ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

With our 7 years of running courses in Banff, we know the area like no one else! We have picked the two best hotels, right in the town centre for you. Their location, facilities and restuarants guarantee you the best overall experience in Banff. Welcome to the Rundlestone Lodge and the Red Carpet Hotel, your home for your time in Banff!

BIG BANFF - RUNDLESTONE LODGE

You will have huge twin ensuite rooms. The hotel has free WI-FI throughout the whole building.

Rundlestone bedroom above.

And the in-hotel swimming pool - yours to use at the end of the day! Ideal for chilling out in to rest those weary muscles! There is also a whirlpool and large fitness centre which you can use anytime. Our Banff on a Budget course offers free use of the swimming pool at the nearby High Country Inn.

Breakfast and dinner at the Rundlestone hotel's Bistro & Bar.At the Red Carpet breakfast is in the hotel's breakfast area. Other companies offer meals outside of their accommodation - who wants to have to walk for their dinner after a day on the mountain? We sure don't!!

You are less than a 15 minute walk from the town centre – far enough away not to be botheredby noise, but close enough to get involved if you want to!

'Thanks for a very successful partnership again whilst your crew stayed with us. They become a part of the place and it’s empty and sad when they leave. Our staff become attached. You had an amazing team this year.' General Manager.

Also in the hotel are ski / board lockers, coin laundry, snack and drinks' machines, ski / board waxing area. In the mornings, the bus stop to Sunshine Village is right at the front door, so no lugging gear and bags around.  One thing you can expect from your stay in Canada is to be pleasantly surprised by how polite and friendly everyone is!

BANFF ON A BUDGET - RED CARPET INN

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.

Peak Leaders have planned their courses to give you the option of qualifying either in summer ( New Zealand or Argentina) or winter ( Canada, France or Switzerland.) This flexibility means you can fit in a course in the summer holidays from July - October before, during or after school/ university or qualify during the northern hemisphere winter season January - March.

For example, you could head south to Argentina or New Zealand in the summer. Returning to the UK as a qualified instructor in October, you are either in time for the new academic year or home just to fling your gear into the washing machine before jetting off to a job in November in Canada or Europe.

On the other hand, should you have other plans for the summer then a winter course from December or January in Canada or Europe training to become a ski or snowboard instructor may be a better option. You could be qualified by the end of February and finish the season working as an instructor (Call Peak Leaders for further info). You could also opt to travel to the southern hemisphere in June to chase the snow and fit in some work experience as a ski or snowboard instructor before going on to other things in the autumn.

THE C.V...

To enhance your CV for future employment, Peak Leaders have devised a course structure which includes a wide range of complementary qualifications and skills.   Having completed your Peak Leaders' course, a well presented CV listing qualifications you have gained, with good references, is key to gaining a job.

YOUR PORTFOLIO...

Understanding customer service and developing your people skills are modules taught on a Peak Leaders' course. As with most jobs, being an instructor often involves starting at the bottom of the ladder in a snowsports' school. Although the money is limited at the beginning, you will be working in the most fabulous outdoor office in the world doing something you love with like minded people.

You should also, in a good snowsports' school, expect to receive personal development training, qualifications and job / income prospects. Once you have built up a portfolio of skills and a reputation with clients who want you as their instructor, your salary will increase.

JOB SEARCH...

Peak Leaders commitment to helping trainees does not end with the completion of your course. We will give you information and advice to help secure the job you want

You'll focus 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 option to book on Race, Carving, Freestyle, and Disability courses and certificates.

AVALANCHE AWARENESS

You will learn to recognise the conditions under which avalanches take place and how to implement the correct procedure in an emergency. You will be given the essential knowledge and skills to feel confident with a guide in the backcountry away from marked trails and patrolled areas. This module provides essential training for off piste skiers and riders and covers avalanche theory, snow stability and search and rescue techniques. There will be classroom sessions and practical work on the mountain.

BACKCOUNTRY INTRODUCTION

You will be shown how to bring together the skills you have learned on the avalanche awareness course and will be introduced to navigation and route selection with a view to backcountry travel. You will learn about risk assessment, using a beacon, shovel and probe, avalanche dangers, snow conditions and building shelters. There will be an optional trek and overnight in the backcountry.

FIRST AID COURSE

The Emergency First Aid course covers: emergency action principles; airway and breathing emergencies; cardiovascular emergencies/strokes; CPR; bleeding management; shock and prevention of disease transmission.

ILM LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT LEVEL 4

This first year university level training in leadership is designed to help you lead groups on the mountain or in the board room. The course is delivered by an ilm accredited tutor and is conducted in a thought provoking interactive way. The ilm level 4 qualification looks great on your CV and is recognized by blue chip companies. The training module is an optional extra.

FREESTYLE COACH:

This is an optional extra 3 day course. On qualifying, candidates can coach entry level freestylers.

PARK AND PIPE COACH:

This is an optional extra 3 day course. The successful candidate is certified to teach park and pipe up to and including intermediate skill level

CSCF ALPINE RACE COACH:

This is an optional extra 3 day course. On successful evaluation on the course, candidates receive recognition as 'Entry Level - Trained' and membership in the CSCF - Canadian Ski Coaches' Federation.

ADAPTIVE SKI COACH CADS LEVEL 1:

Canadian Association of Disabled Skiers - This is an optional extra 8 hour course. Candidates will learn about 3 and 4 track adaptive skiing; blind and sitski.

After qualifying as Level 1 instructors, students take an option in their progression path with the majority taking their Level 2 qualification. Many of these optional modules are usually taken in lieu of the Level 2 qualification.