At just 17 years of age, Raphaela Kim is the youngest active CSIA member with Trainer Designation and has recently completed her rookie training to achieve Level 1 Course Conductor status.
Her journey began in Sudbury, Ontario, where she was raised by her mother, a CSIA Level 1 instructor who went on to work as a ski patroller for 10 years, and her father who spent many years teaching skiing in Korea before coming to Canada. By the time she could walk, her parents built a mini ski hill in their backyard and by the time she was 2, her winters revolved around the slopes.
Raphaela competed in downhill racing until U16 when she chose to follow in her parents’ footsteps. At 14, she earned her Level 1 certification at Adanac Ski Hill and began volunteering as an instructor. That same season, she completed her Level 2, and by 15, she had achieved Level 3.
When asked about her motivation and drive to achieve all these levels so quickly. She talked about her commitment to her academics and said, “I wanted to get as far as I could academically before I went to university”. True to her word, she recently completed her rookie training, marking the beginning of her course conducting journey.
Raphaela describes her parents as her greatest mentors and sources of inspiration. She describes them as “extremely supportive of everything I do, and I am grateful to have a close relationship with them”. Her father remains her biggest coach and continues to provide valuable guidance. She credits much of her success to his encouragement.
Over the years, her passion for teaching has only grown. Every moment of teaching is rewarding for her, she loves helping someone who has struggled to make their first turn or stop for the first time. It’s especially rewarding when they leave with a smile on their face.
Raphaela continues to progress towards the Level 4 certification this season by attending the Level 4 Skier and Teacher Development Courses. She plans to attempt the Level 4 Exam this season or next, depending on when she feels ready. She is awaiting a response from her dream school, the University of Toronto, where she hopes to double major in Political Science and Classical History. While studying, she intends to continue teaching at Mount St. Louis Moonstone.
We wish her all the best in her journey with the CSIA and at university.
