Freeski Level One Certification

The Freeski Level One Certification has been specifically for instructors who want to focus on teaching more effectively natural and made-made features in the Park and Pipe. This three-day course includes an online course, safety, group handling, and etiquette. It will develop personal freeskiing and teaching. Candidates will be assessed on personal freeski and teaching skills.

Summary

Length: 3 days.

Certification resource: The NZSIA Ski Instructor’s Manual is required reading for this course.

Pre-requisites: You must hold NZSIA Ski Level One Certification (or foreign equivalent) prior to Freeski Level One, and be a full or associate member of NZSIA.

** Before you attend this course you must complete the Freeski Level One Certification eLearning course. You can access the Ski eLearning system through your member profile. **

Freeski Level Two Certification

The Freeski Level Two Certification is for instructors wanting to progress within the SnowSports industry to teaching students on Medium and Large Jumps both in and out of the terrain park and Intermediate and Advanced Rails and Boxes. The pre-requisites for the Freeski Level Two Certification are listed below.

The course is split into a 2 day workshop, with a 2 day exam later in the season. Candidates may sit the exam in any following season if they prefer. The aim of the workshop is to introduce the guideline progressions for advanced skills for Medium and Large Jumps both in and out of the terrain park and Intermediate and Advanced Rails and Boxes. The aim is also to develop further technical knowledge and analysis skills, provide candidates with input on their Freeski Skills both in and out of the Terrain Park and give direction to further training toward the exam. Candidates should be expert freeskiers that can execute various maneuvers on Medium and Large Jumps both in and out of the terrain park and Intermediate and Advanced Rails and Boxes.

Summary

Length: 2 day Workshop and a 2 day Exam.

Certification resource: The NZSIA Ski Instructor’s Manual is required reading for this course.

Pre-requisites:

  • You must be an associate member or full member
  • Hold NZSIA Level Two Ski Certification or foreign equivalent (see our FAQs)
  • Hold Freeski Level One Certification or foreign equivalent (see our FAQs).

Prerequisites for the exam:

  • Attended the Freeski Level Two Workshop

Assessment Process

Candidates’ skiing is assessed during the 2 day exam and will include various maneuvers on Medium and Large Jumps both in and out of the terrain park and Intermediate and Advanced Rails and Boxes. The teaching is assessed during a 30-40 minute long lesson presentation conducted in the Terrain Park for advanced freeskiers to other members of the group.

Note: The Freeski Level Two workshop is a must before attempting the exam first time around. One attendance at the workshop holds indefinitely, although candidates are encouraged to attend a further workshop if it has been several years between the workshop attended and the exam.

 

Park, Pipe and Freeride Coaching

This is the on-snow component to the Development Coaches Accreditation for freeskiers and snowboarders, as part of the Coaching Pathway. This non-assessed, three-day course builds on coaching concepts introduced during the Intro to Coaching Seminar and takes these concepts into a live environment, looking at two main aspects:

  1. Coaching the athlete
  2. Coaching in the environment.

The course is specific to the environment (i.e. park, pipe and freeride) not the discipline, so freeskiers and snowboarders will be working together for most parts.

Assessment Process

Length: 3 day course.

Pre-requisites: NZSIA Freeski Level One Certification (requires NZSIA Ski Level Two Certification) and SBINZ Park and Pipe Certification (requires SBINZ Level One Certification) for snowboarders. Exceptions may be allowed for those with proven prior coaching and competitive experience (please apply in writing for the exception). International equivalents for Snowboard Park and Pipe and the Freeski Level One Certification will be accepted, however they MUST contain a halfpipe element.