How do I get Certified by PSIA?

Question

I'm really into skiing, and I would like to get my Leve I (if not Level II) ski instructr certificate from PSIA in december. However, how do I go about this? I've been to their website, and have come up with little info on how to sign up.

Oh, also, incase it helps, I would like to get certified by PSIA rocky mountain division, to be able to teach in colorado.

So my question is what do I have to do, and what do I need in order to get my cert.

Thanks alot!

Answer 1

Jim W...are you out there? Why don't you take this question. It's right up your alley.

Seeing Jim hasn't answered this yet...here's what you do.

Determine which ski area you would like to be employed by as an instructor. PSIA divisions can help you determine which snowsports schools in your geographic area are PSIA member schools.

You should go through the area's hiring clinic and be employed as a teacher before you seek PSIA membership.

Contact the appropriate PSIA division office to receive a member information packet.

Once you have filled out the appropriate paperwork, received training from your area and have paid your dues, you are considered to be a Registered member of PSIA.

If you choose, you may participate in training programs offered by your area and division to achieve a Level I certification. Through these programs, you will learn snow sport teaching fundamentals to prepare you for Level I certification exam.

That's right off of the PSIA website.

However, once you are a PSIA member, you will have access to the schedule of PSIA clinics and classes and can take the ones you want, usually without any problems. Also, the list of classes is usually posted someplace at the resort. There's a big poster in our ski school room with all of the classes in the division. Alpine, Nordic, Adaptive, etc. You can get the list from a resort if you are not a PSIA member and then plan accordingly.

PSIA is really designed to benefit professionals who are employed by resorts or non-profit skiing organizations (ie. Adaptive Skiing Centers.)

For someone who is not a "pro" but wants to learn the skills and also wants to boost their chances of being a successful instructor you can always join the ASIA.

http://www.asiaski.org/

The association offers two levels of certification. ASIA is a member school of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, (PSIA), and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) and embodies the progression and methodology of The American Teaching System, as developed by PSIA. Top PSIA teaching professionals are chosen to teach programs, so students are assured of the most up to date, high quality instruction.

After becoming certified, many ASIA instructors begin to think about becoming members of a mountain snowsports school. In addition to providing the training for entry level ski and snowboard instruction positions, certification helps fulfill the primary requirements for applying for membership in PSIA and AASI.

Answer 2

you need to check with the resort that you could attend these classes. when i was into that kind of thing you had to already belong to a resort instructor group then they would come clinic the instructors, then give info on the next test. the main thing was paying them the money. was $75 for level 1 & 2 then $250 for level 3 ... just to take the test. i'd hate to think how much it might cost now,