Certification

CSIA Certification Pathway

 

Welcome to the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance! The following is a step by step guide to the CSIA Certification Pathway.

 

 

 

The Pathway includes four Levels of Instructor Certification and a Trainer Designation. The training offered within the Pathway is the perfect way to develop skills and expand knowledge, while practical teaching experience within a Snow School will provide you with the opportunity to implement these skills to truly hone your craft. Real world teaching is exciting, fulfilling and offers invaluable experience as you target new goals.

 

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Level 1 Certification Course or Snow Park Certification Course

 

You can begin your journey with either a 3 day Level 1 Certification Course or Snow Park Certification Course. Some Snow Schools in Canada also offer a Level 1 Apprentice Development Program offered over a longer term, in conjunction with on-the-job experience.

 

Level 1 Certification Course description click here.

Level 1 Candidate Guide click here.

Snow Park Certification Course description click here.

 

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Skiing and Teaching “Tracks”

 

The Level 2 and Level 3 Programs are offered in Skiing and Teaching “Tracks”.  To acquire the complete Level 2 or Level 3 Certifications, Members must pass both of the related Skiing and Teaching components, however independent development in either of the tracks is also possible.

 

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Level 2 Certification Program

 

As a Level 1 Certified or Snow Park Certified Ski Instructor, you can take advantage of the Level 2 Certification Program, which is comprised of the following:

Level 2 Skier Development (2 days)

Level 2 Teacher Development (2 days)

Level 2 Exam (2 days – Teaching and Skiing)

 

Level 2 Certification Program description click here.

Level 2 Candidate Guide click here.

 

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Level 3 Certification Program

 

As a Level 2 Certified Ski Instructor, consider embarking on the Level 3 Certification Program, which is comprised of the following:

Level 3 Skier Development (3 days)

Level 3 Teacher Development (3 days)

Level 3 Exam (2 days – Teaching and Skiing)

 

Level 3 Certification Program description click here.

Level 3 Candidate Guide click here.

 

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Trainer Designation

 

As a Level 3 Certified Ski Instructor, you are encouraged to attain the Trainer Designation which helps build skills valuable in training new Ski Instructors and is a step toward becoming a Level 1 Course Conductor for the CSIA. Please contact your Education Program Coordinator (EPC) for more information, email communication is preferred.

The Trainer Designation is comprised of the following:

Trainer Development (2 days)

Trainer Exam (1 day)

 

Trainer Designation description click here.

 

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Level 4 Certification Program

 

As a Level 3 with the Trainer Designation, the highest level of CSIA Certification is within reach. Extensive professional experience inside and outside the Ski Industry are valued and strongly recommended for those embarking on the Level 4 Certification Program which is comprised of the following:

Level 4 Academy Application Submission

Level 4 Academy Selection Camp (2 days)

Level 4 Academy (3 x 4 day Camps, Online components)

 

Level 4 Certification Program description click here.

 

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NEW Pro Days

 

Throughout your journey as a Ski Instructor and CSIA Member, we invite you to attend Pro Days regularly as part of your individual training plan. Pro Days are full day Programs offered throughout the country providing further education opportunities tuned to your individual development needs and interests. Check out the schedule in your Region using Search and Register to find the Pro Day nearest you!

 

Pro Days description click here.

 

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Pathway Migration

 

 

The Physics of Skiing, Skills Framework, and the Performance Model, are the CSIA Technical Concepts. Teaching Skills, People Skills, and movement Assessment and Development are the CSIA Teaching Concepts within the Collaborative Teaching Approach (CTA).

 

 

The Technical Concepts define WHAT we teach.

The Teaching Concepts establish HOW we teach.

 

 

Technical knowledge of how a skier moves to produce an outcome (the mechanics) and how those mechanics manipulate ski-to-snow interaction provides your lesson content.

The quality of your lesson content depends upon your level of technical understanding and knowledge of the sport. Your ability to apply the technical concepts, via the teaching concepts/methodologies, will determine the quality of the learning experience for your student(s).

 

 

A Collaborative Teaching Approach, and Assessment and Development are the framework that makes up the Teaching Concepts of the CSIA. They establish principles that ensure a consistent model and message delivered by the CSIA Course Conductors across the country, providing a practical framework which Ski Instructors can apply in the real world of ski teaching. Having a sound understanding of the competency level of our students and the ability to accurately identify and affect areas of improvement is paramount to the profession, along with the ability to collaborate with students and engage them while guiding them through learning experiences in a safe, enjoyable, and productive manner. These Teaching Concepts provide a "structure" within which the right technical concepts can be delivered to students in a lesson, while recognizing that no two students and therefore no two lessons are exactly the same.

 

 

• A Prescriptive Beginner / Intermediate Zone
• The Performance Skiing Zone - a detailed look at the mechanics within the parallel domain
• Situational Skiing - exploring off-piste and the associated tactics
• A Concepts Zone - which delves into ideas both related to and specific to skiing