Members Lifting Members

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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.

Give a Lift

 

Western Divison Is Here For You

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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:

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.

PSIA-AASI Western Division Crisis Resources

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

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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

Why Join PSIA-AASI?

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The great thing about passion is that it’s infectious. Knowing your “why” will help you stay committed to your dream and help others get on board, too.

  • I became a PSIA member in 2009 so I could gain the confidence of my students and respect within the industry as a certified teacher   – Laurie Johnson
  • I actually joined  PSIA in 1984 as my ski school director was an examiner and wanted the ski school members to join – Ellen Johnson
  • It is a place to belong as an instructor – Steve Ikeda
  • I was convinced that I would better myself if I joined and pursue certification by Bob Everson at Tahoe Ski Bowl.  – Tom Waters
  • There was a group, led by Randy Bell at the time, with people who were discussing skiing on Tuesday evenings in Reno. I joined them to see what this was like. I liked it. – Nathalie Le Galloudec
  • Because Libbie has been such a strong proponent of PSIA and their education events, it was a no brainer for me to join. – Richard Sheldon
  • To attend events out of my ski area with clinicians and to broaden my capabilities. – Jim Rogers
  • Being with guests who wish to learn something we all cherish and drive to be great at.   – Ronnie Schoff
  • I was inspired by trainers at the ski area – Glen Smith
  • I joined with the help of Ernie Gray, Babbete Haueisen and Gorg Deutsche. I was in awe of the many examiners and very talented instructors including Mike Porter on staff at that time. Needless to say, I wanted to be a member of this, (club), organization. – Lamar Parker
  • I joined PSIA to become a better teacher and a better skier and to really understand what great skiing is. – Suzie Benge
  • My certification journey and participation in continuing education over the past 23 years leaves me a loyal supporter of our organization.  – Susan Meckel
  • Skiing was and is my ‘retreat’ from daily stresses and responsibilities, and a way to recapture those carefree ‘giggly’ teenage years I never had due to time, cultural, and societal factors over which I had no control.   – Hiro Oishi
  • Discovered that I enjoyed teaching even more than I enjoyed being on snow.  – Bob Kelley
  • Supporting one’s professional group is critical to one’s success. – Sue Spain
  • I’ve always loved getting people into skiing and helping them to progress. – Mark Johnson
  • 10 years later I still enjoy teaching at SkyTavern because of the friendly atmosphere and the sense of family there  – Ken Kelley

“He who has a why can endure any how.” — Frederick Nietzsche

Events to look out for in March

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What a month! Tahoe resorts received up to 300  inches (That’s about 25 feet) of snow in February alone, according to the Opensnow report . Not bad for the shortest month of the year.

Photo courtesy of Sierra at Tahoe, February 2019

Many resorts have broken records for biggest February in recorded history. The average February snowfall for Tahoe is 72 inches (6 feet). This year was close to triple that. Some resorts have even broken the record for the biggest snowfall month, beating out the unforgettable January 2017.

Sitting at close to 200% of our average snowfall for this time of year, we’re in for an epic spring. (if it ever stops snowing!) What a great time to earn your education credits, take an exam, or get an accreditation.

Here are some of the events to look out for in March 2019:

 

March 13th: Cross Country level 2 and 3 exams at Tahoe Donner XC center

The Level 1 is on March 17th ay Tahoe XC

March 16th – 17th: Alpine and snowboard level 1 exams at Snow Summit

March 17th: Cross Country level 1 exam at Tahoe XC

March 18th: Spring Session Education Rally in Mammoth (all disciplines)

This is a one-day education event at Mammoth. You can earn continuing education credits, work on your own skiing/riding, or prepare for an upcoming exam.

March 19th -20th : All level Alpine and Snowboard exams

This is a great opportunity to hone your skills at Spring Session the day before your test. Exams will be offered for Alpine and Snowboard level 1, ski/ride level 2 and 3, and level 2 and 3 teach.

March 20th -21st : Senior Specialists level 1 and 2 at Northstar

This accreditation is for members of all ages looking to learn the best techniques for teaching senior skiers and snowboarders. Successful Cantidates will receive a senior specialist pin.

March 30th-31st : All level Alpine and Snowboard exams

 

And remember, its never too early to start planning for Spring Convention coming April 26th -30th , at Mammoth Mountain. Look out for more information in our Spring 2019 Edge newsletter coming mid- March. You’ll find a schedule, guest clinician highlights, party information, and more!

Veteran’s Reunion Lake Tahoe 2019

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Join us again this year for the weekend of March 23 & 24, 2019 at Sierra At Tahoe!

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

Take the Operation Rebound Nordic Challenge on the morning of March 23rd by climbing up to Grandview over the 5 mile course then down to the ski school bell at the base. Free lift ticket with online tax deductible donation of $50 to Operation Rebound. Learn more about them here.

You will be required to present your active military ID or if you are a veteran,You will need to present your California drivers license with veterans designation, DD 214, military ID or a Veterans Administration ID to validate your veteran status.
For details on these activities and instructions for signing up click here.

Full information on the Veteran’s Reunion can be found at http://veteransreunionlaketahoe.com

New Instructor Course

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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!

Not A Member? Create New Account
Already A PSIA/AASI Member? Go Here!

New Instructors Course

 

Fall Conference Nordic Reports

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By Stephen McDonald

I had the opportunity to attend, for my first time, the PSIA Fall Conference (FC) as the Telemark representative for the Western Division. I was joined by eight people representing six divisions and two Psia National Telemark Team members to make up the Telemark Taskforce. Collectively we spent three days together on and off snow collaborating to generate education materials, evaluate the implementation the new Telemark Fundamentals, and to align our national telemark standards among the divisions.

