Certification Pathway
- Registered Member- pay RM & National dues
Cross Country Level 1 Certification
- Minimum 16 years of Age
- Complete Cross Country Level 1 Workbook
- Attend Cross Country Level 1 Prep Clinic
- Complete the E-Learning Module: Delivering the Beginner Experience – Cross Country
- Attend Cross Country Level 1 Certification (you must pass this)
- Current on Dues & Credit Hours
- If you have a background in coaching or have taught XC for several seasons there is a process for bypassing the required pre-assessment courses. Please see the Additional Notes below.
Cross Country Level 2 Certification
Prerequisites
- Level 1 Cross Country Certified or Certified Level 2 in any other discipline* (see additional notes below)
- Attend 1 of the prerequisite courses:
- Cross Country 2/3 Prep
- Cross Country Ski Improvement
- Current on Dues & Credit Hours
- It is highly recommended that you complete the Level 1 Work book and the E-Learning Module: Delivering the Beginner Experience – Cross Country if you have not done so in the past
Requirements
- Complete and bring Level 2 Certification Workbook to your on snow exam
- Attend and pass all portions of the Cross Country 2 Certification.
Cross Country Level 3 Certification
Prerequisites
- Level 2 Cross Country Certified
- Attend 1 of the prerequisite courses:
- Cross Country 2/3 Prep
- Cross Country Ski Improvement
- Cross Country Beyond Level 2
- Current on Dues & Credit Hours
- There is a process for bypassing the required Level 3 Assessment prerequisite courses. Please see the Additional Notes below.
- It is highly recommended that you complete the Level 2 Work book and the E-Learning Module: Delivering the Beginner Experience – Cross Country if you have not done so in the past
Requirements
- Complete and bring Level 3 Certification Workbook to your on snow exam
- Attend and pass all portions of the Cross Country 3 Certification.
Cross Country RMT Certificate
Prerequisites
- Level 3 Cross Country Certified
- Attend Cross Country 401 Workshop or Attend XC PSIA Ed Staff Fall Training (to attend fall training option you must contact XC chairperson prior and write a letter of intention of becoming a RMT)
- Complete RMT Selection Workbook
- Current in Dues & Credit Hours
- It is highly recommended that you complete the Level 3 Work book and the E-Learning Module: Delivering the Beginner Experience – Cross Country if you have not done so in the past
Requirements
- Pass the Cross Country 2-Day On-Snow RMT Selection
Additional Notes:
Skipping Level 1 Certification and going directly to Level 2 Certification Process
To be eligible to skip XC Level 1 certification and begin the XC Level 2 certification process, a member must have:
- A current membership in PSIA
- PSIA Level 2 certification in another Snowsports discipline OR have a minimum of 100 hours XC Ski teaching or coaching experience (must submit coaching hours to PSIA-RM office)
- *If you do not pass at the level 2 certification level, you will not be given a level 1 certification.
Skipping a Level 3 prerequisite course
To be eligible to skip a Level 3 pre-certification course and attend Level 3 certification exam, a member must have:
- Current PSIA membership
- XC Level 2 Certification
- Passed a telephone interview with XC Chairperson
Movement Analysis Videos










Education Materials
Rocky Mountain Cross Country Rendezvous
December 7-8th, 2020 at Breckenridge Nordic, Gold Run & Frisco Nordic
The biggest skiing and teaching event of the season! Learn a new cross country discipline, or explore modern cross country skiing, teaching and people skills with members of the PSIA National Team and Rocky Mountain Educational Staff in a small-group learning environment. This event is a must for instructors looking to enhance their cross country ski skills, become a more effective ski instructor, or work towards a higher level of instructor certification. Many clinic topics to choose from, with 1 or 2 day options available.
