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Muskoka's Only Ski Hill

Learn the skills and tactics needed to become a ski and snowboard instructor!

New for 2023/24 – Two Levels of Junior Instructor training: Role Models for 12-13 year olds and Instructors In Training for 13-14 year olds.

Role Models: 12-13 years old

Learn fundamental instructor skills with half day commitments.

Prerequisites: 12-13 years of age and at minimum high novice level ski and/or snowboarding skills.  

Cost: Free! 

Instructor In Training: 13-14 years old

Prepare for level one instructor certification with full days on snow.

Prerequisites: 13-14 years of age and intermediate-level ski and/or snowboarding skills.  

Cost: Free! 

Program Description

Learn the skills and tactics needed to become a ski and snowboard instructor with our professional training staff. 

Take part in training sessions that will help you improve your skiing and/or snowboarding skills and learn the teaching and class management skills necessary to pass your level 1 CSIA (ski) or CASI (snowboarding) certifications and to be successful working as an instructor!

Pre-season training sessions start in early December. Regular in-season training sessions will be scheduled on Saturday and/ or Sunday mornings during our 8-week camps. 

Throughout the Jr. Instructor Program, you will gain hands-on experience volunteering with ski and snowboard lessons. Working with experienced instructors and their students, you practice assisting students, sharing explanations and demonstrations, and managing the class.

Role Models commit to 3 hours per day (with the option for more!) and Instructors in Training commit to 6-7 hours per day.

We ask for a commitment to:

  • One of our holiday camps in December (Camp 1 -December 26th-29th), January(Camp 2 – January 2nd-5th), or over March Break 
  • Either Saturdays or Sundays during 8-week programs starting Saturday, January 6th and Sunday, January 7th.

Training progression

Holiday Camps

During our holiday camps, Jr Instructors will develop their skiing or riding skills with our Intermediate/Advanced level groups while assisting with the group’s class management.  And will develop their teaching skills while working with New through Novice level groups. 

Instructors in Training join groups for both mornings and afternoons while Role Models can choose from morning or afternoon or to join in for both. 

8 Week Programs

During 8 week programs Instructors In Training are required to attend morning staff training sessions on either Saturday or Sunday. Role Models are welcome to join. During the morning training sessions, you develop ski and ride technical skills and teaching skills. 

Jr. Instructors then put their new skills into practice while assisting instructors with groups of various ability levels. 

Role Models may choose from morning or afternoon sessions to volunteer leaving the other half of the day open for you to fill (we suggest signing up for a ski/ride or slopestyle program!)

Instructors In Training work with one group in the morning and a second group in the afternoon.

Working Towards Certification

Throughout the season we will work to build the skills needed to pass your level 1 CSIA or CASI certification. Role Models focus on learning the fundamentals, while Instructors In Training the specific skills needed to pass your level one. 

Volunteer Hours

Volunteer hours may be used towards high school volunteer hour requirements. 

Benefits 

In exchange for your volunteer hours, Instructors In Training receive training sessions, and staff passes. 

Role Models receive tickets for the days you are volunteering and/or training. 

In addition, all Jr. Instructors receive two complimentary tickets for each month you work that you may use yourself or share with friends and family

Application process: 

Online registration will open very soon! After registering for the program online, please send a resume and cover letter to snowschool@skihiddenvalley.ca. 

We will arrange an interview with each candidate.

If you have already sent a resume and cover letter we will be contacting applicants to arrange interviews in the near future.

Ready for Certification?

The minimum age for CSIA level 1 is 14 and CASI Level 1 is 15, if you are of age to take the certification course now, please consider doing so and starting your journey as a certified instructor. Please see our “Teaching Skiing and Snowboarding In Muskoka” page here for further information.