Part-time snowboard course

This fun, energetic and highly motivating weekend program is designed to prepare you for all aspects of the SBINZ Certificate (aka CSI) and Stage One exams. Whilst this 11-consecutive weekend course is rather demanding and focuses towards the technical elements required for the SBINZ qualifications, your individual riding improvement is paramount and you are guaranteed to experience a huge personal progression.

2011 dates: July 16th - September 25th

2011 course cost: NZ$2,999

All courses are quoted in NZ$ and are inclusive of GST. Course costs include the Level One exam and registration fee and the SBINZ snowboard instructors manual. However, course costs exclude accommodation, food, your season pass and the SBINZ Level Two exam fee.

Course prerequisite

With the shorter course duration in mind, it is important that riders are of an upper intermediate/advanced ability level, at the minimum. We define this as riding with balance and control on all groomed and most off-piste terrain, utilising some early edge changes (before the fall-line) and a variation of turn size and shape. This extends to performing some basic freestyle (i.e. switch riding, ollies/airs and 180's or nose rolls). We do not expect you to have perfect style and form as long as you have a willingness to learn and are dedicated to every weekend of training.

The part-time snowboard course includes:

  • 11 consecutive weekends of snowboard-specific training
  • 5hrs per day of on snow training
  • Personal riding improvement, demonstration practice and freestyle progression
  • Self video analysis
  • Teaching of SBINZ levels 1-4 progressions and class handling skills
  • Lesson planning, video analysis and technical knowledge sessions
  • Lesson shadowing and teaching practice in conjunction with Whakapapa Snow School
  • Level One exam registration, SBINZ membership for one year and the Snowboard Instructors Manual
  • Access to discounted Ruapehu Snow Academy sponsored products, equipment and hardware

2011 part-time course outline

Weekend 1 Welcome and introduction to course outline. Intro to SBINZ manual and the four planes of movement and the teaching cycle. Rider development and filming, plus intro to switch riding.
Weekend 2 Levels one and two teaching progressions with class management and safety. Intro to board performance concepts, turn type, size and shape. Rider development with twist and pivot focus.
Weekend 3 Levels one and two practice teaching. Intro to teaching children and intro to basic movement analysis. Rider development with tilt and pressure focus.
Weekend 4 Communication styles overview. CSI exam overview and preparation. Lesson shadowing and observation, personal rider development and filming.
-> Mid-week 4-day Level One exam, click here for exam info...
Weekend 5 Intro to movement analysis model and learning styles. Rider development with intro to basic freestyle.
Weekend 6 Level three teaching progressions. Class management and safety. Intro to teaching style, rider development.
Weekend 7 Level three practice teaching. Lesson shadowing/observation. Movement analysis practice and rider development.
Weekend 8 Level four teaching progressions. Movement analysis practice. Teaching children using "cap" model and rider development.
Weekend 9 Level four practice teaching. Lesson shadowing/observation. Situational riding and demonstration practice.
Weekend 10 Teaching progressions re-cap and practice. Theory review. Situational riding and demonstration practice. Freeride/freestyle rider development.
Weekend 11 Teaching, riding and analysis review and practice. Final exam prep.
-> Mid-week 5-day Level Two exam, click here for more info.

The above is just an outline. Some flexibility is required to allow for weather contingency. We may utilise both Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas. Some indoor theory and technical sessions are also inclusive and are critical to our student's knowledge.

Please note: There are limited spaces available for this course, book now to ensure a position. For further information please contact us or make a booking.

Additionally, if you would like some information on accommodation options in the area please contact us. Be advised that weekend accommodation gets booked very quickly at Ruapehu. Whakapapa has many on-hill club options, where one can join as a member and receive very competitive nightly rates. Please feel free to contact us for more information and a list of clubs that are currently looking for members.