Ski Instructor Insurance for Canada

If you get a job for a ski season in Canada at a resort, your employer should cover you below. Make sure you check when you get a job and ask for a copy of the Policy. 

For seasonal employees: Most ski instructors in Canada are seasonal, and their benefits are often more limited. They will typically have insurance for workplace injuries through a provincial Workers' Compensation Board (WCB), which is a requirement for employers. However, this coverage is for work-related incidents only.

Liability insurance: Your ski resort employer will have a commercial general liability (CGL) policy that covers you while you are working directly for them.

Additionally, as a member of a professional organisation like the 

Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA) or Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI), you are also covered by their liability insurance, which can act as a backup in case the employer's coverage is exhausted.

Personal health insurance: For foreign workers, especially those on a working holiday visa, it is a requirement to have your own private health insurance for the duration of your stay. 

In fact, Canadian immigration officers can limit the length of your visa to match the expiration date of your insurance policy. 

This insurance is crucial for any non-work-related medical needs. Many resorts and ski schools will not provide this for seasonal staff, and it is a major consideration for anyone planning a ski season

What level of ski instructor qualification do you require to become a ski instructor in Canada?

Yes, ski schools and instructor companies in Canada generally recognise non-Canadian ski instructor qualifications, but there are some important details to be aware of. The key factor is whether your certification is from a country that is a member of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA).

ISIA Recognition

The ISIA is the global governing body for ski and snowboard instruction. It sets minimum standards and ensures a degree of consistency between member nations' qualifications. Many countries, including the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and the USA, are members.

• ISIA-recognised qualifications from countries like the British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI), New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA), and the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA-AASI) are generally accepted by Canadian ski resorts.

• The Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA) and Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) are the governing bodies in Canada and are also ISIA members.

Key Considerations

Even with an ISIA-recognised qualification, here's what you need to know:

• Level Requirement: Canadian ski schools and instructor programs prefer or require a minimum of a Level 2 certification for international applicants. 

• CSIA/CASI Preference: While they will recognise your certification, many Canadian ski schools will encourage or even require you to take a CSIA/CASI course to become dual-certified. This is to ensure you are familiar with the specific teaching methodology, terminology, and resort-specific practices used in Canada.

• Equivalency: The different national systems have different levels and course structures. While they are comparable, you might be required to take a bridging course or re-do an exam to have your qualification officially recognised at a specific Canadian level. 

• For instance, a BASI Level 2 might be considered equivalent to a CSIA Level 2, but a ski school might still want you to pass their internal tests.