Snowboard Instructor Training Team 2010
SITCo. - The Snowboard Instructor Training Co. prides itself on giving the best snowboard training that is available. In order to do this we have a hand picked team of snowboard trainers who are
Ben Clarbrough

Ben has been an SBINZ Snowboard examiner snce 2000, & currently holds a seat on the Snowboard Technical Committee.
Ben works out of Queenstown in the winter and summer.
Dan Smith

Dan has been a SBINZ examiner since 2008, and has done season in the US as well as in Europe. Dan is based in Queenstown for the winter and follows the snow in the northern hemisphere winter.
6 week Snowboard Instructor Training courses 2010
SITCo. - The Snowboard Instructor Training Co.'s training program is designed to allow you to fulfil your potential as a rider and as an instructor.
The program consists of six weeks of snowboard training and 6 weeks of accommodation.
All of your training will be conducted by a currently qualified NZSIA Examiner.
6 week Snowboard Instructor Training courses run from
1st August 2010 - 12th September 2010
Accommodation is from the dates above with on snow training beginning on the 3rd of August. The final exam will finish on the 7th September; therefore there will be a little time to acclimatize, before and after. Your lift pass will be valid for the whole season.
Course Cost. -
NZ$10,100
This includes:
Three days a week training on snow
Accommodation in Queenstown
Daily transport to and from the ski area (from your accommodation in Queenstown)
Queenstown lift pass
Night sessions, including use of video
Full Exam preparation
NZSIA Level 1
NZSIA Level 2
Heli ski/board trip
Freestyle, off-piste or learn to snowboard option after the final exams
optional catered food option - SITCo. restaurant card - extra NZ$550 - see details
We are now taking bookings, for all our courses, we are able to take bookings right up until the start dates of the courses as long as there are spaces available. Book online now - just download an application form it is easy.
Cost -
NZ$10,100
If you would love to come to Queenstown, New Zealand to be challenged in your riding, be trained by the best trainers in New Zealand, and come away with an internationally recognised qualification then this course is for you.
The 6 week Snowboard Course is aimed at those of you who would still like to join us in New Zealand for the season, but for whatever reason are unable to do the longer courses. The 6 week course will be a little more intense than the 11 or 8 week course but still a lot of fun!
The 6 week Snowboard course includes everything that the full program includes we have just shortened the time frame. The other major difference is that on the 6 week course there is no 1st Aid or Avalanche courses.
We do ask that if you are doing the 6 week course that you are very confident of your skiing level as you will be getting "thrown in at the deep end" quite quickly after you arrive.
For the 11 week and the 8 week programs we ask that you can ride blue runs on and off trail, linking your turns consistently and riding with confidence while enjoying the challenge of the mountain. A willingness to give it a go! with some basic freestyle manoeuvres will be required.
For the 6 week course we ask that you can ride all groomed runs with confidence, and that you can take on the challenge of an off trail run, consistently linking your turns in most conditions. A little background in riding switch and a few freestyle manoeuvres will be required, e.g. riding switch or doing an ollie.
For the 5 week course we ask that you can riding on all groomed terrrain, with confidence, so riding green runs, blue runs, red runs and can take on a black run if groomed and easy conditions.
These levels of riding are a starting point and from this point development will be required to achieve the required standard for the NZSIA qualifications (Level 1 and Level 2).
During the 11, 8, 6, 5 weeks there is a lot to learn so that we ask that you have this minimum level before you arrive.
If you feel that you are an athletic person that could improve quickly then there is the possibility for you to be below this level, although we would hesitate to recommend it for everyone.
At The Instructor Training Co. we run different programs 11 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 weeks and 5 weeks. If you are wondering which course is the best for you, then we would recommend that you make this decision based on how much time you have available. Just because you feel that you are a better snowboarder, does not mean that the shorter courses are better suited to you. The qualifications are set at a high standard and because of this they are well respected once you have achieved that standard. The very fact that you are considering the course means that you must enjoy your snowboarding so get down here as early as you can and get the most out of it!
The 5 week course is designed for you to get maximum improvement, and only trains you to sit the first level of qualification the NZSIA Level 1.
For more info email us now
or download an application form.
We are proud of our training team Ben, Chris, are both experienced NZSIA examiners.
