Squaw Valley earns Dedication to Education Award

Squaw Valley Ski and Snowboard School was awarded the 2014 “DEDICATION TO EDUCATION” AWARD at the annual PSIA/AASI-W Member School Symposium, Nov. 18 at Mammoth. The award was accepted by Dee Byrne on behalf of the staff at Squaw Valley.

The Dedication to Education Award recognizes a resort staff that:

  • Creates a culture that says “we recognize excellence” in how we train our staff and support improving the quality of our instructors.
  • Strives to retain a certified staff from season to season.
  • Promotes and encourages their staff to obtain further education in order to give   top notch instruction to guests.
  • Increases retention of instructors through recognition of their expertise and commitment to quality instruction.
  • Facilitates teamwork and camaraderie among their staff.

First turns, professional development and Ed Credits!

Don’t miss these opportunities to ramp up your skills and professionalism for the coming season (and get your first turns!) with top snowsports educators from across the country. Catch up on your education credits at the same time: Early Ed Credit Events

You participated in a 2014/15 event?

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Teaching in Spanish – Indoors

Learn to teach skiing or snowboarding in Spanish.  In this course we will explore basic Spanish grammar, helpful phrases, cultural considerations for educators, and some conversational Spanish practice.  The course will interactive, and will work from the Spanish proficiency level of each participant in the form of Teaching scenarios, roll plays, conversational practice and discussion.

This is an in-doors course that takes place two evenings, 4:30 – 8pm, 3.5 hours each (6hrs total), over two consecutive weeks.  A fully completed course merits a one-day Educational Credit (no partial educational credits for half course attendance).

Handouts: cookbook of basic phrases, survival words, technical terms, snowsport specific vocabulary and study materials for home.  

Spring Convention April 25-27, Mammoth

Early signup deadline is April 13th to get the best deal. Click above “Spring Convention” in the photo to see all the details, pricing, lodging options and link to registration. See you at Mammoth!

Advertising/Sponsorship opportunities

Do you have a business or a service that might be of interest to our members? We have several options to reach our membership of over 3200 instructors from this region. Sponsor an event, or advertise in one of our publications. For information click here: Advertising/ Sponsorship

Join some of our educational clinics to update your skills

Dues for 2013/14 season

Thank you for your membership! Dues for Western Division members will remain $ 96 for the coming season. Online payment can be made at www.thesnowpros.org. Use your email address for your Login ID and your 6 digit National ID # as your password.  Hard copy invoices will be mailed in May if we have a GOOD ADDRESS for you. Remember to renew before June 30 to get the lowest dues price. Contact our office, (530) 587-7642 if you have questions.

New Instructors Guide English/Spanish

Check out this resource for new instructors:
New Instructor Guide 2012
Guia del Nuevo Instructor de Deportes de Nieve : Spanish translation funded by a grant from the PSIA-W Education Foundation.

Scholarships Awarded

The PSIA-W Education Foundation Scholarship recipients for 2013 are:
Apodaca, Chase, Bear Mountain, Sato-Anderson, Shelby, Mammoth- Corson, Christian, Dodge Ridge, Sato- Barker, Alyssa, Mammoth- Blizzard, Bear, Mt. Baldy Sato-Calhoun, Shannon, Heavenly, Sato-de la Torre, Jennifer, Northstar- Haines, Scott, Mt. Baldy, Sato- Hakkanen, Stephanie, Mammoth, Sato- Marchant, Austin, Mammoth, Sato-McLane, Herbert, Mt. Shasta, Sato- Newman, Jason, Snow Summit, Sato-Pace, Chad, Squaw Valley-Pelham, Amanda, Mammoth-Pieper, Julia, Squaw Valley-Quinn, Natalie, Mt. Shasta-Ryerson, Henry, Sugar Bowl-Scott, Richard, Mountain High-Shattow, Eric, Squaw Valley-Smith, Samson, Sugar Bowl, Sato-Silber, Alden, Mt. Shasta, Sato –Spielman, Peter, Diamond Peak-Willis, Aaron, Heavenly, Sato-Zieba, Andrea, Mt. Rose

Sodergren Scholarships : Milelli, Tanya, Heavenly- Saugez, Bill, Snow Summit