Ski Level One Certification

Ski Level One Certification is the entry-level instructor’s course aimed at people interested in joining the snow sports industry. A Level One Ski Instructor is certified to teach first time skiers up to advanced wedge turns. The 5 day course is primarily an educational course with assessments in skiing and teaching.

Summary

Length: 5 days

Certification resource: The NZSIA Ski Instructor’s Manual is required reading for this course. The manual can be accessed through the Downloads page.

Pre-requisites:

  • An associate member or full member
  • Have the ability to ski with parallel turns
  • At least 16 years of age at the start of this course
  • Conversational level of English proficiency

** Before you take the Ski Level One Certification you must complete the Ski eLearning Level One online course, based on information in the 2017 Ski Instructor’s Manual. You can access the eLearning system through your member profile. Look at the course outline for further information. **

Assessment Process

Ski Level One Certification sessions will cover and assess:

  • NZSIA technique and mechanics.
  • Basic teaching methodology.
  • Personal skiing skills and fundamental skill demonstrations.
  • NZSIA progression for first time skiers through wedge turns.

Candidates’ teaching ability and technical understanding are assessed in three teaching presentations during the course. Technical and Teaching theory are assessed by way of an online course.

To achieve this qualification candidates should be parallel skiers making various turn radii on blue and green terrain. Freeski elements will be used as part of skill development. Candidates’ skiing and wedge turn demonstrations are continually assessed throughout the 5 days.

If you are unsure of how you compare to the standard required, please read the conditions of registration page available under downloads and here

Click here for Level One analysis training videos. See the Level One exam videos here.

Webinar – Walk through Ski Level One Certification

The video below is a recording of a live webinar talking through all aspects of the Ski Level One Certification.

Testimonials

Name: Byron Wells
Course and Resort: Ski Level One Certification (previously the CSI) at Cardrona

“I originally came from a ski racing background then started to compete in Freeski events about eight years ago. I am now working at Cardrona Alpine Resort as a part-time coach in the High Performance Centre. It’s great to be able to give something back to my sport and I enjoy teaching the young guys my skills. The Level One course that I completed was really valuable to me. It not only made me think about my own skiing but helped me to know how to communicate better with others when teaching those skills. I will go on to do the Park and Pipe Course next. Great course… I’d recommended it to anyone!”

Name: Mitchey Greig
Course and Resort: Ski Level One Certification (previously the CSI) at Cardrona

“In 2007 I sat my Level One; going into it just thinking it was going to be a drag, however I was pleasantly surprised. There was a friendly team of Examiners and a really entertaining bunch of other students to keep ourselves occupied. It was a good course taking me back to the basics of skiing, and it really drills things into your head. Having a Racing background it is nice to see the other side of the fence and understand to teach a client to ski without confusing them. The Level One is nice because it’s short, yet intense – fitting a lot of content into a short time frame. It was interesting and exciting!”