Great instruction
Ellie Draper, UK – Jan 2019
Meesh has an excellent way of explaining things and individualising tips and advice for us. His knowledge of the terrain is unreal and he took us down a huge variation of pistes, bumps, trees & powder.
Excellent program
Elizabeth Wall, Australia – Jan 2019
Every day I learn something about my skiing and gradually improve – it really is an excellent program. Wayne’s infectious enthusiasm and clarity of instruction are impressive.
Likeminded skiers
Jody Tomlinson, Australia – Jan 2019
Wayne was the most technical of my instructors and really explained in detail what we needed to do. Great adventure to Blackcomb Glacier with a fun group of likeminded skiers.
Dave was amazing
Sue Hollis, Canada – Feb 2019
He pulled out all the tricks to find ones that resonates with my learning style. He was supportive and encouraging and bought out the best in me. Plus he was so much fun – a great singer and always found us powder!!
Definitely will be back again!
Noreen Hartley, Canada – Feb 2019
Linc was amazing and wonderful at finding just the right terrain for our ability. The group was perfect as well with all of us within the same ability which worked perfectly! Definitely will be back again!
The best 7 weeks of my life? YES!
Annika Goldman, USA – Feb 2019
I am not over exaggerating when I say that my seven weeks in Whistler with YES were some of the best weeks of my life. If you are even slightly considering this program… I promise that you will LOVE IT. I walked into YES not even that enthusiastic about skiing and now… well I’m writing this review in Australia because I’m skipping USA summer to be a ski instructor here.
So yeah… you could say YES Didn’t just make me better, but also much more passionate about skiing. Beyond preparing you extremely well for the instructor exams, YES gives you a loving and wildly fun family. I’ve never laughed as hard, smiled as much, or had as much fun as I did with YES on Whistler mountain and in the village. You’ll never be bored. Do not miss this amazing experience… just say YES and click on your skis to get ready for the best run of your whole life!!!
Attend every YES apres. They give out free beer or wine AND FREE NACHOS. There are two a week and it’s a great time for the whole group: instructors, other staff, and everyone participating in YES improvement to hang out and catch up. They show funny videos from the week and the lovely PJ always gives a speech with highlights from the past few days. I would always feel the YES family strongest at YES apres and I know if I’m in Whistler again I will be welcome back in a second.
Amazing experience
Finn Rogers, New Zealand – Nov 2018
I recently had the amazing experience of participating in the Yes Tours 11 week ski instructor program. The most amazing experience of my life !! The incredible team at yes was so welcoming and helpful the ski instructors are amazing best in the business with their dedicated and clear teaching my skiing progressed far beyond what I thought possible in 11 weeks allowing me to pass my level 1 & 2 CSIA certification without stress as I was confident the team at yes had given me all the tools I needed to pass.
The AST was amazing as well such an informative experience learning about avalanche magnitudes and and the beautiful ski touring in the back country whilst we were learning was awesome to I also did the CADS course with Yes such a cool experience as well. thanks so much to all the team at Yes for a sick 11 weeks !!!
What would you improve about this program?
Absolutely nothing I loved it so much the way it was !!!!
Best career break program
Harris Soetikno, Australia – Jan 2019
I started my career break in Dec 2018 and took on YES 7 week program in Jan 2019.
Training
YES pros understand the CSIA system really well and are genuinely invested in the group’s skiing and teaching development.
Accommodation
I stayed at the self catered Creekside accommodation which was very accessible from the Creekside gondola. Being one of the older participants, I stayed with many gap year students. For anyone taking a career break, I would highly recommend considering the career break accoms.
Outcome
Once I finished the program, I took on an instructing job in Mt Hotham, Australia. During the interview process and first day on the job, never felt so prepared before on a job. All things that were taught were practical.
Value
The program cost was around 12k which includes accommodation, instruction, CSIA / AST courses, exams and a season pass. I find this to be very good value for money and an affordable way to spend 2 months in Whistler, especially considering expensive living cost in Whistler.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Whether I can get my skis up to standard and I did. I failed my first attempt at my L2 exam, and the YES instructors knew exactly how I could address the gap.
As a late starter to skiing, this was not an easy task to do but the YES instructors got me through it, and there they have a happy customer.
Certifications!
Jolise Slavik, USA – Nov 2015
I signed up for YES right after I graduated college. I moved to Whistler, BC the following November to start training for CASI level 1&2, CSIA level 1&2, snowboarding park certification level 1, and ASC level 1.
It was a big ask to be trained for all 6 certifications but the YES instructors miraculously helped me achieve all certifications in 1 season. I really felt like I was getting the BEST training and felt unbelievably confident in my skills at the end of the season. The best part was that I had so much fun the whole time and wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.
I came back to whistler the following ski season and worked as both a snowboard and ski instructor and continued to have an amazing time thanks to YES. I feel that what I learned with YES is invaluable and I’m so grateful for all the fun and all the education.
Straight out of school
Ben Cook, Singapore – Nov 2018
Loved the entire trip for starters, went over to do the 11-week program and came back with all the licenses; Park 1, CSIA Level 1 & 2 and AST Level 1 & 2.
Coming straight out of school, I was a little nervous and going as a lone traveller I had to be independent for the first time which was a big thing for me, Canada is easy and Whistler are good places to start if you don’t feel confident as everybody over there is amazingly nice.
As part of the 11-week program, we did our AST 2 (Avalanche Saftey) learning about the mountain was the experience that I could not possibly describe to anyone and was absolutely amazing.
The entire trip was an amazing break before uni, allowed me to get ready for the next adventure in my life. I met so many people and gained experience I could not have gained anywhere else. I loved every moment of every day. Miss PJ and Belinda who was amazing to me for the entire time.
They have set up a wonderful program that is very inviting and accommodating to all. Would highly recommend if you’re thinking of going over!!
