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
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:
- 3/18/2020 – A Message from Nicholas Herrin, PSIA-AASI CEO
- 3/16/2020 – COVID-19 Updates from PSIA-AASI
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.
Why Join PSIA-AASI?
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
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!
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!
Big Bear Mountain Resorts is Hiring Snowsport Instructors
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
