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life after an IA course
Many people who have completed an International Academy course have used and applied their skills and knowledge to work in the winter sports industry. Others have really enjoyed the courses to improve their level of skiing and snowboarding, but have not sought any instructor work, further training or development since.
The experiences gained through our ski and snowboard courses have also helped some people go on to university, or even enter a different career path altogether.
Here are a variety of comments from past IA trainees who have completed courses with us in Canada over the years:
"I completed CSIA Level 1 & 2 and also attended the 2 day Level 1 Park course. Had a great time so will probably be in contact about Level 3 as soon as money becomes more available. I'm actually in New Zealand chasing the snow for a few more months."
Stuart Allen, Lake Louise 2009
"I got level 1 and 2 CSIA with International Academy 2008-09, I haven't done any further qualifications yet, but I am looking at level 3 courses at the moment. I would like to do level 3 with IA if you are going to run the course."
Robert Ashpole, Lake Louise 2009
"I obtained my level 2 CASI on the course in Whistler and went on to teach for Blackcomb the following winter attending the level 3 coaching sessions."
Rory Palmer, Whistler 2008
"I was in Whistler and completed CSIA level I & II. I have done some further instructing in England. I would be really interested in the Level 3 course."
Charlotte Jakeman, Whistler 2008
"I obtained a CSIA Level 2 during my IA course. I am currently working in Australia as an instructor. It is my 2nd season over here. I worked at Lake Louise last winter and am going back this year too."
James Wyld, Lake Louise 2008
"CSIA Level 2. Also done a full season in Canada and a season in Australia."
Rob Fordham, Lake Louise 2008
"I took the CSIA course last year and made level 2 ski instructor. I have done no further training but put my new found skills to use in France over winter on a very extended holiday. Thanks again, it was a fantastic experence."
Joshua Wills, Lake louise 2008
"I did my course in Jan 07 in Whistler. I attained my CSIA Level 1 and 2. Since then I have been working in Lake Louise as a ski instructor for the last 2 seasons and have been doing some racing and big mountain competitions. I'm currently still CSIA Level 2 but have done the 3 course and I am a CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor. I would be interested in hearing about the 3 courses you're gonna start to run."
Anthony Evans, Whistler 2007
"I got my level I and II CASI in Whistler in 06/07 and am teaching at the dryslope at Sheffield while at uni. I plan to head back for the 2010/11 season when I finish my course."
Toby Read, Whistler 2007
"I was in Lake Louise with IA in 2007 and had a fantastic time. First time away from home and learned a lot about myself and life in general not to mention the skiing. I achieved my Level 2 Ski Award and went back to teach the following season. I am just about to head back to Lake Louise (Dec ’09) for my third season teaching and I am now qualified to Level 2 in Snowboard and a qualified ‘Park’ Instructor too, so I keep pretty busy. All this is thanks to the quality instruction and set up of the International Academy who set me on my way. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to train as an instructor."
James Keeling, Lake Louise 2007
"I did the 5 week IA course in Lake Louise and attained CSIA Level 1. I passed my CSIA level 2 in January of this year whilst on holiday
back at Lake Louise."
Tim Gaskins, Lake Louise 2007
"The bodies and levels I attained whilst out in Banff were CSIA Level 1 and CASI Level 1. I was meant to attain both CASI 1 and 2 but I learned to ski and took that exam instead. Since then (Jan-Mar 07) I have been working part time as a dual qualified instructor at both Tallington Lakes dryslope (Apr 07-May 08) and Castleford Sno!Zone (Nov 08-Present)."
Laurie Carnan, Lake Louise 2007
"I gained Level One CSIA in Jan/Feb 2006 and took Level Two in April 2006 but failed teaching due to nerves. I retook Level Two teaching in December 2007 and passed. I did meet Wayne Deane (coach at time in 2006) before the course started to go over what needed to be demonstrated to pass the teaching section and had taught skiing to Exeter University Officers Training Core for one week. Since passing I work as a ski instructor with Skiing Europe when I can due to being at university. Skiing Europe is a company that organises school ski trip, which mean that I have only taught kids aged form 6-18, not adults. I teach them for the whole week and then give a presentation about the week which in includes certificates. I'm now at University of Exeter studing MEng (Masters of Engineering) Civil Engining graduating 2010. I also still want to do another ski season in Canada or the States after I graduate."
