Ever wanted to be a ski instructor in Canada? Whether you’re already qualified or want to take a ski instructor internship in Canada, spend your winter living, working and shredding the mountains; and not just any mountains, these are some of the best mountains in the world. Here we cover everything you need to know about becoming a ski or snowboard instructor in Canada. After that, we’ll share the best places to get a ski instructor job, and what it’s like to work a ski season in Canada…
If you already have your ski instructor qualifications and past experience – congrats! You can skip this section and head to the next.
To be a ski instructor in Canada you are required to have Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA) experience. Consequently, if you do not have any experience as a ski instructor, you will need to take a ski instructor course. The same applies for snowboarding – you will need to get your snowboard instructor qualifications through a snowboard instructor course.
The exact ski instructor certification will vary according to each country. However, for Canada, you will need to pass your CSIA Level 1 exam. Many working holiday travellers choose to do this via a ski instructor internship. These are fast-track intensive training courses that include your CSIA Level 1 exam and work experience, essentially killing two birds with one stone. There are certification courses in ski resorts across Canada – for a breakdown of where to take the course, skip down to the Ski Instructor Jobs in Canada section.
To take a ski instructor internship in Canada, you will need to budget between CAD$6,000 – 10,000. This will include the course, accommodation while training, a season pass and other additions, according to the program.
If you’re on the fence about becoming a ski instructor, there are other ski resort jobs that don’t require qualifications. On our Ski Working Holiday Program, we guarantee you a ski resort job and staff accommodation before you arrive in Canada, so you can start earning money (and shredding the slopes) straight away.
It’s no secret that Canada has some of the best ski resorts in the world. Therefore, getting a ski instructor job in Canada really comes down to your preferences. While there are hundreds of ski resorts across Canada (294, to be exact), here’s a flavour of some of the best resorts:
To work in Canada, you will need to secure a working holiday visa. If you are planning on working the 2022/23 ski season in Canada, we recommend applying as soon as possible. This is because Canada works on a pool-based system, whereby applicants are drawn according to specific country quotas. You can check to see if you are eligible to apply on our Working Holiday Visa Requirements page.
In order to be a ski instructor in Canada, you will also be required to take a medical exam as part of your working holiday visa application so that you can teach children.
The whole process can get confusing, which is where our Ski Working Holiday Program comes in. We’ll guide you through the entire process, as well as secure you a guaranteed ski resort job with staff accommodation before you arrive in Canada.
Like Charlie and his Chocolate Factory, being a ski instructor living in a ski resort town is a dream come true. Canada is known as the Great White North for a reason, and ski and snowboard instructors get unlimited access to all this magnificent snow. Outside of work, Canada is a ski backcountry paradise, providing endless opportunities to improve your off-piste skiing or snowboarding in diverse terrain and deep powder.
Call us biased, but working at a ski resort in Canada is one of the most exhilarating experiences out there. Canada is wildly popular with working holiday travellers, providing all the right ingredients for an epic ski season – all you have to do is pick the ski resort you want to work at. Our 2022/23 Canada Ski Season Guide provides in-depth information on ski resort jobs in Canada.
On our Ski Working Holiday Program, we will secure you the perfect role to suit your interests, goals and timeline for the ski season. For instance, you could work as a ski lift operator or server at a busy restaurant; gain hospitality experience at a leading ski resort or work as a  Commis 1 Chef. Get in touch to learn more!
Interested in becoming a ski instructor in Canada? Perhaps you have questions about our Ski Working Holiday Program? Get in touch to speak with one of our travel advisors to learn more!
There’s cause to the cliché saying: time flies when you’re having fun. After the ski season ends, you might not be ready to go home. So why not stay? On our Working Holiday Programs, you can stay to work during the summer season. Find out what that entails in our Summer Working Holiday Guide.
Canadian hotels and resorts will only hire ski instructors with the correct certifications. Being a ski instructor is a genuine career path, so if you are serious about it, you should get certified.
Yes! There are plenty of ski resort jobs available each season. From working as a ski lift operator to food and beverage; guest services to rental, housekeeping and maintenance… you get the gist. On our Ski Working Holiday Program, we will guarantee you a ski resort job with staff accommodation before you arrive in Canada.