Snowboard Education and Certification

What: The Level 1 exam is designed as the first step in the certification processprocess and gives the candidate an opportunity to have their riding, teaching and technical skills evaluated against AASI Level I National Standards. (See Education Resources below.)

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

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

1. Registration and successful completion of the Online Written Exam.
2. Registration for and participation in two 2-hour Examiner led interactive Level 1 Virtual Clinics:
   
   • Introduction to PSIA-AASI and the Examiner who will lead your assessment.
   • Review of the Learning Connection Model
   • Review of LI Learning Outcomes, Assessment Activities, Assessment Criteria, and what success looks like.
   • 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:

• Familiarity with the Central Snowboard Level I Study Guide.
• Snowboard Level I E-Learning Course
• **All Level 1 Virtual modules, Written Exams & E-learning Courses must be taken online before registering for the on-snow portion of the exam. 
• ***You must register for and attend the Level 1 Virtual Module before you can complete the on-snow portion of the exam. Use the Central Event Calendar to find and register for a Level 1 Virtual event. 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! 
  
  
• ***Find the links to the above documents and exams in theEducation Resources section below.
• ***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.

What: What: The Snowboard Level II certification is the second step in the certification process and gives the candidate an opportunity to have their riding, teaching and professional knowledge evaluated using the PSIA-AASI National Standards and Assessment Criteria.

Why: Why: Level II certification is a professional designation attained by snowboard instructors who have mastered teaching guests in the intermediate zone, and technical skills in the intermediate or advanced terrain zone. 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 with a modular format. Day one is assessment of Teaching Skills, Movement Analysis Skills, and Technical Understanding; day two is assessment of Riding Skills. People Skills are assessed both days and throughout every category of the exam. Each section will be scored and candidates must have a minimum average score of 4 for each section to attain Level II.(See Education Resources below.)

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. The behavior of candidates will also be observed throughout the assessment environment.
  
  
• 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.

On Snow Day Two:

• Riding Skills:
  Candidates will be assessed on demonstrating clear riding images for intermediate-advanced level students including all-mountain terrain, freestyle and other teaching maneuvers. 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.

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
• Familiarity with the Central Snowboard Level 2 Study Guide.
• 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 exams in the Education Resources section below.
• Be sure to check other prerequisites in the Certification Pathways Guide below.

What: The Snowboard Level III Exam is the third step in the certification process and gives the candidate an opportunity to have their riding, teaching and professional knowledge evaluated using the PSIA-AASI National Standards and Assessment Criteria.

Why:  Level III certification is a professional designation attained by snowboard instructors who have mastered teaching guests in all zones, and technical skills in the advanced or 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 Skills, Movement Analysis Skills, and Technical Understanding; day two is assessment of Riding Skills. People Skills are assessed both days and throughout every category of the exam. Each section will be scored and candidates must have 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. 

  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 clear riding images for advanced-expert level students 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.

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
• Study the Central Snowboard Level 3 Study Guide.
• 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.