Snowboard Education and Certification

What: The Level 1 assessment is designed as the first step in the certification process and gives the candidate an opportunity to have their people, teaching and technical skills evaluated against PSIA-AASI Level I National Standards.

Why: The Level I gives the candidate an opportunity to learn collaboratively with the AASI-C education staff as well as other candidates. The Level I assessment is the beginning step in the certification process for instructors looking for professional certification

How: This is a hybrid assessment format consisting of these segments:

1. Registration and successful completion of the Snowboard Level I E-Learning Course.
2. Registration for and participation in the 2-hour Examiner-led interactive Level 1 Virtual Clinic:
   
   • Introduction to PSIA-AASI, resources, regions, National Standards, and teaching models. 
   • Review of the Learning Connection Model
   • Review of the Teaching Model
3. Participation in a two-day on-snow assessment by an Examiner.
   • Candidates will be assessed on their People, Teaching, Technical Understanding, Riding, and Movement Analysis Skills.
     

Prerequisites:

• Snowboard Level I E-Learning Course
• **Level 1 Virtual modules and e-learning courses must be completed before the on-snow portion of the exam. 
• ***Register for and attend the Level 1 Virtual Module before the on-snow portion of the exam, using the Central Event Calendar.
  **You are encouraged to do this early in the season, so that you know what to study and practice before taking the exam.  Give yourself time to prepare! 
• ***Be sure to check other prerequisites in the Certification Pathways Guide below.

Getting Started: See the Level I section of Snowboard National Standards and Performance Guide as well as e-Learning courses and Technical Manual available at the thesnowpros.org website, along with a Central SB1 Study Guide.

***Find links to these and other resources in the Education Resources section below.

What: What: The Snowboard Level II certification is the second step in the certification process and gives the candidate an opportunity to have their Teaching, People, Movement Analysis, Technical Understanding and Riding Skills assessed using the PSIA-AASI National Standards.

Why: Why: Level II certification is a professional designation attained by snowboard instructors who have mastered teaching guests in the intermediate zone and riding in the intermediate to advanced terrain zones. People skills at Level II reflect deep experience communicating and building relationships with guests and peers, as well as concern for safety and demonstrated professionalism at all times.

How: How: This is a two-day on snow certification. Day one is assessment of Teaching, People, Movement Analysis and Technical Understanding skills.  Day two is assessment of Riding Skills. Assessment criteria for each skillset is scored and must attain a minimum average score of 4 for each section to attain Level II.

(See Education Resources below for links to National Certification resources.)

On-Snow Day One:

• Teaching Skills:
  Candidates will be assessed on the ability to evaluate and improve their peer group’s riding in the intermediate-advanced zone by using movement analysis and progressions appropriate to improve the group’s snowboard abilities. Level II and Level III candidates are assessed on all Teaching Skills Learning Outcomes while they teach their peers in a lesson. Teaching activities are based on the needs, motivations, and riding performance of the participants. The lesson is 20-40 minutes, with the time set before the lesson starts. Candidates can expect group and individual discussions with the examiner before, during, and/or after the teaching segment.
  
  
• People Skills
  Candidates will be assessed on the effectiveness of their communication skills and the relationships they create with others in the group.
  
  
• Movement Analysis:
  During the exam, you will demonstrate your understanding of movement analysis through observation, evaluation, and prescription with video and/or live riders. You must clearly demonstrate that you are able to see the refined movements of an intermediate-advanced rider, and present an organized and detailed description using non- judgmental terminology. Be able to give an accurate cause and effect relationship describing how a body movement affects a board performance and how that body movement affects the turn/trick outcome. Also share a prescription for change that prioritizes corrections and development, and accurately addresses the rider’s needs.
• Technical Understanding:
  Candidates will be required to give a short presentation of what they are personally working on in their own riding.  Sharing exercises or progressions they are practicing and why they would help them.  Highlighting cause and effect of relevant fundamentals and movement patterns to board performance.

On Snow Day Two:

• Riding Skills:
  Candidates will be assessed on demonstrating mature riding on intermediate-advanced terrain and beginner-intermediate freestyle features. The riding assessment includes the ability to blend at least four of the fundamentals in each exercise, highlight one fundamental when asked to do so, vary at least two parts of TID when asked to do so, and choose effective tactics to alter speed when asked to do so.
• Technical Understanding
  

Candidates will be required to give a short presentation of what they are personally working on in their own riding.  Sharing exercises or progressions they are practicing and why they would help them.  Highlighting cause and effect of relevant fundamentals and movement patterns to board performance.

