Have you ever considered passing on your passion for winter sports? This 8 day course hosted by industry professionals, is designed to teach you all you’ll need to know to go from enthusiast to certified instructor. This course includes 5 days of on snow preparation at Timberline Ski Area and Mt Hood Meadows, as well as a 1 day certification exam hosted by PSIA Northwest. In order for you to focus on what your learning, we take care of the rest: lodging, meals, transportation, etc..
Level 1 certification is the first of three credentials offered and supported by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). In general level 1 certification attests that anyone holding it, has a basic understanding of bio mechanics, mountain safety, and can competently teach a person who has never snowboarded or skied safely to linking turns. To learn more about this organization and what this credential means please check out this link.
The competence required to attain the level 1 credential is high, therefore this course has been carefully designed to build your skills in a short amount of time. Each prep day has a theme and specific content that builds off the previous one, followed by nightly study sessions to augment your on snow learning, for more detail please click the “Day by Day” tab at the top of this window.
The 5 day prep course is followed by an objective evaluation hosted by examining staff of PSIA Northwest. Where your learned knowledge and ability to lead a group will be tested against the level 1 standard. If successful, (this is not a guarantee, but we have a great success rate) you’ll receive your level 1 certification certificate and pin. To learn more about the level 1 standard please click this link and select “alpine” for ski.
We support your education by taking care of the details, whether flying in or driving, once you arrive we handle all the necessities, so you can seamlessly transition from education to relaxation.
Please note this course package does not include PSIA Northwest Annual Membership, it is required that you have this before attending the course and exam. Please click this link to create an account and purchase your membership.
This is an advanced Ski session, participants must be able to safely make turns with confidence on all blue and black groomed terrain. This session has a minimum participation of 3 persons to operate and if minimum participation is not met within 30 days of travel you will receive a full refund.
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 (First Day On Snow)
After a hardy breakfast will leave for the mountain (approx. 8:30). Our first day’s training focuses on the mechanics of skiing, “what we do to make our skis stop, turn, etc.”
In the morning:
Assessment Activities: Basic Parallel Assessment, Side Slip in a Corridor, One Ski Traverse
Beginner Lesson: Intro to the Teaching Cycle, Equipment, Boot Work, Flatland, Climbing Maneuvers
In the afternoon:
Movement Analysis: Introduction to 5 Fundamentals. Introduction to the Movement Analysis model (OEP). MA Scenario: Rotation (Control the skis rotation (turning, pivoting, steering) with leg rotation, separate from the upper body.
Beginner Lesson: Straight Run, Gliding Wedge to a Stop
We will take 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 (Second Day On Snow)
In the morning:
Assessment Activities: Wedge Turns on Green Terrain, Basic Parallel Improvement
Beginner Lesson: Wedge Turns (Left and Right, Side hill entry)
In the afternoon:
CAP Model, inside Conference room, all groups (Katherine)
Movement Analysis: Phases of a Turn. MA Scenario: Flexion/Extension (Regulate the magnitude of pressure created through ski/snow interaction
Beginner Lesson: Linked Wedge Turns, Chairlift Safety
Day 4, Tuesday (Third Day On Snow)
In the morning:
Assessment Activities: Wedge Christie on Green Terrain, Open Parallel Turns with speed control and pole touch
Beginner Lesson: Wedge Turn Development, leading to beginning Wedge Christie
In the afternoon:
DIRT & VAK: what is it and how is it applied to our teaching (indoors)
Movement Analysis: MA Scenario- Foot to foot pressure (Control pressure from ski to ski and direct pressure to the outside ski)
Beginner Lesson: (Adults) Wedge Christie Turns on Green Terrain
Day 5, Wednesday (Fourth Day On Snow)
In the morning:
Assessment Activities: Wedge Christie on Blue Terrain, Open Parallel development
Beginner Lesson: Wedge Christie Turns On Blue Terrain
In the afternoon:
Basic Biomechanics (indoors)
Movement Analysis: MA Scenario- Fore/Aft pressuring (Control the relationship of the center of mass to the base of support to direct pressure along the length of the skis)
Beginner Lesson- Wedge Christie with Pole Touch
After skiing we’ll head to the nearby town of Hood River, for a brewery tour and a walk on the shores of the Columbia River.
Day 6, Thursday (Fifth Day On Snow)
In the morning:
Assessment Activities: Review, Wedge Turns, Wedge Christie Turns, Open Parallel Turns
Beginner Lesson- review differences in teaching children vs. adults- PDAS, Teaching Model,- Group Teaching and changing language and format
In the afternoon: Basic Physics (indoors)
Movement Analysis: Peer to Peer- MA Scenario- Edging issues (Control Edge angles through a combination of inclination and angulation
Exam “Tactics” for candidates, on hill group management/ safety/ Skier & Rider Responsibility code
Day 7, Friday (On-Snow Exam Day)
This is the day we put it all together and show the world what we’ve learned. We’ll head up to Timberline to meet the examiners at 8:15. This is a full day objective assessment of each candidates skills as they pertain to the Level 1 certification standard. During this day candidates will be evaluated on their depth of knowledge, riding efficiency, and ability to lead the group. The Progression Sessions team will be at the mountain ready to support, with equipment fixes, a hot lunch, and high five. Candidates will receive their results that afternoon.
We’ll finish up the course with a celebration worthy of our efforts.
Day 8, Saturday, 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!
- 7 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 Day
- Support on Exam Day
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Pre-Camp support and education via “Zoom”
- 1 coach per 4 guests
- Airport Transfers (campers 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 - Ski 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) (If you’re already a member of another division you can transfer membership to NW for $25 or elect to have dual membership for $52)
- Northwest Level 1 Technical knowledge Quiz ($10, we’ll walk you through this process)
- Level 1 On Snow Exam Fees ($60, we’ll walk you through this process)
- Timberline Pass (Spring Passes are on Sale $234 Click HERE)