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.
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.
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
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/93386315_3018765134846324_8832840603478786048_o.jpg8891080Kristi Jhttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngKristi J2020-03-20 13:53:582020-06-01 12:22:39Western Divison Is Here For You
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
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020.03.20_nick-herrin-skins-up-big-sky-in-the-early-morning-scaled-1.jpg15952560Kristi Jhttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngKristi J2020-03-19 07:00:302020-06-01 12:39:13A Message from Nicholas Herrin, PSIA-AASI CEO
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
Are you or someone you know a female ski/snowboard instructor looking for an opportunity to progress your professional goals? Do you need additional funding to attend events or exams? Click below to find out more about the Nancy Oakes Hall Women’s Scholarship!
Applicant must be a female member of PSIA-AASI with their Level I certification, in any discipline. Applications due November 8th, 2019.
“Thanks to the educational commitment and vision of former PSIA Alpine Demonstration Team member Nancy Oakes Hall, female members of PSIA-AASI who wish to follow in her bootsteps in the snowsports industry will have some extra support thanks to the newly created Nancy Oakes Hall Women’s Scholarship program.Founded by Oakes Hall and developed in conjunction with PSIA-AASI, the scholarship program empowers distinguished women in snowsports education by providing opportunities to engage with peers and advance their professional development.”
“PSIA-AASI is fortunate to receive Nancy’s contribution, which will help support women by expanding their education and leadership opportunities in the snowsports industry,” said Nicholas Herrin, PSIA-AASI CEO. “One of our goals as an organization is to be a community of educators that positively influences others. I see the Nancy Oakes Hall Women’s Scholarship as an opportunity to grow our community and help shape our future leaders.”
A year ago, Kurt McMahon from Australia wouldn’t imagine he’d be where he is now. After graduating from high school, Kurt embarked on a more conventional route and enrolled at a university. Kurt loved studying and university life, but he had a burning desire to explore and see the world. A year into a physiotherapy degree, Kurt decided that if he was going to go traveling, it needed to happen now. So, after completing his first year of study, he packed his bags and jumped on a plane destined for the USA.
Kurt chose to become a ski instructor at Northstar Ski Resort located at the beautiful Lake Tahoe in the USA. After visiting the nearby Squaw Valley as a young kid on a family ski holiday, Kurt always dreamed over returning to Lake Tahoe one day and becoming a snowboard instructor.
Kurt arrived at Northstar and began training almost immediately. Training under some of the best instructors in the world, there was no room for ego and Kurt took in all the advice he could from his trainers. Coming from a background of snowboarding only once a year and straight into three weeks of full-on training, Kurt’s riding improved immensely.
“The biggest thing for me was dropping any ego I had at the door and taking on any advice from these guys as they were the ones who have been doing it for more than 20 years!“
Kurt quickly settled into his new life at Northstar, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Being 18 and away from home for the first time, one of the biggest challenges Kurt faced was finding accommodation for the season. “Finding the right house that can suit your needs and is in the right location is maybe [one of the biggest challenges] that we’ve faced in our lives to date.”
Kurt quickly figured out that the best way to overcome this was to find a bunch of people he got along with and patiently wait for the right place to come along. And his advice for anyone else in a similar boat? “Find a bunch of people you get on with and take time trying to find your accommodation and make sure you have plenty of options in case one doesn’t work out.”
The best part of Kurt’s EA course was the people he met along the way. During the six months, he made friends from all over the world, including Germany, England, and New Zealand. His favorite place to hang out off the slopes was at a pizza joint called Rubicon’s where he learned the American tradition of adding ranch dressing to pizza. “My mates and I loved coming here after a big day at work, and it was a highlight at the end of the working week! Being an Aussie, I have never really grown up with ranch on my pizza, but I don’t think I will be able to let it go once I return home.”
When training had finished, Kurt began work immediately as an instructor and quickly fell in love with his new role. “There’s a reason it’s widely known as one of the best jobs on the planet. You’re sharing your passion for the sport with others, and at the end of the day, they go home stoked and so do you because you get to do it all again tomorrow! There’s nothing quite like it.”
After completing his EA instructor course, and working his first winter season, Kurt decided he wasn’t ready to return to Australia just yet. At the end of his season at Northstar, Kurt travelled down the East Coast of the USA with a friend he met on his EA course. He then headed back to the West Coast and is now living and working in Los Angeles, California.
While Kurt plans on joining the yachting industry next year, he’s excited to do another winter season instructing too. “It was honestly something that I will remember all my life. I would encourage anybody else to get out there and give it a crack. You’ll meet people from all over the world, and you get to do what you love every day.”
Kurt’s advice for anyone considering a ski or snowboard instructor internship or a gap year abroad? “Keep traveling, don’t waste away your late teens and 20s sitting at an office. Keep doing what makes you happy!”
This content was originally published in September 2018 at https://easkiandsnowboard.com/resources/latest-news/instructor-story-kurt-mcmahon/
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Northstar-Crew-Patricia-Gunn.jpg20151511Kristi Jhttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngKristi J2019-03-18 15:22:042019-03-18 15:24:50Why Travel? Story From an International Instructor
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/rally.jpg10321890Kristi Jhttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngKristi J2019-03-02 15:34:142019-03-02 15:34:36Events to look out for in March
Welcome to PSIA-AASI Snowboard Level I Certification online course. The following course is designed to be completed prior to attending the on-snow portion of the Level I Exam.
FREE TO MEMBERS. This is the PSIA-AASI Snowboard Level I Certification Prerequisite E-Learning course. The following course is designed to be completed prior to attending the on-snow portion of the Level I Exam. You must be a PSIA-AASI member to add this course to your cart and check out.
Halley O’Brien and Chris Rogers of Snow Operating and the AASI teamed up to create a three-part video series to show new snowboarders what to expect on their first day riding. Share these videos with your new-hire instructors, your beginner riders, or that friend or family member you’ve been begging to try snowboarding this season.
The first video covers everything a new rider needs to know about gear, from how their boots should fit to their riding stance.
The second video covers the basic movements of snowboarding, including skating, gliding, and standing up.
The last video in the series introduces how to move up and down the mountain. You’ll find in tips on how to stop, slip, perform garlands, and how to use the chairlift.
Snow will be flying soon, use this video series to set up our new riders for success!
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_6763.jpg15122016psia-w infohttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngpsia-w info2018-11-05 16:01:372018-11-05 18:43:42Beginner's Guide to Snowboarding - Three Part Video Series
