Those people on the SnowSkool ski instructor course at Big Sky in Montana will work towards the Level 1 and Level 2 ski instructor qualifications of the PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America).

PSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor

The PSIA Level I qualification consists of a 3-Day assessment of basic skiing skills, teaching skills, movement analysis, and professional knowledge. Candidates must be able to comfortably link both short & medium parallel turns on intermediate terrain and competently demonstrate various wedge/snowplough techniques.

The Level 1 qualifies successful candidates to teach beginner skiers on blue and green terrain.

PSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor

The Level 2 PSIA assessment runs for a total of 5-days and is comprised of two component parts; a 2-day skiing assessment and a 3-day teaching assessment. The skiing component is to be taken before candidates complete the teaching assessment.

Candidates must be able to ski advanced terrain in a controlled fashion, this will include bumps, jumps, and steeps. Candidates must also be able to confidently demonstrate all elements of the progression up to advanced parallel turning.

The PSIA level 2 allows successful candidates to teach intermediate skiers.

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