Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association - PMBIA

08/28/2026

The 2026 PMBIA Member and Industry Survey is now open, and it’s for everyone connected to mountain biking, not just members.

If you coach, guide, ride, run programs, build trails, work in a shop or bike park, your perspective matters here.

This survey directly informs:
• Course + curriculum priorities
• Instructor + member support tools
• Regional + global program development

Upon completion of the survey, you will automatically be entered into a draw to win a PMBIA Chromag Destin Hoodie and Pit Viper Glasses.

🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci7DxMCUMQAR_i-v8EPSfWn5uypyIQmTMSSSXbYtzePIJ5dA/viewform

Survey closes September 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST.

More input → better outcomes for the whole MTB community.

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

Keeping your PMBIA certification active just got simpler, faster, and built around your schedule.

If you checked your inbox earlier, you saw the news:

We’ve officially launched our new Online Recertification Course, included directly with your annual membership renewal.

Swipe through the carousel for a quick breakdown of:

🔹 How annual online recertification works for Levels 1–4
🔹 The 90-day grace period
🔹 Our Special 2026 Amnesty Program (reactivate your lapsed cert simply by renewing your membership and completing the course).

Missed the email? Head straight to your PMBIA Member Profile, scroll down to "Online Courses," and launch the course today.

🔗 www.PMBIA.bike to log in.

08/25/2026

We recently sat down with veteran coach Kevin Stiffler (RideReady) to reflect on what it’s really like to progress through the PMBIA certification pathway.

Even with nearly 20 years of riding, racing, and coaching under his belt before taking Level 1, Kevin found the experience completely flipped his perspective on how we teach and learn on bikes.

"I’ll be honest — it took me two attempts to achieve Level 4 certification. Passing the riding standard wasn’t enough; the coaching bar is even higher. That setback was humbling, but exactly as it should be."

Key takeaways from Kevin's journey:

• Break Out of the Bubble: Courses pair you with coaches from all backgrounds (XC to DH), bringing fresh perspectives, new teaching styles, and dynamic collaboration.

• Embrace the Setback: Falling short on the Level 4 coaching standard proved that technical riding skill alone isn't enough—true instructional excellence takes deep reflection and refinement.

• Context Over Dogma: Moving away from rigid "right vs. wrong" to analyze biomechanics, context, and rider goals helps you serve everyone from true beginners to World Cup racers.

• Never Stop Practicing: High-level mastery means continuously revisiting Level 1–4 foundational concepts in your daily riding and coaching.

Read the rest of our conversation with Kevin in the News section at www.pmbia.bike

Ready to step up and take the highest level of certification?
PMBIA Level 4 Course
📅 September 14–18, 2026
📍 Whistler Mountain Bike Park

🔗 Visit www.PMBIA.bike to register and elevate your coaching career.

08/23/2026

Last call to join us to elevate your riding and coaching:

1️⃣ Level 1 Instructor: 3-day course
Best for riders new to teaching and looking to gain the framework to guide and teach beginner-intermediate level riders the fundamentals on the trails.

2️⃣3️⃣ Level 2/3 Air Instructor: 4-day course
Best for PMBIA instructors looking to build professional progressions for bike parks, coach advanced students in airborne terrain, and advance toward their PMBIA Level 2 or 3 certification.

🧸 Kids Teaching Module: 1-day course
Best for PMBIA Level 1 or 2 instructors looking to lead kids' camps, run junior programs, and work toward their PMBIA Level 3 certification.

📈 Development Day: 1-day
Best for PMBIA Instructors looking to gain targeted feedback and practice needed to meet the course standards with confidence in preparation for the Air Instructor Course.

To learn more or secure your spot, visit the link in our bio or www.pmbia.bike

08/20/2026

If you’re ready to become a mountain bike instructor or elevate your coaching, join us in an upcoming PMBIA Course in to gain the skills, confidence and credentials to lead on the trails.

WHY PMBIA SETS THE GLOBAL STANDARD:

🟢 Science-Backed Riding: Learn a proven, skill-based model that breaks down the physics and biomechanics of mountain biking.

🟢 Structured Knowledge: Gain a deeper understanding of mountain biking skills through an organized framework that makes teaching intuitive, not overwhelming.

🟢 Dual-Discipline Mastery: Our certifications train you to teach in both Cross-Country and Downhill environments.

🟢 Student Versatility: Our system gives you the tools to successfully progress a wider variety of riders than ever before.

🟢 Global Portability: Your “passport” to coaching jobs at world-class resorts.

PMBIA is returning to Chattanooga this October, delivering a:
- Level 1 | October 16-18
- Kids Teaching Module | October 19

To learn more about becoming a mountain bike instructor or elevating your coaching, visit www.pmbia.bike

08/18/2026

Fall is on the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere, but the season is far from over. There’s no better time to capitalize on a full summer of trail time and take the next step in your coaching journey.

Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere is heating up with a fresh lineup of courses rolling out across Australia and New Zealand.

WHY PMBIA SETS THE GLOBAL STANDARD

Science-Backed Riding: Master a proven, skills-based methodology built on the physics and biomechanics of mountain biking.

Structured Pedagogy: Gain a deeper understanding of movement analysis through an organized framework that makes high-level teaching intuitive, not overwhelming.

Dual-Discipline Mastery: Train to coach with confidence across both trail/Cross-Country and Downhill/Bike Park environments.

Student Versatility: Acquire the diagnostic tools to successfully progress a wider variety of rider types, goals, and skill levels.

Global Portability: Earn an internationally recognized credential—your ticket to coaching at world-class destinations around the globe.

Whether you’re looking to launch your career or elevate your instructional toolkit, secure your spot for the season ahead.

🔗 Explore upcoming global courses at www.pmbia.bike [Link in Bio]

08/16/2026

The PMBIA Level 4: Where technical mastery meets professional coaching.

Move beyond the lesson and into long-term athlete development. In this 5-day intensive, you’ll learn to assess and develop riders on the world’s most demanding terrain, while gaining the tools to build athletes over weeks, months, or entire seasons.

Why take the Level 4?
✅ Learn the critical difference between instructing a skill and coaching a long-term program.
✅ Elevate your technical analysis on Black and Double Black Diamond terrain.
✅ Gain the framework to lead instructor training camps and competitive race programs.
✅ Our highest certification, designed to complement elite athletic frameworks like the Coaching Association of Canada.

If you’re a career professional looking to deliver world-class results for expert riders, this is your next step.

Don’t just teach. Coach.

🗓 September 14 - 18, 2026 | Whistler Bike Park

🔗 Step up to the peak. Learn more at www.pmbia.bike

08/15/2026

An excellent read from our Director of Education, Jon Casson.

Sure, it helps your fitness. You stay active, keep your legs strong, and build endurance. But honestly, I think that’s one of the least interesting reasons to ride.