Certification Pathway
Registered Member
Join the Rocky Mountain Division and the PSIA-AASI National Organization by paying the annual dues.
Alpine Level 1 Certification
- Minimum 16 years of Age
- Complete online E-Learning Module prior to exam
- If you are affiliated with a ski school and have completed in-house training, you may go directly to the Level 1 exam, if not you must first attend the 2-day Level 1 prep clinic before attending the Level 1 on-snow exam
- Attend 3-Day Alpine Level 1 Exam
Alpine Level 2 Certification
Prerequisites
- Alpine Level 1 Certified or minimum of Snowboard, Adaptive or Tele Level 2 Certified
- Attend 2 of the following electives
- Children’s Specialist 1
- Alpine Teaching Practice 201
- Certification in Another Discipline (if taken after Alpine Level 1)
- Boot Balancing and Alignment
- Movement Analysis 201 Indoor Clinic
- Movement Analysis 201 On-Snow Clinic
- Technical Foundations Indoor Clinic
- USSA Coaches Qualification
- Precision Skiing 201 (1 day)
- Precision Skiing 201 Camp (2 day)
- Freestyle Specialist 1
- Current on Dues & Credit Hours
- Pass Level 2 Written Exam
- Complete the Level 2 Proficiency Log
- Meet Race Requirement – NASTAR/Epic Mix Silver
Requirements
- Pass all portions of Children’s Specialist 1 (this counts as one of the 2 Electives, the CS1 must be passed to receive your Alpine Level 2)
- Pass 3-part Level 2 On-Snow Exam
Alpine Level 3 Certification
Prerequisites
- Alpine Level 2 Certified
- Attend 2 of the following electives
- Children’s Specialist 2
- Alpine Teaching Practice 301
- Certification Taken in Another Discipline (if taken after Alpine Level 2)
- Boot Balancing and Alignment
- Movement Analysis 301 Indoor Clinic
- Movement Analysis 301 On-Snow Clinic
- Technical Foundations Indoor Clinic
- Precision Skiing 301 (1 day)
- Precision Skiing 301 Camp (2 day)
- Freestyle Specialist – any level
- USSA Coaches Certification (taken after L2)
- Current on Dues & Credit Hours
- Pass Level 3 Written Exam
- Complete Level 3 Proficiency Log
- Meet Race Requirement – NASTAR/Epic Mix Gold
Requirements
- Pass all portions of Children’s Specialist 2 (this counts as one of the 2 Electives, the CS2 must be passed to receive your Alpine Level 3)
- Pass 3-Part Level 3 On-Snow Exam
- *No electives used to meet the Level 2 Certification requirements can be used to fulfill the requirements for the Level 3 Certification*
Additional Info for All 3 Levels
- Exams are offered as a 3 day block or as 1 day modules throughout the season. They can be taken all 3 days at once or individually within the 3 day block.
- Any part of the level 2 and 3 exams can be retaken individually if not passed.
- Exams (whether passed or failed) count toward a member’s credit hour requirement.
- Written exams are now offered on-line.
- If using the CS1 or CS2 as an elective for Level 2 or 3 certification, this must be completed before starting any portion of the certification.
ALPINE RECREATIONAL RACING REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION
Recreational racing is fun! Not only does it improve your personal skiing, many ski area guests are interested in learning to race. “National Standards Racing” (NASTAR) is a recreational program geared for all levels of skier. Many Rocky Mountain Ski Areas host a NASTAR or Epic Mix program. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum medals based on their time in relationship to the pre-determined pace set for the course. Age groupings allow for a sliding scale that makes winning a medal within most everyone’s grasp. PSIA-RM recognizes the value of recreational racing and has incorporated racing into most levels of Certification. PSIA-RM also accepts Epic Mix Racing as equivalent to NASTAR.
All candidates may earn medals at the following levels prior to attending exams
Certified Level 2: Silver
Certified Level 3: Gold
Alpine Certification Candidates may also submit the following acceptable substitutes for their NASTAR/Epic Mix requirement:
- Documentation of National Team experience.
- USSA Coaching Credential of any level.
- Participation in USSA Masters Race.
- Level 2 candidates may substitute an “equivalency letter.”
When NASTAR/Epic Mix is not available at the candidate’s home area, a Level 2 candidate may submit an equivalency letter from their Ski School Director. Letter should state sufficient knowledge and experience with recreational racing. All Level 3 Candidates are required to meet their racing requirement and may not substitute an equivalency letter.
Please email a copy of your credentials, certificates, Masters Race results, “equivalency letter” or NASTAR/Epic Mix results when submitting your Exam Application to carissa@psia-rm.org. Just print out your results by going online to the NASTAR website at www.nastar.com & email the link of you profile. If using Epic Mix, either email a screen shot or email a link.
Reference Materials
Demonstration Videos
The Alpine Demonstration Videos are provided as a visual reference for your training. All Demonstration Videos are now hosted on the Matrix at thesnowpros.org. You will need to log in to your thesnowpros.org account to gain access to the Matrix Videos. If you are having log-in problems please call 303-987-9390
LEVEL 1 Alpine Demonstration Videos
Level II Video Interviews
You can find the Level 2 Teaching Exam interviews HERE
