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 Instructor Course trains and certifies instructors at both Level 2 and 3, offering different assessment levels for each. This structure provides a progressive and supportive experience for Level 2 candidates while offering more refined scenarios for Level 3 candidates.
The course is designed to prepare PMBIA instructors to teach and guide mountain biking:
to intermediate and advanced riders
on green, blue, and single black diamond (red in Europe) trails
primarily in lift-accessed bike parks or trail centres with jump/flow terrain
with skill-based goals: bermed corners, flat corners, descending, steeps, rock rolls, pumping
with maneuver-based goals: jumps and drops
in “front to mid-country” terrain, within 2 hours of emergency medical care
in private or group lessons from 2 to 6 hours in length
as part of a mountain bike school, club, or coaching service
Course Duration: Four days + 2–3 hrs of pre-course reading and worksheet, totaling approximately 35 hours including assessment.
PREREQUISITES
PMBIA Level 1 Certification (mandatory)
Active PMBIA Membership (not included in course fee)
2+ seasons of teaching experience strongly recommended
Kids Module is beneficial, but not required
Confident, consistent riding at speed on technical and flow terrain, including green, blue, and black trails
40hr Wilderness First Aid recommended (not mandatory)
Minimum age: 17 years — due to the legal responsibility of guiding others
DESCRIPTION
AIR INSTRUCTOR COURSE | 4-DAY INTERMEDIATE–ADVANCED INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
The AIR course is part of the Level 2 and 3 Certification Pathways. It focuses on teaching intermediate to advanced riders through skill- and maneuver-based instruction, including descending, steeps, cornering, jumps, and drops.
Cornering, descending, and pumping with more consistency and control
Riding steeps and technical terrain with better flow and efficiency
Introducing and progressing jumps and drops safely and effectively
The course typically takes place in lift-accessed bike parks. A modern enduro bike is recommended. Candidates will work through the five PMBIA instructor skill sets: People Skills, Guiding Skills, Teaching Skills, Riding Skills, and Instructor Traits. The course provides tools and strategies for planning effective, skill-based lessons in diverse terrain.
With daily riding, practice teaching, and personal feedback from the PMBIA Trainer, instructors will have the time and support they need to grow professionally.
LEVEL 2 & LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATION PATHWAYS
LEVEL 2: Instructors must complete either the 4-day AIR or the 4-day TECH Instructor Course. Upon successful assessment in both riding and teaching, the Level 2 Certification is awarded.
LEVEL 3: Instructors must complete both the 4-day AIR Course and 4-day TECH Course, plus the Kids Module. This modular path develops advanced instructors who are adaptable, knowledgeable, and able to serve a wide range of rider needs and industry roles.
PRECAP ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
P.R.E.C.A.P. — Processing | Emerging | Consistent | Autonomous | Proficient
Level 2: Candidates must reach at least the “consistent” stage in both teaching and riding assessments.
Level 3: Candidates must demonstrate “autonomous” or refined performance in both teaching and riding assessments.
