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MEMBERSHIP
Q: Why should I become a member?
A: Below is a list of reasons why you should become an APSI members:
For more information, please visit the Membership page of the of the website. Please note that the term of APSI membership is 1 January – 31 December each year.
Q: What is a membership term and how long does it last?
A: The APSI membership term aligns with the Calendar year. All memberships expire on the 31 December. We do offer a 3-year membership product which is heavily discounted to encourage multiyear membership.
Q: How do I purchase or renew membership?
A: All APSI events are packaged with Membership, so you’ll automatically pay for the current year’s membership when you sign up for a course or exam. If you have already paid membership for the year, then this will automatically be deducted from the package total in the shop.
If you just wish to purchase membership on its own then head to the membership section of our shop, choose the type that best suits your needs, add to cart & follow the prompts.
Q: When will receive my membership card?
A: In the effort to be environmentally responsible, APSI no longer automatically issues a physical membership card. Instead, you can access your membership card digitally in your MyAPSI Profile.
If you require a physical card for any reason then you can order one through the online shop free of charge and it will be shipped to the shipping address provided.
Q: I passed the Level 1 in September, and I just received a membership renewal notice. Isn't my Membership good for one year?
A: The APSI Membership Term is 1 January – 31 December regardless of when you purchase membership.
Q: I have been inactive and not renewed my membership for more than 3 years, do I need to backpay membership fees?
A: No, you can simply purchase membership for the current year to become an active member which will validate any current certifications you hold. If your certification has expired, then you will also need to do a certification update.
If you are an ISIA stamp holder and you have been inactive for more than 3 years, then please contact the APSI office (apsi@apsi.net.au) for more information on the process to update the ISIA stamp.
Q: What is my member number?
A: Your member number is the #XX-XXX number found under your name on your digital membership card HERE. (apsi.net.au/myApsi/user-dashboard.php)
Q: Does APSI offer member ProDeals?
A: Yes, APSI has over 30 industry partners offering great ProDeals on ski/board equipment, clothing and apparel, video improvement subscriptions, physiotherapy, equipment maintenance services, strength and conditional training and much more.
APSI also, offer member discounts on APSI branded merchandise including gloves, mid-layers, neck tubes, soft shell jackets and more.
LEVEL 1 (Alpine & Snowboard)
Q: How long is the APSI level 1 course?
A: The APSI level 1 Alpine and Snowboard courses operate over 4 consecutive days which includes a 3-day course and 1 day exam
More information about the Level 1 courses can be found HERE.
Q: How much is the APSI level 1 course?
A: In 2024, the APSI level 1 Alpine and Snowboard courses are $1,414. This includes:
Q: I want to take the APSI level 1, where can I find course dates?
A: All APSI event dates can be found in the Course & Event Calendar from the 'shop' dropdown menu. On this page you can sort by discipline and select your preferred view (i.e List, month view, week view etc.)
If you already have 2024 Membership, then this will be removed from the total at checkout. More information about the Level 1 courses can be found HERE.
Q: What is the minimum age one has to be to attend an APSI event?
A: The minimum age to attend an APSI event is 15.
Q: Can I participate in the APSI level 1 with my friends?
A: Yes! However, you will each need to create your own personal MyAPSI profile and book into the course individually. It is not possible for one person to book for multiple people.
Q: What level of fitness is required to attend an APSI Level 1 Alpine or Snowboard course?
A: These are 4-day courses that spend the majority of the time on the mountain and therefore require a reasonable level of fitness. The course days are spent on the mountain between 8:30pm and 3:30pm (with lunch break) and an additional hour or so of indoor/classroom theory once skiing has concluded in the afternoon.
Q: Can you fail the APSI Level 1?
A: Yes, all APSI exams require candidates to meet specific standards to successfully achieve the certification.
Q: Does the APSI Level 1 allow me to teach overseas?
A: APSI is a member of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) and is therefore recognised by foreign training and certification organisations.
However, for employment purposes it is important to communicate with the Snowsports School that you intend to work with to determine how they recognise APSI (and other) certifications for employment and remuneration purposes.
Q: Can I sit the level 1 and 2 in the same Australian winter season?
A: Yes, you can! However, you will need to be employed as a Snowsports Instructor with one of the Australian Snowsports Schools to attend the Level 2 exam.
Q: Can I train for the level 1 and 2 at once?
A: For Alpine and Snowboard disciplines, you need to have passed all units of the level one course/exam to commence training for level two. While training for the level 1 and 2 cannot be done concurrently, it can be done in the same season.
Please note that you will need to be currently working as a Snowsports instructor with a professional Snowsports School to participate in an Alpine or Snowboard level 2 exam. You can find the pre-requisites for each discipline and level on via the "Courses & Events" dropdown in the Navigation menu.
