International Academy

General Info

Known in short as the IA, the International Academy was one of the first companies based in the UK to offer ski and snowboard instructor training courses, and the first in the Canadian Rockies.

Over 12 years on, we continue to offer high quality instructor programmes in partnership with the resident ski and snowboard schools in selected world class ski resorts. Now part of TUI Travel PLC, we also have the backing and support of a leading international leisure travel Group.

Through a quality ski instructor training programme in Canada, USA or New Zealand, our courses give you the opportunity to become a certified ski instructor. You will be able to:

* develop your skiing skills, knowledge and technique
* become an effective teacher and share your expertise with others
* gain an insight into the customer service side of the industry and how ski schools function
* gain internationally recognised ski instructor qualifications
* have plenty of fun at the same time!

become a snowboard instructor

Our snowboard courses provide the perfect opportunity for you to:

* travel to magnificent resorts in Canada or New Zealand
* receive quality training to develop your riding skills
* become a qualified snowboard instructor

the best ski & snowboard instructor training

We have a proven track record and excellent reputation of running instructor courses as the standard of ski and snowboard training provided is extremely high.

Take Lake Louise for example, where the instructors are not only Level 3 or Level 4 certified, but also Level 1 and Level 2 examiners. This provides the best preparation possible for you to succeed in your exams. Due to our dedicated and highly qualified instructor teams, we are proud to have a very high success rate on our courses. Our 12 week ski programme at Lake Louise 2009 recorded a 100% pass rate on the CSIA Level 2 exams - a phenomenal result!
the ski or snowboard instructor qualifications

Depending on the course you choose, you have the opportunity to gain the following qualifications:

* Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) Level 1 & Level 2
* Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) Level 1 & Level 2
* New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA) Level 1 & Level 2

Starting in June 2011, we will be offering CSIA & CASI Level 3 courses which will take place at Mt Hood in the USA over the summer.

The CSIA, CASI and NZSIA are the most forward thinking and innovative in their field for instruction and certification. They are members of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA), the world body for ski and snowboard instructors.

Many people who have completed our ski or snowboard instructor courses as part of their gap year skiing or career break have either stayed on or returned to the resort they trained to work as an instructor. Others have used their qualifications to work in different resorts or countries around the world.