The ISIA Oversees Ski Instructor Courses

Skiing is a popular sport in many countries so ski instructor courses need uniformity in their rules, regulations and the way they teach. The regulations and certifications in individual countries are governed by the accredited skiing organizations in these countries. Nevertheless, there are common standards which must be observed so that safety, expertise and practice by ski instructors are recognized and respected across all countries. This is the job of the International Ski Instructors ?Association (ISIA).

The ISIA was organized in 1971 and is the world body responsible for overseeing professional ski instruction in its member organizations around the globe. Today, there are 38 country organizations that are members of the ISIA, including the popular ones like France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Only national bodies may become members of the association and individual membership is not allowed.

Minimum standards are set by the ISIA ?and the country organizations must comply with these in order to be given an ISIA stamp or card. These standards cover the areas of technique; safety on and off-piste; methodology and didactics; first aid; basic rights, communications, marketing and tourism; languages; environment and nature; history and culture. The minimum standard is in line with the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET).

Once a person has completed training as a snow sports instructor in a member country and is allowed to work as a professional instructor, he or she is entitled to an ISIA stamp or card.

The ISIA card is the highest instructor award issued by the association and requires the instructor to undergo and pass further training in addition to the minimum standards set for the ISIA stamp. This includes passing the ISIA technique test for providing instruction at the highest professional level and the racing test in the person's main area of discipline. It also requires passing the safety test, including analysis of avalanche situations, administering first aid in case of accidents and coordinating rescue work. A candidate must undergo 320 hours of training to earn the ISIA stamp and 450 hours for the ISIA card.

In order to make sure that instructors keep up with the latest in techniques and requirements, they are obliged to undergo whatever further training their country?s organizations impose lasting 1 day a year or 2 days every two years. If they fail to do so, they are relegated to inactive status and must re-qualify through further training in order to regain their active status as instructors. Instructors from certain countries are automatically considered as having qualified for an ISIA card after completing the top level of instruction required by their respective country organizations. These countries are: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Italy, Holland, Spain and Switzerland.

The popularity of ski sports is rapidly spreading all over the world, even to countries which have hitherto not been part of the ski sport community. Because of the International Ski Instructors Association, individuals undergoing ski instructor courses are assured of uniform quality wherever they take the courses.

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