Uplifting News

We know many of you have stories, some good and some bad, of living through the last few months.  Last week, we asked you to inspire us with your good news stories.  You didn’t disappoint!  Below is a collection of the inspirational, the uplifting, the acts of kindness, cute kids, even the amusing.  Thank you for sharing your good news with all of us.  If it puts a smile on just one other member’s face, then we’ve done good, together.

From Judie and Alan Markow:

Mid-March was not what we expected. Work ended precipitously, and we had to think about packing up and going back to our non-ski-season home, approximately an hour and a half away. Our winter house-mates – two J-1 visa-holders from Lima, Peru, were scheduled to depart the Reno airport on March 15, and we figured we would leave Tahoe after we saw them off. That’s when the next surprise occurred: Peru closed its borders and the girls could not go home.

We stayed in Tahoe for a few more days hoping the Peruvian consulate would reveal a plan to get its citizens home. Both girls began their university classes online, sometimes having to start as early as 5 a.m. Pacific Time. We had so enjoyed having Ruth and Naylin with us that we weren’t at all upset that they were staying longer. We watched TV and movies together and introduced them to evening adult beverages (they were 22 and 23, so we weren’t going totally rogue). Finally, at the end of a week, we decided we’d all go back to our home in Lincoln, CA, rather than stay in Tahoe any longer. We had taken them down for a few days earlier in the year and they loved the house and the greater shopping opportunities nearer to Sacramento, so they enthusiastically agreed with our decision.

To get us all in our RAV4, we had to stack three suitcases on the roof, covering them with protective plastic in case of rain or snow (both of which we experienced on our way down the hill). The rest of the car was stuffed full with our belongings and theirs, as well as our two dogs. We felt like the Beverly Hillbillies, albeit without grandma in a rooftop rocking chair.

Lincoln was a treat for the girls, and for us as well. We had been empty nesters for more than a decade and having two “children” around felt good. The two were such sweet kids; they’d come for a kiss and hug each night before bed. But all good things must end, and two weeks after we got to Lincoln the word came from Peru that the trip home was imminent. We had one day to get them ready to board a flight from Sac to LA, and then on to Lima and 15 days of quarantine before they could see their families.

It was a sad farewell, followed by an empty feeling when we returned to a childless home. We’ve followed the kids through their quarantine ordeal and stay in touch with them via emails, Facebook, and What’s App. Their parents have written to thank us for the care we had provided, but we neither expected nor needed such thanks. It was an indelible coda to our parenting experiences, and one we will always treasure.

Attached is a picture of the four of us. That’s Ruth Salcedo on the left and Naylin Ruiz on the right.

From Urmas Franosch:

When the ski areas closed, we didn’t mourn…we organized! We organized posses of snowboarders, AT skiers, Telemark skiers, light touring and skate skiers, and we continued to slide over snow-covered terrain. Many of us were not normally seen playing together, but now we loaded our toys into individual vehicles (maintaining social distancing) and headed to Carson Pass, Sonora Pass, or Virginia Lakes and went out. We chose different routes, depending on our desires and abilities, but also the characteristics of our equipment. An early start was important for all – the skate skiers enjoyed crust cruising on the frozen lakes, while the yo-yo skiers and boarders appreciated uphill travel on firm snow. A rest and snack break was very welcome after the climb and lasted until the snow softened to the optimum consistency.  Sometimes it was a little soft, but a few times we enjoyed perfect corn snow – a condition more rare and as enjoyable as the fabled pow. 

These photos were from our group of two telemark and two AT skiers, taken May 24th near Sonora Pass.

From Stephanie Wilkerson:

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I were out photographing wild mustangs. We came across a very young horse that was stuck in a barbed-wire fence. It was alive but it was hard to tell how long it had been there and how bad the injuries were. We were able to free it from the fence, but she just collapsed after. Extremely dehydrated and exhausted. We spent the next 3.5 hours bringing water from a stream and giving it to her, cleaning her wounds, and trying to encourage her to stand. Finally, she got enough energy to try to get up, we were both helping to support her.   After three or four tries she was finally standing again!  After 30 more minutes of rest, she started to wander off on her own and graze and drink from the nearby stream. Our day went from feeling completely helpless and sad to a great feeling of accomplishment and joy to see that she still had a chance to survive because we happened upon her.

