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PSIA Level 1

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benyannelli
Posts: 773 - Karma: 562
I know there are some threads on this but I was just looking for more information. This weekend I am taking my level 1. I didn't do any training for it but i have been teaching the past 3 years. Any tips or anything I should study? People say the test is really easy but some have said they failed.
Mar 7 2013 9:32PM
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3229 - Karma: 1,098
I've heard it is extremely hard to fail the level one. I know snowboarders who just started skiing in the past 1-2 years who have theirs.
If you have that much experience, you probably wont have any problems. I'm going for mine at keystone next year if I stay in ski school. Good luck man
Mar 7 2013 9:46PM
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russ.bar
Posts: 374 - Karma: 20
It is very, very easy. You can see the sheet they use to grade you on PSIA's website, its all very simple and if you've been teaching for three years should be second nature. It's pretty hard to fail.

You'll do a movement analysis section that includes a video and following lesson plan, and you will also demonstrate your lesson plan in the second on-snow section. Both of these parts you will present as a group with a few other people in your cert. In your level two cert, you're on your own for this part.

I did a two day cert trip and the first day we basically ski'd with our certifiers, they were laid back, gave tips and if you applied them to your skiing, you passed. We only skied and had them grade our skiing for a few sections of a few runs and it was very easy.

The bottom line is that the level one cert is meant to be a learning experience that kind of gets you ready for the setting of the level two, which will be far more intense in terms of movement analysis, teaching, and especially skiing. Moguls are a bitch for level two, and where most people fail.
Mar 8 2013 12:10AM
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mortamus13
Posts: 5 - Karma: 16
The exam is pretty easy. Be confident when your teaching. Attempt to work on whatever your examiner says you need to fix on your own skiing. For the written exam study the back of the Alpine Technical Manual.
Mar 8 2013 12:13AM
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Skiingsnow
Posts: 1567 - Karma: 797
if u have been teaching for 3 years dont worry about it, just show up and do a good lesson, you'll be fine
Mar 8 2013 12:21AM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
Everyone who posted above pretty much nailed it.

I did an "in-house" certification and it was a LOT more work than doing the 2 or 3 day class. But I probably learned a lot more.

I had the hardest time figuring out how to do a wedge christie. I would always end up doing open parallel turns lol.

It's easy, you'll do fine.

Mar 8 2013 1:25AM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591

I have done mine, easy as fuck.

BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE: Don't ski with park steeze or any kind of style at all. Keep your hands up and forward, and do classic groomer shredder style. Most of the guys giving the exam are old dudes who aren't down with newschool skiing, and they are especially not down for your hands to be down by your waist. Keep em in front of you and you should be good. Also remember that pole plants are crucial.

Mar 8 2013 2:01AM
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DripDrop
Posts: 128 - Karma: 29
What division are you taking it in, that plays a big role, but it's not too hard as long as you participate and pay attention.
Mar 8 2013 2:02PM
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