Women’s Summit Snowboard Component Welcomes Lea Logal

Lea Logal is leading a board component at Women’s Summit March 19-21 at Squaw

The Women’s Summit is a 3 day event with an extensive variety of indoor and outdoor clinic sessions, fantastic speakers, and collaborative opportunities for women at every turn.  Getting women’s involved and keeping women involved in snowsports is becoming increasingly imperative for our industry.

New to this year’s Women’s Summit is the inclusion of Snowboarding.  Lea Logal will be running our snowboard on-hill clinics.  It is incredibly important that we let people know that snowboarding will be a part of this year’s event.  The snowboard clinics offered at this year’s Women’s Summit will be a chance for women to expand their skills and knowledge in every riding and teaching environment.  Here is the link to the Women’s Summit page with the event guide: http://www.womens-summit.com/event-guide.html

 

Lea Logal

Lea joined the Snowsports industry after college.  She fell in love with sliding on the snow and the mountains as a teenager but it was not until attending college in Flagstaff, Arizona that her time on the slopes became a part of her lifestyle.  Choosing Northern Arizona University partly because of its proximity to Arizona Snowbowl, Lea spent 4 years going to class and snowboarding as many days as the season as conditions and a class schedule would allow.  She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice with an eye on a Master’s Degree but the mountains were calling.  Lea then moved to South Lake Tahoe and attained her AASI Level 1 in that first season and followed that up with a Level 2 in her next season and eventually two years to become a fully certified AASI Level three instructor (she also achieved her PSIA Level 1 Ski Certification).  Lea went on to become a resort trainer at her home mountain of Heavenly.  She would then achieve her Divisional Trainer’s Certification and joined the AASI Western Division Educational Staff as an examiner.  She is currently examining at all levels of riding and teaching for the Western Division and developing training plans and leading Western Division Educational Staff training.  In addition to her ski and snowboard certifications, Lea also holds a Freestyle Level 2 Certification and a 

Children’s Specialist Level 2 Accreditation.  Lea sits on the PSIA – AASI Western Division Board of Directors as the Publicity and Advisory Chairperson.  She also has a passion for competitive coaching and holds a USASA Level 200 Certification.  Lea has coached regionally and at the National level of USASA in Slopestyle, Boardercross, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Halfpipe and Rail Jam.  This season Lea moved south and is the Big Bear Mountain Resort Ski and Ride School Training and Teams Manager.

She oversees the Ski and Ride School Training Program and coaches and travels with Team Bear the Bear Mountain Freestyle Team.

AASI-W Education Staff,
Snowboard Coach Northstar Teams Program
Snowboard Level 3 Certified
Alpine Level 1 Certified USASA 200 Coach
Children’s Specialist L2
Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice
BOD

 

 

You are Invited to the Operation Rebound Nordic Challenge

“Operation Rebound Vets go From the Frontline to the Finishline”
 Nordic Challenge Charitable event is on March 10-11, 2018 at Sierra At Tahoe.
We all become challenged athletes eventually. Operation Rebound is a veteran component of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
 It is a tax write off for non vets who take the OR Nordic Challenge.

The event is a chance for veterans and active military to spend a weekend in the Lake Tahoe area. This is an opportunity for those who have served to reconnect with fellow vets from past and present conflicts. The event is designed to provide an opportunity to reconnect with first responders and rehabilitation personnel from your past in a healthy and supportive place far from the battlefield.

The mountains of the Lake Tahoe area are full of beauty that can help heal the body and spirit. There will be multiple venues for those who come to enjoy this wonderful place.

  • Free lift tickets will be offered at Sierra at Tahoe resort for all veterans or active military with ID or some kind.
  • Limited free lift tickets are available for veteran families on an individual basis. Contact event organizer Jim Cahill at jimcskiguy@gmail.com for more information.
  • Strawberry Lodge is offering discounted room rates Friday and Saturday nights
  • Snowshoeing and snow play areas at Sierra at Tahoe will also be available to families of the attendees.
  • Discount snowmobile tours and rentals from Lake Tahoe Adventures
See details on the website.

What goes on in a Snowboard Level 1 exam?

 

For those who are new to PSIA-AASI or even instructing in general, it can be hard to imagine exactly what a Level 1 exam will be like. When I took this exam in January 2018, I had minimal teaching experience but had taken enough lessons in the past to understand some of the terminology and techniques. The exam was both a learning experience and a chance to showcase what you already know. I liked how if you didn’t know an answer the first day, but you learned and could demonstrate it as the days went on, you could still do well.

Day 1 started off riding around groomers and getting comfortable with each other in our groups of 5-6. We went over some of the technical terms outlined in the National Standards. We received good 1 on 1 feedback from our examiner on both our snowboarding and our teaching. 

Later in the day, each candidate did a mini lesson with the group. We were given a topic to teach such as one foot skating or getting on the chairlift. It was interesting to see things broken down to such basics. It had been a while since I was a beginner, but once we reviewed how things are learned, the memories of being a beginner came back to me. It has been years since I was scared of getting off the chairlift or doing my first toe side turn.

It was difficult to think about everything a beginner would think about. For example in my first lesson, I told my “subjects” to come to a stop, then I realized I didn’t teach them how to stop. So I backed up and showed them how.

Besides teaching the class a topic, we also demonstrated our own snowboarding ability to the examiner. This is also outlined in the National Standards. 

At the end of the day, we were all given a topic and an age group that we were going to do a 20-minute lesson on the next day. I had to teach an intro to jumping to adults in their 40’s  with the goal of eventually getting them into the park to jump. Other topics included linking turns and Ollies. 

