Course Overview

The CASI Big Mountain Instructor Course is designed for experienced instructors and advanced snowboarders who are passionate about freeriding and teaching in challenging, variable terrain. This course focuses on developing the advanced riding, decision-making, and teaching skills required to operate safely and effectively in big mountain environments.

During the course, candidates will refine advanced freeride techniques while deepening their understanding of terrain selection, line choice, group management, and risk awareness. Emphasis is placed on efficient riding, adaptability to changing snow conditions, and maintaining control and flow in steep, technical, and complex terrain.

This development program prepares candidates to teach students who are progressing into big mountain terrain. Participants will explore safety-focused teaching strategies, terrain-appropriate progressions, and communication tools suited to advanced riders seeking to ride faster, smoother, and with greater confidence. Candidates will also work on reading the environment, assessing snow and terrain features, and understanding how their own skills and limitations influence decision-making.

Throughout the course, candidates will receive coaching on their freeride performance, including technical skills, tactical riding choices, and terrain navigation. Constructive feedback will also be provided on teaching skills, lesson organization, and professional judgment to meet CASI Big Mountain Instructor standards. At this level, competencies are shown through intentional terrain use, movement choices that manage risk and tactical-decisions versatility across conditions. Successful candidates will demonstrate advanced freeride riding skills, sound safety practices, and effective teaching strategies aligned with CASI evaluation criteria.

AM I READY?

Answer Yes or No to the following questions to evaluate your readiness for the CASI Big Mountain Instructor Course:

  • Are you comfortable riding black and double-black terrain in a resort setting and adapting your riding to a wide range of snow conditions?
  • Do you have strong experience teaching advanced riders across varied and challenging terrain?
  • Are you confident in your ability to read the environment, assess terrain and snow conditions, and manage risk when riding and teaching in big mountain in-resorts terrain?
  • Are you physically prepared to perform demanding riding and teaching tasks over three consecutive days?
  • Is your freeride equipment appropriate, well-maintained, and suited to big mountain terrain riding?

If you answered “Yes” to all of these questions, you’re likely well prepared to take on the Big Mountain Instructor course.

Next Steps

To further develop your abilities, we encourage you to take advantage of CASI’s improvement and development programs, including rider improvement sessions and higher levels of certification. Looking ahead, consider progressing toward the Level 4 Instructor course, or exploring other CASI modules and programs to support your continued growth and preparation for your next steps.