Hey all, for those who've taken the PSIA Alpine Level II skiing exam, what is the consensus on the best East Coast mountain to take it? I'm in PA.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Thanks guys! My local mountain (Bear Creek PA) doesn't offer L2 exams and neither does my preferred (Elk).
Icy moguls are what I'm trying to avoid.
We have to do bumps for the CSIA L3. I asked about icy bumps years ago. The comment back was "We'll try it. If it's too icy, then we'll come back to later after it warms up." I then decided if I ever do the exam it will be in spring.
I did L3 in the spring. I failed the first day when it was wet and sloppy but saved it the second day on frozen competition bumps. Apparently I was better on bulletproof than with variable spring conditions.YMMVWe have to do bumps for the CSIA L3. I asked about icy bumps years ago. The comment back was "We'll try it. If it's too icy, then we'll come back to later after it warms up." I then decided if I ever do the exam it will be in spring.
He passed the first two days, providing MA on other skiers and evaluation of his skiing. He failed part 3 which was teaching. He said his subject was “maintaining grip through a series of turns “. This was his first try at it so I’m sure he can build on it.??? There are separate ski and teach exams. Two days each. You must pass the ski exam before taking the teach exam.
Historically, Level II pass rates have been about 50%. The pass rate may be going down. PSIA has been making an effort to coordinate the divisions and make standards consistent nationwide. Reportedly this has been making exams tougher.
??? There are separate ski and teach exams. Two days each. You must pass the ski exam before taking the teach exam.
Historically, Level II pass rates have been about 50%. The pass rate may be going down. PSIA has been making an effort to coordinate the divisions and make standards consistent nationwide. Reportedly this has been making exams tougher.
You’ve got to give us a choice!Hey all, for those who've taken the PSIA Alpine Level II skiing exam, what is the consensus on the best East Coast mountain to take it? I'm in PA.
Thanks!!
A PSIA rant:
My Snowsports Director at Temple Mountain in 1984 was encouraging his staff to get Registered (later changed to Level 1 certification) at a PSIA Clinic.
I did. It took me 30-years to figure out that PSIA was a school – not a Professional Organization. Schools teach, give exams, provide certificates (or degrees). Professional organizations protect their members, provide guidance to employers, intervene with government (when necessary), etc. Unions can be Professional Organizations or by virtue of apprenticeships, can even be schools.
PSIA required a biennial update to maintain certification. I figured that after averaging the cost of the update plus the annual dues, PSIA was getting half of my annual income!
I asked PSIA to perhaps put out a guidance note to member schools suggesting that if instructors (or coaches, if you prefer) were required to change parkas and commit 15 minutes before lessons were assigned, they should be paid for that time. PSIA’s response: We are not a Union. After 40-years of experience teaching and 30 of them with PSIA’s certification, I was making $9.25 per hour. I figured that a professional certification whose members made $5 per hour after PSIA took their share, was valueless and I quit my membership.
Unless your ski area is willing to pick up all the costs for PSIA memberships and certification exams, it's just not cost effective unless you aspire to be a Snowsports Director who actually makes real money.