A Study on the Satisfaction of Instructors and Areas for Improvement in the Korean Ski Instructor Training Course

Purpose: This study evaluated instructors’ perceived importance and satisfaction with training modules in the Korea Ski Instructors Association (KSIA) Level 2 and Level 3 programs, aiming to support curriculum development aligned with global standards. Research design, data and methodology: A total of 282 certified instructors (Level 2: 154; Level 3: 128) completed a survey after participating in the 2022/2023 training season. The KSIA curriculum combined theory and on-snow sessions, delivered by committee members and Korean Interski Representatives. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, multiple regression, and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA). Results: IPA identified mismatches between importance and satisfaction. Level 2 modules mostly fell into the “Low Priority” quadrant, while Level 3 modules varied more broadly. “Level 1 Test Overview” and “Referee Manual Guide” were rated high in both importance and satisfaction. “Scoring Criteria” showed high importance but low satisfaction. Although effect size could not be calculated due to partial response mismatches, patterns were interpretable within the IPA framework. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that IPA can effectively reveal instructional gaps in ski instructor training. Results support KSIA’s direction toward instructional enhancement. Future research should adopt longitudinal and mixed-method designs for broader generalization.