PSIA, AASI, YSA, PCM team up to certify junior ski, snowboard instructors

Become a Junior Ski or Snowboard Instructor this winter. Photo: Max Kukurudziak

PARK CITY, Utah — Ever wonder what it would be like to teach skiing or snowboarding?” asks Heather Sims, a Youth Sports Alliance (YSA) employee and former Park City High School PTO president. “Here’s a great way to find out.”

The Junior Instructor Program, sponsored by YSA, Park City EpicPromise, and the Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI), offers young participants the chance to learn about instructing and earn a nationally recognized certification that can open doors at local resorts.

“Learn what it’s like to work as an instructor and earn a nationally recognized certificate that can open the door to teaching at a local resort,” Sims said. 

To participate in this course, students must complete all sessions.

Program dates:

• Classroom sessions at Park City Mountain Village: Mondays, Nov. 18 and 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
• On-snow training at Park City Mountain Village: Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Benefits of participating:

• Improve skiing or snowboarding skills
• Connect with others who share a passion for snow sports
• Develop career and life skills, including communication, dedication, discipline, independence, instruction, leadership, group management, professionalism, and public speaking
• Gain foundational skills for working in the snow sports industry during and after high school

Program requirements:

• Four hours of classroom learning, including three online units
• Completion of a 12-hour on-snow training at a local resort (lift tickets provided)
• Six hours of lesson shadowing at the resort’s ski and ride school
• Demonstrate basic ability in two areas:
  1. Safely ski or ride on blue terrain in a group setting
  2. Maneuver safely in learning areas and around all surface lifts or up and down trails
• Completion of a course portfolio signed by a snow sports supervisor
• A letter of intent outlining why the participant wants to become a snow sports instructor

Upon completing the program, students may apply for seasonal junior instructor positions at the host resort, pending an interview.

On-snow passes and instruction are sponsored by EpicPromise and PSIA.