Internship general course outline
Arrival City Orientation
You will be met right off the plane by an EA Program Rep at your arrival city airport. For Canada this is Vancouver, United States- San Francisco, Australia- Sydney, and for Japan it’s Tokyo. After transferring to your hotel, evening one kicks off with a social catch up where you will get to meet the other course participants. The next day you get to explore the city, see the local sights and organise essentials such as a tax number, bank account and mobile phone. On day three it’s time to jump on a plane, bus or train and head to your allocated resort!
Resort Welcome Days
When you arrive at your allocated resort you will get a bit of time to settle into your accommodation. When you first get there we’ll run you through the program outline including goals and training objectives. We’ll take your around for a ski resort orientation where you can check out the scenery. You’ll meet your ski & board school trainers and also collect your season passes. We’ll also hold gear information sessions and there’ll be an opportunity to purchase any required equipment. On one of the evenings we hold a fun social event where you can get to know everyone a little better. Before you start the training we take you for a full day on the snow including a mountain tour and a chance to get your legs back into action. Check out Joe’s blog here to see what Joe got up to at Big White, Canada on the first few days at his resort.
Training Begins – 1st training block
Your first training days will be focused around developing your personal ski or board skills both on and off piste. You’ll learn about stance and balance and get an introduction to the core competencies. Training will cover each level of teaching progressions. Indoor sessions will include ‘Leadership Training’ and the ‘Forces in Skiing and Snowboarding’. Video analysing will be your chance to identify areas of personal improvement. By the end of this training block you have an understanding of the fundamental skills and the level one course standards. On days off there’ll be an opportunity to practice, consolidate and cover off indoor course materials in study groups. Check out Joe’s blog here to see what you can expect for the training days.
Instructor Skills – 2nd training block
During this training block you’ll continue to develop your personal ski or board skills. Your trainer will step up the tempo this week and get your into some more challenging terrain and hopefully to some local powder stashes. You will learn about rotation, edging and cover core competencies in more detail. Indoor sessions will include ‘Student Centered Teaching’ and ‘Developing the Guest Experience’. In your video analysis sessions you’ll cover drills and tactics for improvement. During your days off there’ll be an opportunity to relax and consolidate what you’ve learnt on snow in your own time. There will also be social functions so you can let your hair down!
Exam Prep – Final training block
Your third training block is geared toward getting you ready for the level one exam. You’ll also spend time on developing your level one demonstrations, teaching progressions and practise group teaching scenarios. You also continue to develop your personal ski or board skills on a variety of terrain. Indoor sessions will include ‘Bio-Mechanics’ and ‘Children in Snowsports’. On your days off there’ll be an opportunity for you to shadow a ski & board school lessons and cover off indoor course materials in study groups including the pre exam E-Prep module.
Exam and Party!
The Level One Exam. This is basically an extension of the training days! The course is fun, informative and a chance to develop your teaching and personal skiing or riding skills even further. The course conductors roll is to assess you, but also to help you reach the level one standard. You’ll get individual and group feedback throughout the exam. And by the end you will hopefully be walking away with a pass result! On the last day of the exam you will meet for a final group function and presentation (hooray)! Please note: In the United states the exam is held once you have completed 6 weeks practical teaching experience as the PSIA / AASI require this practical experience before you can complete the exam.
Start working! (December – April)
All going well you will start work in time for the busy Christmas period. If you are lucky you might get a day or two off after the exam! Your working day will start with attendance at your ski school for ‘lineup’ to teach the morning classes, or full day classes depending on your resort. Then you’re into instructing! Most new instructors teach in the kids ski school. The training you will have received gives you the basic techniques to address different issues, and the more you work the better your eye becomes for spotting problems to correct.’ Joe from big white. Check out more from Joe in blog for a Day in a Life of an EA Instructor.
Ultimate Plus Only (January – March)
If you select the Ultimate Plus Internship package you will complete additional training from January to March depending on your resort. This includes level two coaching, park & freeride course, avalanche safety course, first aid course, on snow video analysis and indoor technical & theory sessions. The Ultimate Plus package is designed to give you all the necessary technical training and assistance to put you in the best position to pass the Level Two Ski or Snowboard Instructor Exam. There is no set date for the level two exam, you can sit the exam once you feel you have fully applied all that you have learnt from the Ultimate Plus Training.
Note:The dates, times and details will vary depending on the resort and country.