Coming in at around $150 CAD, the Burton Gondy Gloves are a solid pair of warm, well-insulated leather gloves. They’re durable, featuring a pull-on loop at the base of the palm and a Velcro strap that ensures a snug fit around the wrist. While they add a bit of bulk to your hands, you’ll still be able to pinch and grab zippers or ratchet your bindings. I’d recommend these gloves to all-mountain riders. This pair works just as well for someone looking to ride groomers at a resort all day or anyone who wants to carve lines through the trees and deeper snow conditions.
Full Review of the Men’s Burton Gondy GORE-TEX Leather Gloves
I headed out to my usual stomping grounds at Blue Mountain. The weather was decent—low wind, but the sky was overcast, and the lighting was flat. It seemed like as good a day as any to try out a new pair of leather snowboarding gloves.
For a while, I’ve been riding with pipe gloves and using a separate pair of liner gloves for insulation. I developed a preference for this glove setup while snowboarding in Ontario, as it gave me the most dexterous fit. However, during my last trip out west to BC, I found that the pipe gloves—acting as an outer shell—would start to stiffen and freeze in the colder, mountainous air. My hands never got cold while wearing the liners underneath. But I wanted to find a new pair a gloves that could suit my riding needs both locally in Ontario, and also better withstand a trip into the backcountry.
When I tried on the Men’s Burton Gondy GORE-TEX Leather Gloves, I immediately noticed the density of the insulation. I knew I wouldn’t need liner gloves with this leather pair. The insulation in the Gondy gloves is plush and warm. However, I’m curious to see if the ThermacoreECO insulation, which contains 95% recycled materials, will packout and lose effectiveness over time.
For now, I’m deciding how to best use them. I’ve noticed the gloves don’t fit well under the cuffs of my Volcom Brighton Pullover jacket. The cuffs of my sleeves bunch up at the base of the gloves as I stretch and move around. Tasks like bending over to clear snow from my binding footbed or grabbing the straps to buckle in cause the sleeves to ride up and refuse to settle over the gloves properly. Additionally, the Brighton Pullover jacket doesn’t have wrist gaiters, so I’m concerned snow or cold air may get up my sleeves.
If you’re a young snowboarder with a deep passion for the sport and you want to get even more out of snowboarding, I recommend becoming a certified snowboard instructor in Ontario. Growing up as a teenager, I found it to be an incredible employment opportunity where I was able to make life-long friends, develop skills and create lasting memories.
I worked at Glen Eden in Milton, ON, for a number of seasons throughout high school and university. I first joined their volunteer apprenticeship program and then later became a CASI certified snowboard instructor. Going through Glen Eden’s snow school apprentice program in high school was a great way to collect the 40 mandatory community volunteering hours necessary for graduation in Ontario.
I’m providing this guide for any young person looking to navigate the process of becoming a snowboard instructor. By following the steps I list below, you’ll be able to carve out a path to finding employment at your nearest ski resort’s snow school.
The Ultimate Guide on How to Become a Snowboard Instructor
You’ll never be able to teach snowboarding if you can’t snowboard well enough yourself. The first step to becoming a snowboard instructor is ensuring you have proficiency in snowboarding.
If you can, try to take snowboard lessons while you’re growing up. You’ll get a better sense of whether you’re a strong enough rider to pursue it as an employment possibility.
Most ski and snowboard resorts will provide snowboard lessons for youth up to the age of 16. In Ontario, all the major resorts (ie. Blue Mountain, Horseshoe Valley, Glen Eden, Mount St. Louis Moonstone etc.) provide 8-week programs. Where you can take a scheduled snowboard lesson once a week for 8 consecutive weeks during the winter season.
By having taken snowboarding lessons yourself, you’ll get a sense for how they’re run and if you could ever see yourself in the instructor’s position.
Understanding the Snowboard Instructor Certification Process
In Canada, the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) is the recognized authority for snowboard instructor certifications. They have certification levels ranging from Level 1 to Level 4. To find employment as a snowboard instructor you’ll need to have received your Level 1 certification.
To achieve a certificate, you’ll need to pass both a teaching and riding examination for each level.
The following video demonstrates the snowboard riding skills required to pass standards for Level 1. If you can snowboard as well as the people in the video, then you might just be good enough to get your level 1 certification.
You’ll also need to be proficient in teaching theory. To learn the theory of teach lessons, you can refer to this video and this resource from the CASI website.
Volunteer Apprenticeship to Become a Certified Snowboard Instructor
The best way to get hands-on experience is by becoming an apprentice, which requires volunteering your time. The nice thing is that your time can count towards the required 40hrs of community service required for high school graduation in Ontario.
