Useful Information
Blog
Our blog is a good way to keep up to date on the latest happenings at Whistler Adventure Academy.
Visit the Blog
Our Newsletter
If email is your preferred method of keeping up to date, enter your address below and we'll send you our newsletter (once per month, unsubscribe easily).
Links & Resources
Find other organizations that provide related experiences on our links page.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are so many questions to be answered when planning for such an awesome and extensive trip. We have tried to answer as many of your questions about our Whistler Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses as possible. If there are still questions left unanswered though, please give us a call. We would love to speak to you and answer your specific question directly.
Call, Email, Skype... we'd love to talk to you!
Ability, Exams & Qualifications - Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses
Do I need to be an expert skier?
Am I guaranteed to pass my ski instructor exams?
Where are my CSIA / CASI credentials recognised?
Why would I do a ten week ski instructor course versus a two week course?
Visas and Insurance for our Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses
Do I need a VISA to travel to Canada and take part in a ski instructor course?
Insurance - Do I really need it? Isn't insurance covered on my credit card?
Payment and Registry for our Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses
How do I pay for my ski instructor course?
Can I pay by credit card?
What is the Gift Registry and how does it work?
What's Included
What meals are included on my course?
Is cat skiing REALLY included in the cost of my course?
What’s not included in the cost of my ski instructor course?
Money & Valuables
Should I bring cash for spending money?
Time Off, Visits From Friends and Family
What happens on the weekend during my ski instructor course?
Can friends and family come to visit?
Who does a Whistler Adventure Academy ski instructor course?
What age are the participants in your ski and snow board courses?
Ability, Exams & Qualifications
Do I need to be an expert skier?
Any participant on our course - both riders and skiers – should be a minimum of intermediate ability level, or able to ski or ride at a moderate speed confidently. You should feel comfortable on blue rated runs in good conditions, but do not have to be competent or strong on black diamond rated runs or poor conditions. You should be reasonably fit – able to ski/board for an entire day, in order to ensure you are suitably prepared to undertake a fairly rigorous course.
Although the above is our minimum requirements for ability and competency, we have many participants who are advanced level skiers and beyond. We endeavour to group similar abilities together during the course so that everyone feels comfortable within the group they are in.
^ Top
Am I guaranteed to pass my ski instructor exams?
Whilst we do not guarantee that you will finish your Whistler Adventure Academy course with an instructor's qualification, we do PROMISE that we endeavour to provide superior instruction from world class coaches. For those that are dedicated and show up with a positive attitude daily that will be more than enough to pass your examinations.
^ Top
Where are my CSIA / CASI credentials recognised?
The CSIA and CASI qualifications you earn during your course in Whistler are internationally recognised. With these you will be eligible to work as an instructor in other amazing places like New Zealand, Australia, South America, USA, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. France, unfortunately, is the exception to the rule. Our die hard mountain friends, have used their CSIA and CASI credentials to work YEAR ROUND in this great industry… spending winters in Whistler and (northern hemisphere) summers teaching in Chile, New Zealand and Australia! How good is that?!
^ Top
Why would I do a 10 week ski instructor course versus a two week course?
In ten weeks you not only become a qualified instructor, but you perfect your own skiing/boarding technique and ability; build your confidence; and learn first aid and avalanche safety. These are all skills that will make you a much more competent, qualified and marketable instructor.
^ Top
Visas and Insurance for our Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses
Do I need a VISA to travel to Canada and take part in a ski instructor course?
Travel Requirements: all visitors to Canada require a valid passport from their home country. Many visitors from countries such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa to enter Canada. Typically most visitors are allowed to remain in Canada for up to six months without a visa. If you wish to stay longer than six months or plan to work in Canada you will need to acquire a specific visa.
Requirements change regularly, so no matter where you are travelling from, please check with us or the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your area. Alternatively, please check with Immigration Canada’s website http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
^ Top
Insurance – Do I really need it? Isn’t insurance covered on my credit card?
We all think we are invincible and “it will never happen to us”, but accidents can and do happen and you need to make sure you are covered for any treatment you may need. Chances are you will never use your insurance, but you must have it “just in case”.
Comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs is a course prerequisite, before you arrive in Canada. This type of insurance is not always covered in basic credit card insurance policies. It is essential that you confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances are included in your policy to ensure your on-mountain skiing/snowboarding activities are completely covered.
The standard of health facilities in Canada is comparable to Australia or the UK. However you will be expected to pay for your treatment – in most cases prior to seeing a doctor. You will then claim your reimbursement from your insurance provider when you return home.
In the unlikely event you will need to seek medical attention while you are here, Whistler Adventure Academy has relationships with some of the best sports medicine doctors in Whistler and one of our Directors will assist you with anything you may need.
^ Top
Payment and Registry for our Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses
How do I pay for my ski instructor course?
After completing your booking sheet a non-refundable deposit of $1000 CAD is due to confirm your space on a Whistler Adventure Academy Course. The balance of payment is due in two equal instalments 120 days and 60 days prior to the start date of your course.
Payment can be made by bank cheque (in CAD $), direct deposit to our Canadian bank account or by credit card. Please email full details of the cheque or direct deposit to '+text+'');"> so we can promptly credit you account and issue your client voucher.
Payment by Cheque
Post CANADIAN DOLLAR cheques to:
Whistler Adventure Academy
7406 Ambassador Crescent
Whistler, B.C., V0N 1B7
CANADA
^ Top
Can I pay by credit card?
