anyone out there AASI certified?

[redbullgivesyouwings]

when i was like 15, i thought of myself as a pretty good snowboarder so i said to myself, what the hell? i'll be a snowboard instructor! haha but holy **** when i started clinicing with my soon-to-be supervisors, i now was thinking "damn, these guys are good snowboarders." so for the next few years i learned so damn much from these amazing riders. and i think becoming an instructor at that age was the best thing i ever did for my riding.

this year, no instructing...i came out to school in missoula and decided not to get a job at the local mountain, schoolwork is hard enough as it is. but if i wasnt in school i would definitely be at home teaching, and definitely persuing some professional certification. AASI level 1, and i might even have enough teaching hours to snag a level 2 at this point. i really think i may stick around home next winter so i can get these certifications, and go back to teaching snowboarding.

anyone else out there an instructor at their peak? got the certifications for it?

**AASI- american assoc. of snowboard instructors.

[snobug]

I taught skiing and boarding at a local ski area which is now closed and made it to level 1. The clinics were alot of fun and you learned so much. I always thought I'd get back into it, but going to college, working fulltime, etc kind of got in the way.

[Snow Wolf]

Yeah, I just started instructing this season. Got my AASI level 1 a couple of months ago. Will work on cert 2 for next year...got to get a little more fluid on my riding and better at getting out of the pipe...only just now finished up a full season of riding as I started last year near the end of the season.

[IceCoastChick]

How do you get your AASI level 1 cert? Was thinking about becoming an instructor sometime in the near future.

[redbullgivesyouwings]

you just gotta get some teaching hours under your belt, then find out when the next certification clinic is going on, and where the closest one is

[Snow Wolf]

How do you get your AASI level 1 cert? Was thinking about becoming an instructor sometime in the near future.

The best way is to get a job at a local mountain and once you have I think 10 hours logged instructing, you can then take the Cert 1 exam. There is a riding test that is really easy as long as you have solid intermediate riding skills. You have to be able to demonstrate basic moves like skidded turns and dynamic skidded turns, riding switch on groomed blue terrain and be able to do basic skidded turns switch. We had to do nose rolls, where you nose press and then flip 180 on the nose of the board. Boardwalking was required as well as ollies over a small obstacle. The written test was 50 questions that were true0false, multiple choice and fill in the blank. You need to pick up and read the AASI Snowboard Manual in order to pass the written. The test cost $15.00 and there is no re-take...if you fail, you losse the $15.00 The thing is if you can ride at all and study just a little bit, you will have no problem. Most resorts will up your hourly pay when you become certified. Cert 1 is usually given by a designated examiner who works at your mountain, the higher levels often requires you to travel to another location for testing. Good luck with it it is a lot of fun, but there are frustrating days too so make sure you are prepared for the commitment.

[IceCoastChick]

Yeah I know what you mean by frustration. My friend used to be an instructor at the canyons..actually she was my instructor but we're friends now. She had this one kid whose parents bitched her out and he was always causing trouble. The canyons has this policy about if your student returns but they've moved up a level..you move with them or something like that. She said all the instructors were so happy when their students came back because then they weren't stuck with the extreme beginners. I always feel bad when the good instructors get stuck with people who haven't snowboarded before.

Thanks for the help on cert 1 :)

[BadassBunny]

10 hours n $15?! WTF.

I'm almost positive it's 50 teaching hours.. n my boss held an in-house Level I - it cost $201 to take it! [that also included the $100 AASI membership tho].

Level I's are really a joke - if u can ride a snowboard decently, u can pass ur Level I. Level II is a LOT more difficult to pass, with both the riding/written/teaching.

[Risa81]

The clinics are def the best part of instructing. Oh, wait... that and the free pass'. This year I decided to get my pass making real money up there and bartended instead. **** instructing. NO MONEY!

[Snow Wolf]

Yeah, if you instruct, its because you truly enjoy sharing your passion for the sport, not the money or free pass. As far as AASI cost, that was what is one at Meadows and my dues were $70.00 and the total instruction time was 10 hours, so it sounds like you got really nailed for money. Level I is designed to get you into the system and level 2 is an all day or two day exam and the riding portion is very critical...also the test cost a lot more.

[Proximate Platypus]

and dynamic skidded turns,
I feel kind of silly asking this, but are those the "tall as a house/small as a mouse" kind? I mean, when you're standing up, and then you bend your knees as you turn, and then you straighten up again, or something like that...

