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COVID-19 Membership Certification Programs
Insurance Affiliate Instructors
COVID-19
In an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all CSIA Members, Course Conductors and the Skiing Public, the CSIA is committed to abide by both the ski resorts' and regional Health Authorities’ recommendations, which are subject to change without notice and may affect the CSIA’s Covid Guidelines.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in our efforts to provide a safe environment for all.
Membership FAQ
Q: What is my Member Number?
A: Your CSIA Member Number is shown on your Membership Card as well as your renewal notices, confirmations & receipts. If you do not know your Member Number, please
Q: Where can I get Membership receipts?
A: All Membership receipts are automatically uploaded to your Member Area/My Invoices and Receipts, after you login. Please note there is no official Tax Receipt for Membership dues, only a paid invoice.
Q: Are Membership dues refundable?
A: All Membership fee payments are final. No refund will be issued.
Q: I have been inactive for three years. Do I have to pay 3 years of back dues?
A: No, you will not be required to pay back dues for all seasons that you were not a Member. When reinstating, you will be responsible to pay a Reinstatement fee plus the cost of the Annual Membership the season you reactivate. For information on Reinstatement click here.
Q: When will I get my Membership card?
A: As of the 2020-2021 season you will no longer receive a plasticized CSIA Membership card. This was a decision made in an effort to reduce the CSIA environmental footprint. Please click here to view or download your electronic Membership card (login required).
Q: I am a Level 1 Instructor and have been inactive for 12 years. Do I have to retake my Level 1 Certification?
A: Once you have passed your Certification, it is yours for life. However, upon reinstatement you will be required to complete a Recall of your Certification in order to get everything up to date according to CSIA Standards. For more information on CSIA Recall click here.
Q: How do I get the International Certification (ISIA) Sticker?
A: In order to qualify for the ISIA Recognition you must be a Regular or Associate Member of the organization holding CSIA Level 3 or above, and you must provide proof of a valid Avalanche Safety Training and First Aid Certification as well as have accumulated 320 hours of education. For more information and to apply click here.
Q: I passed my Level 1 in March and I just received a Membership Renewal Invoice in August. Isn't my Membership good for one year after becoming certified?
A: When you passed your Level 1, you became certified, and enjoyed all the rights and privileges of a current CSIA Member for the remainder of the current membership season. CSIA Membership runs from October 1st to September 30th every year. To retain your Membership and receive all the Member rights and privileges for another season, there is an annual Membership fee to be paid each fall. Login to your Member Area/My Renewal to access the Renewal.
Q: I am a CSIA Member who resides in Ontario, however I teach at a mountain in Québec. How do I go about changing the Region we are affiliated with, in order to be able to vote on CSIA Québec Regional matters?
A: A Member may have their permanent address of residency in a given CSIA Region, but choose to teach skiing or reside, on a seasonal basis, in another Region. Click here to consult the CSIA’s procedure to change your Regional Affiliation on a seasonal basis.
Certification Programs FAQ
Q: How old do I have to be to take a Level 1 Program?
A: You must be 14 years of age by the first day of the Program. There are no exceptions.
Q: What type of skier must I be to take a Level 1 Program?
A: The Level 1 Ski Instructor Certification is for any skier over the age of 14 that is a competent parallel skier. The Level 1 Candidate can expect to be exposed to a variety of terrain, terrain features and snow conditions.
Q: But, I've never taught before.
A: No worries, that's what the Level 1 Program is all about. The Course Conductors are there to teach you how to instruct a lesson, so that you will be able to go out and deliver a great experience.
Q: So how much does a Level 1 Program cost?
A: The cost of the Program varies from Region to Region. You can find all the information pertaining to Program fees, please use Search and Register on the homepage or contact the National Office to get more details about the specific Region in which the Program will occur.
Q: I'm interested in taking a Level 1 Program this year. Where do I register?
A: All Level 1 Program are registered through the National Office snowpro.com website, using Search and Register.
Q: I took the Level 1 Program and was unsuccessful, what should I do next?
A: You must take a 2 day re-test on any scheduled Level 1 Program. To register please use Search and Register on the homepage.
Q: I've passed my Level 1 and want to take another Program?
A: Level 2 Certification, Snow Park Certification and Pro Days are your next possible steps. Check out the Certification tab for more information or use Search and Register on the homepage.
Q: What are the pre-requisites for Programs?
A: Please visit the Certification tab for a description of all Programs.
Q: If I only pass a portion of a Level 2 Exam, or 3 or 4 Exam, do I have to take it over again?
