Welcome to the 2022-2023 Season!

As a USASA coach you represent an integral part of the snowboard and freeski community that has been developed by coaches just like you. A USASA coach that is certified through partnership with U.S Ski & Snowboard engages in learning processes and procedures that have been time tested and developed by the US Coach Education Committee composed of top coach leaders from freeskiing and snowboarding and the US Ski & Snowboard Sport Education Department.

Our coach developers ensure that every certified coach is met with in person and has gone through an on snow assessment proving their knowledge base and skills. In addition to being trained by some of the best in the business, USASA coaches represent the leading edge of coaching methods and education and are well equipped to help athletes reach their goals. USASA coaches have access to Expert Voice special discounts, and the USASA membership is required for access to USASA competition venues.

USASA assists in the scheduling of on snow assessments and assigning coach developers for L100 and L200 courses. US Ski & Snowboard is responsible for managing the online curriculum and the registration for on snow coach assessments. In order to participate as a coach in a USASA event you must hold a valid USASA Membership, a valid US Ski & Snowboard Membership, and a current coaching certification.

Professional, fun and knowledgeable coaches are one of USASA's greatest assets. In collaboration with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sport Education Department we deliver high-quality education programs and resources for coaches of all levels in the United States.

The USASA and U.S. Ski & Snowboard coach 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 at the national level
• Level 300 is for the Head Coach working with athletes competing at the highest levels of national events or beginning to compete internationally

All coaches working toward Level 100 must be currently working as an active coach within a US Ski & Snowboard club or with an insured and licensed independent coaching program. In addition, coaches are required to show proof they will be working over 60 hours per season as a coach for the program. This prerequisite will be verified at your assessment. If you cannot provide proof of employment you will not be able to participate in the on snow assessment and no refunds will be given.

During the on-snow assessment, you will review the fundamental technical and tactical aspects of coaching and you will also be evaluated on your ability to teach, demonstrate, and analyze several fundamental skiing/riding skills. Upon successful completion of the on-snow assessment, you will complete a course survey and obtain the appropriate Level Coach Certificate. On Snow Assessments will be limited to a 10:1 ratio per discipline. 

Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski& Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership.

2022- 2023 Coach Requirements

In order to participate as a coach in a USASA event you must:

• Hold an active USASA Membership
• Hold a current US Ski & Snowboard Membership, including completing your compliance requirements:
  • SafeSport
  • Background Check
  • CDC Heads Up Training & CPR / First Aid
  • Avalanche awareness
  • Coaching Fundamentals
• Hold a current coaching certification
  
  • For coaches whose certification has expired:
    • On your two year mark, click here for Freeski continuing ed or here for Snowboard continuing ed.
    • On your four year mark, click here for Freeski or here for Snowboard to register for your on snow assessment. 
  • For new coaches seeking initial certification, click here for Freeski L100 or here for Snowboard L100.

All coaches working toward Level 100 must be currently working as an active coach within a US Ski & Snowboard club or with an insured and licensed independent coaching program. In addition, coaches are required to show proof they will be working over 60 hours per season as a coach for the program. This prerequisite will be verified at your assessment. If you cannot provide proof of employment you will not be able to participate in the on snow assessment and no refunds will be given.

Once cleared on all of the requirements listed above, you will be valid as a coach and your membership card issued.

Coaching Fundamentals and Avalanche Training

Please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions about these requirements and where to access them.

SafeSport & Background Check

These requirements will arrive to you via email from US Ski & Snowboard. USASA will continue to require background checks for all Coaches, Officials and Judges. These compliance standards are validated through US Ski & Snowboard and as such all adult coaches must hold a membership in the same category in both organizations.

Background checks can take between four business days and four weeks to complete. Please sign up early to make sure you leave time to be cleared well before the first USASA events. Please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions about your background check.

Other Requirements for Coaches

CDC "Heads Up" Concussion Training- HEADS UP Concussion in Youth Sports is a free, online course available to coaches and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion. 

CPR- The USASA requires the use of a qualified provider such as the National CPR Foundation. If you choose to use the National CPR Foundation, enter discount code CPR10 at checkout to save 10% on your online training and certification. 

These are required to be current every year and must be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You will receive email notification after you create your membership at USASA.  

 Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski& Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership.

Level 100 

Requirements: Complete and pass the Level 100 Exam and Assessment and successful completion of a background check & course prerequisites.

Candidates: The entry-level coach, who has limited amount of experience, may have been a snowboard instructor or a coach in another sport, and who will be working with entry level athletes in club programs.

Athlete type: Entry level, younger athletes that are just beginning to compete at a local or regional level.They may only be local events with the focus on fun and building a solid snowboard foundation. These athletes are generally on snow 1 or 3 days per week for the winter season.

