SkiBig3 Snow School Team

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

I’ve been with SkiBig3 since the 1998/1999 season, making me the longest-standing employee at 26 years! This has been the longest job of my life, and it’s been an incredible journey. I first started out with Club Snowboard and have been part of the earlier Fairmont private lesson program. Since 2005, I’ve been involved with the Nonstop program.

My passion for the sport and the incredible people I’ve met along the way have made every season unforgettable. I’ve made lifelong friendships, and I’m grateful for every experience that’s come with this journey.

CASI Level 4 Instructor

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

I’ve been with SkiBig3 since 2002, starting with Club Snowboard. I took a break for three seasons to gain experience elsewhere, but I’ve been back since 2006, making it 18 consecutive seasons with the SkiBig3 Snow School team. I speak both English and Spanish fluently.

My journey with snowboarding has completely changed my life. I fell in love with teaching and sharing my passion for snowboarding with others, and I’ve been lucky to be part of this amazing team.

I’m one of the few multi-certified instructors here, holding a Level 4 Snowboard certification and a Level 2 Ski certification. I love connecting with my guests, and I believe that my passion for the sport and teaching is truly infectious.

What I love most about Banff and Lake Louise is how “nature rules.” You can always count on the landscape to surprise you. My tip? Always be prepared for rapidly changing conditions—both external and internal. It’s the nature of the mountains!

CASI Level 4 Instructor, CSIA Level 2 Instructor, CASI Level 2 Course Conductor

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Rowley Adventures - Influencer Collab - Learning how to heelside Carve with Carlo
Rowley Adventures - Influencer Collab - First time riding the trees with Carlo

Private Instructor Guide 

I am a CSIA Level 2 Instructor. I have taught skiing at a number of ski areas in Ontario and Alberta. I currently spend my winters in Canmore and summers in Cape Breton (Sea to Sky) 

I love skiing in the Canadian Rockies. When I lived in Ontario I would make an annual ski trip out west. It was always a nice change from the more common eastern Powder conditions (hard packed or icy). The Banff Ski areas offer fantastic – terrain , snow and scenery. 

My tip – dress in layers. You can take clothing off if you are too warm if you are cold you may need to go inside.

CSIA Level 2 Instructor

Private Instructor Guide 

Growing up in a small North Eastern Ontario town i began skiing at an early age. The local ski hill was where i loved to spend my weekends. It was family affair- the whole family skied. I really enjoyed being a member of our local race team and going to races through out Northern Ontario. After completing University, I was heavily influenced by my Love of skiing to move to Western Canada where I have enjoyed skiing in our beautiful Rocky Mountains ever since. And yes, again, it has been a family affair with many years of family ski passes in the Banff/ Lake Louise areas. I think what i enjoy the most, is those long days out in the fresh air, enjoying the beautiful sunny days; known affectionately as “Bluebird Days” . We get lots of them! I am a CSIA Level 2 ski instructor and have been teaching in the area for the past 3 years. My local tip is be properly prepared by allowing extra time in the morning to make sure you have the right clothing and gear to enjoy a full day on the mountain. Especially on those cooler Bluebird Days that can be so picturesque and enjoyable. 

CSIA Level 2 Instructor 

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

I’m a CSIA Level 3 Instructor as well as an ACA Entry Level (L1) Trained Race Coach. I also hold my CSIA L1 Course Conductor status and certify new ski instructors, primarily at prairie hills in Edmonton and Northern Alberta. I started skiing on a grade 4 school trip to the Edmonton Ski Club back in the ‘80s and that led to a lifelong habit of skiing every winter. When life tossed me a curve ball ahead of the birth of my first child, I took what I thought would be a short-term job teaching school children in Edmonton to ski. This led to getting my Level 1 and 2 CSIA certifications that season, followed by a decade of full-time ski instruction for local school children. More recently, I’ve shifted to splitting my time between Edmonton and the mountains as I work towards my CSIA Level 4 Certification. This season marks my 15th consecutive season teaching skiing and I still look forward to being able to share my passion for skiing with students of all ages and ability levels.   

My tip for visitors is to park their car and walk up and down Banff Avenue. You’ll find many very Canadian offerings in the shops if you’re looking for a souvenir from your trip. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from that will meet almost any culinary desire you may have. I would recommend trying one of the local steak houses, as Alberta is known for its beef and bison. Also, no trip to Banff is complete without a stop at Cows for ice cream, even if it’s -20C (-4F) outside!  

CSIA Level 3 Instructor, ACA Entry Level 1 Trained Race Coach, CSIA Level 1 Course Conductor 

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

I’m a CSIA Level 3 Ski Instructor and Level 1 Course Conductor, and I feel incredibly lucky to live and work in the Bow Valley. I’ve been here for over 10 years, and every day I’m reminded of just how special this place is. What I love the most about Banff and Lake Louise is that I have over 8,000km squared of skiable terrain between the three-ski resorts. If I could give one tip it would be to bring snacks and drink lots of water! When you are in a playground as large as Banff and Lake Louise, little adventures can easily get bigger. So don’t forget the tasty treats and something to wash them down with!

CSIA Level 3 Instructor, CSIA Level 1 Course Conductor

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

I’m a Level 3 CSIA Ski Instructor and a Level 1 ACA-CSC Ski Coach. My family first learned to ski together when I was six, and I still remember my first instructor. Since then, I’ve been a ski racer, coach, instructor, instructor of instructors, and most importantly, a ski mom. I’ve called Banff home for more than thirty years, and I absolutely love sharing my passion for skiing with others.

When I start the day, my goal is always the same: to help my clients create the most efficient turn with the least amount of effort. It’s about making skiing enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

A local tip I love to share is to download the “Aurora” app. It alerts you to the best chances of seeing the northern lights, it’s amazing when it works!

