303-987-9390
info@psia-c.org

Cross Country Education and Certification

Resource guide to your kick and glide!

Cross Country Events

Education Clinics & Workshops

Education Clinics:

Cross Country Level 1 Assessment Prep (Level I Virtual Module)

This course focuses on preparing candidates to deliver successful beginner experiences. The course covers fundamental skills that improve the effectiveness of instruction and coaching at all levels. Participants will be encouraged to share their own methods, progressions, and experiences. Topics to be covered include professionalism, the learning connection, Classic & Skate technique, lesson delivery, providing feedback, and movement analysis. The prep will also provide an opportunity to meet Assessment facilitators and prepare for the on-snow Assessment.

**Candidates for the Level 1 Assessment must complete the exam prep prior to taking the on-snow Assessment — and will be prompted to register for this virtual module as part of registration for the Level 1 Assessment .

Prerequisites for L1 Assessment Prep:

  • Current PSIA-AASI Member in good standing
  • Completed E-Learning Module: Delivering the Beginner Experience – Cross Country
    (see Educational Resources below)

    Cross Country Level 2 Assessment Prep

    Event for certified members who want to prepare for the skiing, technical, and teaching skills in the Level 2 assessment. You will receive clear feedback on the level of your skiing and teaching skills relative to the National standards. T This is a two-day event.

    Prerequisites for L2 assessment Prep:

    • XC Level 1 certification or Level 3 certification in any PSIA-AASI discipline

    Cross Country Level 3 Assessment Prep

    Event for certified Level 2 who wants to prepare for the Level 3 assessment. You will receive clear feedback on the level of your People skills, Teaching skills and Technical Skills relative to the National standards and assessment form. This is a two-day event.

    Prerequisites for L3 assessment Prep:

    • XC Level 2 certification

    Cross Country Workshop

    Clinic with Central education staff for one or two days. Clinics will provide enhanced personal skill improvement in a low stress, engaging small group event. Workshops will cover a wide range of topics most relevant to the group and facilitate guided learning. Be prepared for lots of skiing on both classic and skate equipment.

    Cross-Discipline Cross Country Workshop

    Clinic designed for Alpine, Snowboard and Telemark instructors to jumpstart your cross discipline knowledge about cross country skiing in a low pressure clinic with fellow PSIA-AASI members. This clinic is designed for Beginner to intermediate cross country skiers to cover classic and skate technique. If you have more cross country experience consider our regular cross country workshop.

    Online Webinars:

    Webinar Title (Coming Soon)

    Watch for special webinars to come online this season.

    Assessment Descriptions

    Cross Country Level 1 Assessment:

    Candidates will be assessed on their demonstration of people, teaching, technical skills for instructing beginner lessons. Assessment is based on PSIA-AASI National Standards. Candidates will participate in on-snow activities for both Classic and Skate disciplines. Expect to be on Classic skis in the AM and Skate skis in the PM. Successful candidates will demonstrate skills at or above national standards. Expect to teach to your peers or beginner students. Engage in honest discussions about ski instruction. Demonstrate professionalism throughout the certification process. Examiners are there to create opportunities for candidates to meet the standards. Ask questions as needed. Successful candidates will demonstrate personal skiing skills in the intermediate zone as well as an understanding of PSIA-AASI concepts and educational resources. .

    Prerequisites for L1 on snow exam:

    • PSIA-AASI Member in good standing.
    • Check the Certification Pathway Requirements below for steps in addition to the on-snow exam that you must complete in order to earn certification.

    People Skills

    People skills will be assessed throughout the exam process. During the exam it is expected for all candidates to demonstrate people skills at or above level 1 standards.

    Teaching Skills

    You will have opportunities to teach to a beginner level student or group. Exact duration of the teaching sessions will depend on event logistics. Be prepared to teach a topic of your choice and a topic of the examiners choice. After you teach, your examiners will review your session with you.

    Technical Skills

    Skiing:
    Be prepared to ski all maneuvers and tasks listed in the Level 1 National Standards. Some tasks may be videoed and reviewed individually or with the group. Personal feedback on your performance of the maneuvers and tasks is an essential part of the certification process. We will be assessing how you give and receive feedback.

    Movement Analysis:
    Movement analysis will be done by looking at video. You may also be asked technical questions during your teaching session and throughout the event.

    Cross Country Level 2 Assessment:

    Level 2 Candidates are assessed on their people, teaching and technical skills for instructing beginner, intermediate to advanced intermediate lessons. People skills will be assessed throughout the two day exam. Skiing skills will be assessed throughout the exam. Teaching skills will likely be assessed while teaching peers or Level 1 candidates. Examiners are there to create opportunities for candidates to meet the standards. Ask questions as needed. Successful candidates will demonstrate personal skiing skills in the advanced-intermediate zone as well as a comprehensive understanding of PSIA-AASI concepts and educational resources.

    Prerequisites for L2 on snow assessment:

    Cross Country Level 3 Assessment:

    Level 3 candidates seeking this highest level of certification will be assessed on people, teaching, and technical skills from beginner through advanced lessons. Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise at or above level 3 national standards. Candidates have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their skills over this two day assessment. Candidates will likely be assessed while teaching peers or Level 2 candidates. People skills will be assessed throughout the two day assessment. Skiing skills will be assessed throughout the exam. Teaching skills will likely be assessed while teaching peers or Level 1 candidates. Examiners are there to create opportunities for candidates to meet the standards. Ask questions as needed.