From Shaun Reid:

I’m a ski instructor and coach at Bear Valley Mountain on the weekends.  During the week, I travel pretty frequently for my regular job, so I miss a lot at home, which is obviously where all of us are now.  It’s been really sweet to hear my nine-year-old Chloe on her Zoom class, giggling, saying hello to her friends and teacher, and getting excited by learning new things, like how to make ice cream!  And honestly, her teacher has been absolutely fantastic.  The teacher took this thing head-on and went above and beyond distributing books and supplies to every one of her students’ homes.

Here’s a photo of our family in the snow, Chloe next to me. My wife, Stacy, and older daughter, Hannah, in back.

 

 

 

From Dana Hernandez:

As soon as the stay-home order began, the owner of the mixed martial arts gym I work at contacted me and asked if I wanted to do daily live streams of martial arts workouts with him.  We streamed every day for eight weeks and have grown an online community in countries from South Africa to Germany to Mexico. Many people have commented to us how much these free daily workouts have helped their mindset during these trying times.  What I attempt to convey to these wonderful people is that the streams have helped me just as much or more!

From Chip Lambert:

Arguably, one of the greatest skiers/instructors in PSIA-AASI W now resides in Reno, his remaining family, in Germany.  Jorg Dutschke was moved from the Tahoe City home he built over 40 years ago.  His total kidney failure compels him to be close to the dialysis center that cleanses his blood three times a week. Bringing him back from the brink, his “family” of ski instructors and former ski instructors is looking after him and supporting his care.  Instructors Mo Mailhot, Leslie Saxe, and I, along with former instructor Patrick Arnello and wives of instructors Sally Muhlgraber (Hansi) and Nancy Cerceau (ex-Christian), have supplied his support and care. Most, drive from Truckee to assist him to dialysis appointments, shop, work on business affairs or just share stories and photographs of ski events and races — of which Jorg won many.  All of the while, we are aware of how susceptible Jorg is to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. His spirits and strength seemingly improve each day and now that we have the location and schedule for acquiring Austrian eclairs and German bread, life for Jorg is good.  Well, at least better.

The photo is from early in our careers, probably around 1982.  We were a little bushy, having a beer on the Alpine Meadows deck. 

From Alex Kuprin:

Alex didn’t write a story about himself.  Instead, he wanted to share this entertaining BBC News story of how other professional athletes are keeping up their game in lockdown:  Coronavirus: Professional athletes train in lockdown 

 

 

 

From Sammy Kizlin:

Over the last few months, 2020 has challenged me with many moments. I want to call them moments and not issues because issues are more problematic than moments that might only knock you off your feet temporarily. After a moment is over you realize the good that has resulted from that moment.  I lost my job due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  I had complications in my relationship that caused it to end suddenly.  My dad passed away due to dementia.  I was struggling after all these moments.  Prior to 2020 turning bad, I was the supervisor of a kid’s ski school program at Sierra-at-Tahoe and loved every aspect of my job. To help teach and guide new instructors and children in my greatest passion for skiing and snowboarding brings me absolute joy. As a supervisor, I faced many challenges and a certain amount of stress but at the end of the day, these kids and instructors were all trying to enjoy their moments in snowsports and I had the privilege to facilitate that.  Then, the year turned bad. 

But as the difficult moments passed, I picked myself up and continued doing the activities that I am most passionate about. Skiing, snowboarding, climbing, skateboarding, mountain biking and traveling. Anything to stay active physically and mentally. We all are going through some sort of difficult moment and as hard as it is, it is just a moment and it too shall pass. Keep doing you. Stay active. Stay healthy. Do you. At the end of the day, these moments will make you stronger and remind you that you are not alone. We will get through this together. There is so much to look forward to like skiing next season or whatever it is you’re passionate about. These have been my thoughts during the last few weeks and it has helped me a lot and I hope it helps you in some way. 

Here’s a photo of me and my best friend doing what we love the most.  Skiing!!!

Renew Your Membership to Win!

We’re giving away some high value prizes from our pro suppliers during the month of June.  Renew your membership for the 20/21 season to be automatically entered to win an item of your choice from our Pro Prize List.  The earlier you renew, the more chances you have to win!

Have you already renewed your membership for the 20/21 season? If so, you’re automatically entered for each drawing.  We’ll be announcing a winner every Friday in June.  Stay tuned to our social media channels to find out if it’s you!

