How to get to a ski or snowboard instructor course in Canada
For nearly all international travel, the COVID rules are confusing, we know! In particular, because they’re constantly changing. Hopefully, this guide helps you navigate the current COVID rules to travel easily to Canada, for your ski or snowboard instructor course.
You should also keep your own eye on the Government’s latest advice, to check you’ve got everything ready. There is more information here.
It’s also a good idea to regularly check your airline, and any other transport providers, for changes or updates.
We’ll update this guide as often as we can; these are the latest regulations at the time of writing (16/12/21), but they may be subject to change.
To enter Canada and qualify as a ‘fully vaccinated traveller’ you must have...
1. You must have been vaccinated
You must have received at least two doses of a Government of Canada-accepted COVID-19 vaccine OR a mix of two accepted vaccines OR or at least one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.
Accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Canada are:
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
- Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
You must have received your second dose at least 14 full days prior to the day you enter Canada.
Example: if your second dose was anytime on Thursday July 1, then Friday July 16 would be the first day that you meet the 14-day condition.
2. You must upload your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
You must use ArriveCAN, which is free to use, to enter your proof of vaccination, quarantine and travel information up to 72 hours before your travel.
You must use an official proof of vaccination. The photos or files of your proof of vaccination may include a QR code and must include text with:
- your name
- the name of the government or organisation who administered the vaccine;
- the brand name or any other information that identifies the vaccine that was administered
- the date(s) on which the vaccine(s) was (were) given
In ArriveCAN, within 72 hours before your travel, you must provide information on your vaccination status. This includes information on any first or, if applicable, second vaccine doses that you received, including:
- dates the vaccines were administered
- the country where they were given
- name of vaccine
You must upload a photo or PDF file of your proof of each vaccination. Upload either one image containing proof of all vaccine doses with dates and vaccine details (for example, your vaccination card) or upload separate images for each dose that include the dates and vaccine details.
- file formats accepted: PDF, PNG, JPEG or JPG
- maximum file size for upload: each image upload has a 2 MB size limit
- preferred file format: if you received a PDF file of your vaccination record, upload the PDF rather than an image, since the PDF is clearer and easier to read
- these must be in English, French, or a certified translation into English or French
Bring your original proof of vaccination with you while you travel and for 14 days after entry.
Final determination of your vaccination status will be made at the border. You must bring a digital or paper copy of your proof(s) of vaccination with you.
3. You must have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
If you're not aware of the list of COVID-related symptoms (have you been living under a rock?!) you can find more information here.
4. You must meet all other entry requirements (pre-entry test, quarantine plan)
All travellers five years of age or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must: provide proof of a COVID-19 negative molecular test result to enter Canada OR proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days.
You must take a molecular test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada. Accepted types of pre-entry test:
- PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
- Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
- Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
- NOTE: Rapid antigen tests (lateral flows) are not accepted
When you arrive at the border, your test result (paper or electronic proof) must include:
- Traveller name and date of birth
- Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
- The date on which the test was conducted
- The type of test conducted
- The test result
Additionally, you must prepare a 'quarantine plan' in case you don’t qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller. You must be prepared to quarantine for 14 days, in case you don’t meet the requirements of a fully vaccinated traveller.
A suitable quarantine plan must be entered into ArriveCAN. You may be asked to explain your quarantine plan at the border. If you don't provide the required information in ArriveCAN before arriving at the border you won't be considered as a fully vaccinated traveller, even if you meet all the other requirements.
5. You must be prepared to a 'spot-check PCR' on arrival
On arrival into Calgary Airport, you may be selected to take a PCR test and will then have to self-isolate until your negative result is known.
We are going to assume that everyone on the SnowSkool group flight will be selected and, so, SnowSkool will be arranging individual rooms in an airport hotel in Calgary for the night. We will secure a group booking rate and will then invite customers to make the booking themselves as proof of somewhere to self-isolate may be a condition of your entry.
We will then be travelling on to the resort the next day.
If your test result is positive, you will need to self-isolate in the Hotel in Calgary for ten days.
Checklist of what to have ready at the border
Have the following items with you for assessment by a government official at the border:
- ArriveCAN receipt with letter I or V beside the vaccinated traveller’s name
- proof of vaccination, including paper copies
- pre-entry test result
- 14-day quarantine plan
- other travel documents
- Arrival tests - randomised testing and exemptions
If you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you are:
- Exempt from quarantine
- Exempt from Day-8 testing
Domestic Canadian rules
Currently, (if you have been in any country other than Canada and the United States in the 14 days prior to entry to Canada e.g. the UK) you may be selected for arrival testing. After you take a test, you are allowed to travel on to the resort, but you will have to quarantine at your accommodation until you recieve negative results.
In the next few weeks, Canada are planning on expanding this occasional testing to be a requirement for everyone. SnowSkool will keep you updated with these changes.
For personal use, we reccommend that you bring a couple of packs of Antigen (Lateral Flow) tests with you. This will mean you can have an instant and low cost way of checking wether you need to book a PCR test, if you've been in contact with someone displaying symptoms.
British Columbia (including Big White)
The BC Vaccine Card is required to access some events, services and businesses in B.C. The requirement is in place until January 31, 2022 and could be extended. The requirement applies to all people born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and covers:
- Licensed restaurants and cafes and restaurants and cafes that offer table service (indoor and patio dining)
- Pubs, bars and lounges (indoor and patio dining)
- Nightclubs, casinos and movie theatres
- Gyms, exercise and dance facilities or studios
It is only possible to get a BC Vaccine Card with a Canadian ID. Therefore, international visitors must show:
- Proof of vaccination they used to enter Canada
- Passport
Alberta (including Banff)
Effective September 20, 2021, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and nightclubs require proof of vaccination (or negative test result).
For personal use, we reccommend that you bring a couple of packs of Antigen (Lateral Flow) tests with you. This will mean you can have an instant and low cost way of checking wether you need to book a PCR test, if you've been in contact with someone displaying symptoms.
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You made it! We suggest a couple of re-reads... heck, why not print this off and highlight/cross-off as you go - do whatever you have to do to get out to your instructor course in Canada!! As previously mentioned, we’ll update these instructions as often as we can; these are the latest regulations at the time of writing (November), but they may be subject to change.