Different Levels of Ski Instructor Courses
There are different ski instructor courses which qualify you to teach skiing and snowboarding at different levels. Skiing associations of countries which regulate and issue certifications for instructors have their own requirements which may differ from each other in certain ways. In learning to become a ski instructor, it is important to get acquainted with the different levels in the United States, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand and other countries which issue certifications. Needless to say, the higher the certification, the greater the job opportunities and pay.
In the United States, certification is achieved through membership in the Professional Ski Instructors of America. Membership is open to those who are actively teaching in an authorized ski school and are recommended by the school’s director. The PSIA recognizes three levels of expertise in ski instruction: Level 1 for new instructors; Level 2 requires a year or two of teaching as a Level 1 instructor; and Level 3 is for instructors who have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism in skiing.
There are other certifications for special skills such as Division Clinic Leader, Examiner, Demonstration Team member, Nordic Skiing Instructor, Adaptive Skiing Instructor and Freestyle Skiing Instructor. This would be similar to a doctor taking a post-graduate course and getting certified in a specific area of medicine.
The Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance certifies four levels of ski instruction. Level 1 is for beginners and is a requirement to become a member of the CSIA; Level 2 is for advanced skiers who have acquired a Level 1 certification and qualifies the instructor to teach up to intermediate parallel skill level; Level 3 is for advanced skiers who have reached Level 2 status and enables the instructor to teach up to advanced parallel skill level; Level 4 is for the Senior Ski Instructor who has passed an internationally recognized course. A special certification is issued for Snow Park Instructor which qualifies the person to teach snow park skills.
The New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance issues certifications for three levels. Level 1 is the entry level; Level 2 is for those who have achieved Level 1 status and qualifies the instructor to teach advanced to intermediate level skiers; Level 3 is for those who are certified to teach all levels including all-mountain terrains. There are special certifications for instructors who want to be trainers or coaches. There are also special certifications for Children’s Teaching and ISIA Avalanche instructors.
In France, interestingly enough, the Syndicat National Des Moniteurs Du Ski Francais only certifies one level. An instructor has to meet extremely high standards, must have race experience and be a superlative skier. Only instructors who have received this certification are accepted to work in a French ski school.
The world body that oversees the ski instructor industry is the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) with 38 of the world’s leading ski instructor associations as members. The ISIA coordinates with the national organizations to set standards for techniques, teaching methods and safety to ensure uniform professionalism for ski instructor courses in the industry.
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