Your training will be on snow and always with an NZSIA examiner/trainer. It will be aimed at improving your own personal riding performance, developing your understanding of snowboarding, and training you in the skills of how to apply this understanding so that you can teach others.
When looking at your own personal performance you will be encouraged to experience and explore such areas as Freestyle (park and pipe) and Freeride (big mountain).
With a maximum of 8 people per trainer, you will get excellent personal feedback, while still in a group training environment.
Accommodation in Queenstown
Accommodation in Queenstown is some times hard to find. If you are coming around the world it is good to know that you have a roof to sleep under. The normal accommodation will be in a central location, with shared rooms and a communal kitchen. Laundry facilities are available, as are ski/board tuning, pool room and common area.
Pinewood lodge - see their website - www.pinewood.co.nz
We are able to alter accommodation arrangements on request, this will alter the price.
We base all our prices on 2 people sharing a quadruple room.
We can however tailor this to you liking -
For example we can organise for a single room, or a room for couples.
Another popular option is that if you wish to find your own accommodation we can offer a reduced price with out accommodation.
Tell us what you require and we will tailor things to suit your needs.
Daily Transport to and from the ski area
Queenstown is a very beautiful and very unique place in the world. The town itself is ever booming. The two major ski areas in the region are Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. In order to get to the snow we will supply transport on a daily basis. The transport will be available 7 days a week. Pick up and drop off from directly in front of your accommodation.
Queenstown lift pass
As you are aware in order to go skiing it is important to have access to the ski area lift system. Your lift pass will be valid for both The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. It is called the Queenstown mountain lift pass because it will allow you unlimited skiing and riding at both of Queenstown's major ski areas. It will also allow you access to Ohau Ski Field which is another of New Zealand's ski areas, situated a few hours away.
Please note that any one wishing to organise their own lift pass or accommodation is free to do so and we will adjust our prices accordingly.
Night sessions, including use of video
In the modern world that we live in we have the advantage of video. This is a very useful tool that we can use to aid our learning. We can also use video to hone our teaching ability by using it to practice our teaching skills in a stress free environment. We will also be holding evening sessions every week with the purpose of covering technical information prior to taking the same information on to the snow. This will allow us to maximize our time.
Full Exam preparation
In the build up to the exam you will have the knowledge and experience of qualified NZSIA examiners and other already qualified instructors to prepare you for the big day!
NZSIA / SBINZ Level 1
The NZSIA Level 1 is set at a lower level then the Level 2 and will train you to teach beginner snowboarders with a large emphasis on your ability to manage a group of students, and how to present your teaching information. There will also be a specific children's teaching section. This will then lead you on to the NZSIA Level 2.
All our courses are designed to train you for the NZSIA / SBINZ Level 1 and Level 2 certifications.
So you will be sitting two qualifications.
NZSIA / SBINZ Level 2
The NZSIA (New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance) has been certifying snowsports instructors since 1971. It has a reputation world wide for creating and developing strong, all-round skiers and snowboarders with very good teaching skills. This means that throughout the world, especially in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and in Europe someone with a NZSIA qualification is looked upon as an asset to any snowsports school.
The Level 2 exam is run independently of The Instructor Training Co. The NZSIA is the official ski instructor certification body of New Zealand.
For more info on the NZSIA Level 2 go to our NZSIA page.
New Zealand is famous for many things; one of those things is the great expanse of untouched mountains that are inaccessible to snowboarders. Fresh snow which is just waiting to be enjoyed. How can you enjoy it? Simple just get in a helicopter and go. We will make sure that when you are down here you will get to enjoy this fantastic riding experience.
Freestyle, off-piste or learn to snowboard after the final exams
New for 2009, every year we have lots of people asking to get involved in specific areas of skiing, which is great fun, as the exams appoach, the focus is on getting the disciplined skills require to achieve the goal. So for 2009 we have added in the "crazy" stuff after the end of the "serious" stuff, so 2 extra day doing what ever madness we can imagine.



Three Days a week training
Heli board trip