Any Level 2`s out there?

[Snow Wolf]

Going to to go for level 2 next season...looking for advice on how the riding exam goes.

[BadassBunny]

A buncha my friends just got their Level 2s last month.. so I have a pretty good idea.

It's 3 days, each day u ride with the same group, but u have a different instructor judging u. A lot of switch riding down blacks, bumps, teaching,... I don't rememeber everything, but I can find out.

Watch out for the written exam - it's not that easy, from what I heard.

[Snow Wolf]

Okay, thanks, thats pretty much what I have been hearing too. I`m solid on the written and the teaching, its my riding that needs more work.

[capita_bitch]

Pass the written first, you can usually take that at any psia office or through your training director. Get it out of the way first. Once you have that done, then you are okay to to sign up for the level II exam.

Most will say try not to take the Level II all at once. I took my level II teaching and riding in one weekend and yeah it's stressful and tough. It's a lot easier if you spread it out and do one at a time.

For teaching, you better have gotten reviewed by your TD well in advance. I've seen people in level II's teach their worst, stopping the group under the chairlift or just spending the entire time teaching and talking...not letting the group get feedback.

For teaching:
1. Give good critical/positive feedback. With everything you say to improve on, show them how. In the level II, you are giving feedback to instructors who should know what they are doing...so it can be tough. Every person should had feedback.
2. Make both your teaching portions fun! The examiners and shadowers do not like to be sitting in the snow when we could be riding and practicing what you just taught us.
3. Know what you are teaching. In your portion where you get to choose what you teach, make it something you have practiced well ahead of time and have a Good PROGRESSION for. That's the hardest part for people that i've shadowed is actually having a progression.
4. Be prepared. After you teach your portion, the examiners will give you what they believe is your worst riding or teaching....so if you are great at park, they will give you short radius dynamic turns.
5. Be prepared for some deep critical thinking on the chairlift. Oh yes if you ride up the chair which you will, be prepared for some hardcore Technical questions about what you just taught or will teach. And yes that does count for your level II passing.

I've been in the judgement room for level II exams, i've seen what the examiners look for and what they will pass and won't.

It helps a lot if you go out riding or do some preclinic stuff with examiners. Prep stuff will help you out a lot and get you ready for what examiners you might be working with.

Since i'm guessing you ride Oregon mountains, Chris Hargrave might be around to do some clinics but he's mostly at Echo Mtn during the season. In the summer he should be at Tline for HCSC. There's also a couple guys at Bachelor who are Examiners in Traing, who know their stuff. Look on the psia-nw website and find out who they are and look at next years prep clinics for level II.

[Snow Wolf]

Thanks for the feedback....I have heard of Chris...never met though. Several of our instructors (Meadows) got their cert 2 at the end of the year. I will be doing a lot of prep over the season and will try to take the cert 2 late next season.

[boardincuban]

Wolf,
I got my level II. Hard work, lots of rewards!
hmb with q's & concerns.

[4shayz2lounge0crew]

watch your form and know the technical lingo for a lot of the activities you teach. be open, take in constructive criticism, share feedback with others and dont be bummed if you dont get it. its not that easy.