About the Qualifications
At Niseko Academy we train people for New Zealand (NZ) ski and snowboard instructor certifications with the NZSIA and SBINZ. NZ has become internationally acclaimed for producing professional, knowledgeable instructors with the capabilities to teach and ski/ride at very high standards in many resorts and countries around the world.
But now, thanks to Niseko Academy, you don’t have to make the journey down under to get qualified with these reputable certifications. Instead, you can do it in Niseko, Japan – the powder capital of world!
About the NZSIA / SBINZ
New Zealand Snowsports Instructors’ Alliance was formed in 1979 to certify ski instructors in NZ. NZSIA is a non-profit educational body made up of four divisions; Ski, Snowboard (SBINZ), Telemark and Adaptive. All divisions operate under the one financial umbrella but maintain their own identities and educational processes.
The Snowboard division of the NZSIA was originally established in 1992 as a separate organistion. In 1996 the two organisations formed an alliance and in 2006 the Snowboard division went on to re-brand itself as Snowboard Instruction New Zealand (SBINZ).
Over the years the NZSIA has grown to become one of the leading educational bodies in snowsports instruction around the world.
Level One Certifications
The NZSIA / SBINZ Level One Certifications are entry-level instructors’ qualifications, aimed at people interested in joining the snowsports industry. A Level One Ski or Snowboard Instructor is certified to teach beginner and novice levels.
The five-day exam includes teaching adults and children from first time to first turns on beginner terrain, the teaching model and learning process, class handling and safety, skier/rider analysis, guest service elements, technical information and demonstrating.
To achieve this qualification ski candidates should be advanced-parallel skiers on all groomed terrain plus easy off-piste. Snowboard candidates must be able to ride all blue groomed terrain with good form and using an efficient blend of movements.
Both ski and snowboard candidates must be able to present a strong lesson – the Level One is designed to be a teaching qualification!
Level Two Certifications
The NZSIA / SBINZ Level Two Certifications are aimed at instructors wanting to progress within the snowsports industry to teaching students at higher levels. A Level Two Instructor is certified to teach up to intermediate skiers/riders.
Ski candidates have an seven-day exam that includes teaching progressions from wedge turning to advanced-parallel turns with a pole plant, the teaching model and learning process, class handling and safety, skier analysis, technical information and demonstrating. Candidates should be advanced skiers that can ski dynamically on and off-piste and are able to perform a basic short turn.
Snowboard candidates have a six-day exam that includes modules on rider improvement, movement analysis, the teaching model, progressions for intermediate students, and class handling and safety. Candidates should be riding all groomed and off-piste terrain with good form, tidy skidded and edged demonstrations on-piste, plus demonstrations of all basic freestyle elements (switch riding, straight airs, ollies, nose rolls and air 180s).