe which hosts numerous competitions each winter.

Am I guaranteed to leave NONSTOP as a certified instructor?
We cannot promise that you'll leave our course with an instructor's qualification but we can provide exceptional instruction from experienced coaches to enable those with a dedicated approach to successfully pass their examinations. To date we have had 100% pass rate for level 1 on our 11-week course and a 94% pass rate on our 3-week course. On the 11-week course those who wish to go on to take their level 2 (this is normally about 50% of the course), the average pass rate is about 85%. "Park & Pipe" and "Race" coach courses are also a popular option providing further snowboard instructor qualifications with great results.

In what countries are Canadian certified instructors qualified to teach?
CASI qualifications are internationally recognised. You will be eligible to instruct in areas such as New Zealand, Australia, South America, USA, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. Currently France is the exception to the rule.* Past NONSTOP participants have taught in ski schools all over the world but the majority have chosen to return to Canada to instruct as they want to progress their qualifications and have fallen in love with the deep snow, un-crowded pistes and laid back vibe of the Rockies. In the summer they've taught in New Zealand and Australia.

*You can instruct in France using Canadian qualifications but you need to be recognized by the International Snowboard Instructors Association. In order to be recognized by the ISIA you must be certified as a level 1 CASI evaluator. (To become a level 1 CASI evaluator, you need the level 4 CASI instructor certification and to have attended the CASI pre-course of that season — for more info check out www.snowpro.com).

What financial protection do you offer me as a customer?
When booking with us your investment is financially secure if you book a flight with us because NONSTOP is ATOL protected. Our ATOL number is 5828.

What is ATOL?
ATOL is a protection scheme for flights and air holidays, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Most firms who sell air travel in the UK are required by law to hold a licence called an ATOL. However, some of our competitors are not ATOL protected and therefore their customers have no financial protection. ATOL protects you from losing your money or being stranded abroad. It does this by carrying out financial checks on the firms it licenses and requiring a guarantee, called a bond, to be held with the (CAA) Civil Aviation Authority. If a firm goes out of business, the CAA will make a refund to you, or if you're abroad, the CAA will arrange for you to finish your trip and fly home. Travel insurance does not cover your against companies going out of business.

This is very expensive but we feel that it is important for our clients to have the financial protection that ATOL gives them.

For more details on ATOL and the CAA see www.caa.co.uk.

What are the other courses included in the course?
Unlike many of our competitors the following courses are included in the price of the 11 week course; for full details

What evening courses are available?
For the 11 week courses, evening classes are available in some but not all of the resorts; for full details

Where are NONSTOP based?
NONSTOP courses are based in four of the best resorts in the Canadian Rockies; Fernie, Red Mountain, Whistler and Banff (Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay). The Canadian Rockies are renowned for their abundance of champagne powder, varied and challenging terrain, and the laid back friendly atmosphere.

For more info on the resorts please check out the 'RESORTS' pages.

Is it French Speaking?
No Quebec, on the East Coast of Canada, is the only French speaking area of Canada, although there are many Quebecois living in the Rockies due to its superior terrain and snow conditions to those experienced in Eastern Canada.

What's the drinking age in the Canadian Rockies?
In Alberta (Banff) the drinking age is 18. To drink alcohol in British Columbia (Whistler, Fernie and Red) you have to be 19 Years old.

NB: As in Britain, bars will accept photo identification as proof of age.

What's the price of living?
Depending on the exchange rate, Canada can be a relatively inexpensive place to live. Unlike some European resorts, the restaurants, bars and shops in Canadian resorts are well priced and sometimes cheaper than the UK. Prices vary year on year but give us a call to chat about them.

What's the accommodation like?
In Whistler and Red the accommodation is in cosy houses. All houses have a kitchen, sitting room and dining area. Clients share twin rooms and communal bathrooms. There are a few single rooms available for an additional supplement. Each house is unique, and all are fully equipped with TV, VCR, stereo, washer, dryer etc. All of the houses are former family homes and furnished accordingly.

In Fernie, we have our brand new lodge with hot tub, swimming pool, restaurant, games room and much more. There are also houses like in Whistler and Red for those looking for more personal accommodation option.

In Banff you will stay at the 3* Voyager Inn. This has a good restaurant where you will have your breakfasts and dinners. There is also a swimming pool, off licence, double beds in the rooms and en-suite bathrooms for all.

