The Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA), founded in 1938, is an association of more than twenty thousand professional skiers located across Canada. 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. 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.
Contents
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.
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.
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.
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:
Regional committees
The regional committees of the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance are as follows:
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.