5-week snowboard instructor course
Course Structure
Essentially you will be receiving two weeks of top quality tuition aiming to dramatically improve your snowboarding, followed by two weeks of coaching on how to become an instructor and finally in the fifth week you will take your CASI Level 1 exam.
Course Structure
| Arrival | Although we arrange a group flight for those flying from the UK, some people choose to meet us at Calgary airport for the group shuttle to Fernie. On arrival it's a case of unpacking and then sleeping for most but then there's always a few who are keen for a sociable night cap. |
| Sunday | This is your chance to arrange any equipment you may need (we'll offer you guidance on the best shops and what gear to get) and settle into Fernie. It's also a leisurely day to find your legs and explore the mountain. |
| Mon - Thurs | Each day we provide five hours of lessons. Snowboard groups are arranged according to experience level and the emphasis of the instruction is tailored to your needs. |
| Friday | Either enjoy some freeriding or take our optional 1 day Avalanche Safety Course covering off-piste safety skills. Check out the 'Extra Activities' page to learn more. |
| Sat - Sun | Enjoy freeriding with friends; alternatively, take some time off to relax and check out Fernie. |
| Mon - Thurs | Similar tuition to last week, simply more advanced and tailored to your needs. |
| Friday | Farewell party for those leaving the 2-week improvement course. |
| Sunday | Free day to prepare for your instructor training and meet any new course particpants. |
| Mon - Thurs | Our instructors will initially ensure you are comfortable with your own personal snowboarding skills before introducing the teaching skills needed to pass the instructor assesment. Snowboarding development will be on all areas of the mountain, both on and off-piste and we'll be making the most of any powder days we receive. There will be an indoor Technical Session on snowboard tuning and maintenance when you'll learn about waxing, edge sharpening, and repairs. |
| Fri - Sun | Explore the mountain and put your newly aquired skills and snowboard technique into practice. Or perhaps chill out and prepare for the final week of tuition. |
| Mon - Thur | The coaching continues with a joint focus on your personal snowboarding, exploring the mountain, and instructor skills. Video analysis will help you pick up on your own areas for improvement and you'll be able to practice your teaching using the drills that you've been taught. You should find that you're picking up useful instructor techniques on different teaching styles and the exercises your instructor is using. The indoor Technical Session this week is on the standards required to pass the Level 1 course. |
| Fri - Sun | Freeride and rest time before the Level 1 assesment course. |
| Mon - Thur | The Level 1 CASI Assesment course. This is a fun course and although you'll probably be a bit nervous at the start you'll quickly realise that it's not all assesment as the learning still continues and you'll find your snowboarding and teaching skills develop through the four days. You'll be assessed on both your personal snowboarding and your teaching skills, and hopefully the result will be a full pass! |
| Final days | You final chance to freeride, or seize the chance to go cat-boarding, a highlight for many (offered in Fernie). We hold a farewell dinner and then its back to the airport for many, or a snowboarding instructor job for others. |
Please note that the course structure above is only to be used as a guide. A few of the options may be moved around in order to ensure the smooth running of your course.
