-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1. What are PSIA and AASI?
The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) are nonprofit associations dedicated to promoting the sports of skiing and snowboarding through instruction. With approximately 30,000 members, PSIA-AASI establishes certification standards for snowsports instructors and develops education materials to be used as the core components of instructor training.
PSIA-AASI and NRM are dedicated to supporting the profession of snowsports instruction. Whether you teach on the snow part time or full time, and regardless of the tool on your feet, the PSIA/AASI sole purpose is to support you in your job. We do this by:
- Giving you the tools you need to excel
- Offering educational events to improve your skills as a skier, rider and teacher
- Providing a system of certification for instructors that rewards and recognizes three levels of achievement in teaching and skiing/riding
- Providing professional credibility for members, both with the general public and within ski area management
- Keeping you up to date as our sports and our industry change.
2. What is NRM? PSIA-AASI is made up of nine divisions, each representing a distinct region of the United States. The Northern Rocky Mountain (NRM) division represents snowsport professionals in Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Idaho, as well as Garmisch Germany and a few other European locations. See this map for more details on the nine divisions.
3. What are the various disciplines and specialties of snowsports instruction supported by PSIA-AASI NRM?
PSIA-AASI NRM is comprised of six disciplines and specialties of snowsports education and instruction.
- Alpine skiing
- Snowboarding
- Nordic skiing
- Freestyle
- Children's teaching
- Adaptive snowsports
4. How do I join?
To join, fill out a new member application and send it to Membership Services at
PSIA-AASI NRM
133 Sout Van Gordon Street, Ste. 200
Lakewood, CO 80228
or fax it to 303.987.9489
If you are already a member, you can view and edit your member profile and/or pay your dues online - login using your member id number.
5. What are the benefits of membership?
- Training - Want to acquire skills to assist you in developing a career in the snow sports industry? Our clinics and training materials will give you coaching that are designed for professionals.
- Access - Get the inside scoop on web-based learning materials, educational products, training manuals and cool accessories. All of this and more is accessible through the PSIA and AASI websites.
- Credibility - Want to teach high-end lessons? Certification is a sure route to becoming an all-mountain instructor.
- Pay scale - Want a bigger paycheck? Because snowsports schools recognize the value of certified instructors, certified members often receive higher wages.
- Pro deals - Want cheaper stuff? Members receive pro-pricing from many snowsports companies. Current sponsors include Patagonia, Salomon, Subaru, Rossignol, Burton, Never Summer, Smith and many more!
6. Are there different categories/types of membership?
Yes, the categories are as follows:
Registered Member: This is the entry level of membership. You do not need to be employed as a snowsports instructor and you do not have to pass an exam. It is recommended that instructors become registered members upon joining a snowsports school in order to tap into the abundance available resources. If you wish to pursue certification this is the place to start as well since membership is a prerequisite to attending any certification event.
Certified Member: If you are employed by a snowsports school, snowsports program or snowsports club, and are a member of PSIA-AASI you can pursue certification. Level I is the first certified level of membership, and many members become Level I instructors during their first season of employment. To attain this level you'll need to pass an on-snow Level I event. Level I events are offered at various ski areas during each season. The price of a level I event is $110, but it may be cheaper if it is an in-house event taught by a NRM staff member that is an employee of that snowsports school. Ask your school director if a level I event will be held at or near your area this season.
After Level I, Levels II and III await you! This certification structure is designed to provide ongoing training and to recognize each level of achievement. See the certification guide or the certification section under your snowsports discipline for detailed information about the exam process.
Inactive Member: Inactive Members are Certified Members who are temporarily not (actively) teaching but wish to remain affiliated with PSIA/AASI and NRM and keep their certification. Inactive status may be granted for a period not to exceed four seasons. Inactive members are not required to maintain continuing education credits. An inactive member may request reinstatement as an active member by contacting the NRM office and petitioning the appropriate discipline committee. If the request is approved the member will be reinstated after all reinstatement requirements are satisfied (Section 26.2.10. R&R).
