Have you ever thought about turning your passion for skiing into something bigger?
This 9-day course, led by industry professionals, is designed to take you from skier to instructor. You’ll spend 5 days of on-snow preparation at Timberline Ski Area, followed by a 2-day certification exam with PSIA 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 Pofessional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA. 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 PSIA 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 PSIA 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 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 4 persons to operate and 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 (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
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 – 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 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)
- Level 1 On Snow Exam Fees ($360, we’ll walk you through this process)
- Timberline Pass (Spring Passes approximatly $250 on sale in March)