Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance

The Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA), founded in 1938, is an association of more than twenty thousand professional skiers located across Canada.^[1] The CSIA's purposes are to ensure a nationwide ski teaching standard through the development of effective skiing techniques and teaching methods and promote the importance of ski safety.^[2] The organization grants four general levels of certification, as well as several module certifications, such as snow park instruction, mogul skiing, and super giant slalom skiing. Each successive level demonstrates competence in ski instruction, pedagogy, as well as individual ski performance. As such, the highest level (four) is difficult to attain, with only a handful of instructors holding that level within each region. Lately, the CSIA came up with a merit certification for ski instructors that were part of the organization for twenty-five or more consecutive years. The celebrated members are normally awarded a "25-year member" pin, as well as a certificate, recognizing their efforts in the field.

History

The Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance was founded in 1938.

Today, the CSIA is divided into a set of regional chapters, each of which covers at least one Canadian province.

General certification levels

Level 1

This is the first level of certification.

Level 1 Regional Coordinators

Each region in Canada has a coordinator who organizes level 1 courses within their specific regions. Nevertheless, candidates may pursue their certifications within other regions. For example, a skier from Quebec, which represents the Quebec region, may follow his or her instructor training in New Brunswick, which is part of the Atlantic region.

Level 2

This is the second level of certification. To obtain a Level II certification, a Level I ski instructor must complete a two-day training camp, 10 CSIA education credits, and pass the two-day Level II teaching and skiing examinations.^[3]

Level 3

This is the third level of certification.

Level 4

This fourth and final level of certification can only be delivered by senior course conductors and evaluators, who themselves hold a level 4 certification.

Membership

Regular member

Most ski instructors are regular members of the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance. They may work in any ski resort across Canada, the United States, Australia, and the countries of Europe.

Associate member

Ski instructors holding certifications from other certifying bodies, such as the PESA in Quebec, may apply to become associate members pursue further certification with the CSIA.

25-Year member

Lately, the CSIA came up with a merit certification for ski instructors' that were part of the organization for twenty-five or more consecutive years. The celebrated members are normally awarded a "25 year member" pin, as well as a certificate, recognizing their efforts in the field.

Affiliate member

Affiliate members are mostly ski instructors who are certified by the International Ski Instructors' Alliance (ISIA).

Governing board

The governing board of the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance is made up of seven individuals, who represent the regional committees in Canada. For 2012-2013, the board members include:

• Otto Kamstra (CSIA 4, CSCF 3, CASI 1), chairman and national representative of British Columbia ;
• Kirsti Suutari (CSIA 3, CSCF 2, CASI 1), past chair;
• David Green (CSIA 3, CSCF 2, CADS 2, CFA 1), national representative of Atlantic;
• Simon Blouin (CSIA 4, CSCF 2, CASI 1), national representative of Quebec;
• Jim Peever (CSIA 4, CSCF 2, CASI 1), national representative of Ontario;
• Dan Blankstein (CSIA 3, CSCF 3, NCCP 3, PSIA 2), national representative of Central;
• Brian Rhodes (CSIA 3, CSCF 2), national representative of Alberta.

Regional committees

The regional committees of the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance are as follows:

• The regional committee of British Columbia is made up of eleven members of the CSIA;^[4]
• The regional committee of the Atlantic region includes representatives from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia;
• The regional committee of Quebec is made up of ten members, who are elected every few years;^[5]
• The regional committee of Ontario is made up of several ski instructors, including one individual who acts as the main liaison between the CSIA and the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors;^[6]
• The regional committee of the Central region is made up of ski instructors representing Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario;^[7]
• The regional committee of Alberta includes eight ski instructors.^[8]

It is worthy of noting that each regional committee generally includes one Level 1 coordinator and one PDP coordinator, which are responsible for planning and coordinating these events in their respective regions. Upper level certification schedules are handled at a national level by the National Office of the CSIA.

Associated organizations

• Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors
• Canadian Ski Coaches Federation
• Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing
• Ontario Track 3 - Ski Association
• Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors

References

External links

• Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance
• Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance - Quebec
• Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance - Ontario
• Winter Sports Company
• SnowSkool