WORKING AS AN INSTRUCTOR
Q: How do I become a snowsport Instructor?
A: You need to get a level one certification! Level one courses and exams are available across NSW & VIC in the Southern Hemisphere snow season. This training provides you with everything you need to know to embark on your snowsport instructing career. Check out our become an instructor page for more information.
Q: Can you help me get a job as an instructor?
A: The APSI do not employ instructors, but we do provide a list of current instructor job openings on our Jobs & Accommodation Page.
Q: Can I teach in Australia with APSI Certifications?
A: Yes. APSI work closely with the Australian resorts and APSI certifications are the preferred certifications for instructors working in Australia.
Q: Can I teach in Australia privately, without being employed by a resort?
A: No. It is illegal to teach in any of the Australian resorts without being employed by the resort’s snowsports school. If you are found to be doing this, you may be prosecuted. This may also have implications on your ability to hold APSI membership.
COURSES
Q: Where do I meet the Trainer for my course?
A: The meeting locations vary from resort to resort. Please have a look at the Meeting Times & Locations page for more information.
Q: Do I need a manual to participate in courses?
A: When attending an APSI course you will need access to the Teaching Manuals (which is included in your membership fees). Ensure you have a smart phone with you a PDF copy of the manual downloaded and saved.
With current APSI membership, you can access the manuals HERE.
Q: Are lift tickets included in event fees?
A: Course and exam fees DO NOT include accommodation, meals, park entry, travel costs or any other expenses related to attending an APSI event.
AUSTRALIAN EVENTS
If you are NOT employed by one of the Australian Snowsports Schools as a Snowsports instructor, then lift tickets are the responsibility of the participant. The Participant must purchase their own lift ticket prior to commencement of the APSI event.
If you ARE employed by one of the Australian Snowsports Schools as a Snowsports instructor, then the hosting Australian resort will provide a lift ticket for the days of the APSI event. This will be organised by the APSI.
If you intend to train at the hosting resort prior to the event in your own time, then you must contact your employing Snowsports School Manager and request a lift ticket for the hosting resort. Lift ticket requests for days that are not APSI event days are your responsibility and are issued at the discretion of the hosting Snowsports School. The APSI cannot assist in any way with lift tickets requests on non-APSI event days.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
Lift tickets are not included in course fees for any APSI event held abroad. Lift tickets are the responsibility of the participant and must be purchased prior to the commencement of the event.
Q: What should I bring to an APSI course?
A:
Q: Do I have to wear a helmet on course?
A: While it is not compulsory, we very strongly recommend wearing a helmet when attending APSI events. While you may be a competent skier or rider, significant time is spent on teaching terrain around other skiers and riders with lesser ability. It’s always worth minimising risk and wearing a helmet.
Q: Can I choose my Trainer?
A: No, all courses and Training staff are scheduled by the APSI office. APSI Trainers operating courses undergo thorough training and supervision and must be suitably experienced and qualified to operate a course. This ensures that the quality and content of all courses is as consistent as possible.
Q: Is accommodation included in the course fees?
A: No, APSI event fees do NOT include accommodation, travel or anything other than the course participation fees. If you are employed as an instructor with an Australian Resort, then the APSI will organise lift tickets on your behalf for the days of the event. If you are not employed with an Australian resort then you will have to purchase your lift tickets separately.
Q: Can I participate in courses and exams if I am not employed as Snowsport instructor?
A: To attend an Alpine, Snowboard, Nordic or Telemark Level 1 Course and exams, you do NOT need to be employed as Snowsports Instructor.
However, to attend the Level 2 exams and beyond, you must be employed as a snowsports instructor.
Q: What happens if the weather is extreme during my APSI event?
A: If there is severe weather that precludes the Lifts from opening, the event will continue as planned and your Trainer will pivot to an indoor setting to continue training with content that can be delivered indoors.
Q: I've booked a course, but I don't know where to stay, can you help me out?
A: We provide a list of recommended accommodation providers on our Jobs & Accommodation page. Please note that accommodation is not included in the cost of APSI events.
EXAMS
Q: How do I know if I am eligible to attend an APSI exam?
A: Certain APSI exams have specific prerequisites that are required to be eligible to participate. These can include employment with a snowsports school, accrual of teaching hours and accrual of in-house training hours among other things.
For more information on what is required for a specific discipline and level, please visit relevant level in the ‘courses & events’ dropdown menu at the top of the page.
Q: If I am unsuccessful at an exam, do I have to do the whole exam or just the unsuccessful components?
