The Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA), founded in 1938, is an association of more than twenty thousand professional skiers located across Canada. The CSIA's purposes are to ensure a nationwide ski teaching standard through the development of effective skiing techniques and teaching methods and promote the importance of ski safety. The organization grants four general levels of certification, as well as several module certifications, such as snow park instruction, mogul skiing, and super giant slalom skiing. Each successive level demonstrates competence in ski instruction, pedagogy, as well as individual ski performance. As such, the highest level (four) is difficult to attain. In 2021-2022 ski season, less than 50 new Level 4's were certified according to the organization's official Facebook page. Lately, the CSIA came up with a merit certification for ski instructors that were part of the organization for twenty-five or more consecutive years. The celebrated members are normally awarded a "25-year member" pin, as well as a certificate, recognizing their efforts in the field. History The CSIA was founded in 1938. Today, the CSIA is divided into a set of regional chapters, each of which covers at least one Canadian province. The national office is the centralization point of all activities. Main responsibilities include communications, as well as programs and educational development. In 2013, a major change has taken place within the CSIA organization in order to manage certifications. Members are since then required to accumulate "education credits" in order to be eligible to obtain higher certification levels. Notably, Level 2 certification requires 10 education credits, while Level 3 certification requires a total of 40 education credits. In general, participation in a one-day national education program will provide approximately 10 education credits, as will certification from a member organization, such as the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation and the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors, among others. Certifications The CSIA has a total of four certification levels for instructors, as well as an additional, optional snow park certification course. The first level of certification, Level 1, is accessible to any intermediate-level skiers who are at least 14 years of age. It can usually be obtained after a 3-day certification course. Each region in Canada has a coordinator who organizes Level 1 courses within their specific regions. Nevertheless, candidates may pursue their certifications within other regions. For example, a skier from the Quebec region may follow his or her instructor training and