Getting Started: See the Level II Section of Snowboard National Standards and Performance Guide as well as e-Learning courses and Technical Manual available at the thesnowpros.org website.

Prerequisites:

• Support from Snowsports School Director and Lead Trainer highly
  recommended
• Online Snowboard Level II Professional Knowledge Exam must be
  completed prior to registering for the on-snow portion of the exam.
• Find the links to the above documents and assessments in the Education Resources section below.
• Be sure to check other prerequisites in the Certification Pathways Guide below.

What: The Snowboard Level III assessment is the third step in the certification process and gives the candidate an opportunity to have their Teaching, People, Movement Analysis, Technical Understanding and Riding Skills assessed using the PSIA-AASI National Standards.

Why:  Level III certification is a professional designation attained by snowboard instructors who have mastered teaching guests in all zones and riding in advanced to expert terrain zones. People skills at Level III reflect deep experience communicating, building trusted relationships, and solving problems with guests and peers. Level III instructors model professional behavior at all times and ensure a safe, fun learning environment for everyone on the hill. Level III is the prerequisite for instructors who wish to become Division Clinic Leaders and join the PSIA-AASI Central Division Education Team.  

How: This is a two-day on snow certification with a modular format. Day one is assessment of Teaching, People, Movement Analysis and Technical Understanding skills. Day two is assessment of Riding Skills. Assessment criteria for each skillset is scored and must attain a minimum average score of 4 for each section to attain Level III.

(See Education Resources below for training resources.)

On-Snow Day One:

• Teaching Skills:
  Candidates will be assessed on the ability to evaluate and improve each individual’s riding within their peers in the advanced-expert zone by developing and delivering individualized lesson plans. Level II and Level III candidates are assessed on all Teaching Skills Learning Outcomes while they teach their peers in a lesson. Teaching activities are based on the needs, motivations, and riding performance of the participants. The lesson is 20-40 minutes, with the time set before the lesson starts. Candidates can expect group and individual discussions with the examiner before, during, and/or after the teaching segment. The behavior of candidates will also be observed throughout the assessment environment. 
  
  
• People Skills
  Candidates will be assessed on the effectiveness of their communication skills and the relationships they create with others in the group.
  
  

• Technical Understanding:
  Candidates will be required to give a short presentation of what they are personally working on in their own riding.  Sharing exercises or progressions they are practicing and why they would help them.  Highlighting cause and effect of relevant fundamentals and movement patterns to board performance.

• Movement Analysis: During the exam, you will demonstrate your understanding and application of movement analysis through observation, evaluation, and prescription with video and/or live riders. You must clearly demonstrate that you are able to see the refined movements of an intermediate-advanced rider, present an organized and detailed description using non-judgmental terminology, and give accurate cause and effect relationships.  At the Level 3 standard it is important to be able to clarify how one body movement can affect another body movement to affect board performance and the turn/trick outcome.

On-Snow Day Two:

• Riding Skills:
  Candidates will be assessed on demonstrating mature riding on advanced-expert level terrain,  including extreme terrain and conditions, freestyle, bumps and steeps. The riding assessment includes the ability to blend all six of the fundamentals in each exercise, highlight one fundamental when asked to do so, vary all three parts of TID when asked to do so, and choose effective tactics to alter speed when asked to do so.
  
  
• Technical Understanding
  Candidates will be required to give a short presentation of what they are personally working on in their own riding.  Sharing exercises or progressions they are practicing and why they would help them.  Highlighting cause and effect of relevant fundamentals and movement patterns to board performance.

Getting Started: See the Level III Section of Snowboard National Standards and Performance Guide as well on e-Learning courses and Technical Manual available at the thesnowpros.org website.

Prerequisites:

• Support of Snowsports School Director and Lead Trainer highly recommended 
  
• Online Snowboard Level III Professional Knowledge Exam must be completed prior to registering for the on-snow portion of the exam.
• Find the links to the above documents and exams in the Education Resources section below.
• Be sure to check other prerequisites in the Certification Pathways Guide below.