New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance

New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA)

The NZSIA has been training and certifying ski and snowboard instructors since 1971. It is a first class organisation that awards worldwide recognised skiing and snowboarding qualifications.

Our nine week courses enable you to attain their NZSIA Certificate in Snowsports Instruction (skiing or snowboarding) and NZSIA Stage One (skiing or snowboarding). The courses are suitable for strong intermediate or advanced skiers and riders who are looking to gain an entry level qualification. There are 4 levels of NZSIA instructor certification in total, taking into account Stage 2 and Trainers Certification. The NZSIA is the only New Zealand organisation recognised by the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) and members may apply for ISIA membership after completion of a course.

Skiing courses

Certificate in Snowports Instruction (CSI) - Skiing

The Certificate in Snowsports Instruction is a 4 day course/exam for those intending to work in the snowsports industry. Course content includes:

• teaching adults and children from first time to wedge turning (level 1 to level 2)
• teaching methodology and learning processes
• class handling and safety
• developing your personal skills
• demonstrations

Candidates will be assessed during the course/exam and on the fourth day there will be an examination process.

Stage One - Skiing

The Stage One course/exam is held over eight days. Sessions will cover:

• the NZSIA progression from beginner to parallel turn
• work on improving personal skiing skills
• demonstrations
• skier analysis
• lesson planning

Candidates are required to teach at levels 1-4 and ski at 6 (Dynamic skiing on & off piste). Evening lectures, which include video and written material, accompany the training days and cover topics such as teaching and the technical concepts of skiing. Candidates need to be familiar with the information covered in the NZSIA Instructors Manual, which will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Candidates are assessed on three sections:

• Free skiing during the training portion of the course plus one scored free run during the exam

• Demonstrations of Wedge, Wedge Christie and Parallel turns

• A teaching assignment and skier analysis / lesson planning session make up the teaching section

Stage One certification enables you to teach progression from beginner to parallel turn, work on improving personal skiing skills, demonstrations, apply skier/boarder analysis and lesson planning.

Snowboarding courses

Certificate in Snowsports Instruction (CSI) - Snowboarding

The Certificate in Snowsports Instruction is a 4 day introductory course/exam for those interested in working in the snowsports industry as a teacher or those interested in the more technical aspects of snowboard teaching and riding. Content covered includes:

• basic biomechanics (directions of movement)
• board performance concepts
• teaching levels one and two
• basic rider analysis
• class handling and safety
• teaching children
• individual rider improvement
• demonstrations

Stage One - Snowboarding

Stage One is a five day course/exam covering teaching, analysis and demonstrations for snowboard levels 1-4 as they appear in the NZSIA snowboard manual. Personal rider improvement and skill development are also undertaken.

Personal riding and demonstrations are assessed internally over the five day pre-course and movement analysis and teaching presentations are formally assessed during night 4 and day 5. Candidates must be 18 years of age and able to snowboard comfortably on blue/black terrain. Candidates also need to be familiar with the information covered in the NZSIA Instructors Manual, which will be provided at the beginning of the course.