Tahoe Donner Announces New Mountain Enhancements for Winter 2018/19

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Introducing the new Snowbird triple chairlift, enhanced beginner experience, and an expanded grooming fleet at Tahoe Donner’s Downhill Ski Resort and Cross Country Ski Center.

Discounted ski season passes with special perks are on sale now for a limited time.

Truckee, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2018) –  As the summer comes to a close, Tahoe Donner is preparing for the upcoming winter season with its Cross Country Ski Center ready to open as soon as snow conditions allow, and a scheduled opening date of December 7 at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, conditions permitting. Voted 2018’s “Best Family Fun Place” and “Best Nordic/XC Center” in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee by readers of the Sierra Sun, Tahoe Donner is pleased to announce the following on-mountain enhancements at its Downhill Ski Resort and Cross Country Ski Center for the 2018/19 winter season.

DOWNHILL SKI RESORT

New Snowbird Triple Chairlift

The new Snowbird Chairlift is on schedule to debut opening day, conditions permitting. The fixed-grip triple chair replaces the original double chair installed in 1971. The new Snowbird Chairlift will provide improved access to beginner terrain, modern and reliable chairlift technology and an overall enhanced experience for skiers and riders. Its new location to the east edge of Snowbird Run will make more beginner skier terrain available and expand the size of the Learning Center area.

Learning Center and Ski School

The Downhill Ski Resort continues its focus on the beginner experience. Its Caterpillar Conveyor (C2) was relocated near the Ski School Yurt, providing better terrain for beginners to learn how to turn and stop before advancing to the Snowbird Lift. New this year, beginner Snowflakes classes will be split into two age groups: ages 3-4 and 5-6. Classes for ages 3-4 will be shortened to 1 hour and 15 minutes long offered four times daily to help students better focus on learning and improve their overall experience.

Commitment to Grooming

A new PistenBully 400 ParkPro grooming machine was purchased this summer equipped with Tier 4 engine technology that provides lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. The 400 ParkPro’s power and agility will increase the grooming consistency and quality throughout the resort, including its terrain park and park features.

CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER

Expanded Grooming Fleet

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center is committed to providing the best XC ski conditions in Tahoe, and a new PistenBully 100 snowcat further enhances its grooming abilities. The smaller and lighter grooming machine offers the most powerful engine in its class with Tier 4 technology and a diesel particle filter that significantly reduces pollutant emissions by as much as 90%. Its power and agility, combined with a new compaction roller and rubber tracks, will allow for more precise grooming in challenging conditions, as well as help open trails more efficiently after snow storms. This investment will help provide Nordic skiers with pristine trail conditions throughout the winter season.

New Demo and Rental Equipment

The Cross Country Ski Center continues to offer the latest in top performance ski equipment. Classic and skate skiers of all abilities can demo and compare top-of-the-line skis, boots and accessories by Fischer, Salomon and Leki.

Improved Wayfinding Signage

Cross country skiers, fat bikers and snowshoers this winter will notice new wayfinding signage throughout the ski center’s 100+ kilometers of skiable trails. Scheduled to start this fall, the project includes improving directional signs and updating certain trail names to better assist skiing passholders and visitors in exploring the ski center’s vast and diverse trail system.

SKI SEASON PASSES ARE ON SALE NOW

Discounted winter season passes for 2018/19 are on sale now at Tahoe Donner’s Downhill Ski Resort and Cross Country Ski Center. For a limited time, skiers and riders can take advantage of early season rates and special perks including early XC trail access, free lift tickets and exclusive discounts on retail items and food and beverage.

Unlimited Season Pass Pricing (Public Rates)

  • Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center: Adult $339
  • Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort: Adult $359; $199 kids (7–12)
  • Resort Combo Pass: Adult $434

Tahoe Donner homeowners (members) receive additional discounted rates on Downhill, Cross Country and Combo season passes. To see all rates and learn more about season passes and ski and ride programs, visit tahoedonner.com.

Turn your Spring Cleaning into a Tax Write-Off!

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There are multiple ways you can give to the PSIA-AASI Western Education Foundation:

  1. Volunteer
  2. Turn your spring cleaning into a tax write off!  We are re-designing and modernizing our Truckee Office that serves the administration for the Education Foundation and PSIA-AASI Western Membership.  We are looking for lightly used donations as listed below.  If you have any of the items on our wish list, we’d love to take them off your hands.  We’ll also give you a donation receipt for the value of the item which you can use as a write-off on your 2018 taxes!  Please email us with a description and photo of the item(s) you wish to donate: info@psia-w.org
  • Ergonomic office chairs
  • Modern storage cabinets
  • Computers, monitors, laptops, Flat screen w/wall mount
  • Portable clothing rack and hangers
  • Poster frame (24” x 36”)
  • Paper shredder
  • Mini mini fridge
3. Donate

The Education Foundation gives back to our members and provide education opportunities for PSIA/AASI-W instructors looking to enhance their personal growth and further their careers in snow sports instruction.