Course Prerequisites: 

• Currently working as an active coach and registered as a member of USASA.
• Work over 60 hours per season as a coach.
• On Snow Assessment registration verified by one of the following:
  
  • Supervisor/ program director of a USASA or US Ski & Snowboard program.
  • Supervisor of an AASI/PSIA member ski or snowboard school
• First Aid/ CPR Certificate from a qualified provider
• USOPC Safesport
• Background Screen
• CDC Heads Up
• Must be at least 18 years old

Evaluation Criteria:

• A solid understanding, explanation and demonstration of snowboard fundamentals and basics
• The ability to present ideas in a practical coaching session as part of a daily plan
• Professionalism in ALL parts of their demeanor: riding, group interaction and presentation skills
• Effective group handling, teaching and rider analysis skills.
• Riding Skills
  
  • Effective demonstration of fundamental techniques and concepts
  • Switch riding on variety of intermediate terrain
  • Correct structure and form off small jumps and/or features*
  • Introductory rotations such as FS and BS 180’s on small or medium features*
  • Ollies, nollies and some flat land jibbing skills appropriate for introductory level athletes
  • Basic foundation skills in the half pipe.

Level 200
Requirements: Complete and pass the Level 200 Exam and Assessment and successful completion of a background check & course prerequisites.

Candidate: The club coach who is actively coaching competitive snowboard athletes and works with athletes competing in USASA Regional Series and USASA National Championships.

Athlete type: Athletes whose focus is competing at the USASA Regional level with a goal to qualify for the USASA National Championship. Athletes will be on snow between 2 – 4 days per week during the season and may participate in an introductory summer camp.

Course Prerequisites:

• Currently working as an active coach and registered as a member of USASA.
• Work over 150 hours per season as a coach.
• On Snow Assessment registration verified by one of the following:
  
  • Supervisor/ program director of a USASA or US Ski & Snowboard program
  • Supervisor of an AASI/PSIA member ski or snowboard school
• First Aid/ CPR Certificate from a qualified provider.
• USOPC Safesport
• Background Screen
• CDC Heads Up
• 12 months as a Level 100 Coach.
• Must be at least 18 years old

Evaluation Criteria:

• An in-depth understanding of the skills and mechanics of snowboarding and how they relate to dynamic riding across the disciplines
• The ability to present ideas in a practical coaching session as part of a daily plan
• Professionalism in ALL parts of their demeanor: riding, group interaction and presentation skills
• Effective group handling skills
• Identification and correction of riding inefficiencies
• Understanding of lower level course setting and terrain choices for Freestyle, Alpine and SBX
• Riding Skills:
  
  • Dynamic carving as an introduction to correct race technique for athletes
  • Dynamic switch carving and riding in variable terrain
  • High level freeride skills in all terrain types as a building block for SBX Training
  • Demonstrate effective line, body position and technique in the Half Pipe
  • Efficient riding techniques and body positions in all parts of slopestyle features
  • Introductory rotary movements off small or medium park features
  • Dynamic demonstration of correct technique in a basic alpine snowboard race course

Level 300

Please contact Ashley Deibold at ashley.deibold[at]usskiandsnowboard.org to register for Level 300 on snow assessment.

Level 400

Please contact Ashley Deibold at ashley.deibold[at]usskiandsnowboard.org for information on the Level 400 program.

Recognition of Certification Level between USASA / US Ski & Snowboard
Coach certification levels will be recognized by both US Ski & Snowboard and USASA and will be reflected on the member profile in each database. Benefits of certification level will be recognized between organizations but coaches must be members of the relevant organization to receive those benefits.  All coaches must be members of US Skiing and Snowboarding and must also hold a USASA coaches membership to attend a USASA regional or National Event.

Acknowledgement at Events

Both USASA and US Ski & Snowboard recognize all certifications at either organization’s events as stated above. Only certified coaches will be allowed to file protests at any US Ski & Snowboard or USASA event. You must be a member of the organization sanctioning the event.

Foreign Coach Certifications
Recognition of foreign coaches and the certification level will be taken on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Coach Education Committee. Recognition of equivalent US Certification level for foreign coaches will be determined by the following:

1. Letter confirming coach status from the foreign coaches NGB.
2. Recognition of equivalent Coach or Instructor Certification status from the coaches home country

Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski& Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership.

Information about the L100 Curriculum

The coach curriculum has been developed by coaches for coaches to help advance knowledge, skills and abilities to assist the coach and athlete development process. The Level 100 program is designed for the entry level coach who is employed as a coach part or full time by a US Ski & Snowboarding club, program, or a USASA member affiliate.

All coaches working toward Level 100 must be currently working as an active coach within a US Ski & Snowboard club or with an insured and licensed independent coaching program. In addition, coaches are required to show proof they will be working over 60 hours per season as a coach for the program. This prerequisite will be verified at your assessment. If you cannot provide proof of employment you will not be able to participate in the on snow assessment and no refunds will be given.

