From growing up skiing family trips to earning his CSIA Level 1, Level 2 and Snow Park 1 with SnowSkool Banff, Sam has moved quickly towards his first season as a ski instructor at Big White.
We caught up with Sam to talk about his experience on the course and what SnowSkool meant for him.
What Were You Doing Before SnowSkool?
Before joining the programme, Sam was living in Medicine Hat and working at a local restaurant—serving, bartending and saving money. He had started a business programme in college but soon realised it wasn’t for him.
“I dropped out a little early just to go do SnowSkool,” he says. “Skiing had become a big part of my life again, and I wanted to take it more seriously.”
Why SnowSkool Banff?
Sam had been skiing since he was seven and wanted a way to turn that passion into something more. SnowSkool stood out because everything was included.
“It offered all the certifications in one course,” he says. “I didn’t have to travel anywhere else. And the experience—meeting everyone on the course—was a huge part of it. I don’t regret it at all.”
He looked at a few other companies, but Banff felt right. “It was only a four-hour drive from home. That made the decision really easy.”
First Impressions of the Course
From day one, Sam felt comfortable.
“The hosts, Nathan and CJ, made everything really easy. Everyone was super friendly, and the instructors and the resort were really welcoming.”
Being the only Canadian in the group didn’t bother him.
“It was actually really cool meeting people from the UK, Australia and the States. It made the whole experience even better.”
Accommodation & Life in Banff
Sam enjoyed the setup at the hostel.
“The employees were great, the rooms were organised well, and everyone fit into their groups. It just worked. I had a great time there.”
Training & Qualifications
The quality of training stood out the most.
“The instructors listened to what we wanted to work on and pushed us in the right ways. They cared, and you could tell they’d been doing it a long time.”
Sam earned his Level 1, Level 2, and Snow Park 1 certifications during the course.
“The park course was super fun. The instructors were freestyle-oriented and really chill. I even learned how to do a 360.”
He says his skiing improved massively.
“Definitely my technique. Understanding turn shape and the small details really took my skiing to another level.”
Best Memories from the Season
Like most SnowSkoolers, Sam remembers the big powder days.
“There was one day later in the season where we went up to the peak and the snow was really deep. It was such an awesome time.”
He also loved the social side, especially the first full night out as a group, and the group trip to a Calgary Flames game.
What’s Next for Sam?
Since leaving Banff, Sam has been working at his local Boston Pizza, saving money for winter. And now he’s getting ready for his next step: working as a ski instructor at Big White.
“It’s about a seven or eight hour drive, but still an easy trip. I’m really excited.”
Advice for Future SnowSkoolers
Sam’s advice is simple:
“Keep going to the lessons and keep trying to improve yourself. Even if you have a lot of experience, you can always get better. And just enjoy it, meeting new people, hanging out, skiing every day. It’s a great time.”
Has Sam got you thinking about the Banff course? Go on, read more about it Banff Ski Instructor Course