Coach Development
Our philosophy, based on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Training Systems, is to instill a solid fundamental skill base and a passion for the sport in our young athletes before introducing advanced competition techniques and tactics. With this long-term development focus, we recognize that it takes outstanding coaches at every step in the process for athletes to reach their full potential in sport and in life.
At U.S. Ski & Snowboard, all coaches will start with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Fast Start Course. The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sport Education offers in-person coaching clinics throughout the year and around the country designed to give you a solid background in fundamental skills and in teaching sport. Try to attend a Level 100 clinic within the first year of your coaching.
A U.S. Ski & Snowboard coach membership is required for coaches to work at many U.S. Ski & Snowboard clubs. It is required to be in the venue for U.S. Ski & Snowboard sanctioned competitions as a coach. To become a U.S. Ski & Snowboard coach member:
- Register online
- Complete a background screening (cost included in your membership dues)
- Complete the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Fast Start course
Once you've completed your membership, we encourage you to continue to pursue coach's education through the U.S. Ski & Snowboard coaches certification program and to seek entry-level officials training to help learn the rules of the sport. Join U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sport Development page on Facebook to stay in the loop. Check out the Sport Education Video Gallery, a fantastic video resource for coaches. Or, purchase and download educational videos from our Video on Demand platform, including the most recent version of the always popular World Cup Winning Runs from each World Cup season.
To find a coaching job, contact your local ski areas or ski clubs, or look at the Club Job Postings Pages in the Resources Section.
For more information about coaching resources and education, contact U.S. Ski & Snowboard Education by phone 435.647.2050 or email.
The primary purpose of coaching certification is to work through an educational program that progressively builds on the coach's prior knowledge and experience. The process for becoming a better coach starts with foundational skills and moves forward into a deeper and broader understanding in all aspects of great coaching.
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard coaches certification program is a tiered system with each level building on the previous.
- Level 100 program is designed for new coaches working primarily with younger, developing athletes.
- Level 200 focuses on coaches working with athletes starting to compete up to national level competitive skiers and riders.
- Level 300 is for the Head Coach working with athletes competing at the highest levels of National events or beginning to compete internationally. The Level 300 program is also aimed at Head Coaches or Program Directors of a multi level athlete development program by providing in-depth education on the entire Long Team Athlete Development process.
Each certification level has many common elements applicable to coaches in all sports, but are also tailored to meet the unique needs of each sport. See below for more detailed information on Coach Certification in each U.S. Ski and Snowboard Sport.