CASI snowboard · CSIA ski Level 1
Ski and Snowboard Instructor Course: CASI and CSIA Level 1 Certification Guide
Small-group training at Guangzhou Sunac Snow World. Get your Level 1 instructor certificate in three or four weeks, with job support for Japanese resorts.
Want to turn your hobby into a job, or coach at a ski resort in Japan? Plume Ridge's Dream Launch instructor course trains you in small groups at Guangzhou Sunac Snow World, an indoor snow park, for the CASI (snowboard) or CSIA (ski) Level 1 instructor certificate. This page covers what the course includes, prices, pass rates and how to sign up.
Course options and prices (2026/27)
| Course | Price | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-week course | ¥37,800 HK$44,230 | 17 training days + 3 exam days | Complete beginners who can commit full time |
| Three-week course | ¥29,800 HK$34,870 | 12 training days + 3 exam days | Riders who can already handle intermediate runs |
| Level 1 exam only | ¥9,499 HK$11,120 | Exam only | Riders already at instructor level who only need the certificate |
Location: Guangzhou Sunac Snow World, 63 Fenghuang North Road, Huadu District, Guangzhou. Each intake is capped at 8 people, with 1 coach to 4 or 5 students on the snow, taught in Chinese and English. RMB prices (¥) are converted to HKD at RMB 1 = HK$1.17.
Book the four-week course | Book the three-week course | Book the Level 1 exam
2026/27 dates
- Snowboard, CASI Level 1 (intake 14): four-week course 9 October to 3 November; three-week course 16 October to 3 November
- Ski, CSIA Level 1 (intake 13): four-week course 12 October to 7 November; three-week course 19 October to 7 November
What the three- and four-week courses include
- Accommodation during training and exams (two people of the same gender per room; single room +¥1,000)
- Snow park entry with basic gear: helmet, snow suit, board or skis, and boots (poles for skiers)
- One-time CASI/CSIA Level 1 certification fee
- Accident insurance (12 days for the three-week course, 17 days for the four-week course)
- Lunch on training and exam days
- Two weeks of online fitness and strength training before the course
- 4 hours a day of technique and teaching practice, plus a 3-hour group session
- Theory classes and video analysis
- Job support and referrals to partner resorts
Not included: personal spending during the course, and utilities at the accommodation. The Level 1 exam option covers the exam fee only, not training, accommodation, lunch, gear or snow park entry.
Pass rates
- Everyone in our last three four-week intakes passed first time: ski, 1–27 August (4/4); snowboard, 3–29 August (2/2); ski, 1–27 July (3/3).
- Overall pass rates across all intakes: snowboard three-week 66.19%, snowboard four-week 75.00%; ski three-week 67%, ski four-week 81.66%.
- Almost everyone passes the teaching part; riding technique is the hard part.
- If you don't pass first time, you can retake. For example, the pass rate of the September 2025 ski three-week intake went from 50% to 83% after retakes.
Complete beginners can sign up, but we recommend the four-week course: it has 5 more training days and a higher overall pass rate. We don't guarantee that you will pass.
Snowboard or ski?
Japanese resorts hire snowboard and ski instructors in roughly equal numbers. If you want to coach in Japan and you are 30 or older, or hold a Singapore or Malaysia passport, you'll need an instructor work visa, which requires a ski qualification, so choose the CSIA ski course. Hong Kong and Taiwan passport holders aged 18–30 can apply for a working holiday visa (subject to annual quotas) and can take either course. Visa rules change, so check Japan's official announcements; we'll help with your application.
Doing it yourself vs. taking the course
Arranging your own accommodation (about ¥2,000), ten 7-hour private lessons in Shenzhen (about ¥28,800), the exam (¥9,499) and snow park entry (about ¥7,999) adds up to about ¥48,298, without structured teaching or job support.
FAQ
What if I don't pass?
You can retake the exam. Ask a consultant about retake dates and fees. Fees are not refunded if you don't pass.
Is a job in Japan guaranteed?
No. We provide job support and referrals to partner resorts. We assess your certificate, teaching, riding, service attitude and long-term commitment, then interview you, and students with a working holiday or instructor work visa are referred first. Locations include Hokkaido (Niseko, Teine, Furano, Hoshino Resorts), Hakuba and Nagano. Visas are decided by the Japanese authorities, and we can't guarantee approval.
Do I need my own gear?
During the course, basic gear comes with snow park entry. If you go on to coach in Japan, you'll need your own gear, which costs about JPY 150,000–250,000.
Am I too old?
We recommend ages 18–45, depending on fitness. If you are over 30 and want to coach in Japan, choose the ski course (see above).
Can I pay in instalments?
Full payment is the default. You can also pay a ¥10,000 deposit and settle the balance before the course starts.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
Under clause 6 of the 2026 student contract, if you cancel for personal reasons, you get back 50% of what you've paid if you cancel 30 or more days before the start, 30% at 21 or more days, 10% at 14 or more days, and nothing with less than 14 days' notice. The same applies to the deposit. There's no refund if you don't pass, drop out, or don't complete the exam. If the course is cancelled due to force majeure, you get a full refund, less costs already incurred. The student contract is the final reference.
Can I add one-to-one exam coaching?
Yes. One-to-one exam coaching costs the standard private lesson rate plus 20%, taught by a Level 2 or higher instructor, with at least 3 hours per session.
Sign up
WhatsApp +86 133 1602 1397 and tell us whether you snowboard or ski, how many times you've been on snow, your passport and your age. A consultant will match you to a course and send the sign-up details. Each intake is capped at 8 people.
