PMBIA Mountain Bike Instructor Courses
Train to become certified as a globally recognised Professional Mountain Bike Instructor. Open the door to more career opportunities in the MTB industry, improve your riding and ability to teach others.
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Courses in Japan
Our base is in Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture, and is where we try to schedule L1 courses but, if you are able to gather a group to meet the minimum numbers then we are able to travel to you, although running the course will depend on having suitable terrain at your loaction.
Important Info
JOI works with the PMBIA to organize and run courses in Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
JOI handles registration and payment, and shares student details with PMBIA HQ, who will create your member profile. This process may take 2–3 days.
Once registered, please allow 2–3 days for your PMBIA profile to update. After that, you’ll be able to log in to the PMBIA website to complete your pre-course materials and download course documents.
✈️ Travel & Accommodation
We recommend not booking travel or accommodation until you receive a confirmation email from PMBIA that the course will run. A minimum number of participants is required to confirm each course.
JOI will do our best to ensure all courses proceed as scheduled.NOTE: Facility fees (e.g. Gondola) + Lunch are not included in the course fee
PMBIA Course Schedule
COURSE CONTEXT
The AIR Module is a two-day development course for PMBIA Level 1 Instructors looking to continue their professional growth. Whether you’re preparing for your Level 2/3 Certifications or simply looking to improve your teaching and riding skills, this module provides valuable hands-on training in intermediate to advanced terrain.
WHY TAKE THIS MODULE?
Develop your cornering, pumping, jumping, and drop technique.
Gain insight into teaching advanced riders, including how to introduce students to jumps and drops.
Note: This module alone does not certify you to teach jumps or drops—certification requires completion of the four-day AIR Instructor Course.
Prepare for the full AIR Instructor Course as part of Level 2 or 3 Certifications.
Use this module to retest or complete a missed component of the AIR Instructor Course.
Use this module to recertify your Level 2 or 3 Certification.
PREREQUISITES
PMBIA Level 1 Certification (mandatory)
Current PMBIA Membership (purchased separately)
2+ seasons of teaching experience recommended, but not mandatory
Completion of the Kids Module is an asset, but not required
Completed AIR Module Worksheet
Confident riding with consistent technique on green, blue, and black trails
40hr Wilderness First Aid recommended (but not mandatory)
DESCRIPTION
AIR MODULE | 2-DAY DEVELOPMENT MODULE
This two-day module offers focused, professional training for instructors seeking to refine their technical riding and teaching skills. Candidates will receive access to the PMBIA Reference Guide, AIR Module Booklet, and engage in hands-on coaching and feedback sessions.
Day 1 focuses on skill-based lessons and practice teaching topics like bermed and flat corners, steeps, rock rolls, and pumping. Instructors will explore the AIR Instructor Course content, including skill blending and lesson structure (what/why/how/when/how much).
Day 2 shifts to maneuver-based teaching, with practice lessons introducing intermediate riders to jumps and drops. Additional workshops cover suspension setup, goal setting, and review of the completed AIR Module Worksheet.
This module also serves as a valuable opportunity to calibrate your current teaching and riding performance against Level 2 and 3 standards, helping guide your development toward future certification.