Grabber Hand Warmers

1 Box of Grabber Hand Warmers (40 pair)

Hestra Gloves

(pick 1 item from the list)

Oden Outdoor Gloves, chestnut, size 9

Dakota Outdoor Gloves, tan, size 9

Helags Sr. Outdoor Mittens, navy, size 8

Helags Sr. Outdoor Mittens, red, size 7

Moje Czone Women’s Alpine Pro Gloves, black, size 7

Army Leather Patrol Alpine Pro Gloves, ivory, size 8

Never Summer Snowboard

(pick 1 item from the list)

Women’s Infinity all mountain, original rocker camber profile, 149cm

Men’s Limited Edition Proto Type 2 Snowboard,  all mountain, original rocker camber profile, 154cm (Won by Tyler Greene, 6/5/20)

Patagonia Wear

(pick 1 item from the list)

Men’s Snowshot Pants, classic navy, size M

Women’s Insulated Snowbelle Pants, light balsamic, size M

Women’s 3-in-1 Snowbelle Jacket, smokey violet, size M

Women’s Wollie Fleece Pullover, drifter grey, size M

Men’s Wollie Fleece Pullover, forge grey, size M

Phunkshun Wear Prize Pack

(includes everything noted below)

Men’s Aviator Baselayer, size L  —OR—  Women’s Aviator Baselayer, size M (won by Lorie Best, 6/19/20)

Merino Wool black single layer tube

Water Bottle w/Black Sweater print

Scott Wintersports Helmet & Goggle Package

(includes both items noted below)

Scott Symbol 2 Plus Helmet, Mist Grey, Size M

Scott Vapor Goggle, Black/White w.CAT S2 Enhancer Green Chrome Lenses

(Won by Bob Jacobson, 6/26/20)

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Lift Tickets

Two 1-day lift tickets redeemable during 20/21 season

(won by Bob Hedrick 6/12/20)

Western Division Prize Package

(includes everything noted below)

Western division t-shirt (men’s or women’s, S-XXL)

Aluminum water bottle & lunch tote

Ski socks & goggle cover

Pens & Stickers

American Snow – The Snowsports Instruction Revolution by Peter Kray

Educational Prize Package

(pick 5 printed books from the list below)

Teaching Snowsports

Fitness for Skiing and Snowboarding

Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors

American Snow – The Snowsports Instruction Revolution by Peter Kray

Adaptive Alpine Technical Manual

Adaptive Instruction Supplement

Alpine Technical Manual

Alpine Teaching Handbook

Children’s Instruction Manual

Children’s Alpine Teaching Handbook

Cross Country Technical Manual

Snowboard Technical Manual

Snowboard Teaching Handbook

Telemark Technical Manual

 

 

 

The Fine Print:

One winner will be chosen each Friday during the month of June.  Winners will be chosen from the list of Western division members who have paid their dues for the 20/21 season (renewal or new).  Winners will be notified by email and phone and will have 1-week to claim their prize before the next winner is given an opportunity to claim their prize.  Prizes will be distributed to winners on a first claimed first distributed basis.  Not all listed prizes will be distributed during this specific promotion.  The full list is above so winners have the option to choose a prize that they will use and love.  No purchase necessary, to be entered send your request to info@psia-w.org.

Winners agree to take a picture of themselves with the prize once received and email it to info@psia-w.org to be used for marketing and social media purposes.

 

 

 

 

Members Lifting Members

There’s no doubt we are going through some uncertain times in the industry, our careers, and our personal lives.  You can support your friends and fellow members during tough times by helping them with their membership dues. Give them a lift by giving a gift!  Helping a fellow member pay for their membership dues can make a big difference in the future of their career.  Send along a message with your gift or choose to remain anonymous.  Either way, know that your support will mean the world to another member.

 

Western Divison Is Here For You

Right now we are facing uncertain times. That’s not news. But if anyone in our society is well suited to navigate this, it’s you and our community of pros.

The Western Division has been working collaboratively with the other divisions and will continue to communicate with you at a National level.  We are one membership and need to be one organization at this time.

In case you missed the recent communication from the National and want to check future updates please refer to our National News:

Amid growing concerns over the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19), PSIA-AASI Western Division has made the decision to cancel ALL EVENTS for the 2019/20 Season.

We understand that this directly affects you.  If registered for an event you should have automatically been fully refunded.  If you were in need of continuing education, they can be made up at a later time.

That being said, our top priority is the well-being of our membership, and we hope you’ll work with us during this trying time.  We encourage you to take this time to reach out, from a safe distance to those who may be in need of additional support. Remember patience and compassion is important.

