Basecamp has been delivering industry leading instructor courses around the World for 20 years and together with our partners in Banff and Lake Louise we are proud to offer our tailored Dual Season Banff Ski Internship.
Described by Lake Louise’s Ski School Director as “the perfect hire candidate”, this course has everything you need to make it as a snowsports instructor – Train and work in the ski instructor industry in Banff, one of the best and most amazing ski areas on the planet! If you are looking for a ski season in Canada, our Banff Internship is the holy grail.
Our Dual Season Internship differs to most in Canada, in that it includes CSIA Level 1 AND Level 2 qualifications plus, AST L1 (avalanche and backcountry) and Snowpark L1 – This is the complete package and is what will make you stand out from every other L1 instructor out there.
You will train towards the CSIA Level 1 certification in the first four weeks of your arrival in Banff and after successful completion of the exam, you will swiftly move on to the CSIA Level 2 advanced coaching, avalanche and backcountry training and a general season of awesomeness. By the end of the season you will have earned your L1&L2 exams, AST L1 qualification and CSIA Snowpark L1 cert. A slam dunk, a home run a hat trick (+1 cos, thats only 3) – you choose your analogy, but any way you look at it, you will have smashed it and be a all mountain pro instructor.
On your days off you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, be it on the mountain or in the 3 world class resorts which make up Banff; Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mt Norquay. You can also enjoy the fantastic night life and extra activities such as snowmobile tours, dog sledding, zip lining, heli or cat skiing, ice hockey games and wildlife tours to name a few.
Spaces are extremely limited for this program so be quick if you wish to get into the Banff Internship and access our top quality ski instructor coaching program at Lake Louise. Contact the Basecamp team today to find out more.
Note: This is a multi-season program. Season One does not include ski school employment.
Available Courses
Course timeline
Here’s a guide to your course, broken down by key weeks in the calendar.
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Week 1-3
You'll arrive at Calgary airport, where you'll be met by our team. Once you've been transported to our Banff accommodation and you've dropped your baggage off, you'll get a tour of the stunning town. Now the training begins! You'll have three weeks of intensive training to get you ready for your CSIA Level 1 exam.
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Week 4
In your fourth week, you’ll take your CSIA exam. You’ll be pleased to hear that we almost always have a 100% pass rate – but of course, this comes down to your hard work and dedication. Once you’ve passed this, you’re ready to be an instructor!
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Week 5-7
Now the real work begins. You will work with the Lake Louise Snow Pro's towards your Level 2 qualification, with more coaching than any other program. You will even get some one-2-one sessions during your training for that intense, tailored training.
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Week 7-8
CSIA Level 2 now consists of Skier Development and Teacher Development modules. During these weeks we will focus on both modules in preparation for the L2 exams.
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Week 8
And.... breathe! Now let's have some more fun and do some exciting stuff. Week 8 is AST L1 week. Hit the mountain with probes, receivers and shovels as you learn all about avalanche awareness and backcountry safety. This is so cool.
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Week 9-11
Back to the piste, we'll continue with your L2 pro coaching working on your ski technique, ironing out any bad habits and perfecting your tekkers. You're powers are getting stronger young pad-wan! Soon you will be ready!
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Week 11
The time has come, it's time to put on your big boy/girl pants and sit your Level 2 exams. Don't worry, you'll be ready - You've got this!
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Week 12-13
BOOM! Just like that you're L2 qualified. Now let's finish the season with a bang. Snowpark baby! You'll spend the next two weeks mastering your flips, corks, spins and alleyoops!
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Week 13
CSIA Snowpark L1 bagged to add to your list of achievements and quals during your epic season.
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Interview
Treating your training program as an interview would be wise, the Pro's and Management will be assessing you throughout. You will also get the chance to sit down with the snow school management in an official interview where, providing you have conducted yourself appropriately you will be offered a job for the following winter.
The essential details
Basecamp has a long-standing reputation as offering the best Canada ski and snowboard instructor courses in Banff. We can also offer you a job at the end of your course thanks to our partnership with the Lake Louise Ski School, the biggest and best in the area.
This course is exclusive and always in very high demand, so you need to snap up a spot quickly!
What's Included
The Qualifications
The Job
Once you’ve completed your course in April and successfully passed your interview, you’ll be contracted with the Lake Louise Ski School between December and April during the following season. The starting wage is a fantastic $15 an hour – and that’s without considering tips and bonuses!
You can work up to 40 hours a week, depending on availability, so you’ll never be overworked. This leaves plenty of downtime for you to explore Banff and have the time of your life!
During this time, you’ll also have time rostered into your working week for high quality coaching to work towards your CSIA 3 qualification if you wish.
What You'll Need
- Qualify for a Canadian working holiday visa (IEC)
- Or, be a Canada or US Citizen
- Be a strong, intermediate skier
- Enjoy a passion for outdoor sports
- Be, athletic, outgoing and fun
- Customer service experience advantageous
- Have good communication skills
- Have a good work ethic
How to Apply
Step 1 – Complete your online booking form and pay your course deposit.
Step 2 – Join your Basecamp program in Banff and have the time of your life.
Step 3 – During your first Basecamp season you should Apply for your working holiday visa for Canada through IEC — Pools generally open in January time.
Step 4 – Complete your season and your job interview with the Ski School management.
Step 5 – If successful, you will receive an official acceptance email inviting you to join the Lake Louise team for the following winter season.
FAQs
You’ll need to come equipped with a few essentials, including warm clothing and your own boots and skis. We offer exclusive deals with Head, one of the best providers of ski equipment out there. Get in touch with us to find out more or get advice on the best equipment.
This course is unique, very exclusive and always in high demand. This means we have a limit of 8 snowboarder and 16 skier spaces per season. Act fast!
You’ll be right in the heart of the town in our accommodation. This give you easy access to the nightlife and shopping – and we’re the most central provider in Banff. Your apartment will be self-catered and you’ll share with your fellow apprentices. Because sometimes, the best part of these experiences are the friends you make along the way.
Yes! There’s very few people that this course won’t suit, it offers amazing coaching, amazing accommodation, an amazing resort and the flexibility to decide whether to proceed in the industry and work after qualifying or whether to choose a different route.
We ask that you can do parallel turns consistently and confidently on all greens, blues, reds, and some blacks. We expect that tough conditions slow you down and affect your technique. We expect you have done some easy, open off-piste and are starting to try carving on fast, open runs. Generally having 3–4 weeks on snow prior to the course is enough, and the most important thing is a good attitude to improving and learning new skills!
The Level 1 isn’t too hard to pass as an entry level qualification. Participants will be assessed on their ability to perform and teach on the mountain. We get a 100% pass rate year in, year out. The Level 2 in a big step up from the Level 1; however, the training you receive prior to the exam puts you in an excellent position to pass. We usually see an 85–90% pass rate at Level 2 in Banff.
The majority of people who do this course are solo travellers. There is a large Basecamp community in resort, and your Resort Manager will make sure you’re quickly introduced to everyone.
The money question! Minimum wage in Alberta is $15/hour so that is what you can expect. Hours depend on how busy the school is but can vary between 20–40 hours a week, meaning prospective season earnings of around $6,000. More information on various wages can be found here – https://www.basecampgroup.com/blog/much-can-ski-instructor-earn/
As an instructor at the Lake Louise Ski School, you are able to sign up to staff training sessions, which happen regularly, and have First Tracks sessions most mornings before work too when you can ski with other instructors before lessons start. Being part of the ski school is the best place to be – to ski with experienced instructors, ask their advice, learn from them, and naturally become a great ski instructor yourself!