CSIA Level 3 Instructor, ACA-CSC Level 1 Coach 

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

A skier for life, I was born on skis at 2 years old and I’m still chasing the turns at 40+. Every winter weekend throughout my childhood, the entire family would pile in the old station wagon and head up to Mansfield Ski Club in Southern Ontario.  From the ages of 5-18 I was part of a race program, then when I turned 18, the athlete became the coach and I achieved my CSIA and CSCF Level 1 certifications.  Since then, I have become a CSIA Level 4 Instructor, Level 2 Examiner and a CSCF level 2 coach.

Skiing and sharing my love for the sport has always been my motivation – absolutely nothing beats the feeling you get in your body and soul when connected to the mountain with the wind in your face as you learn to fly. The excitement of sharing these moments never fades. My life as a ski professional has taken me to so many fantastic resorts and connected me with many lifelong friends. After working at Park City, Utah, and Whistler Blackcomb, BC, I knew there was something special about Banff and the three resorts in the National Park. There is a shared feeling among all that live and visit here that the natural world is worth protecting. The deep, dry powder and incredible variety of terrain will fulfill the desires of any skier or snowboarder that visits.

My local tip is to really take the time to explore Banff: grab some skates and head out to Johnson Lake, grab the cross country skis and head out to the trails at Lake Minnewanka, or jump on the Sulphur Mountain gondola and head up to the Sky Bistro for lunch and really see a view that never gets old.

CSIA Level 4 Instructor, CSIA Level 2 Examiner, CSCF Level 2 Coach

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

My love of Banff and the Canadian Rockies began many years ago when I was here for the Canadian Ski Championships from Eastern Canada. I then moved to the mountains to pursue my passion in the ski world, after retiring as a competitor. I have many years of high-level ski racing, coaching and teaching experience which gives me a wealth of knowledge to help clients begin skiing and/or improve their skills at all levels. I take great pleasure in teaching clients in a simple, non-technical way that is fun and enjoyable.

What I love most about Banff and Lake Louise is its protection by Banff National Park and that it has visitors from all over the world, giving it a cosmopolitan feel (along with being a fabulous year-round playground). 

I’ve been working with SkiBig3 for over 20 years and I’ve had my CSIA Level 4 for over 50 years! Over the years, I’ve been heavily involved with the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA) and I was chair of the CSIA Alberta Committee from 1974 – 1976. I was also on the national board of directors from 1991-1999, while also being the president of the CSIA from 1995-1999. 

I am honoured to have been inducted into the CSIA Hall of Fame in 2006.

CSIA Level 4, CSCF Level 3

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

I’m a CASI Level 3 Instructor, CASI Park Level 2 Instructor, and a CASI Level 2 and Level 1 Park Course Conductor. I have lived and worked in many different areas but there is something very powerful about these mountains. I look forward to the seasonal changes, the big snowfalls, the sunny park days and the glimpses of wildlife while snowboarding. In our modern world, there are few places left where you can just enjoy the sounds of nature. What’s my local tip? Don’t forget to stop and appreciate your surroundings, breathe deeply and feel the energy of this place. After a hard day on the slopes, go for a soak and relax at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Your body will thank you immensely.   

CASI Level 3 Instructor, CASI Park Level 2 Instructor, CASI Level 2 and Level 1 Park Course Conductor  

As featured in:
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Powder day shredding at SSV

Private Instructor Guide | Nonstop

As a child growing up in the UK, I was always fascinated by mountains, but it was difficult to experience them firsthand. However, when I was seven years old, my family went on a skiing vacation to France, and it completely blew my mind. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to live and work in the mountains.

At 19, I began my journey as a ski instructor and obtained my level 1 and 2 certifications in Banff. For the next five seasons, I taught and worked in Austria, specifically in Kitzbühel. Now, I have returned to Banff, which feels like a home away from home for me.

My local tip: Look and take in the amazing surroundings that this national park has to offer because you won’t see beauty like it anywhere else in the world. Banff is truly a special place.

CSIA Level 3 Instructor

Private Instructor Guide 

I'm a CSIA level 2 Ski Instructor, I have been very fortunate to experience the fun that is skiing from the young age of 4. I have skied in many different countries including USA, Canada, Austria, New Zealand and where it all began my local indoor slope in England. My instructing career kicked off on the slopes right here in Banff where I took part on the Nonstop programme. Since then I have been instructing in New Zealand and at my local indoor slope in England. Banff for me holds a very special place in my heart because it's a place that has brought me so much joy and has always put a smile on my face even in those cold temperatures. To be able to Ski across nearly 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and head back to Banff and see Elk roaming the streets it feels like paradise. My goal with instructing is to share the joy that it has brought me and pass it on to everyone whether it's your first time on snow or your 50th. My local tip is to indulge in as many of the great restaurants that the bow valley has to offer because calories don't count when you're skiing. 

CSIA Level 2 Instructor 

CSIA Level 3, Park Certified, Level 1 Course Conductor, CSCF Coach Level 2 Nonstop

Darren (originally from the UK) started his skiing journey in Austria at 16 years old on a high school trip. Instantly falling in love with the sport, he went on to attain his instructor certification in Fernie and then cut his teeth teaching at a UK snow dome, and went on to teach at Zell am See & Mayrhoffen in Austria. Settling in Banff for 10 years, he attained further ski teacher qualifications and began training and evaluating aspiring ski instructors. Darren has a genuine, passionate and enthusiastic approach to help others progress and fall in love with skiing. He can be heard for miles cheering his students on when they reach their goals!! Lindsay Vonn once told him that he had a great moustache…the jury is still out on that. 

Local Tip: slow down, breathe and take in all the surroundings especially up on the mountains. It is incredibly refreshing and healing. 

Outside of skiing Darren is a musician and family man.