Here is a spreadsheet of resources for you if you need support or information.

Here are links to access some great online education options:

Our Truckee office is currently closed to visitors but we’re already looking forward to the next time we get to see you on snow!  If you have additional questions please contact us by email: info@psia-w.org

Sincerely,

Kristi Prochazka
Administrative Director
PSIA-AASI Western Division
kjereb@psia-w.org
530-587-7642

A Message from Nicholas Herrin, PSIA-AASI CEO

At this time, you’re very aware of the unprecedented challenges the world and our snowsports industry are going through. I want you to know how much you – and all of our members – are in my mind and the minds of the rest of PSIA-AASI’s leadership team across the country during this unsettling time. The COVID-19 pandemic puts great stress on your personal and professional lives, and we want to ensure that your organization does all it can to support you, the rest of our membership, and the great community we all love.

The best part of being a PSIA-AASI member is the community it creates for each of us around snowsports, regardless of our discipline, age, or what part of the world we call home. Right now, we’re all in a position to tap into our great community and support each other. Please know your leaders are working hard every day to discuss, problem-solve, and find ways that your organization can best support you as members. Over the past week, the divisional operational leaders have held daily calls to talk about how we can continue to support each other, our divisions, and members. I’m so impressed with how the leadership team of this organization has stepped up to help one another.

Many of our members are now out of work or may experience a longer gap between their seasonal employment. I ask each of you to please take a few minutes to continue to check in with each other; to use today’s technology and find ways to have healthy conversations and safe interactions to remind each other of the incredible network we have and also help keep us all motivated during these difficult times.

After you tend to the most pressing issues of your daily life, you may find yourself wanting nothing more than to just think about snowports – something we all love and are so passionate about. That’s a good time to read more of the Spring 2020 issue of 32 Degrees, check out free digital resources (like the Fitness for Skiing and Snowboarding guide and the Adaptive Instruction Supplement); read the latest industry news on our website; and stay connected to each other on our social channels.

We’re a community that does an amazing job of supporting each other in the winter environment. Now more than ever, let’s look for new ways to keep that up. Maybe it’s as simple as making a phone call or dropping off some food to a fellow member to help them out.

While I don’t have all the answers right now for many questions in the here-and-now and for next season, I do want you to know we’re thinking about everyone in every division and all across the country, and wishing you all the best.

Whatever you are doing during this time of uncertainty and constant change in your community, let’s get through this together. Please be well, be safe, be informed… and be there for one another.

It is my privilege to be a member of this community and to work to find new ways to support you all, on and off the snow.

Nicholas Herrin
PSIA-AASI CEO

Remembering Jack Copeland

Jack Copeland’s world of skiing has been a big part of our organization for more than 40 years.  He died in February 2020.  John Armstrong, Treasurer of PSIA-AASI Western Education Foundation wrote the following tribute.

From left: John Armstrong, Blaine Lomen, Jack Copeland

 

Jack was one of perhaps only a dozen people in the 30,000 members of Professional Ski Instructors of America who was Level Three Certified in Alpine, Nordic and Snowboard. He also had certificates in Children’s, Seniors and Adaptive teaching. He held a ski instructor certification in Canada along with a coach’s certification with the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation. Jack directed the Ski School at Diamond Peak and he worked at Mount Hutt in New Zealand as well as a season in Australia. Jack was the chairman of the national PSIA Education Steering Committee which influenced the direction of ski teaching in the entire nation for several decades since his contribution. He also found time to earn a pilot’s license, maintain a single digit golf handicap and hike the 210 mile John Muir Trail in both directions!

In recent times Jack worked with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra to train volunteers in teaching methodology and to work on their personal skiing and demonstrations. He regularly took groups out for Operation Mountain Freedom during Wounded Warriors Ski Week.

Jack Copeland has left us, much, much too soon. We wanted to have more of Jack and sadly we are not going to have more. However he left us plenty and we have all been enriched and gladdened by having met him, worked with and for him. We somehow enjoyed the Eastern Sierra a lot more when we were around him. He knew things about this place, and indeed, about us, and when he pointed those things out we grew just a little bit more and had fun along the way. Jack was an inspired leader of the Ski School, Human Resources, and as a Senior Manager of the mountain he was a gentleman who stayed true to his principles.

Jack was a kind and generous person. He was funny, and warm and had a great smile. He was intelligent, sensitive, and had a talent for patience and for supporting those who needed a bit of a hand up. We always felt welcomed around Jack and enjoyed playing and learning with him. He enjoyed life, (that was pretty obvious!), and he lived it to the full.

