Banff Ski & Snowboard Instructor Course - Gap Year / Career Break

Reputed for it's champagne powder and lively nightlife, Banff offers the best of both worlds. With some of the most adventurous in-bounds freeride in the world and some of the most qualified and competent ski instructors in Canada, our primary training ground, Sunshine Village Ski Resort, will have you ripping up the mountain with the best of them. Combine this with the luxuries of quality hotel accommodation, downtown restaurant meals 5 nights a week included, and several other spectactular ski resorts within easy striking distance, and you're set for the time of your life.

Banff was officially the best 3 months EVER - amazing skiing, awesome nightlife and you make some life-long friends! I didn't want to go home...

Francesca, BANFF 08

What makes this course different?

• 12 week course including flight and transfer
• Sunshine Village Season Pass plus flexible all-day bus transfers from outside the hotel
• 4-5 days training per week by some of the most qualified and competent instructors in Canada including video feedback
• CSIA/CASI Level 1 training and assessent, and intensive Level 2 training before optional assessment to qualify you as an instructor
• Quality hotel accommodation with twin-rooms, massive beds, satellite TV, wireless internet, hot-tub and gym
• Continental breakfast every morning at the hotel plus all-day coffee and tea
• Evening meals 5-nights per week in a variety of great downtown restaurants included in the cost
• Salomon Winter Jacket included in the cost - plus pro-deal on Salomon skis, snowboards and gear
• Avalanche Awareness and First Aid Certification
• Day trips to the steeps and shoots of Kicking Horse and Lake Louise included in the cost
• Silver, Gold and Platinum options for additional activities e.g. cat-skiing, other resorts, night skiing, dog-sledding, ice-walking, ice-hockey game, heli-sking, and snow-mobiling
• Experienced Course Leader available 24/7 living in the hotel and joining on the mountain to keep you motivated and inspired throughout
• Options for Race Coaching, Disability and Freestyle Certification
• Seminars on Risk Assessment, Leadership, Personal Development, Ski/Board Maintenance, Careers and CV's
• Optional leadership and management certification including ILM and SNSC
• GUARANTEED: Amazing experiences on and off the mountain, tools for the future and friends for life!

3 Jan - 21 March 2009

Peakleaders in Banff- Why settle for less?

We're not the cheapest company out there, and that's for a reason. We pride ourselves on being a company with a passion for providing kick-ass courses run by professionals, with great accommodation, great food and great instructors. Most people only have the time to do these type of courses once in a lifetime ... so we want to make sure you have the time of your life. Apart from what's described above, some other reasons to choose Peak Leaders include:

Smaller groups on and off the mountain - we're no McGap programme, and never want to be

100% Level 1 passes, and pretty close to 100% Level 2 - this is taken from the whole group, not just the strong ones we put forward

Successful career development - all of the course who wanted work after the course last year got work in Europe straight afterwards

Skills for life - as much as it would be nice that life was all about skiing and riding, we feel it important trainees develop skills for life building confidence, self-esteem, leadership and inter-personal skills they can take forward to any walk of life

We are members of The Year Out Group (YOG) for complete piece of mind

We're confident we offer the best programme, for the best value, in the best locations, using the best people.

Hotel and Food

You stay in Irwins Mountain Inn, located 5 mins walk from the lively downtown area of Banff. Twin-rooms, massive beds, satellite TV, wireless internet, hot tub and gym, conference room, helpful staff and good deals for family and friends. 

We are strong believers that an army of aspiring pro-skiers & riders marches on it's stomach. Each morning you'll get a continental breakfast at the hotel included. You'll sort yourself on the mountain with a 20% discount in all restaurants/cafes. And the big seller, you'll eat out at some of the best downtown Banff restaurants Sun-Thurs inclusive in the price, including Wild Bills Saloon, Elk & Oarsman, Rose & Crown and The Keg. Friday and Saturdays you can explore the variety of restaurants in town, or recover in the hotel with a Pizza!

Banff

Banff is renowned for it's great bars, restaurants and and lively nightlife with plenty of live bands and guest DJ's ... this ain't no 'hic-town'! Regular haunts include Mel's for a warm up and Hoodoo Lounge or Aurora's to throw some funky shapes - Peak Leaders get free entry to the clubs and your course leader will be sure to show you the best places, with the best deals, on the best nights. There's also the opportunity to explore the area with dog-sledding, ice-walks, snow mobiling, climbing wall, cross-country skiing, great shopping, and nice coffee shops for rest days.

Qualifications and Certs...

You'll focus heavily on training for CSIA/CASI Level 1 and Level 2. The Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA) is the ski instructor system in Canada, and the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) looks after the snowboarding. Both have a very strong reputation worldwide and are often seen as leading the way in terms of instructional standards. Included in the cost is the Level 1 assessment, plus intensive training for Level 2. You'll then have the option to take the Level 2 assessment after consultation with your instructors and the course leader - most people are ripping it up by this time and go for it.

As standard on the course and included in the price is an Avalanche Awareness Course (AST1) and First Aid Course to set you up safe on the mountain. There is also the options to book on Race, Carving, Freestyle, and Disability courses and certificates.

The Resort

Included in the cost is a full season pass for Sunshine and a bus pass to get from Banff to the resort.  Sunshine is where the majority of the mountain coaching takes place. The mountain allows you to experience all aspects of skiing and riding - easy terrain to practise teaching, steeps, chutes and secret powder runs as well as a terrain park and some of Canada's most exciting freeride areas such as Goat's Eye Mountain, Wild West and Delirium Dive. We use the ski & board school's best coaches and have established a great, long term relationship with the team at Sunshine.

For the lowdown on Banff and Sunshine Village check out this episode of the RideGuide.

Job Opportunities

If you're motivated and keen to learn there is every opportunity to gain qualification and experience that will set you up well for working as a ski instructor. All those who wanted to work after last year's course found work in Europe that Spring. Many subsequently got work in New Zealand for the Southern Hemisphere winter, and hopefully many will return to work in Canada or elsewhere this coming winter. As part of the course you will recieve careers advice, CV workshop, and assistance finding work. Often, your course leader and/or instructors will be happy to act as a reference for future applications for work or study.

The Team

You have the pick of the bunch instructing you at Sunshine, with some of the most highly qualified instructors in Canada and some of the sickest freeride demons on the hill. All are a minimum of Level 3 and most are aspiring Level 4 or higher. You also have a tried and tested course leader, Ed Cornfield, who'll make sure things run smoothly and that you achieve everything you want and more, on and off the mountain.

"If anyone is thinking about doing a course with Peak Leaders then you’re in for the best time of your life, i would well recommend Banff!!! Sking/riding was awesome and the night life is up there with most big cities!! Plus Ed Cornfield is a legend!!!
YES..... PEAK LEADERS!!!!!" Craig Banff 08