Adaptive Snowsports Education

PSIA Adaptive Alpine Certification Standards

The PSIA adaptive certification standards are based upon the knowledge and application
of information gained from the PSIA alpine manuals and the PSIA Adaptive Manual
(PSIA, 1997). Additional disability knowledge from medical, organizational, and
disability resources is also required.

Standards encompass the alpine certification requirements (shown on the PSIA website)
and include the disability, medical, and special equipment knowledge and understanding,
enabling an instructor to work with special populations at each certification level.

Adaptive classifications include:

• Visually Impaired
• Cognitively-related Disabilities
• Three-Track
• Four-Track
• Mono-ski
• Bi-ski

Level I Certification
Performs and demonstrates a basic understanding of American Teaching System concepts
and shows efficient movement and use of skis as outlined in the Alpine Level I standards.
Additionally, the member will demonstrate a general conceptual understanding of the
disabilities, medical, and equipment issues pertaining to at least one of the disability
classifications.

Level II Certification
Performs and demonstrates a working understanding of American Teaching System
concepts and shows efficient movement and use of skis as outlined in the Alpine Level II
standards. Additionally, the member will demonstrate detailed understanding and
working application of disabilities, medical, and equipment knowledge in all six
disability classifications.

Level III Certification
Performs and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of American Teaching
System concepts and shows efficient movement and use of skis as outlined in the Alpine
Level III standards. Additionally, the member will demonstrate a comprehensive
understanding and thorough application of the disabilities, medical, and equipment
knowledge pertaining to all disability classifications.

AASI Adaptive Certification Standards

The Adaptive sector of AASI certification standards are based upon the knowledge and application of information gained from the AASI Manuals and the PSIA Adaptive Manual. Additional diagnosis knowledge and information from medical, organizational and disability resources is also required.

Certification standards encompass the snowboard sector standards and include the diagnosis, medical and special equipment knowledge and understanding enabling an instructor to work with the special population at each certification level. Adaptive classifications include: Blindness and low vision, cognitive related diagnoses, physical related diagnoses, and diagnoses related to the inability to stand on a snowboard.

Level I Certification
Performs and demonstrates a basic understanding of AASI concepts; and shows efficient movement and use of a snowboard as outlined in the AASI snowboard Level I section. Additionally, the member will demonstrate a general conceptual understanding of the diagnoses, medical and equipment issues pertaining to at least one classification.

Level II Certification
Performs and demonstrates a working understanding of AASI concepts, and shows efficient movement and use of a snowboard as outlined in the AASI snowboard Level II section. Additionally, the member will demonstrate a more detailed understanding of the diagnoses, medical and equipment knowledge in all classifications.

Level III Certification
Performs and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of AASI concepts, and shows efficient movement and use of the snowboard as outlined in the AASI Snowboard Level III section. Additionally, the member will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of and thorough application to all diagnoses, medical and equipment knowledge pertaining to all classifications