Most ski resort snow schools have an apprenticeship program. I was an apprentice at Glen Eden where I got to assist with lessons being taught by certificated CASI instructors. Instructors would often have the apprentices preform demonstrations for the students. While the instructor leads, you’ll gradually take on more teaching responsibilities. You’ll get exposure to lessons being taught to adults, teens and kids. You’ll also gain an understanding of the different learning paces of various individuals.
Careers Pages for Snowboarding Jobs
Keep an eye out on the careers pages of your local ski resorts. Typically, positions will start posting around August to October in the lead-up to the coming winter season. Here’s some links to the careers pages of some ski resorts in Ontario:
Register for a CASI Course & Conquer the Examinations
You are now ready to register for the level 1 CASI course. This course takes place over 3 days. To see upcoming level 1 courses, check out this webpage and keep coming back to it for updates. The level 1 courses will take place at different resorts throughout the winter season. In the year that I got certified, there was a level 1 course taking place at Glen Eden during march break.
During the 3-day course, you’ll be lead by a CASI certificated course evaluator. You’ll spend the first 2 days learning about teaching techniques, safety protocols, and snowboarding theory. You’ll get time to practise your riding and get critiqued by the evaluator.
On the third day, you’ll be evaluated on everything you learned in the 2 days prior. Successfully passing these exams demonstrates your readiness to guide and mentor aspiring snowboarders.
Securing Your Dream Job
Now that you have your CASI level 1 certification, you’re ready to start applying to jobs!
Check out the careers pages that I linked to above and search for job boards online. Also note, you may also need to have your first-aid certification as a prerequisite for employment. This shouldn’t be too big of a problem as most grade 9 students in Ontario get first-aid training in school, usually through Phys. Ed class.
Your journey as an instructor doesn’t end with certification or landing your first job; it’s a continuous adventure of growth.
There are additional levels or certification that you can acquire. Additionally, if you continue to grow in your terrain park riding abilities, you can also get a Park Instructor certificate from CASI.
Becoming a certified snowboard instructor opens doors to a fulfilling career, but it’s also a lifelong adventure. As you guide others through their snowboarding journeys, you’ll witness the joy of progression, the triumph of conquering challenges, and the shared love for the sport.
If you’re a snowboard instructor, or thinking of becoming one, leave a comment below and share with me your experience finding employment in the industry.
Southern Ontario got lucky with a snowfall during the Christmas break, so on Dec 27th, 2022 I decided to use my IKON pass to go snowboarding at Blue Mountain. Even though my IKON account says my pass was mailed out almost 2 months ago I still haven’t received it despite calling IKON customer support twice.
I was told that as long as I can show proof of an active IKON pass number and a photo ID, I should be able to receive a free lift ticket at participating resorts for the day.
This was put to the test at Blue Mountain and they passed! I had no issues acquiring a lift ticket.
Back Out to Make Some Turns…
This was my first time going snowboarding this season so I was excited. I brought all my video gear with me, which I carry strapped across my body with a fanny pack (it’s my wife’s fanny pack!) They had the snow-making machines going and there were scattered flurries throughout the day. The conditions were pretty decent for Ontario so I used the opportunity to stay off the groomers and venture out into the glades as much as I could.
I also have a new pair of Burton Kendo boots that I wanted to break in before my trip to Red Mountain in Rossland, BC later towards the end of January. I’ve been spending any extra time that I can find to prep and get into shape. I’ve been lifting weights and do calisthenic exercises at home. I’ve been trying to be diligent with my right shoulder after a few dislocations over the last several years. I’ve booked some physiotherapy sessions in order to get an assessment and make sure everything is functional before my trip.
I was really happy with my new Burton Kendo boots. As far as the first day of riding with a new pair of boots ca go, I found them very comfortable. What I like most about these boots is their mid-flex and traditional laces.
I would describe them as having ‘goldilocks flex’, where it’s not too soft, not too stiff; just right. I got a solid 4 hours of riding out of them before my body was fatigued. The boots would have let me ride longer, but the muscles in my feet and calfs needed a rest.
I look forward to riding these boots while I’m out west. The imprint 3 liners in the boots were both supportive and warm. The articulated cuff is a key component to the boots’ mid-flex pattern. I’d recommend the Burton Kendo boots to anyone looking for a snowboard boot that has medium flex with a higher end liner, which should last you serval seasons depending on how much snowboarding you do.
If you’re a young snowboarder with a deep passion for the sport and you want to get even more out of snowboarding, I recommend becoming a certified snowboard instructor in Ontario. Growing up as a teenager, I found it to be an incredible employment opportunity where I was able to make life-long friends, develop skills and create lasting memories.
You’ll never be able to teach snowboarding if you can’t snowboard well enough yourself. The first step to becoming a snowboard instructor is ensuring you have proficiency in snowboarding.
Now that you have your CASI level 1 certification, you’re ready to start applying to jobs!
