Adaptive skiing and snowboarding is the adaptation of alpine and snowboard skills to help folks that have cognitive, physical, psychological or other diagnoses to also be able to slide on the snow! We use various types of specialized equipment where necessary, but the baseline skills are the same as for skiing and snowboarding.
The Adaptive Alpine pathway is for individuals that will be teaching on alpine ski gear. The Adaptive Snowboard pathway is for individuals that will be teaching on snowboard gear. In addition to certifications, we also offer education clinics that focus on topics that are prevalent in our discipline. We can’t wait to slide with you out on the slopes!
Step 1: All adaptive candidates must have an Alpine Level 1 or Snowboard Level 1 Certification prior to attending any Level 1 or Level 2 Adaptive Assessment. Candidates must have a minimum of Alpine Level 2 or Snowboard Level 2 Certification prior to attending a Level 3 Adaptive Assessment. Contact the NRM Region office at 406-581-6139 or email the Adaptive discipline chair at nrm.adaptive@gmail.com for more information.
Step 2: Find a certification event through the online listing, or request one through the Adaptive discipline chair at nrm.adaptive@gmail.com.
Step 3: Register to become a member online or by calling the NRM Region office at 406-581-6139 if you are not already a member.
Step 4: Register as an assessment candidate (You may have to wait one business day after registering as a member to be able to register for the exam) through the event calendar, or by calling the NRM Region office at 406-581-6139.
Step 5: Study and practice. At assessments and the week before are not the time to start reading the manuals, teach lessons, and study with others. The best preparation is teaching purposeful lessons, and reflecting upon them with a good mentor to make changes and improve your teaching, people skills and skiing/riding.
Step 6: Work on skiing and adaptive-specific techniques associated with the assessment you are taking. This includes knowing the equipment and diagnosis in those disciplines.
Step 7: Complete the correct online exam module a minimum of 72 hours prior to your physical test. Expect this to take a couple of hours!
Step 8: Get good sleep, be on time, and show up to the event with all of your gear ready to rock and roll
- PSIA-AASI Adaptive Certification Standards – the comprehensive document outlining exam expectations.
- PSIA/AASI Adaptive Performance Guides – guides to all assessment criteria on the assessment forms. Review People Skills, Teaching Skills, and the adaptive module you are taking as an assessment.
- NRM Adaptive Exam Required Information
- NRM Adaptive Assessment Forms – forms the evaluators will use during the assessment. All candidates will receive adaptive alpine scorecards regardless of being on snowboard or alpine skis until adaptive snowboard specific forms are finalized.
PSIA-AASI Education Manuals – Physical copies and digital copies are available for purchase through the PSIA-AASI online store. Your Snowsports director may also have one you can borrow.
We offer numerous clinics that will help your staff and/or volunteers with their adaptive instruction. See the list of common clinics we offer, however we can offer clinics with any adaptive focus upon request.
If you would like to host an event or request one, please contact the Adaptive discipline chair at nrm.adaptive@gmail.com or 406-581-6139.
