MEMBERS LOVE THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Living in So Cal really makes a difference for Snowboarding! I love the access to all the great training staff! I’m stoked to be a member of Western Division AASI-PSIA.

I’m excited to learn new skills that I can apply to my classes. I love to improve my riding any chance I get. Snow Summit is an awesome place to work I wish Winter was Year round.

The organization has really opened my eyes to help me become a better rider and a Much better instructor by giving me the tools I need. I plan on staying with them for quite some time because they can help me do what I love to do in a really fun way. The best people and riders I have ever met!

Being a Member and participating in these events opens the doors to my capabilities both mentally and physically. It’s shows you how high the ceiling is and how to achieve it and surpass one day.

I recently took a one day seminar presented by PSIA – W Education Foundation and it was one of the best things of have been to in years.  The instructor Dave was not only a great instructor but he went out of his way to make sure I was apply the training to my own skiing. The experience was so rewarding I hope to attend each and every event in the future.

I attended the Winter Session this last weekend at Snow Summit, and I want to show my appreciation for the hospitality shown by the resort. They were prepared and professional.

Also the training provided by PSIA-W was exactly what I needed to prepare for the Alpine level 2 ski test. Our instructor “David” was very skilled in both presenting the information, and demonstrating/evaluating the skills. Thank you.

My award of a Sodergren Scholarship allowed me to attend to 2018 Cross Country Academy in West Yellowstone. Cross Country Academy, which immediately follows the Yellowstone Ski Festival over the Thanksgiving week, has quickly become the best opportunity for a PSIA instructor to share information across divisions, attend clinics to update one’s teaching and skiing skills, and keep current with progress being made to establish a standardized training and exam process for PSIA. I recommend the event to instructors at every level. Besides, who can say no to great early season skiing.

In my role as Cross Country Chair my goals have been to build the number of PSIA certified instructors and increase the involvement of the ski schools so we can provide the skiing public with the highest quality experience. The information I gathered at the Cross Country Academy is vital to meeting these goals. It has allowed me to train education staff and provide information to individual ski schools to explain how PSIA-W benefits them. Next season will bring more discussion and implementation of the standards. To do this we will continue to train education staff, provide members with highly trained clinicians, and work with the public to increase their familiarity of PSIA. Cross Country in PSIA-W is keeping pace as one of the most involved and recognized divisions in the organization.

The Education Foundation has been generous in supporting the endeavors of our western candidates at the National Team Selection process. The process remain a highlight of my career. I’ve been part of 6 selections (tryouts), and have been named to the team in 4 of those. I’m just as excited this go-around as I was the first, to serve our membership.  The training and camaraderie leading up to the actual event is inspiring and is a good means to do a thorough self-check.  In Breckenridge, it was a great pleasure and privilege to stand beside, and stand with, all of the western candidates.  Our future looks bright!

I want to continue improving my technique and teaching tricks so that I can work towards further certification levels with PSIA- AASI W. This scholarship relieves the financial burden of pursing these certification so that it can become reality instead of just a dream!

By receiving a scholarship this helps me reach my goal of  becoming a fully certified Snowboard Level instructor.  I want to one day become a trainer for other instructors who share my passion and love of this sport.