SITCo. at Snowbird's History

SITCo. - The Instructor Training Co. has been running successful ski and snowboard instructor training courses since 2002.

In fact we have been so successful that the first person ever to sign up on our course is now an NZSIA examiner, and a PSIA Trainer!

Founded by a couple of ski enthusiasts, one from Scotland and the other a New Zealander, we have been sharing our passion for snowsports and the snowsports industry for a combined 30 years.

SITCo. came about due to our desire to ski and ride with people who are passionate about skiing and snowboarding but weren't sure how to take their passion to the next level. We came up with a program that not only trains ski and snowboard instructors but takes your skiing and riding to a level that most people never dreamed they would reach.

Our original programs in New Zealand have been a great success, and we are proud to announce the SITCo. ski and snowboard instructor training course running in Snowbird, Utah.

6 week ski and snowboard instructor training course - Snowbird, Utah

Testimonial for SITCo. Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training Courses -

James Smith - current NZSIA and PSIA Trainer

In July 2002 I set off to Queenstown, New Zealand to begin my training with the Instructor Training Company in its inaugural year.

Five years on I have just completed my 8th season working as a Ski Instructor. I now hold the NZSIA ISIA qualification. I ski instruct 8 ½ months of the year; my summers at Coronet Peak NZ and winters in Park City USA. I love my skiing and enjoy working with people to improve their own skills. I have a job that I love, am passionate about and is fast becoming a career with a bright future.

When I first got to Queenstown in 2002 the town immediately impressed me. It is a vibrant dynamic town with a unique location in a truly beautiful country. Now it is one of my favourite places in the world. Queenstown provides everything you could want in terms of activities whether it be skiing, mountain biking, hiking, jet boating, bungee jumping etc. etc. The town is full of cool cafes, chilled pubs, great restaurants and bouncy bars and clubs. Whatever you want in terms of après ski you’ll find it! In short the town has everything you could want and is a good place to explore the South Island from.

The course itself gave me all the skills I needed to pass my NZSIA stage 1 and provided the foundations for my future career. The format of three days a-week training was just the right amount of time for me. It’s plenty of time for Gavin or Colin to impart the knowledge and skills that are required, whilst providing me with free ski time to make the knowledge skills my own. The best thing about the course is that you are trained by those who own the Instructor Training Company. This means they pour their skills, experience and soul into the course to make you successful.

The training on the course is as high a quality as I have received any where in the world. It was fun, challenging and always interesting. I still draw upon the experiences of my season in 2002 today when teaching. I went into my Stage 1 Course feeling as well prepared as anyone can be for an exam. When I look back at training for and sitting my Stage 2 examination the work ethic and professionalism that Gavin and Colin nurtured in me as I trained for the stage 1 were vital to my eventual success at the higher level.

My first job as a Ski Instructor was at the Kids Ski and Ride school in Keystone, Colorado, USA. I got this job whilst still in Queenstown. During the course Gavin introduced me to the head of the Keystone Ski School who was in town recruiting for Instructors. Based upon meeting me and the fact I was coming from a well run program I was offered a job. Having enjoyed working in the US I decided to give working back in Queenstown a go. Again Gavin and Colin helped to get me in touch with the Ski school at Coronet Peak and encouraged me to try out at a hiring clinic. I was successful and still work their today. They have helped in anyway they can to help me create a career as a Ski Instructor and continue to provide me with whatever support they can.

During the past season in Queenstown I began to train others for the Certificate in Ski Instruction and then Stage 1.

This was something that Gavin and Colin actively encouraged me to do. I enjoyed it hugely and it has been the highlight of my career so far.