[Snow Wolf]

Yeah, basically, the dynamic skidded turn is that middle ground between skidded turns and actual carving....you still use some pivoting and rotation to execute the turn, but as you enter the turn, you weight the board by flexing, or sinking into it and "getting low".....whe the turn completes and you get ready to set up for the next turn, you unweight the board by extending or "getting tall".....the rear of the board still skids a bit in the turn unlike true carving.

[capita_bitch]

AASI Level II
Freestyle Basic Cert

Level I is super easy, i've shadowed and given the level I exams many times. Pretty much as long as you can ride and show consistency and that you actually care, you will pass.

Level II and III are much much harder. I've shadowed Level II exams where i've seen some great riders who cannot teach at all. Level II and III take a good amount of training and effort put into it to pass. Level I, as long as you have 10 teaching hours here in the NW and $15 you can take the test. But you TD does sign for you to take it.

[railrat]

AASI Level II
Freestyle Basic Cert

Level I is super easy, i've shadowed and given the level I exams many times. Pretty much as long as you can ride and show consistency and that you actually care, you will pass.

Level II and III are much much harder. I've shadowed Level II exams where i've seen some great riders who cannot teach at all. Level II and III take a good amount of training and effort put into it to pass. Level I, as long as you have 10 teaching hours here in the NW and $15 you can take the test. But you TD does sign for you to take it.

Where do you teach?

[capita_bitch]

railrat,
I was a Training Director at Snoqualmie Pass from 98-03, taught for Stevens Pass as well and currently teaching whenever major resorts need me. Loving the life :)

[railrat]

railrat,
I was a Training Director at Snoqualmie Pass from 98-03, taught for Stevens Pass as well and currently teaching whenever major resorts need me. Loving the life :)

Nice! Sounds like fun. Welcome to the site!

[Corkscrewed]

railrat,
I was a Training Director at Snoqualmie Pass from 98-03, taught for Stevens Pass as well and currently teaching whenever major resorts need me. Loving the life :)

I'm very seriously considering moving back to the Northwest. I used to teach/lift op like 7 years ago, and would like to maybe pursue a job in the resort industry. I was wondering what qualifications are needed (degrees, certs, etc.), or will job experience (resort and management) and good interviewing skills ;) be enough?

[Snow Wolf]

Well, depends on where you want to start at....for instructing any cert levels you have are a pluss, but not required...your past experience will obviously help and I think good interview skills go a long way. If you do come to the NW, the resorts are alway short on instructors so that is a great way to get a foot in the door somewhere as well as a free pass. Through my instructing this year at Meadows, i have made lots of contacts, one of which is with the grooming department and I may get an opportunity to learn to operate the grooming cat this year! If its been 7 years, I assume your not still AASI certifed, so you will have to take your exams again to get back in the system but thats a breeze for level 1 and if you`ve been riding a long time, level 2 will be easy for you...I was`nt ready for level 2 this year as this was my first full season as a rider. Others can add more, but hope that helps some.....

[capita_bitch]

cork,
Just like snowwolf pointed out it really depends what kind of resort job you are looking for, teaching snowboarding, resort management or if you want more of an industry job.

Anyone can be an instructor, mountains always hire for new instructors every season and the turnover rate is pretty high. The pay can be decent for those who have experience and certifications, but for most starting out it's a tough job to do.

Instructing does get you great contacts, i know almost all the NW reps and most of them i know because they were once TD's or Examiners here, so i'm on friendly terms with all of them. So instructing can open up doors, sometimes it just takes a while and of course making a good impression and getting to know the right people.

Check out what type of jobs you would be interested in and see what experience is required. Only the upper resort jobs would require a degree, like IT support or marketing or sales.

[boardinfreak015]

yea im AASI Level 1 certified; its a lot of fun i love being an instructor

[Snow Wolf]

Cool...how long ya been doing it?

[boardinfreak015]

this past winter was my 3rd season as an instructor....my first 2 years i worked in the kids kamp at the mountain and this year i went to regular lineup. i liked that a lot better. the staff is sssooo much fun.....i got my level one at smugglers notch in vt so it was nice to do it out of jersey but it would have been nice to know the mountain you were getting tested on.

[Snow Wolf]

Sweet. yeah I love the people I get to work with too. I know what you mean about regular lineup. I am looking forward to getting my level 2 this year....you get more private lessons with more advanced students so you get to do much more fun type of riding.

