On the slopes above Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand, the PMBIA LEVEL 2 - AIR INSTRUCTOR course teaches riders to become confident, capable coaches of intermediate and advanced mountain-bike skills. Over four intensive days, participants meet at the Skyline Queenstown main entrance and move into lift-accessed bike-park terrain where jumps, drops, steep descents and rock rolls are taught, practiced, and evaluated.
This PMBIA instructor course focuses on applied teaching as much as on riding. Candidates ride daily, practice-teach with peers, complete pre-course reading and a worksheet, and receive continuous mentor feedback. The syllabus emphasizes cornering, descending, steeps, rock rolls, pumping and the introduction of jumps and drops, using PMBIA lesson templates to structure repeatable, safe progressions. The program runs a progressive two-level assessment offering either Level 2 or Level 3 outcomes, which reduces single-assessment stress and mirrors real-world teaching scenarios.
Logistics are straightforward but strict: arrive punctually at Skyline Queenstown main entrance; expect full days that typically include a one-hour lunch and finish between 4:00–5:00pm. PMBIA Level 1 certification and a current PMBIA membership are mandatory before attending, and candidates must complete pre-course study (about 2–3 hours). The course confirms two weeks prior and runs in most weather—only severe trail-damaging events prompt rescheduling. Note the minimum age for Level 2 is 17 and full attendance is required to be eligible for certification.
Why Queenstown? The town’s proximity to lift-accessed parks, lake-shelf singletrack and the dramatic rise of the Southern Alps gives this instructor course immediate, varied terrain to teach on. Practicing in a high-traffic, tourism-oriented hub prepares instructors to lead in commercial bike parks as well as local trail centres. The format trains not only technical riding but also the people skills needed to design lessons, manage groups, and make sound on-trail decisions—vital in a destination where riders range from nervous beginners to aggressive park regulars.
Expect structured days that mix short on-trail micro-lessons, coached runs and verbal debriefs; mentors guide you through sequencing, risk management, and adapting progressions for different riders. If you need more time, retest options exist—candidates have two calendar years to complete retests via 2-day AIR/TECH modules or specified course days—so progression can fit a working season. Queenstown’s modern bike-park scene grew alongside its 1860s gold-rush origins and decades of outdoor recreation development, making it both historically grounded and uncompromisingly practical as a place to learn to teach.