"Serving Ski Clubs and the
Snowsports Community Since 1980"
The Amateur Ski Instructors Association, a nonprofit ski education
organization more commonly known as ASIA, has three main objectives.
The first is to
train and certify candidates who are interested in teaching alpine,
snowboard, and cross country skiing at
the amateur level through ski clubs, schools, colleges, youth groups, and
other organizations.
The second is to encourage and facilitate the upgrading
of skiing and riding skills of all skiers through positive programs designed to
contribute to and enhance the safety and enjoyment of skiing.
Finally, ASIA provides continuing education
programs for certified amateur ski and snowboard instructors (CASI's) at a reasonable cost and
modest yearly dues, as well as providing a first step toward certification
for those who wish to become paid professional snowsports instructors.
Alpine Program Offerings
Alpine Teaching Certification Level I & II, Skiing Improvement,
Groomed to Crud to Scraped, Steeps, Deeps, and Trees, Introduction to Moguls, Mogul Improvement,
Skiing and Teaching on Short Shaped Skis.
Snowboard Program Offerings
Snowboard Teaching Certification and Snowboard Improvement.
ASIA offers both certified and contributing memberships. For those
wishing to avail themselves of great programs without becoming certified,
ASIA offers a contributing membership and a variety of two day programs at
convenient locations throughout the northeast to serve their needs. All
programs are geared to the intermediate to expert skier. Groups are
divided by skill level and skiing experience.
For certified instructors, ASIA provides two day refresher and improvement
programs
geared to keep them up to date on the latest in teaching and technique.
Teaching Certification Programs
The association offers two levels of certification. ASIA is a member
school of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, (PSIA), and
American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) and embodies the progression and methodology of The American Teaching System,
as developed by PSIA. Top PSIA teaching professionals available are chosen to teach
programs, so students are assured of the most up to date, high quality
instruction.
Training and preparation for Level I certification as an Amateur
Instructor consists of a three day pre-course, which concentrates on both
developing personal skiing or snowboarding skills and learning to teach beginners. This is
followed by a one day on snow certification evaluation.
Candidates for the alpine program should be parallel skiers who are
comfortable skiing groomed black diamond terrain at most ski areas.
Snowboard candidates should be able to ride in balance and control on blue
terrain. The
certification program is not intended to be a learn to ski experience, but
rather an upper level ski improvement course. Graduates will be able to
demonstrate basic skiing skills through wedge turning to beginning
students. For snowboarders, skills to produce skidded linked turns is the
goal.
Level II candidates receive six additional days training, further refining their
skiing skills as well as learning the progressions to move skiers from
wedge turns to beginning parallel skiing. Prerequisites for the Level II
program are Level I certification plus one year of teaching experience
through a club or organization.
Putting Knowledge to Use
Certified Amateur Ski Instructors often form the nucleus of ski clubs
and are looked on for help in areas such as organizing club ski
instruction programs, volunteering as club instructors, developing skier
safety programs, and other important club activities.
After becoming certified, many ASIA instructors begin to think about
becoming members of a mountain snowsports school. In addition to providing the training
for entry level ski and snowboard instruction positions, certification helps fulfill the
primary requirements for applying for membership in PSIA and AASI.
Membership Benefits
In addition to excellent programs, membership in ASIA provides other
benefits. Dues and program fees are extremely reasonable and
can be tax deductible. ASIA members pay discounted lift ticket prices at
ASIA events and at many ski areas. Our coaches are hand picked PSIA and
CSIA coaches with years of experience and a willingness to share their
knowledge with their students. Employment opportunities at local area snowsports schools are often
available after certification. An ASIA program is a "Skiing Best
Buy!"
Come Ski And Ride With ASIA!