Ride demos in the park include basic air off small jumps and 50-50’s on ride-on boxes.

As a student in other candidates’ lessons, it was fun acting as different age groups and ability levels. I sure had fun acting like I was 7 for the purpose of making the lesson more realistic for my group member.

After passing the exam, not only did I receive a certification, but I also learned a lot in the process and came out as a better instructor. It was a good mix of being a fun and inviting experience, but still having an exam to pass.

Writing and photos by Hanalei Edbrooke

 

Kirkwood Avalanche Course Deal for YOU!

Expedition Kirkwood Avalanche Adventure Center wants to give to our member a great Deal!

  1. As a PSIA/AASI member you will receive $75 off for the 3 day course bring the cost to $275!  What a deal!
  2. You will need to call Expedition Kirkwood to sign up (not sign up through the web) 209-258-7360
  3. Let the folks at Expedition know over the phone when you call that you are a PSIA/AASI member and provide them with your membership #

Our Member School NASTC Is Giving Back

**Any of these courses are 10% off for PSIA/AASI-Western Members**
Select any of the topics below to find out more:

Our Member School NASTC (North American Ski Training and Climbing School) is offering PSIA/AASI-Western Members 10% off any of their courses.  Join NASTC’s top teaching pros (past and present National Alpine Team members) in Squaw, Niseko, Iceland, go backcountry skiing or take an AIARE avalanche L1 or L2 with them.
Contact the NASTC office asap to take advantage of this offer: 530-386-2102, jenny@skiNASTC.com for questions and to get registered. Or visit www.skiNASTC.com.

Here’s to 2017 from the Western Education Foundation!

We hope you had a wonderful start to the winter and a beautiful end to your 2017 year.  The PSIA/AASI-West Education Foundation has accomplished much this year.  It is clear that the growth and success of our programs and initiatives are possible because YOU, our donors, our members, and our Education Staff, believe in our cause.

  • We awarded over $5,000 in education opportunities for Western Division professional ski and snowboard instructors. We will be awarding more scholarships in February.
  • Major Sponsor of the Professional Development Day held in October, with over 110 participants in attendance
  • Financial support for our Education/Examining Staff, outfitting them with new dry uniforms
  • Sent a number of our Main Educators to the National PSIA-AASI Fall Conference; keeping Western division current with the rest of the nation.

Julie with her Level 1 Exam group last spring at Mammoth Convention

Julie Matises, a recipient of an Education Foundation Scholarship to attend Divisional Trainers (DTA) and Children’s Specialist 2, states,

“I wanted to become part of the divisional Education Staff. To do that, I needed 7-8 days of training. It was a big relief to receive the scholarship from the Education Foundation, and it helped ease my decision-making process of what training to go for.

Becoming an Education Staff member for our Western Division has rejuvenated me- I feel like I have hit the refresh button on my career as a ski professional.

Thank you, Education Foundation!”


Please consider a generous contribution TODAY.
  With your help, we’ll continue our efforts to empower and educate our members.

DONATE TODAY: We very much appreciate your financial contributions. Please consider supporting the Education Foundation. Your year-end donation will help us to continue our good work.

You can also contact the PSIA/AASI-W office (530) 587-7642 or mail a donation to 9709 Suite B Hwy 267, Truckee, CA 96161

With sincere appreciation for your continued support, we wish you and yours a very safe New Year!

Best regards,

Nick Treat, Dave Sutherland, Blaine Lomen, and Katherine Hayes Rodriguez
PSIA-W Education Foundation Board of Directors

New Instructor Course

Welcome to one of the most fun jobs you’ll ever have! After you take this course, you’ll learn a few things about being a snowsports instructor and have even more fun!

Follow one of the links below to access the free course used to help enhance your on-snow training and it’s a great way to learn more about your job. So, let’s get started. Here are the steps:
Already a PSIA-AASI member? Sign in using your current member login on file. It’s the same email and password used at thesnowpros.org
Create a user account on this website
Purchase the course – don’t worry it’s free, then follow the link on the order confirmation page
Complete the course, then share your results with your snowsports school via email and download/print a certificate to share at a later time
OK, let’s get started!

 

Digital Membership Cards are Here!

Did you know you can now download and print your own membership cards in your profile at www.thesnowpros.org
http://www.thesnowpros.org/my-profile/membership-card

 

 

PSIA Certification Benefits for Homewood Mountain Resort

Homewood is giving you another great reason to get certified this season! Check it out:

  • Level I Instructors will receive one complimentary lift ticket during the 2017-18 winter season and 50 percent off lift tickets for the balance of the season for their own personal use, with no blackout restrictions.
  • Level II and III Instructors will receive unlimited complimentary lift tickets for their own personal use during the 2017-18 winter season, with no blackout restrictions.
  • PSIA-AASI Education Staff will receive a complimentary 2017-18 unrestricted season pass for their own personal use. The season pass includes unlimited skiing or snowboarding at Homewood Mountain Resort only, and will only include on-mountain perks listed below
    • 5 Discounted tickets for Friends and Family (30% off)
    • 10% off food and beverage
    • 10% off Rentals Demos and Retail

PSIA / AASI complimentary tickets can be redeemed day of, in person, at Homewood Mountain Resort’s Guest Services office located in at the North Lodge – 5145 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Homewood, CA 96141. Instructors must present a valid certification card defining their certification level, photo ID and provide an email address to receive their complementary ticket. Limit is one ticket per day per person. Education staff members can redeem their season pass by either contacting the Guest Services office prior to arrival, and have their pass mailed to them OR by stopping by the Guest Services office on their first visit.