The L100 coaches program provides improvements to the foundation skills of coaching and the foundation skills of teaching snowboarding and freeskiing.

The key driving factors of the program are:
Relevance- The Education programs address the specific roles and tasks that occur in the daily practice of the coach.

Accessibility- The new program is easily accessed via an online platform called Moodle and addresses the best practices of professional development and adult learning. We recognize that not all coaches are full time or have any desire to make coaching a career. These coaches are arguably the most important coaches in our system. By moving many of these topics to an online format, we can provide meaningful education to all coaches regardless of their career intentions. We also now provide a professional development track to coaches looking for a career at the same time that we provide great resources to those coaches who do it part time simply because they love it.

Engaging- Resources and content are interesting and thought provoking. Coach certification programs shouldn’t be just a “hoop” to jump through, they should attract and engage their audience with dynamic content and interactive learning.
Impactful- Most importantly, education and learning should change behavior. By designing and building a comprehensive coach education program, the end result should be an improvement in how the coach works with their athletes in all aspects of the job.

The L100 program consists of 4 parts:
Part 1: 6 Online Modules covering Core Coaching Competencies

1. Coach Roles and Responsibilities
2. Coach Ethics and Philosophy
3. Coach Pedagogy (teaching and learning with a specific influence on children specific topics)
4. Athlete Development
5. Physical Fitness
6. Mental Skill Development

Part 2: 4 Online Modules for Sport Competencies

1. Equipment Considerations
2. Technical Skills (Stance, balance, alignment, movement and board performance)
3. Tactical Applications of Skills (Intro to HP, SS, Alpine and SBX)
4. Competition Pathways, Rules and Regulations

Part 3: In person, On snow assessment

1. Application and Demonstration of Tech/Tactical Skills
2. Athlete Assessment and Analysis
3. Performance Enhancement

Part 4: Final Exam- Once completed with a passing score, the coach will attain their L100 certification 

Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski& Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership.

To access the L100 course:

Step 1. Click here for the Freeski L100 course, or here for the Snowboard L100 course.
Step 2. Upon successful login to Moodle Platform, complete the online course.*Completion time varies between 5-7 hours, please plan accordingly (must be completed prior to in person on snow assessment.)
Step 3. Upon successful completion of your online Moodle Platform, register for an on snow assessment. On snow Assessment dates are listed in Moodle and here at USASA.
Step 4. Complete the in person on snow assessment and online final exam and you will receive a Certificate of Completion.

More information about Snowboard or Freeski education is available on US Ski & Snowboard's website.

 Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski& Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership.

Information about the L200 Curriculum

 Level 200 education will be offered for the 2022-2023 season after December 1st. 

Expiration and Recertification

Certification Level Expiration

All coach certifications will have an established expiration period. Once expired, members will not be recognized at any level unless they re-certify their current level or attain a higher level. The following is the expiration period of each level.
Level 100: 2 years from date of certification
Level 200: 2 years
Level 300: 3 years
Level 400: 5 years

Re-certification & Continuing Education

All USASA and US Snowboard and Freeski Coaches will be required to recertify their levels according to the above outlined schedule in order to retain their current level. If advancement is sought then they must meet the requirements and attend an on snow assessment and pass the exam to attain the next highest level.

Level 100 and 200 coaches will be able to re-certify via an online continuing education course or an on snow assessment, alternating every two years. 

Two years from your initial certification, you must complete online continuing education courses to recertify. Please click here for Freeski continuing ed or here for Snowboard continuing ed. Although it is listed as L100, it is for all levels (100, 200, or 300) as there is not another continuing ed option for L200 or L300 at this time.

Four years from your initial certification, you must be seen in person for an on snow assessment to recertify. Please click here for Freeski or here for Snowboard to register for your on snow assessment. You do not need to complete the full L100 course, you only need to register for the On Snow Assessment in Step One.

Please note that anyone L100 or L200 not seen in person for an on snow assessment during the 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 seasons will be required to take an on snow assessment in 2023-2024.

All coaches wishing to re-certify at this level must meet all the prerequisites. Appeals for recertification must be authorized by the Program Director of a US Ski & Snowboard Program and appealed to the Education Committee. Coaches will be able to re-certify via the online program one time, then they must attend the full on snow assessment at the level they wish to re-certify. Online recertification of coaches certification will not be offered after March 15th of the current competition season. 

Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski & Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership. 

Coach Education Level Reciprocation
In mutual partnership with PSIA, AASI, IFSA and USCSA, USASA will recognize these reputable organizations and their 300 level coaches in good standing for level 100 only. USASA coach membership must be purchased, and the L100 online curriculum complete completed. The in person on snow assessment will be waived. For levels lower than 300, the full L100 course and on snow assessment must be taken.

Ex AASI Level 3= USASA Coach L100, after the L100 online course is taken

More information about Snowboard or Freeski education is available on US Ski & Snowboard's website.

Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski& Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership.