Train in Austria. Work in Canada. Experience Two Continents in One Epic Season.
The PSIE Level 1 Ski Instructor Canadian Internship from Ski Instructor Academy is the ultimate way to experience a full winter season — combining elite instructor training, international adventure, and a direct pathway into the ski industry.
Designed for aspiring instructors who want more than just a qualification, this immersive program blends four weeks of professional on-snow training in Kaprun, Austria with an exclusive onboarding experience in Vancouver, Canada before your season begins.
Training is delivered by the expert team at Snowsports Co. Kaprun, home to some of Austria’s most experienced instructors. You’ll develop the confidence, technical ability, and real-world teaching skills needed to succeed in a professional ski school environment — all while skiing in one of Europe’s premier alpine destinations.
The experience continues in Canada with a dedicated week-long onboarding program in Vancouver, where you’ll receive further training in ski school operations, guest experience, and instructor expectations. This extra preparation gives you a major advantage over other first-season instructors and ensures you arrive fully ready for mountain life.
By the time your training is complete, you won’t just be certified — you’ll be prepared, connected, and ready to begin your winter as a fully qualified ski instructor at Mount Seymour.
Our PSIE L1 Canada Internship combines world-class instructor training with real-world job placement, giving you the skills, confidence, and certification you need to start working as a ski instructor in Japan—immediately after the course.
✔4 Weeks in Austria
Train on the legendary Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Kaprun throughout November, working towards your PSIE Level 1 certification—an internationally recognised qualification that sets the standard for modern instructor training.
✔ 1 Week in Canada
Travel to Vancouver, Western Canada, to take part in the onboarding program provided by Mt Seymour.
✔ Start work as a full-time instructor!
This awesome adventure will allow you to experience two world class resorts, continents and cultures in just one season!
Get in touch to start your SIA adventure and find out more about our all inclusive ski instructor courses in Canada. Alternatively, we also offer exceptional snowboard instructor courses and internships.
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Whats Included
Ski Instructor Academy offers courses of exceptional value. Our all inclusive ski instructor internship to Mt Seymour in Western Canada combines a 4-week professional training course in Austria followed by an amazing 1-week onboarding program ran by Mt Seymour Ski school based out of Vancouver before kickstarting your winter as a qualified instructor. This is a fully comprehensive and quality filled program — this is truly, the very best in the industry!
Available Courses
PSIE L1 Internship FAQs
Mt Seymour Snow School offers a rare opportunity to work as a professional ski instructor without needing to relocate to a resort town, this saves you a huge amount in living costs for a start!.
Located in North Vancouver, Mt Seymour is minutes from downtown Vancouver and easily accessible by transit and free staff shuttle, making a true city–mountain lifestyle possible. As well as that;
- Industry‑leading pay structure that compensates instructors for their full working day
- Reliable access to paid work across day and night operations
- Supportive, close‑knit team environment at a family‑owned mountain
- Paid training and ongoing development with pathways into senior and leadership roles
- North Vancouver location that supports balance, stability, and community.
Full-time instructors typically work 5 days per week, increasing to up to 6 days per week during peak
periods such as the winter holiday period and Spring Break.
- Full-time staff are generally scheduled for two days off per week, most often two weekdays.
- These days off may change during peak holiday periods to support operational needs.
- Employment is usually continuous from new-hire training through to the end of Spring Break,
depending on business demand and contract length.
Full-time instructors work a mix of morning starts and mid-shift starts, depending on lesson demand.
Typical full-time shift patterns include:
Weekend & Holiday – Morning Starts
- Start between 7:45am and 9:00am
- Finish between 3:30pm and 5:15pm
Weekend & Holiday – Mid Shifts
- Start at 10:30am
- Finish by 7:15pm–7:30pm
Weekday – Morning Starts
- Start at 9:55am
- Finish at 6:45pm
Weekday – Mid Shifts
- Start at 12:30pm
- Finish at 9:00pm
Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, especially in a vibrant and bustling city like Vancouver. However SIA provide an extensive guide, curtesy of Mt Seymour, designed to help new Mt Seymour staff navigate the process of finding a place to live, get settled quickly, and feel confident about your options.
Whether you’re living on the North Shore or commuting from East Vancouver or Burnaby, there is a full compiled list of essential tips, neighbourhood recommendations, and commuting details to make the transition easier.
Mt Seymour operate a shuttle service from Parkgate Community Centre / Library at the base of the mountains access road and Rupert SkyTrain Station.
Staff members decide to live in many different areas of the city, but one thing people usually want is a quick commute to work. Therefore, living near these areas or along key transit routes will make your daily commute much smoother.
Our staff housing guide will explain this in great detail to take remove large amounts of the unknown.
THE SIA JOB GUARANTEE
The possibility of employment can only exist if the candidate has successfully completed the SIA training program, passed the ski exams and completed all modules.
In order to be eligible for employment considerations after the completion of the program at the ski school, individuals must have the legal right to work in Japan or have a valid work visa / working holiday visa. Please refer to our Visa Guide for more details on the work permit you should apply for (if required).
If applicable, candidates looking for employment opportunities may be required to undergo an interview process for instructor positions with the Ski School.
Whilst extremely rare, should your attitude or ability be a cause of concern to the public, your colleagues or yourself, SIA reserves the right to withdraw any job offer. No refunds will be offered in such circumstances.
Requirements
The competition is fierce so you need to make sure you meet all the requirements set to qualify.
- It would be beneficial (but not essential) for Students to have previous experience working with children or adults in a coaching or teaching environment
- Student must be at an intermediate level — able to link turns on red runs
- You must be eligible to apply for a Canadian working holiday visa
- Please be aware of the processing time, lengths vary depending on nationality so advance planning always best.
- You may be required to attend a phone / video interview
Accomodation
Whilst in Kaprun Austria you will be staying in a modern, clean and comfortable self-catered apartment with your new friends on the program. It gives a great seasonnaire experience as an instructor – one that you will hopefully go on to replicate for many years!
Best of all? It’s right in the centre of town! You will live completely among all the shops and bars for the ultimate seasonal experience – we are the closest of any other provider in town.
**Single supplements may be possible, subject to availability – an upgrade charge would apply.
***Accommodation in Vancouver for the season is something each student must arrange themselves but SIA will provide an extensive document to aid in searching for seasons lodging.g
If I could go back and do it all again I would, without a doubt! Apart from the extreme goggle tan I went home with, there wasn’t any negatives. The instructors, people and area were amazing, even if you aren’t a great skier or haven’t skied at all go for it, that’s what I did and I now can proudly say I have my Landes one qualification.
The course was outstanding, the teaching level was unbeatable, the location was superb and the instructors and people that are part of the SIA team are remarkable… I wish I could do it all over again!
In my opinion SIA is your only choice to become a ski instructor. For me, it was difficult to chose between all the different schools but I have never regretted the decision to choose SIA. The course was very well planned, organised and worth every dollar I paid for it.
The coaches and examiners are second to none, offering the best advice and guidance (special shout outs to Jamie, Anne and Martin!) And to top it all off, I am now a Landes 1 Lehrer! If you are looking to be a ski instructor, choose SIA!
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Expert knowledge
Our highly qualified coaches will expertly guide your experience. They will become your mentor, adviser and friend.