We can accept credit card payments by VISA or MasterCard. When paying, by credit card we require a signed credit card authorisation form, your credit card number, expiry date and CVD security code. (The CVD is a 3 digit code on the back of the credit card.)
^ Top
Gift Registry – for ski & snowboard instructor course payments
What is a gift registry and how does it work?
Our gift registry is a great idea – especially for our Gap Year and post graduate participants. Instead of graduation gifts, you can request friends and family to “donate” to your Whistler Adventure Academy tuition. Any amount greater than $250 CAD can be made as a contribution to your course total. We will deduct that amount from your course and issue your “benefactor” a certificate stating the amount that has been paid onto your account. They can present this to you as your gift.
If you would like more information on our registry system, please contact us.
^ Top
What's Included
What meals are included on my course?
For each of our courses breakfast is included daily. This includes cereals, juice and toast. All of the items are provided for you in your kitchen at the start of each week and you prepare breakfast for yourself when it suits you.
All of our courses also include some dinners per week. As Whistler has a vast array of great pubs, cafes and restaurants, we like to give you a few nights on your own to explore what the rest of the village has to offer. We also think that having the chance to prepare some of your own meals with your room mates is a great opportunity to improve your cooking, have some fun, save some money and go over what you’ve learned the past week.
^ Top
Is cat skiing REALLY included in the cost of my course?
On our extended 4, 8 and 10 week courses cat skiing is ABSOLUTELY included! After completing your Avalanche Safety and Wilderness First Aid Courses, you will go on a one day trip with Powder Mountain Cat Skiing. For more information on the Cat Skiing Component, please see the Courses section.
^ Top
What’s not included in the cost of my ski instructor course?
We have tried to include as much as possible in your course fees. There are no hidden costs and few extra costs that you will need to be responsible for.
The only course related items that are not included are:
- International Airfares
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance - Mandatory
- CSIA/CASI Level 2 Exam - Optional
- CSIA/CASI Park Instructor Exam - Optional on 4, 8, 10 week and Spring Break Instructor Courses
- CSCF Race Coach Exam - Optional
- Equipment
- Spending Money (see below)
Whilst everyone has different spending habits, we estimate that you will need about $200 CAD/week for spending money. You will need to have enough extra money to cover your lunches, the few extra dinners that are not included each week, entertainment on weekends (movies, etc.), personal items (toiletries) and any other extra activities that you decide to participate in. If you eat out on the weekends, buy all of your lunches on the mountain, and like to shop your weekly budget may need to be higher! If there are specific activities that you would like to try while in Whistler (dog sledding? Zip trekking?), contact us for information, best pricing and assistance booking during your course.
^ Top
Money & Valuables
Should I bring cash for spending money?
It is important to organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas before you leave home such as credit cards, traveler's cheques and cash. Check with your bank to see if your ATM card will work overseas and what fees are associated with using it to avoid nasty charges to your account. Whilst traveling, try to avoid carrying too much cash, and remember that i-pods, telephones, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
It is always good to make two copies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and traveler's cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to your original documents and leave the other copy with someone at home.
^ Top
Time Off, Visits From Friends and Family
What happens on the weekend during my ski instructor course?
We have structured most weeks of your course to have 4 days of on mountain instruction and 3 days off. We find this is the perfect balance to absorb and assimilate everything you’ve learned through the week and rest your mind and limbs at the end of the week! Most of the weekends are yours to enjoy… rest those weary legs; get back up on the mountain to practice your new skills; enjoy one of our optional weekend activities… the choice is yours!
There will be some weekends where you will be doing the additional courses that are part of your program… avalanche course, first aid, intro to back country.
^ Top
Can friends and family come to visit?
ABSOLUTELY, we recommend that friends and family come to visit! It’s an awesome chance for them to see where you are having the time of your life and for you to show them all of your fantastic new skills on the mountain.
We would be more than happy to assist family and friends with booking accommodation, transfers and activities for their stay in Whistler. Just give us a call.
^ Top
Who does a Whistler Adventure Academy ski instructor course?
Our clients come from all over the world… the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Dubai and other parts of Canada… that is what makes our courses special. You will meet people from all over the world on your course with Whistler Adventure Academy.
People looking to have a break after a period of full time study (either post secondary or post graduate) are a large part of our clientele on the extended courses. Those who are looking to have a break after a long period of work also love our courses. Perhaps they want to pursue a dream before taking their next step in their careers or to gain some perspective (and what better place to do it than the top of Whistler Mountain!) before switching careers. Either way a ski or snowboard instructor course with Whistler Adventure Academy is a great way to spend that extended break, have the time of your lives and gain some amazing skills that will serve you well, no matter what you go on to do!
^ Top
What age are the participants in your ski and snow board courses?
Whistler Adventure Academy accepts and welcomes anyone over 17 looking for a rewarding and exciting adventure of a lifetime. As with nationalities and backgrounds, Whistler Adventure Academy caters to a broad age range of clients. A large portion of our participants are on their Spring Break (17-19 years old); Gap Year (18-19 years old); post graduates (20 somethings) and those taking a break from or changing careers (25-35 year olds).
While you may not think that an 18 year old and a 30 year old would have much in common, we find that a range of age groups works surprisingly well during the course as it encourages everyone to push themselves to perform their best… both on the mountain and in exams.
For day to day living, we understand that large age differences does not necessarily work as well, so we accommodate our participants based on ages groups wherever possible.
© Copyright 2009 - 2010 Whistler Adventure Academy. All rights reserved.
