Sunshine Village's Newest CASI Level 4 Snowboarding Instructor!

If you’ve spent time on the slopes of Sunshine Village, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of Pieter Sneep—carving clean lines, catching air in the park, or laughing with a group of students mid-lesson. Originally from the Netherlands, Pieter’s journey to becoming a CASI Level 4 snowboarding instructor is one of passion, persistence, and serious creativity both on and off the mountain.

From The Netherlands to the Rockies

Pieter’s love for snowboarding began during childhood ski trips with his family to Austria. “My brother switched to snowboarding when he was 11,” he recalls. “Seeing how cool that was, I made the swap the year after, at age 10. Never looked back!”

His first lessons were on a stiff, second-hand directional board with hard boots—a setup even his instructor questioned. “Soft boots were already around,” Pieter laughs, “and I remember my instructor looking at me like, ‘Really? Hard boots?’” But even back then, his passion and determination were clear.

Turning Passion into Profession

What started as a seasonal adventure quickly turned into a long-term career. “After finishing university, I wanted to teach snowboarding for a year or two,” says Pieter. “That turned into about 13 years now.” With years of international teaching experience under his belt—including stints in Japan and New Zealand—he has honed a teaching style that’s uniquely his own.

Pieter began his Level 4 journey after earning his CASI Level 3 in 2017. A lack of access to higher-level training during his time in Japan stalled his progress, but returning to Canada in 2022 reignited the dream. Training at Big White and later at Sunshine Village, he benefited from learning under several experienced trainers. “I like to think that having different trainers at different resorts helped develop my skills and understanding. I took the ‘best’ parts of each experience.”

Life and Love at Sunshine

Pieter's path to Sunshine Village was as much about love as it was about snowboarding. He met his partner, fellow instructor Laura McGhee, in 2018 at The Remarkables in New Zealand. “It was a challenging few years figuring out how to make our relationship work while chasing winters across hemispheres,” he explains. The pandemic forced them into long-distance mode, but in 2023, Pieter finally joined Laura at Sunshine—and he couldn’t be happier. “I’m stoked to be here and to finally be together in one place.”

Cracking the Level 4 Code

Achieving Level 4 status is a massive milestone in any instructor’s career—and for Pieter, it was both personal and professional. “For the longest time, I was scared to start the process,” he admits. “I felt ‘late’ or ‘rusty’. But I kept teaching, developing my skills. In the end, the process was actually quite short!”

His training focused heavily on riding, with a healthy mix of humor thrown in. “We had a lot of funny alternative ways to describe our riding goals, like ‘taking the bus to Attack Town’ for short turns,” Pieter says with a grin.

His advice to others aiming for higher certifications? Take your time and trust the process. “What stuck with me was what CASI’s Director of Education & Programs, Genevieve, said—many people keep signing up for exams without repeating the courses. I committed to doing one repeat course and one exam each season. The modular approach that CASI introduced really helped.”

Creative Coaching & Park Vibes

Ask any of Pieter’s students and they’ll tell you: his coaching style is far from ordinary. “I hear a lot of different things,” he says. “People call it creative, sometimes even ‘janky’—but it’s always active.” Known for his outside-the-box challenges and sweaty static exercises (especially for freestyle goals), Pieter makes sure learning is fun, memorable, and empowering.

His favorite part of teaching? “Seeing the excitement on people’s faces when things click—whether it’s their first turn or a new trick.”

Sunshine Terrain & Favorite Spots

When it comes to favorite terrain at Sunshine, Pieter doesn’t hesitate: “Spring Hill Park or Strawberry Park—hiking the tube rails is a personal favorite!” As a freestyle enthusiast, he thrives on the creativity the parks offer and loves watching riders express their unique styles.

“Sunshine is fantastic for instructors because everything’s so accessible,” he explains. “Quick park laps? Angel or Strawberry. Pow laps? Standish or WaWa. Rip some groomers? Strawberry to Divide. Sure, I miss Niseko’s endless powder, but Sunshine’s long season and killer park setup totally make up for it.”

Beyond the Snow

When Pieter’s not on the hill, he’s deep into his music and art. His one-man band, Company of Wizards, blends punk rock, psychedelic soul, and metal. He writes, records, and produces everything himself—two albums are already on Spotify. He’s also an avid painter, working in both watercolor and acrylic. “I recently finished a portrait of Mt. Bourgeau, based on a photo I took at Sunshine,” he shares. “Banff and the surrounding area are just so inspiring.”

Follow his creative journey on Instagram: @pieter_sneep and @company_of_wizards.

Inspiring the Next Generation

When asked what he hopes students take away from a session with him, Pieter’s answer is simple and heartfelt: “Inspiration and a kindled joy & love for snowboarding.” His journey—from riding in hard boots as a kid in Austria to becoming one of the most respected snowboard instructors in the country—is a reminder that with enough dedication and passion, anything is possible.

So next time you’re riding Sunshine Village, keep an eye out for Pieter Sneep. Whether he’s coaching on the slopes, hiking rails in the park, or catching the perfect turn, one thing’s for sure—you’ll recognize him by the creativity, stoke, and pure joy he brings to everything he does.