Registration Options
- 1 Day Option – Monday, December 7th OR Tuesday, December 8th – $95
- 2 Day Option – Monday, December 7th & Tuesday, December 8th – $190
REGISTER NOW
Clinic Topics & Schedule
Kinesiology of Classic Skiing – Offered Day 1 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Classic Skills
Cross country skiing is a sport that uses full-body movement and coordination, yet when systematically broken down it can become a simple, elegant, and graceful human movement. In this clinic we will use the Sports Performance Pyramid to improve your skiing as well as your knowledge of modern skiing technique when teaching lessons. (key areas covered: technical skills, personal ski improvement, teaching skills)
Classic Ski Improvement with Movement Analysis – Offered Day 1 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Classic Skills
Movement Analysis is a valuable tool for skill improvement. How do we execute this process with success and build excitement for the learning process? We will practice Movement Analysis with each other in a safe and stimulating environment. (key areas covered: personal skiing improvement, Movement Analysis, people skills, teaching skills, technical skills)
Learn to Classic / Creating a Positive Experience for Beginners – Offered Day 1 Only
This is a combined clinic for both novice skiers looking to learn how to classic ski for the first time and experienced ski instructors wanting to learn new ways to develop effective beginner teaching progressions. We will develop progressions that foster learning in a welcoming learning/teaching environment for everyone. (key areas covered: personal ski improvement, teaching skills, people skills)
Skate Skiing Pattern Breakers – Offered Day 1 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Skate Skills
Skiing skills develop over hours, days, and years of practice. Over time everyone develops movement patterns that are both productive and unproductive to efficient skiing. Changing movement patterns can be one of the most important, and often frustrating, things to do to improve your skiing. In this clinic we will explore unconventional ways to change your perception and performance. (key areas covered: personal skiing improvement, technical skills, people skills, teaching skills)
Games, Drills & Skills for Kids – Offered Day 1 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Classic and Skate Skills
If you are coaching or teaching kids on skis then you know that the key to a successful outing is keeping the kids moving and having fun. But how do you ensure that they are learning something along the way? In this clinic, you’ll learn a variety of games and drills that will keep the fun level high and the learning continuous. (key areas covered: children/kids, teaching skills, people skills)
Skate Skier Improvement with Movement Analysis – Offered Day 2 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Skate Skills
Movement Analysis is a valuable tool for skill improvement. How do we execute this process with success and build excitement for the learning process? We will practice Movement Analysis with each other in a safe and stimulating environment. (key areas covered: personal skiing improvement, Movement Analysis, people skills, teaching skills, technical skills)
Classic Skiing Pattern Breakers – Offered Day 2 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Classic Skills
Skiing skills develop over hours, days, and years of practice. Over time everyone develops movement patterns that are both productive and unproductive to efficient skiing. Changing movement patterns can be one of the most important, and often frustrating, things to do to improve your skiing. In this clinic we will explore unconventional ways to change your perception and performance. (key areas covered: personal skiing improvement, technical skills, people skills, teaching skills)
Kinesiology of Skate Skiing – Offered Day 2 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Skate Skills
Cross country skiing is a sport that uses full-body movement and coordination, yet when systematically broken down it can become a simple, elegant, and graceful human movement. In this clinic we will use the Sports Performance Pyramid to improve your skiing as well as your knowledge of modern skiing technique when teaching lessons. (key areas covered: technical skills, personal ski improvement, teaching skills)
Learn to Skate / Creating a Positive Experience for Beginners – Offered Day 2 Only
This is a combined clinic for both novice skiers looking to learn how to skate ski for the first time and experienced ski instructors wanting to learn new ways to develop effective beginner teaching progressions. We will develop progressions foster learning in a welcoming learning/teaching environment for everyone. (key areas covered: personal ski improvement, teaching skills, people skills)
Downhills, Speed Control & Tuning – Offered Day 2 Only
Prerequisites: Intermediate Classic and Skate Skills
Often, downhills, how to stop, and how to turn on cross country skis are the most requested items that we teach as instructors (or the thing we are scared to ask help with). In this clinic we will explore ways to improve our own skiing as well as how to develop meaningful connections with students that leads to an effective learning environment. (key areas covered: technical skills, people skills, teaching skills, personal ski improvement)