Can I get a single bedroom?
Yes, subject to availability, you can pay an additional supplement for your own room. A single room secures your own privacy only, this does not guarantee you a double bed and will be the same standard as the other rooms. Singles will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Will I be able to share a room with a friend?
If you would like to share a room with a friend please make a note of this on your booking form and let us know on your accommodation questionnaire. Couples can request a double room.

Do I need to provide my own linen?
NONSTOP provides linen and towels. However we ask that you bring a towel for swimming, hot springs and weekend trips. In Banff and Fernie your sheets will be regularly washed for you. In Whistler and Red you will have a washer and dryer in your house.

Will the accommodation be cleaned?
Yes, your accommodation will be given a clean once a week. It’s up to you to clean your dishes, tidy the house etc, but we will clean bathrooms, kitchens, vacuum, dust etc.

Is there a central common room where I can meet other NONSTOP clients?
In Fernie, all our accommodation is located around the spacious Red Tree Lodge equipped with large TV (for video evenings), comfy sofas, communal kitchen and of course the swimming pool and hot tub. It's where weekday breakfasts and evening meals are served, social occasions and seminars are held and it has a ski/board tuning workshop.

The houses in Whistler and Red have sitting and dinning rooms where you can hang out with friends after a day on the mountain. The social centre for the Red programme will be the evening meals as well as in the bar at the mountain.

The Voyager in Banff has a comfortably furnished communal lounge with large screen TV.

What are the telephone and internet facilities?
Each house has a telephone point and international calling cards can be purchased at local shops. In Canada local calls are free. Houses in Fernie, Whistler and Red can have internet access arranged or there are plenty of cheap internet cafes in all resorts. The Voyager in Banff and the Red Tree Lodge in Fernie both have wi-fi access.

What is the 'additional accommodation' all about?
At all the resorts we offer the opportunity for 11 weekers to arrive prior to the start of the course and stay on after. The cost covers the accommodation only and does not include meals, instruction, cleaning etc but you will have the use of your season ski pass. Information about how to book for extra weeks will be sent to you after you have booked onto the course. The resorts opening and closing dates vary but as a guide:

Fernie: Resort opens from December to mid April and after this date you can hire mountain bikes, go canoeing and hiking and it is also possible to travel to other resorts that have a longer season, such as Lake Louise, Sunshine and Whistler. The cost per week for accommodation is around £200 per week.

Whistler and Banff: Resort opens from early December to May. Lake Louise and Sunshine usually are open until mid/late May depending on snow conditions. The cost per week for accommodation is around £200.00.

Red: The season usually ends in early April. The cost per week for accommodation is around £150.

Who are NONSTOP courses aimed at?
NONSTOP welcomes anyone 18 and over looking for an unforgettable season riding the best snow conditions around. Most of our clients are either in their Gap Year (18-19 year olds), postgraduates, or those taking sabbatical break from their careers or choosing to change their careers. We find that a mixture of age groups works really well socially and in the snowboard classes encourages everyone to push themselves to their maximum potential — essential for students preparing for their CASI examinations. We actively seek to maintain a broad mix of ages and on average about 50% of our clients are between the ages of 23 — 50.

We understand that an 18-year-old Gap Year student may have different interests from a 35 year old. The accommodation therefore lends itself to splitting up the age groups wherever possible.

What is the minimum age limit?
18 is the minimum age limit for any of our courses.

What is the maximum age limit?
There isn't one! You are never too old to come on a NONSTOP course, as long as you are fit and healthy and up for an adventure and a challenge. We have had clients in their late 60's coming on our courses.

Will I need my own equipment?
You will need your own equipment. If you do not have your own gear and are on a shorter course you will be able to rent equipment although on the longer courses it would be more cost effective to purchase equipment. Many buy their equipment out in Canada.

Should I buy my snowboard gear in the UK or Canada?
NONSTOP suggests that our clients buy their equipment in Canada. There are a few reasons for this:

1. Warranty: if something goes wrong with your equipment it will be far easier to arrange a replacement if you have bought the gear locally. Shops should help you claim on the warranty and may provide you with demo boards while you wait for a replacement.

2. Local knowledge: The snow conditions in the Rockies are different from Europe. There's more powder and more focus on off-piste riding. Therefore people tend to use slightly different equipment. It’s best to get local advice before forking out for your new gear.

