The Level II Prep Program is a new Women of Winter scholarship program designed to support BIWOC/LGBTQIA+ Individuals who have earned their Level I certification and are actively teaching and/or volunteering in Snowsports.

The program provides structured preparation for instructors working toward PSIA-AASI Level II certification, with a focus on the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for the Level II assessment process. Past Women of Winter Scholarships recipients receive first priority.

Level I was just the beginning!

Many Women of Winter scholarship recipients are now teaching, volunteering, and growing professionally in the Snowsports industry. The Level II Prep Program is our next investment in that community.

Level II requires a higher level of technical performance, preparation, and professional development. This program is designed to provide participants with focused training, mentorship, and community support as they work toward that next level.

No. This is a PSIA-AASI Level II Preparation Clinic and Program  not the Level II certification assessment.

The goal is to help participants improve their readiness for Level II certification through focused training, coaching, Movement Analysis, Skiing/Riding Performance development, and other educational opportunities.

Participants will register for their Level II assessments separately when they determine they are ready.

No. We recognize that everyone progresses differently.

The program is designed for instructors at different points in their Level II preparation, including those who plan to take their assessment this season, those who anticipate taking it within the next two seasons, and those who need additional development before registering for an assessment.

This program is about helping you become better prepared, not pushing you to take an assessment before you are ready.

No. You must be a Women of Winter Level I Scholarship alumni or a non-alumni BIWOC/LGBTQIA+ individual. All Applicants must be actively instructing at a Resort or volunteering as an instructor at a qualified 501(c)(3) Organization. Women of Winter past Scholarship recipients will receive first priority.

The 2027 Level II Prep Program is specifically designed to reinvest in the Women of Winter community and support prior scholarship recipients as they advance professionally.

Applicants should currently be teaching (working at a resort) and/or volunteering in Snowsports (with a qualified 501c3 Non-Profit). The program is intended for instructors who are actively using their Level I certification and continuing their professional development.

Yes. Applicants must have a current PSIA-AASI membership and will be asked to provide their PSIA-AASI Region and membership number for verification.

Not necessarily.  You must be “ready” to move to the next level in certification.  Your reference letter from your  supervisor should indicate that you are ready for the next level.  

Yes. The program is specifically designed for you to gain enough skills, coaching and community to build confidence and get you ready for the exam. Participants should plan to arrive at least one day before the on-snow portion begins (January 4) and leave on Sunday (January 10), after the program ends.

The program will provide structured PSIA-AASI Level II preparation for Alpine and Snowboard instructors.

Training will focus on Level II readiness, including for Alpine, Skiing Performance and Movement Analysis. For Snowboarding, All three modules will be addressed, Riding Performance, Movement Analysis and Teaching.

The program is designed to extend beyond the time spent on snow. Planned evening programming may include individual coaching, video review, strength and conditioning, stability and mobility practices, mental performance tools, confidence development, and discussions about maintaining a healthy balance throughout a career in Snowsports instruction.

Yes. Scholarship recipients will be expected to participate in one required virtual education/orientation sessions and complete/review PSIA-AASI recommended online coursework and knowledge-based modules. 

Applicants should also review the Level II assessment information and preparation materials provided on the Northern Rocky Mountain Region PSIA-AASI Website and the PSIA-AASI Website.

You do not need to be assessment-ready on the first day of the program. You should, however, be actively working toward Level II and preparing for training at a level beyond Level I. In addition to taking a Prep Clinic,  you will need to have already received certification in either FS1 and/or CS1.

Before applying, we strongly encourage you to review the Level II assessment criteria and videos posted with the scholarship information. This will help you understand the level of skiing or riding performance expected at Level II and honestly evaluate where you currently are in your development.

Level II Alpine assessment activities cover a range of skills on groomed and variable terrain. 

You are not expected to have perfected every activity before attending the Prep Clinic. Reviewing the assessment criteria on the NRM-PSIA-AASI and PSIA-AASI website before applying will give you a much better understanding of the technical level toward which you will be working.

For Alpine, the primary clinic focus is Skiing Performance and Movement Analysis.

For Snowboard, the clinic will address all three Level II modules.

That's okay.

One of the purposes of the Prep Program is to help you better understand your current skills, identify where you need additional development, and make a more informed decision about when to pursue Level II certification.

Success in this program is not defined by immediately taking or passing a Level II assessment.