A: No. If you were unsuccessful meeting the standard on either, or both, portions of the Exam (Ski and/or Teach), you will not be required to attend the Skier/Teacher Development again. When coming back for a re-test on Exam, you will not be examined on the portion you've passed already; you will be re-tested on your failed portion only.
Q: I registered for a Program, what if the weather is extreme?
A: Programs take place regardless of weather conditions. The only time it might be cancelled is in the event of a lack of participants or when the Ski Area is closed for an extended period of time during the Program, due to extreme weather conditions (lack of snow, severe snow storms, lightning storms, intense high winds, etc.). Should the CSIA cancel, you will be contacted by the National Office and, if applicable, a full refund will be issued.
Q: Where can I get Program receipts?
A: All receipts are located in your Member Area/My Invoices and Receipts for the current season and last season. Tax Receipts are made available in February for the previous year.
Q: I need to transfer or cancel my Program, how can I do so?
A: To view our policy and access the form, please click here.
Q: I heard about Education credits, what are they?
A: Education credits were the core of our credit-based, modular certification system. They are no longer in effect as of the 2020-2021 season.
Insurance FAQ
Q: I am a CSIA Foreign Member and will be working as an instructor for a Snow School in Canada. If I were to injure myself while teaching, what coverage am I entitled to?
A: Although Foreign Members are covered under the accident, death and disability (AD&D) insurance program, the coverage is strictly limited to death and dismemberment indemnity, the principal sum being $25,000. The AD&D coverage is only for Members who are registered under a Canadian Provincial Medicare Program. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you investigate purchasing your own accident insurance coverage prior to travelling to Canada.
Q: I am a CSIA Instructor and I’m considering teaching independently at various Ski Resorts. Do I require the permission of the host resort to do so? If not, can you please explain why?
A: Each Resort will have its own policy on this. You will find that virtually NO Resort in Canada permits freelance instruction, where an individual not affiliated with the Resort accepts money to teach on the mountain. It is up to each Resort to set and enforce their policies. The CSIA has no involvement.
As a point of clarity, this has nothing to do with the many independent Snow Schools, operating across Canada. These organizations will have entered into agreements with the Resorts at which they operate. These agreements will likely include a requirement that the organization hold their own third party liability insurance and that the host Resort is provided coverage under that policy. Each Member must make their own choices with respect to their business activities. The CSIA works together with our Industry Partners for the good of the sport and the industry and we encourage each Member to make responsible, well thought-out decisions.
Q: As a CSIA Instructor, am I insured to teach privately or as an "Independent and Freelance Instructor" ?
A: No. coverage does NOT apply to instructors operating as an independent business. Please note that additional coverage is available and must be purchased if Members are conducting business as Independent/Freelance Instructor. The intent of the policy is NOT to provide coverage for Snow School/Ski Camp operations under a paid Membership renewal. For further details on the insurance coverage for Independent/Freelance Instructors teaching in Canada, please consult the information published under the Membership/Insurance section of our website or contact the National Office at 1-800-811-6428 Ext. 0, or by email at
Q: I am a CSIA Instructor and I would like to know if I am insured to teach outside of Canada?
A: No. You are only covered under our liability insurance program while teaching in Canada.
Q: I am a CSIA Member in good standing and still actively teaching in my 70's. However, I was told by a fellow Member that I am NOT covered by CSIA’s Insurance Programs. Is this true?
A: Our General Liability Policy does not have an age limitation. You are therefore covered for third party property damage or bodily injury while on the mountain, either while you are teaching under the employment of a recognized Snow School, or leisure skiing on your own personal time.
However, CSIA's Accidental Death and Disability (AD&D) policy does have an age limit for coverage of Members aged 70 years and over.
Q: Are Program Participants covered by the CSIA Accident, Death and Disability (AD&D) Policy?
A: The Accident Policy covers paid Members of the CSIA. Provided the participant is a paid Member, there might be coverage depending on the circumstances and the nature of the injury. It is best to contact the CSIA National Office to discuss this.
Affiliate Instructors FAQ
Q: I am certified from a foreign country, how can I become a CSIA Member?
A: You must send a copy of your current Certification and application form to the Membership Services Department to be granted an Affiliate CSIA Member status. For more information about the Affiliate Status and the link to the application form, please click here.
Q: If I want to become a CSIA Instructor, do I get any recognition for my other Certification(s)?
A: All Affiliate Instructors with legitimate Foreign Certification merit an assessed degree of recognition by the CSIA. Based on our charts, Affiliate Members will be assigned an equivalency to a CSIA Certification Level, which allows them to go straight to the next CSIA Certification Level.