3. Price: NONSTOP have arranged discounts for their clients with local shops.

4. Go local: As you're going to be living in the community it really is worthwhile to support the town by buying your equipment from local stores. In return you'll find that you will be offered a friendly welcome, good advice, and perhaps discounts on further purchases.

And one last thing: Buying in Canada means you only have to drag your kit through the airport one-way!

Can NONSTOP arrange discounts on equipment?
Yes, we have arranged deals with local snowboard shops that will arrange an evening for NONSTOP clients to have access to their store and expertise. The first day of the programme is set-aside for 'gear day' providing the opportunity to get kitted up before the coaching starts.

Will I learn how to service my snowboard?
As part of the courses we provide a snowboard maintenance seminar. You will be taught the principles of snowboard design and construction, plus tuning and maintenance techniques including base preparation, edge sharpening and waxing.

I've heard its freezing in Canada, will I need special clothing?
On average the temperatures in the Rockies are colder than in European resorts. Fernie is relatively mild compared to other resorts and often the temperature is around -8 degrees Celsius. However there are cold spells when it can get down to -25 degrees Celsius. Banff is subjected to some cold weather conditions but it means the snow is dry and light! It will probably get down to -30 degrees Celsius during the season. Red and Whistler get their fair share of warmer and cold conditions also.

You will need a good layering system for snowboarding in Canada. A good set of thermals, a quality fleece and a windproof and waterproof jacket are imperative. We will issue everyone with a kit list before they depart for Canada and local shops will be able to advice you on the best methods of keeping warm.

Towards the end of the season you'll be enjoying the warm spring temperatures in just a t-shirt and jumper.

Are flights included in the cost of the course?
Many clients like to arrange their own flights as they often travel before or after the course. However, we can arrange your return flight from London Heathrow to Calgary/ Vancouver/ Kelowna, in order for us to do this you just need to tick the box on the booking form stating that you would like NONSTOP to arrange your flight. The cost of the flight is approximately £500.00.

Are your packages protected by an ATOL license?
When booking with NONSTOP, as long as you book a flight with us, you as the consumer are financially protected as we have an ATOL (Air Travel Organisations Licence). Click here for further information www.caa.co.uk.

In what countries are Canadian certified snowboard instructors qualified to teach?
CASI qualifications are internationally recognised. You will be eligible to instruct in areas such as New Zealand, Australia, South America, USA, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. Currently France is the exception to the rule.* Many of our past clients have returned to Canada to instruct as they want to progress their qualifications and have fallen in love with the deep snow, un-crowded pistes and laid back vibe of the Rockies. In the summer clients have taught in New Zealand and Australia.

*You can instruct in France using Canadian qualifications but you need to be recognized by the International Ski Instructors Association. In order to be recognized by the ISIA (International Ski Instructors Association) you must be certified as a level 1 CASI evaluator. (To become a level 1 CASI evaluator, you need the level 2 CASI instructor certification and to have attended the CASI pre-course of that season — for more info check out www.snowpro.com).

Can I get a job while on a NONSTOP Ski course?
Your tourist visa will not allow you to work while in Canada. However, shadow instructing will provide great work experience and stand you in good stead for gaining future employment.

What about getting instructing work after the course?
After you have completed a NONSTOP course we will give you a 'working as an instructor' booklet that will give you masses of information on how and when to apply for visa's and jobs. As we have a huge amount of contacts all around the world, the booklet has lots of useful names and numbers in it, plus case studies from past clients which will give you useful insider knowledge on how to get the best jobs! Information on job applications is also covered.

Many of our past clients go on to get jobs instructing for ski schools in Canada. People tend to fall in love with Western Canada and want to return for further winters riding the superior powder and also building on their Canadian qualifications. New Zealand and Australia are also popular options.

Whilst working in a ski school you should receive on going training from more experienced instructors. Theses 'sessions' will help you prepare for further qualifications and keep your teaching skills up to date.

BUNAC (www.bunac.org) offer 12-month working visas to anyone between the ages of 18-30. This is really the only way of applying for a visa without your employer sponsoring you. Applying for jobs when you have a visa will put you on a level stepping with Canadians. A BUNAC visa is a once in a life-time opportunity so use it wisely! Once you have spent a season instructing you will have got your foot in the door and should not find it a problem getting your future visas sponsored by your employer. N.B, the visa’s are limited so you will need to be organised and get one well in advance of when you would like to work.