Ski Instructor Qualifications
CANADIAN SKI INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS
The ski instructor qualifications that ALLTRACKS Academy offers are the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA) qualifications. The CSIA are members of the International Ski Instructor’s Association (ISIA). It remains the case that different countries often prefer to employ people with that country's qulaification and working in Europe can be difficult with the CSIA/CASI qulaifications.
The CSIA take a very professional, forward thinking approach to ski and snowboard tuition, both in the technique they promote and the teaching methods they use. It’s not all bum wiggling anymore – you will learn to ride with style, precision and aggression all over the mountain in all conditions.
All the CSIA exams are split into two parts: One focuses on your actual ski technique and the other on your teaching ability. Before sitting any exam, our instructors, who are examiners themselves, will have trained you so you know what to expect on exam days.
The exams are extremely useful in developing other skills unrelated to skiing. These include communication, presentation and teaching skills.
It is not just instructor qualifications on offer- you have the opportunity to become a ski race coach or a ski freestyle coach. Additionally, ALLTRACKS Academy programmes include the Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 taught to Canadian Avalanche Association standards.
SKI INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS
SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS
CSIA LEVEL 1
The CSIA Level 1 is the first step on the ladder in the Canadian instructor system and the qualification allows you to teach up to linked parallel turn level. In the exam you will demonstrate capability of snow plough and parallel techniques and be able to teach people this too.
CSIA LEVEL 2
The CSIA Level 2 is a strong qualification that takes a great deal of motivation to achieve. In many ways it resembles the CSIA Level 1 but the examiners are looking for more precise technique and a greater understanding during the teaching phase.
CSIA SNOWPARK CERTIFICATION COURSE
FREESTYLE INSTRUCTOR
The CSIA Snowpark qualification is designed for competent parallel skiers who wish to develop their freestyle skills. The course focuses on learning basic and intermediate freestyle manoeuvres including riding boxes and rails and basic spins, snowpark safety, correct etiquette and teaching methods. Available in Whistler.
CSCF RACE COACH 1
The CSCF Race Coach 1 is ideal for anyone who wishes to gain a further understanding of ski racing teaching as well as developing their own racing technique. The course focuses on slalom, GS and downhill aspects of racing. This course is hugely beneficial for anyone who wants to become more aggressive on their skis and the benefits to your all mountain riding are great.
CASI LEVEL 1
The CSIA level 1 is the initial snowboard qualification. You will be trained and tested on riding in a controlled and safe way on intermediate terrain as well as demonstrating teaching techniques up to intermediate level.
CASI LEVEL 2
The CASI Level 2 is a major step up. It will improve your riding skills to advanced level and will teach you the strategies required to train intermediate and advanced snowboarders. The course will give you a strong understanding of all types of snowboarding and also includes basic freestyle manoeuvres.
CASI PARK INSTRUCTOR (FREESTYLE)
The CASI Park freestyle snowboard course is designed to teach and develop snowboarding in the terrain park. Students will be taught safe riding techniques in the terrain park and will work on basic freestyle tricks including rotations on a range of freestyle obstacles such as boxes, rails and the half pipe. Available in Whistler.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & MODULES
AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING (AST-1)
The AST-1 is an essential course for any skier or snowboarder who has ideas about riding in the backcountry or off piste. We all love the thrill of riding pristine powder in the wilderness, but the risks involved must be addressed and prepared for. The AST-1 provides a basic understanding of the theory and the practical skills necessary for operating safely in backcountry terrain.
For further information please see backcountry page
