About Castle Mountain
Located in the Rocky Mountains, Castle Mountain Resort 
offers regular and consistent snow, quieter pistes and huge mountain peaks. It's not a heavy trafficked ski area, so no matter how much snow has fallen its guaranteed you’ll be shredding fresh tracks all day.
Due to the terrain and the comparatively quieter slopes, the mantra of Castle Mountain, to be the Holy Grail for passionate skiers and snowboarders around the world. Skiers and snowboarders flock here annually for a winter experience of a lifetime.
It's no wonder that this is one of EA Ski & Snowboard's most popular internship destinations. Who wouldn't want to sample some of the best lift serviced fall line skiing in North America?
Jack O'Grady
Castle Resort Facts
The legendary Lone Star run at Castle Mountain is well-known as it boasts 520 vertical meters of 40-degree pitch. This run is indicative of the hard-core riding culture at this fantastic resort.
Castle has a massive snowfall average of 910cm per year. Yes, you read that right, over 9 meters!!!
Castle Mountain Resort comprises of 2 mountains, 8 alpine bowls, 7 lifts, 2 terrain parks and 94+ runs over 3,592ha
Castle Mountain is perfect for advanced and expert riders. The ski area has lots of steeps, good glades, mini moguls, chutes, and cliff bands. Some of the wider runs need a long traverse in and out, but the upside is that the freshies last a long time in these areas.
Castle Mountain's longest run is 5km
Become An Instructor at Castle Mountain Ski Resort
EA Ski & Snowboard offer two ways to become a ski or snowboard instructor at Castle Mountain. Choose from our Snowboard Instructor Internship Plus or Dual Internship.
SNOWBOARD INTERNSHIP PLUS
- Accommodation is included until after the level 1 exam
- Guaranteed job offer
- Full season employee lift pass
- Level one training
- Level one exam costs
- Level two training
- Internationally recognised qualification
- Association membership
- Transport to resort for training if applicable
- EA Program Manager at your resort
- Preseason preparation webinars
- Assistance with flights+insurance through our partner, STA Travel
- Future job opportunities with our network of 27+ resort partners around the globe
- First aid certificate
- Advanced technical and theory training
- On-snow analysis
- Avalanche safety course
- Park and/or freeride training
PRICE
$10,975 USD
SKI INTERNSHIP PLUS
- Accommodation is included until after the level 1 exam
- Guaranteed job offer
- Full season employee lift pass
- Level one training
- Level one exam costs
- Level two training
- Internationally recognised qualification
- Association membership
- Transport to resort for training if applicable
- EA Program Manager at your resort
- Preseason preparation webinars
- Assistance with flights+insurance through our partner, STA Travel
- Future job opportunities with our network of 27+ resort partners around the globe
- First aid certificate
- Advanced technical and theory training
- On-snow analysis
- Avalanche safety course
- Park and/or freeride training
PRICE
$10,975 USD
Living and working at Castle Mountain
Castle Mountain Resort falls of the Alberta side of the Canadian Rockies. It is delightfully non-commercialised, friendly and reasonably low key. The ski area has an old-school vibe and is ideal for those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding without all the extra frills. As this is a plus program, once you have completed your level 1 your schedule becomes a mix of part time work and training towards your level 2 certification, there can also be opportunities to do additional roles (e.g. lifts, janitorial work etc) for those keen to earn a little cash to help with living costs.
After a day of riding fresh powder during your instructor course, you will likely end up in the classic T-Bar Pub for a beer and pizza. People are often keen to know how much it costs to buy food so here’s our shopping list run down:
- A handle and pizza to share for CA$15 each at the famous T-bar Pub
- A coffee and fresh muffin for CA$7.50 at Joe’s Cafe
If you want to read more about life at Castle, read Jack's blog from his 2017/18 winter season here
Message from our Trainer, Lars
"What keeps me coming back here, is the terrain! If you want to come to ski some of the wildest, steepest terrains in the west, get out here & challenge yourself. See if you can keep up!"
WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION?
EA instructor course accommodation is at the Castle Mountain Ski Lodge located in the heart of the resort. Roll out of bed, strap on your gear and start shredding for the day!
- TV room
- Pool table
- Laundry facilities
- Ski storage
- Luggage store
- Fully equipped kitchen and dining room
For those on our Instructor Internship Program accommodation once you start working at Castle will either continue on at the Lodge or in Chalets that are managed by Castle Rentals.
CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW
Our instructor course at Castle Mountain Resort, Canada allows you to obtain a globally recognised instructor certification with CASI (Snowboard).
CASI is an internationally recognised snowboarding association and is the governing bodies for snowboard instructor qualifications in Canada. If you are completing a Dual Internship, you will also gain CSIA qualifications. These are highly regarded in the industry and a qualification with the Canadian system will build your technical understanding and allow you to effectively instruct.
Remember that if you are taking a plus internship, the level 2 course fees are not included as not everyone chooses to sit these.
EA CASTLE PROGRAM MANAGER
Instructor course interns at Castle Mountain Resort are lucky enough to have Sam out there with them as their program manager. He's been described as a "sick boarder" and will, without out doubt show you the ropes for your first season. He will be your first point of contact with any questions, local resort tips and will be that familiar face to make your gap year and first winter season, that much easier!
Hear from Sam about working at Castle as an instructor.
Reviews from EA Alumni
If you want to come have an amazing time, meet some amazing people, and see some AMAZING terrain, come here! ...see more
The VISA process for Canada is quite straight forward providing that you read the step-by-step guide they provide on the Visit Canada website. My EA rep was more than happy to assist with any uncertainties. ...see more
One of the best resorts you can go to, real tight-knit community anyone you come up here with you are going to be really close if you going go anywhere, head to caste. ...see more
WHERE CAN YOU GO IN CANADA?
Click the resort names or dots to learn more about each resort
Train and become a ski or snowboard instructor at Big White Ski Resort. Known worldwide for its light, dry, champagne powder; Big White is an award-winning resort that offers a variety of terrain.
Tucked in the southwest corner of Alberta, Canada is Castle Mountain Ski Resort. Known for its dry powder and challenging terrain, Castle Mountain was created by skiers, for skiers.
Cypress Mountain is located only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and offers the most vertical drop, terrain, lifts and best snow conditions on the highest skiing and riding peak of Vancouver's North Shore Mountains.
With pristine views and varied terrain, Lake Louise Ski Resort offers skiers and snowboarders an authentic Canadian winter experience.
Mt Norquay Ski Resort is the best-kept secret of the Canadian Rockies. Located close to Banff, Mt Norquay offers outstanding conditions for skiers and riders of all levels.
Fast becoming the biggest and best ski resort in Canada, Revelstoke is a powder paradise. If you're looking for big snowfall, big vertical and big terrain, look no further than Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