    Prerequisites for L3 on snow assessment:

    Children’s Specialist 1 — Cross Country:

    This assessment-based certificate course is offered to PSIA-AASI certified instructors level 1, 2, 3 in any discipline. The course will help you understand how children; think, feel about themselves, interact with others, and move as they grow and develop. You will see how this understanding can be creatively applied to Beginner/Novice- Intermediate Zone lessons. You will have the opportunity to share your knowledge with the group and receive feedback on your skills as compared to National Standard.

    Prerequisites for XC CS1 exam:

    Certification Pathway Requirements

    The steps you need to complete to earn certification.

    Join as a Registered Member of Central Division – Join Now!

    1. Pay Central Division and National Dues

    **Note: Maintain active certification status by paying annual dues and obtaining a minimum of 6 CEU’s every membership year (July 1 – June 30.) Any CEU hours greater than 6 obtained in a membership year will be applied towards the CEU requirement for the following membership year only.

    Cross Country Level 1

    Requirements:
    1. 1. Pay Central Division and National Dues
    2. 2. Read and understand National Certification Standards. Standards. Use the Performance Guides to better understand and clarify standards. (See Education Resources below)
    3. 3. Have practiced and are able to consistently demonstrate the skills on the Level 1 Cross Country Assessment Form. (See Education Resources below)
    4. 4. Complete the Delivering the Cross Country Beginner Experience free course prior to registering for the On-Snow portion of the exam.
    5. 5. Complete the Central Cross Country Certification Workbook. 
      (See Education Resources below)
      ***Please submit workbooks to submissions@psia-c.org before the virtual component of the exam.
    6. 6. Use the Events Calendar to find, register for, and attend  Virtual Level 1 Assessment Prep Module
      (Filter calendar by “Cross Country”)
    7. 7. Use the Events Calendar to find, register for, and attend on-snow certification event: XC Level 1 Assessment
      (Filter calendar by “Cross Country”)

      (Check out  Assessment Descriptions for more detailed information for each exam day.)

      ***The Level I Virtual Component will be included in/with the On-Snow Cross Country Level I Exams (You will be registered for both the Virtual Webinar and On-Snow Exam during registration).

    Cross Country Level 2

    Requirements:
    1. 1. Prerequisite: Level I cross country or Level III in any PSIA-AASI Discipline
    2. 2. Read and understand National Standards.Use performance guide as a reference to better understand and clarify skills on Level 2 Assessment Form (See Education Resources below)
    3. 3. Have practiced and are able to execute with proficiency, the tasks on the Cross Country Scoresheet. (See Education Resources below)
    4. 4. Complete the Central Cross Country Certification Workbook (See Education Resources below)– and all other pre-requisites for the XC Level 2 Assessment.
    5. 5. Use the Central Events Calendar to find, register for, and attend and pass a 2-Day on-snow XC Level 2 Certification Event (Filter calendar by “Cross Country”)

    Cross Country Level 3

    Requirements:
    1. 1. Prerequisite: Cross Country Level II, Recommended Cross Country Children’s Specialist 1.
      Be an expert classic and skate skier with extensive teaching and/or coaching experience.
    2. 2. Read and understand National Standards. Use the performance guide as a reference to better understand and clarify skills on the Assessment Form. (See Education Resources below)
    3. 3. Have practiced and are able to execute with mastery, the tasks on the Central Cross Country Scoresheet. (See Education Resources below)
    4. 4. Complete the Central Cross Country Level 3 Certification Workbook (See Education Resources below)-and all other pre-requisites for the XC Level 3 Assessment.
    5. 5 Use the Central Events Calendar to find, register for, and attend and pass a 2-Day on-snow XC Level 3 Certification Event (Filter calendar by “Cross Country”)

    Pathway to Education Staff

    The Pathway to Education Staff Portal describes how a Level 3 Instructor can work towards becoming a member of the Central Education Staff as a Staff Member and Examiner.

    Prerequisites:
    1. 1. Level 3 certified instructor in Cross Country  disciplines
    2. 2. Have an active trainer role at ski school or ski club
    3. 3. Experience leading cross country clinics, group lessons, coaching and staff/volunteer training

    Open to anyone meeting the prerequisites.

    Education Staff Tryout Process:
    1. 1.Contact the Nordic Administrator and provide a brief resume of your skiing, teaching and training experience.
    2. 2. Train with current education staff
    3. 3. Receive a request to assist a current staff member with clinics and exams 
    4. 4. After review of performance as an assistant, receive assignments to lead clinics and then exams.
    Requirements:
    1. 1. High degree of professionalism
    2. 2. Outstanding communication skills
    3. 3. Self-starter re: continued professional development in skiing and teaching abilities
    4. 4. Commitment to work when/as needed
    5. 5. Ongoing contributor to the PSIA-AASI Knowledge Base

    For more information, contact a Central Discipline Administrator.

    © Professional Ski instructors of America - American Association of Snowboard Instructors - Central