[Proximate Platypus]

So... I was wondering... what levels of students can you teach if you're level 2, and are there any other levels of snowboard instructors?

[Snow Wolf]

Well, to answer your second question first, AASI has devided the levels into 1, 2 and 3. Cert 1 is very easy to get...you just have to be able to ride solidly as an intermediate rider and be able to demonstrate that you know how and why the body movements and snowboard reaction occuur. You have to be able to demonstrate teaching and communication skills and some basic people skills. The ide of the level 1 is really to get you into the system. Level 2 is really pretty much the same with regard to riding, however, you are held to a much higher standard with far less room for error. As well there are more riding skills thrown in like some half pipe work. The written test is more in depth and requires decent preparation to pass. For the level 2 you have to be able to demonstrate some real riding and teaching ability. Level 3 is the top level and I guess it is pretty intense with regard to riding and the teaching test is very demanding. A level 3 is an expert in the field. Again, emphasis is put on proper riding technique, not how fast you can ride or what tricks you can do...you have to be able to explain why you do things a certain way to make the board react the correct way in any condition.

As far as type of students, often workload is the determining factor...I have had students who want to really learn park, but I suck at park. Now, through study, I know the mechanics of how to do things and the proper way to do it, but I, as a rider have not gotten the balance or technique down yet with a lot of stuff. So...when this happens, I know I get to spend 90 minutes falling a lot. I go through things verbally, then attmpt to demonstrate them, usually wiping out landing etc. Believe it or not, a rider who is actually way more adept than me, can still learn from the information I am able to pass on to them and they seem satisfied. When this happens and if there is another instructor who is better than me, we match up the instructor to the level of the student, but sometimes we are short and I have to do the best I can...often I learn as much as the student. It is a good way to force myself to go bigger than I normally do simply because I have to for a paying customer. Usually, I deal with beginners through high level intermediates or people wanting to learn backcountry which is my chosen area of interest.
Now when I get level 2, I will get way more private lessons and advanced students wanting more advanced training....but we share the work and a lot of level 2 instructors are out side slipping with noobs.....its all good...at least we are on a board and on the snow!

[DragonUSMC]

AASI system is REALLY worth the time! I'm an old PSIA instructor... lol i still have my book from like 10 years ago. Now that I'm the head snowboard instructor at my hill AASI has been pounded into all my instructors heads. Your certifications deffinately worth it.

You dont get rich being an instructor, but you do get to watch people get stoaked on learning to ride... and to me thats more important then $$.

[MoB GRIMEY]

im going it for this year my level 1

[element4life257]

I wish I was old enough

[Alford88]

Im also lookin 2 be an instructor in a season or two and was just wondering if anyone out there who is or has been an instructor what the pays like lol just wondered can u make a living off it within a season? Also just wondered just how good you have to be i mean ive been ridin 4 4 years so am fairly confident but a few of my frinds were also lookin in2 it and have only done about 4 weeks and are now about to do a season would that be enough do u rekon?

[DragonUSMC]

Snow Wolf pretty much described the level 1 instructor up a couple posts... Its fairly easy... the only thing I would add to it, is that you have to be some what charismatic, patient, and have great public speaking ability… I do not hire instructors that are all like “so bra… check this, ya’s gottas ta take ya board like dis and ‘WHOSH WHOOSH’ with ya leg like this! Watch me!”

But your riding ability for just starting out isn’t really that important. Mainly because as a new instructor the first thing you must learn is that “you don’t know how to ride” You have to drop all of your bad habits when you teach. You have to demonstrate and ride JUST as you are instructing them to. But yes you will need to know how to get down the hill… being an instructor will actually make you a MUCH better rider… I incorporate everything into my riding park, trees, drops, carves, everything! You can advance your own riding VERY quickly if you understand and apply the new mechanics that you are teaching.

Can you make a living off of this? Depends… When I lived in Vail, I knew some of the instructors; some of the top ones could support THEMSELVES. But your sure not going to get rich. The average income is listed on NSAA as about $10,500 and $25,000 per season. But the difference is if you live in the Mts… you have your foot in the door for the summer seasonal jobs. Obviously the cost of living has to be taken into account and if you live in a ski town… yeah it’s usually outrageous. So in short… Major resort = yes you can make a living off of it… Small town ski hill = No chance in hell =(

[DragonUSMC]

Oh i forgot to add... THE MOST IMPORTANT THING...

Your focus should be the satisfaction / fun the student is having. Not getting them to huck 7's by the end of the lesson.

