Which Coach Membership(s) Do I Need?
A Guide to NENSA and USSS Coach Memberships
NENSA Coach Membership
What is it?: NENSA Coach Membership provides coaches of all levels a regional community to grow and support their practice in and support more of our skiers, together!
Why?: ❄️ NENSA Coach Membership supports the ongoing development of programs to enrich ski coaching as a practice and profession in New England.
Which Coaches Need it?
Coaches participating in NENSA Clubs and Programs. Coaches who are on Staff at NENSA EHSC and/or U16s, RDG and REG Camps, JNs and any other NENSA Coach Development Trips.
Benefits
❄️ Discounted access to all NENSA events (including Popular races, for when you have a rare off weekend in the winter!).
❄️ Access to NENSA’s Coach Bibs at NENSA-sanctioned events.
❄️ Access to NENSA’s Coach resources, including the Coaches newsletter, library of resources, and coach-focused talks and programs.
USSS Coach Membership
What is it?: NENSA works in partnership with our national governing body (NGB) US Ski and Snowboard (USSS), to “sanction” select competitive events across New England, including the Eastern Cup Series. USSS Coach membership gives coaches access to a standard set of national practices which is recognized both in New England and outside of our region.
Why?: USSS Coach Membership allows NENSA coaches to support their skiers at nationally sanctioned events where they score USSS points and access the national sport development system, including Junior Nationals, REG and National Camps, international trips, and more!
USSS Sport Ed. Academy?: As of 2025-26, USSS has moved the Safety Requirements (see Additional Requirements Below) into their Sport Ed. Academy (SEA). A Sport. Ed. Academy is enrolled separately from USSS Membership but is required for all coach members. Enroll HERE.
If you are not pursuing USSS Certification (Guide HERE), you can enroll in the bronze tier of the (SEA) for free and complete the USSS Safety Requirements.
USSS Membership FAQ:
Which Coaches Need it?
❄️ Coaches who regularly support skiers at Eastern Cups.
❄️ Coaches who are supporting skiers at any USSS events in the East, including SuperTours and National Championships.
❄️ Coaches who plan to pursue any NENSA Coach Development Programs at USSS Events. These primarily include Junior Nationals, and REG & U16 Camps (note, RDG Camp is not a USSS Program).
Additional Requirements- SafeSport, Background Check and Safety Requirements: the BIG 6!
Why?: As an NGB, USSS is responsible for following federal law set forth by the SafeSport Act. Practically, this means at all USSS-sanctioned events, NENSA is responsible for maintaining a “field of play” in which all coaches are USSS Members who have completed Safety Requirements (First Aid, CPR, and Concussion Trained), and are SafeSport trained in order to prevent minor athlete abuse. How we designate adults who are allowed on the “field of play” is via a Coaches Bib, signaling completion of these requirements.
In addition to USSS Membership, you also need to complete a BIG 6 of additional requirements to be an “Active” Coach Member with a Coach Bib:
BIG 6:
- In USSS Membership Portal:
- SafeSport Training – 90 min core training OR 30 min refresher course.
- Background Check – NOTE this can take up to 2 weeks.
- In USSS Sport Ed. Academy – Safety Requirements:
- First Aid – Uploaded current certificate.
- CPR – Uploaded current certificate.
- Concussion Training – Uploaded current certificate.
- Avalanche Awareness – Taken 15 min online course. Yes, you need to do this even if you live in New England and never plan on skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine!
Where is my Coaches Bib? – “Inactive” vs. “Current/Active” Membership – PLEASE READ!
At USSS-sanctioned NENSA Events, you must have an “Active” USSS Membership to Coach!
❄️ “Inactive” – You have purchased a USSS Membership here, but have not completed the BIG 6 (below) – additional requirements to be an active Coach Member.
❄️ “Active” – You have purchased a USSS Membership here. You have then completed the BIG 6 additional requirements.
Active Members are automatically sent a Coaches Bib for the season. Being active before October 15th guarantees you will have your Coaches Bib for the first Eastern Cup!
BIG 6:
- In USSS Membership Portal:
- SafeSport Training – 90 min core training OR 30 min refresher course.
