Enhance Your Certification by Pursuing Adaptive Credentials
Instructors must be at least PSIA-AASI Level I-certified (alpine or snowboard) to pursue an adaptive certification and/or adaptive specialist credential in the same discipline. Pursuing professional training in adaptive snowsports is for everyone and allows instructors access to unique job and volunteer opportunities with various adaptive centers and nonprofits working to make skiing and riding more accessible.
Understanding adaptive levels
PSIA-AASI’s pathways for professional development for adaptive instructors include three levels of certification (Level I, II, and III) in combination with specialist credentials offered in five adaptive disciplines: cognitive, visual impairment, stand-up physical diagnoses, bi-ski, and mono-ski. Upon becoming certified at Adaptive Snowboard Level I or Adaptive Alpine Level I, instructors can choose to specialize in the adaptive discipline(s) of their choice.
Level I, Alpine or Snowboard
Adaptive Alpine/Snowboard Level I instructors must be certified at Alpine/Snowboard Level I (or equivalent) instructor and successfully complete at least one assessment module for paired adaptive disciplines (Cognitive/Visual Impairment, Stand-Up Physical Diagnoses, Bi-Ski/Mono-Ski).
Level II, Alpine or Snowboard
Adaptive Level II certified instructors must be certified at Alpine or Snowboard Level II. Adaptive Specialist 2 requires Level I certification in Alpine or Snowboard plus successful completion of all five Adaptive Specialist 2 assessment modules, and the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for Alpine or Snowboard Level II technical skills.
Level III, Alpine or Snowboard
Adaptive Level III certified instructors must be certified at Alpine or Snowboard Level III. Adaptive Specialist 3 requires Level II certification in Alpine or Snowboard plus successful completion of all five Adaptive Specialist 3 assessment modules, and the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for Alpine or Snowboard Level III technical skills.
Adaptive Certification Resources: Alpine and Snowboard
Below is everything you need to succeed at all levels of adaptive certification. Membership questions? Visit the membership section of the site to find what you need. Ready to join? Start here!
Adaptive certification is open to current members who already have a Level I certification in Alpine or Snowboard. Please note: your region may have additional certification prerequisites.
Because an instructor’s adaptive certification level is tied to their discipline-specific certification (e.g., Snowboard or Alpine Level I and so on), the assessment criteria for certification aligns with the Professionalism and Self-Management, People Skills, Teaching Skills, and Technical Skills outlined in the AASI Snowboard and PSIA Alpine Certification Standards. The five adaptive skill
categories are: Adaptations of Teaching Skills; Assessment, Equipment, & Tactics; Diagnoses & Medications; Technical Tactics & Communication; and Movement Analysis.
PSIA-AASI Performance Guides are your roadmap to success and help validate that you are prepared to do the job. Use them to understand what you are expected to do for the guest. Performance guides refer to and are complemented by multimedia resources, including PSIA-AASI manuals, e-learning courses, and sample assessment activity descriptions and videos. These guides are living documents, receive regular updates, and will evolve as qualifications and competencies change in a dynamic snowsports learning environment.
PSIA-AASI Assessment Forms are what the examiner will use to grade your performance and provide feedback following your certification exam.
The PSIA-AASI Matrix is your one-stop shop for relevant ski and snowboard educational video content. Videos cover techniques, exam tasks, movement analysis, teaching tips, how to navigate certain terrain types, and more. Have footage of a cool drill, great teaching tip, or inspiring glimpse into the snow pro life? You can submit your video to The Matrix.
Regions are where your on-snow trainings and certification exam(s) will take place. PSIA-AASI certifications represent a standard of consistent competency, and your credentials are recognized and transferrable nationwide. Check with your region for additional certification details. Don’t know your region? Scroll down to find the map and zip code checker.
Your PSIA-AASI pin signifies a professional credential. To maintain a “certified” status, you must: 1) keep your membership current and, 2) earn at least six continuing education units (CEUs) every membership year, which begins July 1 and ends June 30. In-person events, clinics, and trainings plus online webinars and digital courses are available. You can also visit your region’s website to find additional webinars and online courses, or apply for a scholarship to support your next steps as an instructor. Non-CEU-earning educational resources include our member magazine, blog, and podcast.
Adaptive MANUALS
PSIA-AASI manuals are the ultimate guides to becoming a certified instructor. Members receive three, FREE digital manuals: Teaching Snowsports, Teaching Children Snowsports, and the technical manual of your primary discipline. You must be logged into the member portal to access these. Members may purchase print manuals, additional alpine skiing-specific books, and other digital manuals in the PSIA-AASI online store.
Adaptive Alpine Technical Manual
This manual provides a solid foundation for helping students with disabilities experience freedom on one ski, two skis, or sit-ski equipment. Covering a variety of topics, including student assessment, equipment, and progressions for various student categories — and enhanced by supplemental video — it’s a must have for all adaptive instructors.
Adaptive Instruction Supplement (FREE)
Developed as a reliable starting place for getting information about diagnoses and medication classifications, this is a free supplement to the PSIA-AASI adaptive technical manuals. When preparing this guide, the author and reviewers worked from the most current information available but be aware that knowledge and best practices evolve constantly.
Adaptive Snowboard Technical Manual
Covering a variety of topics, including student assessment, assistive devices, equipment, safety considerations, and progressions for various student categories, it provides a solid foundation for helping students with disabilities experience snowboarding. Instructors working from a snowboard will also gain insights for teaching sit-skiers. (NEW in 2024)
Beyond Adaptive Level III
Obtaining an Adaptive Level III certification opens a world of possibilities for your professional snowsports career. With an LIII, you can work toward joining a regional development team or education staff, become an instructor trainer, conduct events in your region, or take on a leadership role at your snowsports school. Each region offers a multitude of opportunities to engage more deeply with PSIA-AASI, improve your skills, and get paid for your work. From there, your growth path can take you all the way to seeking nomination to try out for the PSIA-AASI Adaptive National Team (pictured). You can even seek additional certifications that qualify you to work internationally. Your opportunities in this community are endless!
Don’t Miss Adaptive Academy
Adaptive Academy is an annual gathering of the country’s best adaptive instructors from across the United States. Combined with National Academy (alpine) and Telemark Academy, this event is an opportunity to ski or ride big terrain in a supportive environment, learn from and network with your peers both on- and off-mountain, stay up on innovations shaping our industry, grow your community, demo new equipment, and get inspired.
Find Your Region
When you join PSIA-AASI, you also become a member of a PSIA-AASI region. Click the map to visit a region’s informational page.