[Snow Wolf]

I would like to backup what DragonUSMC said about riding.....There are some real hot shot riders out there who can tear up a mountain and have tons of steez doing it, but they would fail an AASI cert 2 exam. I was very surprised by the critique`s I got from examiners on my riding...subtle things that once I started doing it the right way, made a huge difference. My own riding ability has dramatically improved! Like he said in the second post...when looking at whether to become an instructor or not, examine your true motifs; if enjoying the clients is`nt high on your list, you might not make a very good instructor....I would say it`s 90% PR skills and 10% riding ability......just my opinion.

[Alford88]

[quote=DragonUSMC]Snow Wolf pretty much described the level 1 instructor up a couple posts... Its fairly easy... the only thing I would add to it, is that you have to be some what charismatic, patient, and have great public speaking ability… I do not hire instructors that are all like “so bra… check this, ya’s gottas ta take ya board like dis and ‘WHOSH WHOOSH’ with ya leg like this! Watch me!” ..............................

Cheers man helped quite a bit am gna try and progress bit more then season after next look 2 become an instructor, n i guess the pay aint amazin but it lets you do what you wanna do be on the mountain -job satisfaction and also can open the way to other stuff i guess like summer work and that, cheers man!

[DragonUSMC]

no problem glad i could help... I personally LOVE instructing... Ok there are some days i REALLY dont. Like working all day teaching and then pushing snow and setting up the park till 3 am and being back in for opening chair... there have been many a nights sleeping on the ski school room couch. =( But i wouldnt trade it for anything.

[thisboyneedstheropy]

Any one pass aasi 2 cause i got 1 super easy and a blast cause our advisor took us over to see Drop kickmurphys after words ... to any one that passed level 2 whats the hardest part and y

[DragonUSMC]

Any one pass aasi 2 cause i got 1 super easy and a blast cause our advisor took us over to see Drop kickmurphys after words ... to any one that passed level 2 whats the hardest part and y

The major difference is not that the material covered is different. More of that they (testers) are not going to be as lenient with mistakes… Every tester is going to be different. At the level 2 you will have to be able to identify problems and develop solutions for them. IE the “never leans forward” person, obviously this is an easy one to recognize but never the less how would you solve this problem? Also professionalism, knowledge, ability, and confidence will also be part of it.

Do you have the AASI study manual thingies? I think you can grab one off of www.aasi.org (http://www.aasi.org/) actually I’m pretty sure you can. They help… I mean everyone puts their own twist on their lessons. I encourage my instructors to do so; it separates them from one another. Return lessons might not like the lesson style of one instructor but love the style of another. It generates great return lessons and a customer base for my instructors. But they all still cover the same thing... Your testers understand that. And damnit going to the Dropkicks after testing should be like included in all certification tests!! =( i didnt get mine.

[NCC-1701]

Hi all, another instructor here. Just a level 1 but I love doing it and the perks are the real reward. It sure is a fun way to meet new friends and you always have people to ride with and fellow instructors to push you to ride better.

[boardincuban]

Well, I got my level II a couple of years ago. I've been teaching for about 9 years now. It's definitely had its highs and lows. But, it's been a good experience for sure.
Seems like some of you all have questions about certs and stuff. So, I'll try to give out some help. Level I is not exactly a give-away, but if you are a pretty solid rider you should be able to get it. The key is to understand the teaching principles and the riding stuff. I got mine my first year, and it took several to get my Level II. There's definately alot more involved in stepping up to that. As for level II, it's extremely hard to obtain because of the level of skill in riding, and knowledge of teaching methods required.
If you plan on making money teaching, it's pretty much a requirement to get your certs. There's a BIG difference in pay scales based on certifications at most resorts. Consider the bills you gotta put into it, an investement in the money you can make (often several dollars an hour!). Plus, the sense of accomplishment you'll get is a big reward in itself.
well, that's enough of my input for now. Any specific q' y'all might have, hit me up on myspace, yahoo, or msn...
PEACE!
boardincuban

[lcarbo76]

AASI certified level one. Going for level two this year...

[boardinfreak015]

I am hoping to go for my Level 2. This past season I got Level 1 in boarding and skiing...had a blast doing both. I think i am going to put my concentration toward snowboarding this year. Money and if im going to school in the winter play a big part if i can do the prerequisite event and get my level 2 this year.

[funky snowboarder]

i wanna get my level 1 cert this year too!