- Background Check – NOTE this can take up to 2 weeks.
- In USSS Sport Ed. Academy – Safety Requirements:
- First Aid – Uploaded current certificate.
- CPR – Uploaded current certificate.
- Concussion Training – Uploaded current certificate.
- Avalanche Awareness – Taken 15 min online course. Yes, you need to do this even if you live in New England and never plan on skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine!
How long will this take? – In general, you need to budget 2 weeks before your first USSS event to be “Active.” Primarily because the Background Check takes up to this time to clear.
I didn’t think this would take 2 weeks! – If you are reading this and the first Eastern Cup is a couple days away please complete all requirements other than the background check, and then email Ben Theyerl, ben@nensa.net, detailing that your background check is still pending.
Do I Need USSS & Sport Ed. Academy Membership for NENSA Coach Programs – Camps, Clinics, Symposiums Etc…?
No. NENSA designs and implements our coach programming independently of USSS. We strongly believe that our ski community is best-served when coaching is an accessible practice for skiers from all kinds of different backgrounds. The best way to support this independent practice is by becoming a NENSA Coach Member.
❄️ NENSA does support coaches who pursue USSS Coach Membership and certification by designating select programs as counting towards the USSS Continuing Ed. requirements.
Just NENSA or NENSA + USSS?
If you are coaching at any of the following, you are best served by becoming a NENSA Coach Member:
- NENSA Eastern High School Championships (EHSC) and State Qualifiers.
- NENSA U16 Championships and State Qualifiers.
- Regional Development Group Camp (RDG) Camp.
- As a member of a NENSA Club or Team.
If you are coaching at any of the following, you are best served by becoming a NENSA Coach Member + USSS Coach Member:
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- Eastern Cups (w/exception of Intro. Category Days).
- USSS Junior National Championships.
- Any USSS National Events which are in our region:
- US Cross Country Ski National Championships.
- USSS Spring Nationals/SuperTour Finals.
- Any SuperTour Finals.
- Regional Elite Group (REG) Camp and/or USSS National U16 Camps.
USSS Coach Membership Step-by-Step
1. Purchase a USSS Membership HERE. Subscribe to at least he Bronze Tier (FREE) of the Sport Ed. Academy HERE.
- You are now considered an “Inactive” or “Pending” Coach Member.
- USSS Dashboard will look something like this:
2. Background Check – Enroll in the Background Check through USSS Membership Portal.
The Background Check will take the longest of the additional requirements for active Membership (up to 2 weeks). Enroll ASAP after purchasing membership.
The Background Check portal is accessed via the USSS Membership portal or by checking your email after purchasing membership.
3. SafeSport – SafeSport Training ASAP!
Safesport Training is accessed via the USSS Membership portal or by checking your email after purchasing membership.
Safesport Core Training takes approx. 90 minutes. After your first core training you annually complete a 30 min refresher, but are required to do the full training once every 5 years on the schedule below:
- Year 1 – 90 min Core Training.
- Year 2 – 30 min Refresher.
- Year 3 – 30 min Refresher.
- Year 4 – 30 min Refresher.
- Year 5 – 90 min core training again.
4. Safety Requirements – In USSS Sport Education Academy!
IMPORTANT: You must purchase your USSS annual membership before completing Safety Requirements or the system does not work :(.
Enroll in the Sport Ed. Academy Bronze Tier (HERE).
Go to Coach Certification – > Safety Requirements
You should get this screen:
5. Complete the Following Requirements.
- Avalanche Awareness – 15 min course in SEA.
- First Aid – Upload current certificate.
- CPR Submission – Upload current certificate.
- Concussion Training – Upload current certificate.
If you need First Aid and/or CPR, it is a good practice to reach out to your local club about organizing a time to complete for your club coaches.
6. Be “Current!” or “Active!”
Once you have completed everything, your USSS Membership Portal will look like this. If you complete by Oct. 15th, your Coach Bib will be in the mail ahead of the first Eastern Cup. Yay!
7. COACH! – Consider Certification by reviewing NENSA’s Guide HERE.