This season the Education gave back by awarding over 10 scholarships to members looking to enrich their careers as a snowsport instructor, covered the registration for our member schools to send some of their key employees to our SoCal Winter Rally for Education, continually assists the PSIA-AASI Western Division with funds to help make the Education, Certification and Premier Events affordable for our members.  They provided funding to help rewrite manuals and educational material such as the Telemark Handbook

AASI goes Mandarin Chinese

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Right after Spring Convention 2018, in Mammoth, CA, PSIA held their first Snowboard Level 1 exam in the U.S. in Mandarin Chinese. This was a 5-day prep and exam with the same standards and protocols as a regular Snowboard Level 1, but taught in Chinese for a group of international snowboarders who want to be instructors.
The event was hosted by Doug Fagel, Western Division Executive Vice President and CEO of Thrive Snowboards. Doug’s English instructions were translated by Zozo and Perry, two Taiwanese instructors who head Noyuki Academy in Japan. Zozo and Perry are also both certified Level 2 instructors in Alpine and Snowboard respectively.

Despite a few snow showers on the first day of May, the international students were a lively, fun group who all participated and contributed.

The Chinese students really enjoyed the park, and they all learned a lot of freestyle maneuvers.

At the end, they received their AASI Level 1 certifications.

Interested in getting your snowboard level 1 certification? (in English) Check out this post about the regular, 2-day snowboard level 1.

 

Spring US Ski and Snowboard Education Events

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Still looking to improve your skiing/snowboarding after Convention is over? Here are some more events from U.S. Ski and Snowboard Sport Education, as well as some Womens’ coaching clinics. Questions? Contact sporteducation@usskiandsnowboard.org

2018 Sport Education Spring Events!
Alpine Clinics:
April 30-May 1, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – Women Only Alpine Level 100 Clinic [register here]
May 2, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – SkillsQuest Evaluator Training [register here]
May 3, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – Women Only Alpine Course Setting Clinic [register here]
May 4-6, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – Women Only Alpine Level 200 Clinic [register here]
May 11-13, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – Alpine Level 200 Clinic [register here]
Conferences:
2018 Club Excellence Conference – April 30-May1, 2018 in Park City, UT
Excellence Group Registration – (3-5 attendees) – Includes Lunch and Dinner on Monday
Excellence Individual Registration – Includes Lunch and Dinner on Monday
Spring Congress – no charge, but please pre-register!
Level 300 & 400 Alpine National Coaches Academy
May 14-20, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – Alpine Level 300 Full Academy [register here]
May14-20, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – Alpine Level 300 On-Snow Only [register here]
May 14-20, 2018 in Mammoth, CA – Alpine Level 400 Full Academy [register here] must have pre-applied to register
We hope to see you this Spring!
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sport Education

PSIA-W welcomes our new board members

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Thank you everyone for running for or voting in our members of our Board of Directors election. There are 3 who were re-elected, and one new member, Terry Peters. You can find out more about each member here.

Re-Elected:

Artie Castro

My name is Artie Castro, and I have had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors for the past 5 years first serving as the Member School Chair and now as the Snowboard Vice President. I have also had the opportunity to serve on the Education Foundation Board during this time as well.  I am asking for your vote so that I can continue to serve you the members who play an integral part to the success of PSIA/AASI Western Division. I have had the opportunity to be a member of this fine organization for 28 years and have seen how PSIA/AASI helps our members with so many opportunities within the Snowsports Education Community and would like to continue this tradition. As an Alpine Level 3, Children’s Specialist Level 2, Freestyle Specialist Level 2, Snowboard Level 3, and a member of the AASI Western Division Ed Staff, I have benefited greatly by my affiliation with PSIA/AASI and want to continue to help others do the same as a Board Member of this amazing organization. Thank you for your consideration and thank you for the opportunity that you have given me to serve you these past 5 years.

