Have you ever thought about turning your passion for snowboarding into something bigger?
This 9-day course, led by industry professionals, is designed to take you from rider to instructor. You’ll spend 5 days of on-snow preparation at Timberline Ski Area, followed by a 2-day certification exam with AASI Northwest. To keep your focus on learning, we handle everything else—lodging, meals, transportation, and more.
What is Level 1 Certification?
Level 1 is the first of three credentials offered by the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). Earning this certification proves that you understand biomechanics, mountain safety, and—most importantly—can teach someone who has never snowboarded before how to link their first turns safely and successfully. To learn more about this organization and what the credential means, click here.
How the Course Works
The Level 1 standard is demanding, but this course is carefully designed to set you up for success. Before we meet in Oregon, you’ll complete four Zoom-based study sessions to build your foundation. Once on the mountain, each prep day follows a theme that builds on the last, reinforced by nightly study sessions back at the lodge. For a detailed breakdown, click the “Day by Day” tab at the top of this window.
At the end of the prep week, you’ll take part in the official evaluation hosted by AASI Northwest examiners. Your teaching skills, group leadership, and riding ability will be tested against the Level 1 standard. If successful, you’ll walk away with your official Level 1 certificate and pin. To learn more about the Level 1 standard, click here.
All-Inclusive Support
From the moment you arrive—whether flying in or driving—we’ve got you covered. We’ll fuel your progression with hearty homemade breakfasts, healthy grab-and-go options for lunch, snacks whenever you need them, and family-style dinners at our lodge (or nights out at great local restaurants). When it’s time to relax, you’ll unwind at our comfortable lodge—click here for a video tour.
Important Note
This course package does not include an AASI Northwest Annual Membership. You’ll need to purchase this before attending the course and exam. Please click here to create an account and purchase your membership.
This is an advanced Snowboard session, participants must be able to safely make turns with confidence on all blue and groomed black terrain. This session has a minimum participation of 8 persons per to operate, if minimum participation is not met within 30 days of travel you will receive a full refund.
Book 4 people on the same reservation and we’ll assign your whole group a private condo for the week.
Day 1, Saturday, Arrival Day
Arrive at PDX by 4pm, or Government Camp by 5:30pm. We’ll get moved in and have a leisurely dinner at our lodge where we’ll discuss the week ahead; here you’ll also have a chance to make any equipment modifications for the next days adventure.
Day 2, Sunday, Technical Fundamentals
After a hardy breakfast will leave for the mountain (approx. 8:30). Our first day’s training focuses on the mechanics of snowboarding, “what we do to make our snowboard stop, turn, etc.” We’ll also take a good look at your personal riding, collect some video for future review, and offer suggestions to get you sliding more efficiently. After a full day at the mountain we’ll head back to our lodge, you’ll have a chance to change and relax, before dinner. In the evening we’ll host a clinic on waxing and caring for your equipment.
Day 3, Monday, Teaching Beginners
This day’s training focuses on teaching beginners. We’ll explore the steps and best practices we use to take a new rider from “never ever” to “linking turns”. In the evening we’ll host a class on “movement analysis”, where we’ll watch ourselves and others slide and break down what we see in the fraimwork of OEP.
Day 4, Tuesday, Riding and Student Centered Teaching
We’ll spend the first half of our day applying what we learned from the previose evenings movement analysis session to our personal performance on snow. Then we’ll head indoors for a short workshop that covers the “need to know” concepts and considerations for tailoring your lesson to the unique needs of your students. Our afternoon will be spent back on the mountain, where we’ll apply what we learned to our peers. After riding we’ll give our brains a break and head down the mountain for a short nature hike out of the snow, followed by a casual dinner in town.
Day 5, Wednesday, Mountain Safety, Intro to Terrain Parks
We’ll kick off our morning with a short lesson on terrain park etiquette and safety, then we’ll expand our view to encompass the whole mountain. We’ll model and discuss best practices for moving a group of people safely through hazards commonly found at a ski resort. We’ll finish up the day with a short lesson on injury response. After riding we’ll host a second Tech/MA session where you’ll work to further hone your eye and your ability to verbally articulate your thoughts.
Day 6, Thursday, Practical Application
For the morning session candidates will be asked to lead the group through an assigned teaching scenario. This is a key component of the exam and this step is paramount to success. We’re keeping our afternoon session free for decompression, this will give everyone a chance to freeride, rest, or simply clear their minds. We’ll host an optional review session of concepts learned throughout the week back at our lodge, with a family style feast to follow.
Day 7 – 8, Friday – Saturday (On-Snow Exam Day)
This is when we put it all together and show the world what we’ve learned. We’ll head up to Timberline to meet the examiners at 8:30. This is a full 2 days of objective assessment of each candidates skills as they pertain to the Level 1 certification standard. During these days candidates will be evaluated on their depth of knowledge, skiing efficiency, and ability to lead the group. The Progression Sessions team will be at the mountain ready to support, with equipment fixes, high fives, and more. Candidates will receive their results the afternoon of the second day.
When it’s all over we’ll host a celebration worthy of your efforts.
Day 9, Sunday, Departure Day
All good things must come to an end (at least a temporary one). Departing flights must be scheduled after 9am. Coaches will make sure you are at the airport at least 60min minutes before your flight departs.
All Inclusive
This means we got you covered from the moment you arrive!
- 8 nights lodging, (Shared rooms and bathrooms, there may limited availability for private room at an additional fee)
- 5 days on snow Coaching
- In-depth video review sessions
- Evening Study Sessions
- Support on Exam Days
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Pre-Camp support and education via “Zoom”
- 1 coach per 4 guests
- Airport Transfers (must arrive by 4pm)
- Off Snow Activities
- Printed Educational Materials
- Branded Gift!
- Adult Beverages, although some may be provided in general, you’ll buy your own beers
- Domestic Flights
- Medical care, we’ll do our best to get you whatever help you need but you’ll be on your
own to foot the bill - Snowboard gear, you’ll need to bring your own setup, there are a few stores and the
mountain has a demo center if you want to try some different gear - Transportation outside of scheduled itinerary
- PSIA-AASI Northwest Annual Membership (Approximately $150 annually)
- Level 1 On Snow Exam Fees ($360, we’ll walk you through this process)
- Timberline Pass (Spring Passes approximatly $250 on sale in March)