A: You can simply ‘resit’ the components that you were unsuccessful with. For level 2+ in Alpine and Snowboard, simply book into another exam event in the Course & Event Calendar and the shop will automatically determine which components you have remaining and charge you accordingly.
To resit a Level 1 in Alpine or Snowboard, or to resit any level in another discipline, please contact the APSI office: apsi@apsi.net.au
Please note it is not possible to sit an end of season exam in Victoria and NSW in the same year. For example, if you attend the Victorian Level 2 in September and are unsuccessful, it is NOT possible to then book into the NSW Level 2 exam in September and resit the unsuccessful component. This is also the case if multiple exams operate in Japan.
Q: How do I sign-up to resit individual components at the exam?
A: For level 2+ in Alpine and Snowboard, simply book into another exam event in the Course & Event Calendar and the shop will automatically determine which components you have remaining and charge you accordingly.
To resit a Level 1 in Alpine or Snowboard, or to resit any level in another discipline, please contact the APSI office: apsi@apsi.net.au
Q: How much does it cost to resit an individual component of an exam?
A: The 2025 resit fee is $200 per component.
Q: Are lift tickets included in event fees?
A: Course and exam fees DO NOT include accommodation, meals, park entry, travel costs or any other expenses related to attending an APSI event.
AUSTRALIAN EVENTS
If you are NOT employed by one of the Australian Snowsports Schools as a Snowsports instructor, then lift tickets are the responsibility of the participant. The Participant must purchase their own lift ticket prior to commencement of the APSI event.
If you ARE employed by one of the Australian Snowsports Schools as a Snowsports instructor, then the hosting Australian resort will provide a lift ticket for the days of the APSI event. This will be organised by the APSI.
If you intend to train at the hosting resort prior to the event in your own time, then you must contact your employing Snowsports School Manager and request a lift ticket for the hosting resort. Lift ticket requests for days that are not APSI event days are your responsibility and are issued at the discretion of the hosting Snowsports School. The APSI cannot assist in any way with lift tickets requests on non-APSI event days.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
Lift tickets are not included in course fees for any APSI event held abroad. Lift tickets are the responsibility of the participant and must be purchased prior to the commencement of the event.
Q: Can I participate in the L2/3/4 Alpine or Snowboard End of Season Exams in both Victoria and NSW?
A: No, you cannot participate in both the Victorian and NSW end of season exams in the same year. If you are unsuccessful with a component, it is virtually impossible to improve the necessary amount to achieve the component a week later.
While many candidates assume that may have performed poorly on the day due to exam nerves, the Examining staff are very experienced in assessing the standard and can see through these nerves. There is also significant time during deliberation spent discussing candidate’s skills and knowledge with their in-house training team. As such, it is highly unlikely that the necessary changes will be present a week or two later to be successful in the component.
A candidate who is unsuccessful with a component should take time to process the result, ask for feedback from the examining team at the presentation, communicate with their in-house Training Manager and build a training plan and realistic timeline to improve the particular area of their instructing.
Q: Where are end of season Level 2/3/4 Alpine and Snowboard exams scheduled?
A: Level 2: The Alpine & Snowboard Level 2 exams are held once in NSW and twice in VIC at the end of the season. The location rotates between the resorts in each state to provide equal access to members.
Level 3: The Alpine Level 3 is a state-based exam and operates once in NSW and once in VIC at the end of the season. The location rotates between the resorts in each state to provide equal access to members.
The Snowboard Level 3 is a national exam operating once at the end of the season. The location rotates between the resorts to provide equal access to members.
Level 4: The Alpine and Snowboard Level 4 is a national exam operating once at the end of the season. The location rotates between the resorts to provide equal access to members.
Q: Where are early season Level 2/3/4 Alpine and Snowboard Exams Scheduled?
A: Due to the limited number of participants, early season exams are conducted only once and are held at the resort that hosted the previous year's level 4 exam.
CERTIFICATIONS & UPDATING
Q: When does my certification expire?
A: Your certification expires on the 31 December, 2 years after the year you achieved the certification. For example, if you achieve a certification (or attend a certification update in 2025), your certification will expire on 31 December 2027. If your certification has expired, you will see the word ‘lapsed’ in red next your certification on your digital membership card in your profile HERE.
Q: How can I update my certification?
A: APSI offers multiple options to update your certification. More information on certification update options can be found HERE.
Q: I've lost my certificate, can I purchase a new one?
A: Yes, you can purchase a reissued certificate in the online shop. You can also download a digital PDF copy of your certificate on your accreditations page.
Q: Can I download my certificate as a PDF?
A: Yes, you can download a digital PDF copy of your certificate on your accreditations page.
