Instructor Training Opportunities

See why it’s worth instructing!

If you are a more advanced X-country skier, consider the benefits of becoming an instructor. Instructing with the HPSC X-Country Ski School is a rewarding way to challenge and improve your technique and reduce the cost of skiing. Our group of instructors (CANSI levels 1 & 2) delivers high quality technique instruction in 1.5-hour lessons scheduled on the mornings of most day trips. This leaves afternoons free for instructors to do their own skiing or participate in the club’s Training and Racing programs. With High Park you receive free instructor training opportunities (see below). And with two day trips almost every weekend you have more opportunity to ski than with any other travelling ski club in Toronto. Our goal is to help instructors recover part of the expense of being a member, and your bus and trail fees are free every time you teach. The costs of certification courses are also covered.

The ski school provides training  at its Instructor On-Snow Training Weekend, which is usually held over 2 days in December at one of the Barrie-Collingwood resorts. High-level (level 3 or 4) CANSI instructors are usually brought in to expose instructors to current technique in classic and skating as well as new drills for instructing. This weekend is part of the CANSI Refresher course for instructors to maintain their certification. Trainees are also asked to attend the  CANSI preparation course for  level 1.

During the ski season workshops will be held for the Instructor Development Group. These are afternoon ski clinics aimed at mentoring prospective instructors led by our Level 2 instructors.

Finally, instructors are encouraged to upgrade their skills by taking instructor certification courses with CANSI (levels 1 to 4).  Candidates who pass a course are reimbursed in return for instructing with the club over a period of three years.

Becoming an Instructor

If you are interested in becoming an instructor, contact the Director of the X-Country Ski School or talk to one of your instructors. To be an instructor, you must achieve level 1 certification with the Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI). X-Country Ski School has a mentoring program to help instructor trainees gain comfort and experience in an instructor setting. Trainees are also encouraged to prepare and register for a CANSI Level 1 certification course. The most efficient way to prepare for a Level 1 course is to take a CANSI Pre-Level I course.