Email Artie @ artiecastro@gmail.com

 

Rachel Bauer 

People are my passion. I love working with and facilitating people in new and old projects, streamlining our efforts and collaborating ideas and decisions. I feel I would be an asset to the Board of Directors and our membership because

I keep my promises to others. This is easy to do when we (as a Board) focus on small, incremental goals. So far in my ex-perience with working with this group and our membership, there have been many opportunities to feel the satisfaction of a job well done. This focused intent has proven to be beneficial to my success and maintains my high level of reliability.

I hope to continue to work with the Board and the Western Division membership so to cultivate maximum productivity within myself

Leigh Pierini

I have been fortunate enough to be a member of this Board since this Spring, 2017.  I currently hold the Member School Chair position. With this role, I am also the Western representative on the National Snowsports Director’s Task Force.

In the short time, I have served on the Board, we have made great strides in delivering- ing on the Director’s wish list. It would be an honor to continue to serve the membership and the Directors by having a chair on this Board of Directors.

And a warm welcome to new Board member Terry Peters.

Terry Peters

Hello, my name is Terry Peters. I work full time at Northstar California as a trainer and as an instructor.

I have been on Ed Staff since 2003, and I wish to be a voice for our members and instructors. For those of you who don’t know me, I am known as the Energizer Bunny. I have been putting a lot of thought into what I can do to make our division and industry more successful, appealing, and beneficial to our current membership and future membership. I would like to take this energy and passion I have and see the PSIA grow so that there are accessible and definable benefits to the membership beyond certification. Life in Resort Towns can be hard; I want to find other ways to make having a life in these amazing areas easier.

Since I am a line instructor, I listen to and most definitely empathize with the challenges and needs of the instructors I work with. I want to bring your voice to the board.

I have tried to be as successful as possible with my experiences in the ski industry. Starting in Canada I worked to get my CSIA Level 3, my Freestyle Cert and my Level 2 Race Coach. Adding my to my development I obtained my PSIA Alpine Level 3, Freestyle Level 3, Children’s Specialist Level 2 and Snowboard Level 1. Still looking for ways to develop my knowledge I worked in Australia for 10 years. Working in different countries has allowed me to become open-minded and see many different points of views and needs.

Their roles will begin April 26th at noon.

Catching up with Nic Fiore Award Winner Steve Evenson

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Last Fall, PSIA-AASI West presented the Nic Fiore Award to Steve Evenson. The Fiore Award honors a hard working member who has served the Division and the membership at a grassroots level. The award is named in honor of Nic Fiore, who passed away in 2009, and for over five decades dedicated himself to help Western Division become the organization it is today.

 

To learn more about Steve and the Nic Fiore Award, see this post


We caught up with Steve again to find out what it takes to become worthy of this award. Here are the tips he gave us, and we hope you can all take something away.

 

Steve started teaching in 76 at Kirkwood in a drought year. He almost almost didn’t start, as he did not get his pass until January 13 of 1977. He said he is very glad he hung in there through the lack of snow.

 

Steve’s father was the person who  instilled his passion to ski. He would take Steve out of school on Pow days so he would have a ski partner. Steve’s father also put him on the Blue Angel Race Team as a young man.

 

The biggest influences in Steve’s passion to teach were Leroy Hill, Stu Cambell, and Jimmy Ackerson. He says those guys believed in him and were pivotal Mentors in his development. 40 years later, he says he is still developing as an educator and skier. Steve believes that, “Old dogs CAN learn new tricks if you’re open to feedback and coaching.” He feels he is skiing better at 63 than at 25, except for the endurance aspect.  

 

Steve decided to get certified and try out for the Ed staff because he was determined to make ski instructing a lifelong commitment. He decided to run for the board to,  “make some changes and be proactive instead of complaining under his breath.” After 9 years he is still amazed by the Board’s commitment to members’ needs.

 

Here are his 5 tips for new instructors:

“1.Train and get certified (it’s hard to be a teacher if you’re not a student of the sport)

2. Find a mentor and hold on to them. Be open to feedback and change

3. Don’t give up. I failed my first Ed Staff Tryout and 4 National team tryouts but it just motivated me more.

4. Build a clientele from every lesson. Take personal ownership of your own success

5. Most importantly ski every spare moment you have, get out there, and git er done! As most of you know my personal love of skiing is my main motivator.”

“Ski ya later”

–Weavin Steven

Any member is free to nominate an “unsung hero” for the Award. Submit a nomination letter to the PSIA/AASI West office, kjereb@psia-w.org. (1,000 words or less please). The Heritage/Senior committee will review all submissions and announce the recipient of the Nic Fiore Award in the spring, in time for Convention.

Women’s Summit Snowboard Component Welcomes Lea Logal

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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

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“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?

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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!

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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 #