Our efforts started long before the FC began by working together on Basecamp, an online meeting and information sharing site. Starting at last year’s Fall Conference the taskforce started generating questions for a national test bank for Telemark levels 1-3. Leading up to this year’s FC the list of questions was expanded, edited, and added to an online test bank available to all divisions. By working remotely this was finished and uploaded prior to the event.

At the last FC the Telemark Taskforce generated and adopted the six Telemark Fundamentals. They were introduced to division examiners last season and published in the Fall 2017 edition of 32 Degrees (page 98).   At FC this year we looked at how the telemark fundamentals were received and how implementation was going. The consensus was that the fundamentals were a positive addition and overall were a success, although some minor refinements were needed. As a group we worked to discuss all the fundamentals and decided to slightly reword one to make it more accurately describe the use of the lead change in telemark skiing.

Most of our time at FC was spent working together to write learning outcomes for level one telemark candidates. This process began with some online learning sessions and conference calls to learn the process of writing learning outcomes and assigning learning experiences, assessment activities, and assessment criteria for those outcomes. This allowed us to jump into collaborating amongst divisions to start applying learning outcomes to the level one national telemark standards. This was a messy process that forced us to change the way our standards are written and how they can be improved to better meet the needs of everyone involved in the learning and certifying experience. The goal is to create a statement that clearly defines what one would expect to achieve upon successful completion of certification (the Learning Outcome). For each learning outcome we attempt to create a clear description of achievement and performance (the Assessment Criteria).   We then outlined activities the candidate will participate in to gain the knowledge and skills required to pass a certification exam (the Learning Experiences). Finally, we identify and list tasks the candidate can be assigned during the certification exam as evidence of learning (the Assessment Activities).

This process was not easy and involved a lot conversation among division representatives to convey everyone’s expectations of each certification level. Our time spent on snow made everything seem clear and then when we returned indoors it proved difficult to apply our thoughts to paper. We spent a lot of time indoors “word smithing” and finding common language. We completed part of the level one learning outcomes during the FC, but in the process learned how to apply learning outcomes to national standards. We hope to complete level 1 this season and move onto levels 2-3. Working together amongst divisions to apply learning outcomes will better align the divisions by painting a clear picture of what is involved to obtain the skills and knowledge for each certification level and how they will be tested.   Overall the experience of Fall Conference was painful, enlightening, and entertaining. Plus, I got to spend my first few days making turns for the season with some pretty good telemarkers and spent my down time hanging around many great like-minded people who love sharing the snow sports experience.

 

 

Nordic Discipline News – Fall 2017

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Our Fall Festival is all Cross Country this season. We are set for Dec. 9-10, 2017 at the Tahoe Donner XC Center, which is rapidly gaining renown as one of the top facilities in the Nation. Our plan is to welcome Guest Clinician Greg Rhodes, newly selected to the PSIA-AASI National Team for Cross Country. Registration of $ 80 per day will include your trail pass. We will offer Exam Prep for Level 1, and, if there is enough interest, Level 2&3. Start your skiing year off in a great way, with ski improvement, teaching improvement and fun with your fellow Nordic enthusiasts.

For our Telemark members, our Ed Staff is working on our Divisional Study Guide, to align with National Standard.

We will be offering Tele specific clinics and exam prep at NorCal Winter Session (including a Level 1 Prep), ‘Half and Half” Day and Spring Convention.

See the Calendar for a list of the Nordic calendar events and exams.

Certification offerings will be scheduled on an ‘as needed’ basis to provide maximum flexibility to fit ev- eryone’s schedule.

For Cross Country, please email your interest to vlicon@charter.net

For Telemark, please email your interest to ski.aaron@gmail.com

This article appeared in print in our Fall Edge Newsletter in September 2017.

Big Bear Mountain Resorts is Hiring Snowsport Instructors

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Are you an enthusiastic, outgoing, people person who loves the mountains?  If so, Big Bear Mountain Resorts is looking for you to join our team of ski and snowboard instructors for the 2017-2018 winter season.  Enjoy the crisp, clean, sunny mountain air of Big Bear Lake.  Above 6,700’ in elevation, Big Bear is the place to ski and ride in Southern California.  Work alongside other outdoor enthusiasts.  Experience the joy and love of teaching others how to ski and snowboard.  Make some friends.  Have a lot of fun.  Earn some money and get multiple employee benefits, including free skiing and riding this season along with other discounts.

We teach all levels and all ages of skiers and riders, from beginners to experts.  You need to have a love for people, for the mountains, and working outside.  If you can ski and ride on blue, groomed runs, we will take care of the rest.  There are multiple levels of involvement, starting with Holiday only employees, to Part-time, all the way up to Full-time.  Our busy times are weekends and holidays, which works great around school and other work schedules.  

All applications are through our link below.  As of now, positions are open, and we are actively hiring.  Our typical season is from Thanksgiving through the first two weeks of April.  Expect as a first-year instructor to work from the beginning of December through the second weekend of April. 

Apply online at https://www.mammothresorts.com/jobs/bear-mountain-and-snow-summit-jobs

Joshua L Spoelstra
Director
Ski and Snowboard School
Big Bear Mountain Resorts
Tel. 909 866-5766, Ext. 193
jspoelstra@mammothresorts.com