Q: I haven’t done any instructing for a while OR my certification has lapsed. What should I do?
A: You can attend an APSI course or event, an Update Day, a Spring Session day, or complete a Homestudy; More information is available on our Certification Update page. You can check the status of your certification by logging into MyAPSI and viewing your digital membership card under 'my profile'.
RECOGNITION
Q: Does APSI recognise other certifications?
A: Yes, more information about our Recognition of Prior Learning Program can be found HERE.
Q: I have a qualification from a different snowsport association, can I train with you?
A: Yes! The APSI has a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program that allows foreign certified instructors to join the APSI pathway. More details about the RPL program including eligibility criteria and application process can be found on the Recognition of Prior Learning Page
Q: Are APSI certifications recognised overseas?
A: APSI is a member of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) and is therefore recognised by foreign training and certification organisations.
However, for employment purposes it is important to communicate with the Snowsports School that you intend to work with to determine how they recognise APSI (and other) certifications for employment and remuneration purposes.
ISIA STAMP
Q: How do I apply for the ISIA stamp?
A: APSI are a member of the ISIA and are able to issue stamps to members that meet the ISIA stamp criteria. More information is available to current APSI members on the ISIA Information page.
BOOKING
Q: When will the Course & Event Calendar be available to book online?
A: Australian course and exam dates are released around May each year. We will communicate the release of our Event Calendar via our Newsletter, Instagram and Facebook.
Once the calendar has been released you can book into a course or event HERE.
Q: Where can I download a receipt for my purchase?
A: You can view and download a receipt for all purchases with APSI on the ‘My Purchase History’ page in the Member Zone of the MyAPSI navigation menu.
Q: Why is the shop charging the incorrect amount?
A: The shop is designed to calculate the cost of the event or resit component and include Membership fees if you do not have current membership. In most cases when it seems that shop is not calculating the total correctly, it is due membership fees being added.
If the total still looks incorrect once factoring membership fees, then please email or call the APSI office (apsi@apsi.net.au or 02 6456 1255)
Q: I have booked a course and would like to transfer to an alternate course.
A: If there are positions available on the alternate course, then in most cases we can facilitate this. Please contact the APSI office (apsi@apsi.net.au) to discuss your options.
APSI T&C's
Q: Where can I find the Terms & Conditions?
A: You can view the full Terms and Conditions under info > T&C, found HERE.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Clause 6, ‘WITHDRAWAL’ of the APSI Terms & Conditions States:
The Candidate acknowledges that if the Candidate withdraws from the event after registration then:
GENERAL
Q: How does APSI support women in the Snowsports Industry?
A: Our vision is an APSI that actively promotes the role of women and creates opportunities to empower females to participate and pursue a career in snowsports instruction. To that end, the Advancing Women in Snowsports (AWS) Committee was established in 2020 to implement and sustain long-standing initiatives within the APSI that promote equitable opportunities for women across all areas.
For more information on the AWS and their work, visit the AWS webpage HERE.
Q: How do I access the APSI Teaching App?
A: The APSI Teaching App is a web based App and with current membership can be accessed HERE.
Q: How do I become an APSI Trainer?
A: To become and APSI Trainer you must
If you meet the above criteria then the next step is to submit an application to attend Rookie Selection. Rookie trainer selection is a season long process beginning with the first selection held before Trainer’s Coordination in June each year, followed by various training and assessment tasks that need to be fulfilled. After the season, the discipline technical committees will review all Rookie Trainers and determine whether they will be promoted ‘level trainer’ status based on their performance throughout the year.
For more information please visit the Rookie Selection Page HERE.(This page is only live in April/May each year).
Q: Can I become an APSI Trainer with a foreign certification?
A: Yes, providing that you meet the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) requirements. More information on the RPL program can be found HERE.
Q: Can I claim APSI fees as a tax deduction?
A: If you’re employed as Snowsports Instructor then your APSI fees should be able to claimed as a tax deductible expense. However, we encourage you to check with your accountant about your specific situation.
To download a digital PDF receipt from any of the courses that you attended, visit your purchase history page HERE.
Q: Do you offer courses in any other countries?
A: We currently offer courses and exams in Japan during the Northern Hemisphere winter. Japan events are scheduled in November and available through the Course & Event Calendar.
Q: Do you offer courses in languages other than English?
A: No, APSI courses provide training and certification for employment in the Australian Snowsports Industry requiring proficiency in English.
Q: Do you recommend Travel Insurance coverage when participating in an APSI event?
A: Yes, whether you are attending an APSI event abroad, or within Australia, we strongly recommend travel insurance
Still can't find what you're after? Please refer to our Terms & Conditions or contact us.