Over the summer NZSIA has completed an extensive review and revalidation of our membership with ISIA. The outcomes from the review include an update of the ISIA stamp requirements to bring them in line with ISIA minimum standards. The new requirements to achieve ISIA stamp are as follows:
Ski and Snowboard pathway:
- Level 3 ski or snowboard
- Children’s Cert
- 2nd discipline at NZSIA/SBINZ Level 1 (ski/snowboard/telemark/adaptive)
- NZSIA Avalanche Awareness
- First Aid course (St. Johns, Red Cross, or equivalent)
- 2nd language test
- Freeski/Snowboard Freestyle Level 1
- Online modules (under development): History and culture, Nature and Environment, Tourism
Once ISIA Stamp Status has been achieved further training update days must be completed each year to retain the stamp. Training of more than one day will update for two years.
Course outlines for the above modules are available upon request or through the website. The website is currently being updated.
As well as reconfirming our stamp status the NZSIA ski division is investigating the option of offering an ISIA Card qualification. This is the highest level of international qualification available through ISIA and would place the NZSIA among the leading snowsports instruction nations in the world. Our international recognition through ISIA is a vital component of our goal, “To be a global leader in snowsports instruction,” and the creation of an ISIA Card qualification aligns well with this goal. A card qualification would operate in addition to the existing stamp level of qualification and would not replace it. This will allow NZSIA instructors to choose the level of ISIA certification they wish to pursue.
A draft make up of this pathway has been provided to ISIA and was well received. The pathway includes completion of the ISIA stamp requirements plus Trainers Cert., further avalanche safety training and testing, and an ISIA speed test. We are currently finalising details for the roll out of this new qualification and hope to report on this to the membership shortly.
If you have any queries regarding the ISIA requirements please contact the NZSIA office.