Public Service was a natural outlet for Jack Copeland. He served and enriched many non-profit groups including the Mammoth Hospital Board, Mammoth Lakes Foundation, Mammoth Chamber of Commerce and the PSIA Western Division Education Foundation. His ability to understand the needs of groups such as these was impressive, and his contributions were always valuable and useful.
Most of all, in the world of skiing Jack Copeland was a man of infinite curiosity and of continual learning. He was widely read and enjoyed discovering new ideas about teaching, learning and ski technique. He was always working on his own skiing and loved nothing more than to make high-speed GS turns on firm snow and feel the ski arcing beneath him. Kind of like flying.

Jack Copeland was a wonderful man and a class act. We miss him immensely and will forever cherish the gifts he gave us all. And, Kathy, we love you very much and we will continue our adventure with you here in Mammoth.

Written by John Armstrong
February 25th, 2020.

A Story on Senior Skiers With Suzanne Nottingham

Thank you Suzanne Nottingham for sharing this wonderful story with us, reminding us how fun it can be skiing with seniors!

I had the honor to teach a married couple each 87 years old and top of the mountain skiers in their heyday. This was the first senior lesson I taught since my training.

I’m a pretty experienced instructor L3 Alpine and L2 Snowboard, teaching at Mammoth for almost 40 years. Yet Ted gave me the Intro as my teaching task to establish a relationship different than what I might do for a regular class, to dig into their history and equally to share mine to get a dialogue going basically to ignite passion for the sport and our learning partnership. It was classic PSIA role playing, but not as easy as I thought because I tend not to talk about myself in my lessons.

As my customers David and Nina and I shook hands, I flashed back to our training, like I was right there role playing with Ted. My line of questions was exactly what we practiced. And like magic, the learning partnership was in process. Just after they told me their amazing story that they were at Mammoth celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary because they met at Yoddler and still wanted to ski with their grandkids, David looked at me and said, “So what’s your story?” so I proceeded to tell them how I became a ski instructor and why I’m still teaching.

Right away I also learned about their physical limitations. Not much really. David had a hip replacement but said it didn’t give him any problems. Nina had never had an injury or structural surgery. I do indoor non-impact muscle and range of motion testing for some private lesson customers, as I did with them. In terms of movement, it tells me a whole lot about what they are capable of and where movement limitations will likely exist.  

It was all on script!!

On our last run down Mambo, to all of our surprise (their niece the photographer got it all on camera), David jammed out in front of me. He had found a new comfort zone and mumbled “I’m going with it” as he said skied past me (on perfect terrain of course). 

They had learned to stabilize their upper bodies, in part, by moving their elbows/hands forward and no longer death gripping. They had reduced the amount of time looking downward to less than half and instead enjoyed being able to look forward and trust their feet (YAY!). 

We practiced patience turns after doing several half moon and J turn practices as they absorbed a new concept, that it was kind of easy to do a small counter and gently twist their feet (instead of push on them) to slowly, through space and time, turn down and across the hill in a slow motion rounded shape. A ‘scarve’ was the result. We talked all about that at our training. David said “I can actually feel the skis working; I didn’t know that feeling existed!” They learned to relax their feet, ankles and knees to comfortably get into the front of their boots in the fall line and forever more. The slow motion hockey stop at the end of the lesson was for them, like icing on their cake. But ultimately they learned that skiing was much physically easier then they had remembered which gave them great hope for their future on skis.

But most importantly, the pace of information, small tasks, speed and terrain was appropriate and effective because of how long they were able to ski (a full 3 hours) and that they retained the information by the end of the lesson. As an instructor it was one of the most rewarding teaching experiences ever because my secret goal, other than keeping everyone safe, is that the info sticks. 

I highly recommend the Senior Accreditation to everyone to acquire a different perspective and sensibility for teaching people over the age of 50. There’s a L1 and L2 for ski and snowboard. If you’ve been teaching awhile like me, don’t think you’ve got it in the bag because there is still a lot more to learn! 

Picture from a senior clinic at Dodge Ridge in April 2019

 

 

 

Announcing an Exciting & Dynamic Opportunity in the Snowsports Industry

Announcing an Exciting & Dynamic Opportunity in the Snowsports Industry
PSIA-AASI Western Division Education Director

We are pleased to announce a rewarding, challenging and fun educational leadership opportunity for PSIA-AASI Western Division for the 2020-21 season.  We seek a self-motivated professional to work closely with the Western Division operational discipline task force and administrative leaders. This position reports to the CEO and interacts frequently with other western administrative office staff, National and Divisional Discipline Task Force Teams and educational staff. 

