golfer1659

So basically I am looking to become a snowboard instructor. I have 20 years under my belt and have been giving lessons for about 3 years on and off with friends and friends of friends and everyone raves about it and how I can drastically change their skills within an hour (not boasting).

I was offered a position about 7 years ago at Windham mountain by the head of their snowboard school which I didn't take advantage of because I was at a different point in my life. I was late to the game this year since I just got a house up at Stratton mountain for the season and I just put in last week.

I was just wondering if there is anything I should know about, is there any short training to become certified in any way? My whole key thing is that I understand the core fundamentals of snowboarding extremely well and can deliver it in a clear decisive manner which people can understand. I have played other sports in my life (division 1 golf in college, could have also played basketball) and I give golf lessons also which is a very fundamental sport.

Any guidance would be appreciated.......thanks.............

gjsnowboarder

First, check out the mountains in your area and see who is hiring. A typical resort will put people through both off and on snow hiring clinics which help to teach how to teach snowboarding. From this pool of people they will pick instructors to hire. It does help to be able to ski as well.
If you make it past this point there is typically training provided by the school to improve your skills and get ready for exams with AASI. In AASI after becoming a member there are three levels of certification. I, II, and III followed up by variety of accreditations in children's, freestyle, and TA(trainer's accreditation).
The training for the cert I is pretty short and straight forward; as the clinics and exam are usually wrapped up into one. For higher levels of cert it is necessary to do prep clinics for the exam.
You might be able to obtain the first level of certification with a prep clinic. To be able to do that without working for a ski school you would need to contact the Eastern region AASI to sign-up and to see if they would let you. One thing to note. If it doesn't workout don't try to poach (i.e. teach at a mountain you don't work at for money). It's cool to show friends how to board. However, when it crosses the line into making money, you need to understand that you are taking money away from the resort, and its instructors. You are also screwing with liability of the mountain, and exposing yourself legally. And in this day age the legal ramifications can be down right scary.

I wish you luck and hope it all works out.

golfer1659

I am a christian and a very giving person. I do not charge for lessons, I just devote my time and ask that they give me the same respect by listening to everything I say and doing EXACTLY what I say. I've done it with a group of girls but also individuals at the same extent. Lots of them don't have the discretionary income to pay for lessons to begin with but badly want to learn the sport.

I will look into what you told me. Thanks.

golfer1659

I think you read into my reply too much by the capitalization of my word. I am here to coach and do suggest, but if you are going to have a tantrum for 20 minutes in the middle of the slope and you are a 28 year old female then I am not willing devote my time because I am not getting paid for it and takes away from me riding the mountain that I paid a pass for.

That just occurred this last weekend. Obviously any proper training is needed to learn how to teach. I have been doing comprehensive financial planning for the last 8 years so I am pretty good at suggesting and coaching people with major decisions of their life (snowboarding is on the smaller spectrum). So I am sorry if you took my comment in the wrong manner.

I coach golf and used to coach basketball. You can't force anything in sports, everyone progresses on their own terms but you can show properly what to do and then obviously the horse has to drink its own water. Thank you for the reply and I will still look into the AASI training.

golfer1659

Oh ok, thanks!! I will look into it.

Sick-Pow

All Div. ! golfers I have met are pretty awesome. This guy sounds cool. Hire him!!

Let us know when you are in Colorado and we can make some turns!

best,
matt

golfer1659

Just spoke to Michael. Awesome guy. Gonna try to maybe meet up sometime on the mountain. Thanks man!!

jeephreak

I used to teach at windham and not to bash them, but its a totally different game there, than when I taught at Bromley. Windham sort of ruined snowboarding for me...They had a very thin 'hiring clinic' and though that was almost 10 years ago and new management took over, some things never change.

When I worked at Bromley they had 3 weeks of hiring / training clinics off snow before you were even allowed to strap a board on. It was an awesome experience and I really stepped up my game as far as understanding different types of learning techniques, dealing with certain behaviors, etc. Really a great process.

I think there is / was OSI or something like that? ASA as well for certs, etc. Some mountains threw a few extra bucks at you for having those certs, others required the certs but often times if your teach and riding skills speak for themselves it doesnt matter. They just want to make money and get those beginners from the magic carpet to the chair as quick as possible. I have a few contacts back at Stratton if you are interested in trying to get a hold of a few peeps. Let me know and I'll see what I can do.

__________________
Rome Postermaina 156, Drake Reloads