Claire Burroughs, Whistler 2006
"I completed the IA in Lake Louise in the winter of 2006. I gained my CSIA Level 2 on the course. I then returned to work for Lake Louise Ski School for the the following 3 seasons (December 2006-April 2009) where I gained my CSCF Level 1 race coach in 2007 and then my CSIA Level 3 teaching in April 2009. I still believe that doing the IA course was one of the best experiences of my life and has led to life long friendships and provided me with the chance to pursue a successful career in a sport I love. My time spent teaching in Lake Louise has now inspired me to take up a full time career in teaching and I am now going back to university in september to become a primary school teacher. I still very much hope however to return to ski instructing in the future and return to Lake Louise/Banff which now feels like a second home. Thank You!"
Angela Hillier, Lake Louise 2006
"I attained the CASI Level 2 a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. I've done no further training since."
Nigel Fell, Lake Louise 2006
"I undertook the CSIA Level 2 in Whistler 2006. I have not used my qualification to teach skiing, but found it a great experience and was able to use these experiences in gaining a job after university."
Tom Birkett, Whistler 2006
"I spent Spring 2004 in Whistler with the International Academy. I gained CSIA Level 1 and 2 and CSCF Level 1. I had a wonderful season with great people on the best ski terrain. The ski instruction was unparalleled. The instructors identified my bad habits and helped me break them and replace them with good technique. They both challenged me and nurtured my confidence and thus I found myself able to tackle terrain I would not have previously. They prepared me well for my exams and for working as a ski instructor. I learnt the best ways to teach and to make learning safe and fun. The following year, I worked for Whistler Kids and was awarded Whistler Kids’ ‘Ski Instructor of the Year’ award. During the season I taught mostly children, as well as families and adults. I took CADs Level 1 and then also taught people with disabilities. Since my ski seasons, I have attended the University of Cambridge receiving a BA in Education Studies with History and an MPhil in Education Research. I am currently working on a PhD."
Charlotte Rochez, Whistler 2004
"I attained CASI Level 2 cert. As of yet I have not furthered my qualification although I have since worked as an instructor in Europe and America. I'd be keen to see the details of the Level 3 cert course."
Rob Ross, Lake Louise 2004
"I completed by Level 2 CSIA in Banff Lake Louise in the 2003/04 season. Following that I worked at Lake Louise for the end of 2004, did a season in Thredbo, Australia, and then went back to do my Level 3 course in Canada."
Dave Bolderston, Lake Louise 2004
"I did the snowboard CASI course with the International Academy in Banff, Alberta in 2004 (I believe...). I attained a CASI Level 2 qualification during the course, and I have kept an Associate Membership with CASI since, though I haven't got round to using my qualification at all since (except to give guidance to friends here and there). I'd love to carry out further training and also gain teaching experience, but have no time to do so at the moment or near future as currently training as a commercial pilot."
Tim Dale, Lake Louise 2004
"Hey life is good. So as to my life since the academy, well when I was on the course i had a great time to start with and gained may CASI Level 2 with you. Thanks to Chewy doing a diamond job with us. Since then I have been working for Tremblant Ecole Sur Neige for the past 5 winters and will be returning next season too. I gained my Level 3 two years after the academy and the got my Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2, two seasons ago I think in Nelson BC. In the winters in Tremblant I teach normal lessons and have returning clients every year. I also coach the other instructors in sessions and have a junior freestyle team on weekends for 12 weeks of the season which is alot of fun. I was also in New Zealand last year for the season. I'm living a great life and having a lot of fun and to the bonus of it all I get paid $21 an hour .... not bad for a ski bum. I'm maybe taking my Level 4 in the freestyle module next season. Gunna be intense. I'm also applying for my Canadian residency as we speak."
Ashley Trigg, Tremblant 2004
"I completed CSIA Level 1 and 2, CSCF Entry Level trained in 2002/2003. I then worked a season in 2003/2004. I also manned a couple of IA stands for you in the past. Now I'm editing a flying magazine!"
Dan Tye, Lake Louise 2003
"I would like to say to anybody with any questions about your courses that without it, I wouldn't be living in a very big house in Canada on three-quarters of an acre, with a lovely wife (Canadian) and a very funny, happy four and a half year old child. I would still be in my little flat in London (that costs more than my house here), trying to make ends meet and wondering what to do with my life."
Jon Abrahams, Lake Louise 2001