This position will be responsible for managing the operational Discipline Task Forces on the elements of the development & delivery of education programming in Alpine, Adaptive, Nordic, Snowboard and Freestyle disciplines along with specialty programming areas such as Children’s and Senior Specialist programs.

The candidate must be a current active member of PSIA-AASI and have at least 3 years of ski instruction experience.   The candidate should have at least 5 years of experience in senior leadership positions in Snowsports or other industries.  The candidate must have strong written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable in both group and one-on-one settings.  The candidate must be proficient with their computer skills.

Role and Responsibilities as an Education Director 

  • The ED will be guided by the Organization’s vision/mission to work to the benefit of our members.  The ED must understand the strategic vision to execute tactical plans for the PSIA-AASI West Organization.
  • The ED will help select and ensure the team of Discipline Task Force Chairs (Chairs) is made up of division experts that communicate, collaborate for consistency in the teaching, technical and people components of Snowsport Instruction
  • The ED must work with the Chairs to identify Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, and Timely (SMART) Goals, and then support the execution of those goals.  
    • The ED will clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Chairs and hold performance review plans to allow measurable accountability.
    • The ED will analyze and use data to define tasks and projects  The ED must help the teams identify barriers to success and help them remove those barriers. 
    • The ED will share reports from the Task Force Chairs to keep everyone informed.  These reports need to include the operational status and financial performance of the teams.
  • The ED must be a good facilitator, mediator, and trustworthy with confidential information. 
  • Other duties as assigned by the CEO

To be considered please reply in confidence with the following materials to Kristi Prochazka, Western Division CEO at kjereb@psia-w.org or complete the application ONLINE FORM

  • Cover letter to include your experience and skills as they relate to the stated position responsibilities
  • Provide a written summary of new ideas, your vision, and plan on how you intend to fulfill the job
  • Resume and three references

The deadline for submissions is March 1st, 2020. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B_dxuFzrj27S9M0JceRB_nqfi0vWPMAH9lfJcWM0jqc/edit

Thanksgiving Thoughts

I will always remember Thanksgiving day of 2010 as a turning point in my life. A literal turning point, actually, since it was my very first time snowboarding. 

I had skied all my life since I was three years old, going on one week-long trip a year to Tahoe, usually in November, April, or May, since those were the “thriftiest” times of year for our family of four to go. I liked skiing, but when I was thirteen, I watched the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and was determined to try snowboarding, since, at 13, being “cooler” was my top priority. 

And that’s how I ended up spending most of Thanksgiving day of 2010 at Dodge Ridge ski area, sitting on my butt, getting lots of bruises, and smiling until my face hurt. Nine years later, I still remember the pristine white snow sparkling under blue skies. I will always remember the excitement of the four of us (me, my brother, and two long-time childhood friends), as we picked up our rented burton LTR’s and headed to our very first group lesson, taught by a young man who couldn’t have been older than 19, but sure loved snowboarding. 

I never even learned to complete a full turn that day, but even in those few falling-leafs down the bunny hill, I knew I’d found something special. I eventually did learn to turn later in the season after a few more lessons, thanks to some fore-aft progressions. From that day on, I knew that snowboarding would have a place in my life for the remainder of it.

My first or second time snowboarding. What feedback would you give on stance?

I am thankful not only for that day, but for all the ways snowboarding has guided my life for the last nine years. Five years later, I ended up moving to Tahoe to live full-time, choosing my college solely based on proximity to snow (Shoutout to Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village!), majoring in ski resort management, getting a job on-mountain at Northstar, and meeting my husband while snowboarding at Boreal. I am thankful for the friends and opportunities I have had because of my sport, the places it’s taken me, and the connections I’ve made. I’m thankful for every fun park lap, powder slash, and groomer carve. I’m thankful for all the chairlift conversations, road trips, and decisions influenced by my sport.

So whether you ride two planks or one, I’m sure many of us can relate to the idea that the snow sports we do have impacted our lives in many ways, and hopefully for the good!

How has skiing/snowboarding impacted your life and what can you be thankful for because of it?

Post author and PSIA-AASI-W marketing manager Hanalei Souza, snowboarding at Northstar in 2018