"Very hard" is not entirely accurate, and is a relative term, depending the situation and candidate. Our exam standards are exacting, but we try to make the exams as user-friendly as possible. Actually, the vast majority of candidates are successful on their first try at Level I. At Level II, it probably averages out to about 50% being successful their first try, although this can vary greatly from one exam to another, plus some divisions separate the exam into two parts.
From my perspective of having been an examiner for 35 years, I would say the issue at this level is not the difficulty of the exam, but the lack of candidate preparation. The "average" expert skier, who has read (and understood) all the required materials, who has actually taught the required number of hours, and whose school has a viable training program should be, and usually is, able to pass this exam. There are many who just "give it a try", without having put in the time nor made the commitment necessary. Interestingly, the success rate of those who return the second time is much higher.
As for level III, being able to teach anybody, anything, anytime, anywhere obviously requires a high level of skill and knowledge. You can't get this simply from reading or training; it requires hands-on experience, over an extended time. It often requires some travel to bigger mountains, because even though an instructor may be the big fish at their particular mountain, Level III means they can teach expert skiers on the hardest terrain in the country.
Some candidates do have "bad days", but these are often people who just have difficulty with the stress of testing situations, and need to prepare for that aspect of exams. Since exams vary from two to four days, and there are usually three examiners who see and evaluate the candidates separately, one bad day or session can often be overcome. We can only evaluate what we actually observe, and can't assume a candidate might have done better on another day.
To explain what one goes through to become an certification examiner would require another article. There is a hierarchy of exams beyond Level III, plus a system of training and understudy that requires a major commitment over several years. A PSIA or AASI examiner is a top echelon athlete and coach.
Since there are 5 divisions across North America are the standards the instructors are held to the same everywhere?
There are nine (9) divisions, all subscribing to the same national standards, although exam formats are allowed to vary slightly.
How many PSIA instructors are there teaching and do you feel there is room for more young people?
There are perhaps 55,000-60,000 instructors in this country, of whom 50-55% belong to PSIA/AASI. For instance, we ended last season with about 29,000 members. There is plenty of room for young people: in fact, one of our objectives is to increase their numbers. This is happening a little more on the snowboard side. High school, college, starting a career and/or a family, and finding enough spare time are all potential hurdles for younger people.
It's one thing to go riding or skiing occasionally for recreation; it's quite another to commit to being at the area every weekend and holiday (for part timers) or to take a relatively low-paying, seasonal job (which instructing is) on a full time basis.
In the past, several thousand instructors each season have been foreigners here on H2B visas. With a big national focus on immigration reform, Congress has severely curtailed the number of these visas issued each year, to the point that virtually none were available to the snowsport industry this year. That means that there are more openings than usual for domestic instructors; a good time to get their foot in the door.
What is the minimum age a young person can join the PSIA and what advice would you offer a young skier who has his or her heart set on being a ski instructor?
This varies by division, and also by state laws regarding child labor. Generally, one can join as a Registered member at 16, but cannot begin the certification track until 18. Some resorts do have apprentice programs fro those as young as 14. Those who are interested should contact their local area's snowsports school for information. Many areas have hiring clinics and/or instructor schools early in the season.
In the past, several thousand instructors each season have been foreigners here on H2B visas. With a big national focus on immigration reform, Congress has severely curtailed the number of these visas issued each year, to the point that virtually none were available to the snowsport industry this year. That means that there are more openings than usual for domestic instructors; a good time to get their foot in the door.
If some of the foregoing seems a little daunting to the potential new instructor, read on. There are a whole bunch of perks to being an instructor. First, there's the "cool" factor in that the average skier or rider generally regards instructors as a special breed; and a uniform to go with it. Instead of paying for lessons, you'll be getting them free as part of your training, and you'll become a real expert in the sport.
Instead of paying to ski, you'll be getting paid to go play with a group of kids or teach the sport to beginners; and be amazed by how fast they learn, and the joy that it brings them. On busy days, you'll be taking your group to the front of the lift lines; no waiting. In some cases, you might qualify for discounts on food, or even equipment.
There's lots more, but maybe the best thing is that you'll be working with a bunch of really interesting, talented and upbeat people, who will quickly become your new friends. That's why many of those who have gone on to become professionals in just about any field you can think of, still look back on their time as a ski or snowboard teacher as one of the best times of their lives.