Lifetime Members: Lifetime Members must be approved by both the NRM and National Board of Directors. Any Registered or Certified member may be recommended for lifetime membership by the NRM Board through its National Board (ASEA) Representative. Board approval will be based upon length of active service, meritorious service, recognition of special achievement, or a combination thereof. A gold lifetime membership card will be issued to recipients by PSIA/AASI. Lifetime Members have the right to vote and hold office within the Association but are not required to maintain continuing education credits.
Alumni Members: Alumni members are NRM Certified members who no longer wish to maintain their certification but want to remain affiliated with PSIA/AASI and NRM. Alumni members are not required to maintain continuing education credits, however, they may attend NRM functions. Alumni Members are not eligible to vote or to hold office within the Association, and are not eligible to obtain or maintain certifications
Honorary Members: Honorary membership may be granted by the Board to any person who has served PSIA-NRM in an extraordinary capacity but is not presently a member of the Association. Honorary members have no continuing educational credit obligations, and are not eligible to vote or hold office within the Association, and are not eligible to obtain or maintain certification.
7. What are annual membership dues?
By joining PSIA-NRM you will also become a member of the American Snowsports Education Association (ASEA), which is the largest organization of professional snowsports instructors in America. PSIA and AASI operate under the umbrella of ASEA.
The annual membership cycle is July 1 to June 30. When you pay dues you are paying dues to both associations (NRM and ASEA). The total amount depends on your membership type (outlined below).
Membership dues paid to the division help support our members by way of contributing support for NRM member services, event administration, database management, publication of the Northern Rocky Mountain News, the www.psia-nrm.org website, office staff wages, and training of the NRM Education Team.
Membership dues paid to ASEA help support the research and development of the American Teaching System training manuals and Movement Matrix, the publication of 32 Degrees, the www.thesnowpros.org website, maintenance of the national membership database, selection and training of the National Teams, and lobbying for snow sports instructors nationwide which helps to ensure support from hard-goods and soft-goods suppliers (view the extensive list of current PSIA-AASI sponsors).
Total annual dues amounts based on membership type:
- Registered Members $90
- Certified Members $90
- Inactive Members $90
- Lifetime Members $0
- Alumni Members $65
- Honorary Members $0
8. What if I join halfway through the season?
The membership cycle runs from July 1–June 30, which means that regardless of the month you join, dues are due June 30. There is one caveat to this, see the next question and answer listed below.
9. What is the significance of February 15 and new membership?
To better accommodate those individuals who wish to become members mid-season the following policy has been established (with PSIA-AASI national and all nine divisions):
- Membership generated between July 1, 2011 and Feb 14, 2012 will expire on June 30, 2012.
- Membership generated between February 15, 2012 and June 30, 2012 will expire on June 30, 2013.
Yes, this does mean some individuals’ first membership cycle may be short and others may be extra long. Sorry about that.
10. What are the continuing education requirements for certified members?
To maintain Certified Level I, Certified Level II, Certified Level III, and DCE status in PSIA-NRM, a minimum number of Continuing Educational Credits(CEUs) must be earned, annually or biennially (every two years). Inactive and Alumni members are not required to fulfill educational credit requirements. However, if an Inactive or Alumni member wishes to reinstate active Certified membership and resume teaching as such, he/she must contact the NRM office, petition the appropriate discipline committee, and obtain educational credits as required. Lifetime Members are exempt from maintaining CEUs.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED LEVEL I
To maintain certification, the Level I member must earn six (6) continuing educational credits every two (2) years, beginning the year following the attainment of Level I status.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED LEVEL II AND LEVEL III
All Certified Level II and Certified Level III members are required to earn twelve (12) continuing educational credits every two (2) years, beginning the year after gaining their level II certification.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DCE
All Division Clinicians and Examiners (DCE) are required to earn twelve (12) educational credit points annually.
Continuing Education Credits
1-day clinic = 6 credits
2-day clinic = 12 credits
3-day clinic = 18 credits
NRM members may attend clinics in other PSIA-AASI divisions for credit as well.
Please see the Continuing Education Requirements and Waivers page for details on enforcement of this requirement.
|
