PSIA-RM Fall 2011

THE JOURNAL OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONAL SKI AND SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR

FALL 2011

Rocky Mountain Board Representatives Joel Munn, President, Front Range Fred Rumford, Vice President, Southern District Rick Hinckley, Secretary, Southern District Donnie Mechalke, Front Range Joe Webster, Western Slope Jane Tarlow, Front Range Tiffany Truitt, Western Slope Rick Rodd, Member at Large Robin May, Southern District Nels Hinderlie, Western Slope PSIA/AASI Representative Peter Donahue COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Barbara Szwebel – Adaptive Chair Jonathan Ballou – Alpine Chair Dusty Dyar – Children’s Chair Patti Banks – Nordic Chair Michael “Spicky” Blanton – Snowboard Chair JP Chevalier – Member School Chair

The RM Giving Tree

By Executive Director Dana Forbes

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ast fall, you might remember that I wrote an article about the incredible generousity of our volunteers and members over the years who have given countless hours of thier time, money and support to PSIA-Rocky MountainAASI. As a non profit organization, we have worked very hard to ensure our financial stability and success by keeping our expenses under control, improving the products we sell and supporting the needs of our member schools. This coupled with generous member donations has allowed for us to grow our investment savings substantially. I am so pleased that at long-last, we are finally to do what we have always dreamed of being able to do. . . giving back to our amazing membership.

At the August 28th board meeting the PSIA-Rocky Mountain-AASI Board of Directors approved over $15,000 in scholarships,$10,000 for Adaptive Training and $2,500 in support of a Community Kids Ski Program. While Not-for-profit organizations are able to earn a profit, more accurately termed a surplus, such earnings must be retained by the organization for its selfpreservation, expansion, or specific, dedicated plans.

We are happy to report that over the last five seasons we have gained much ground.

With our profit we have secured a healthy reserve account so your organization can and will preserve even through challenging economic times. We invested in an office space to house the organization. We have hired a dedicated, talented and committed staff that has the ability to move us into the future and all it demands to stay viable.

Six years ago when we established our investment account it was not without a plan.

The plan was to someday grow the fund so that we could pull the interest annually in support of educational development. Below is the list of scholarships and an adaptive voucher program available to all active members. You will notice that the opportunities are vast and for all walks of our membership.

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Non Profit Adaptive Voucher Program

The existing voucher program designed to support the volunteer adaptive instructor has been expanded to accommodate non volunteers, exam days and varying size schools.

Details are provided directly to your Adaptive School Manager. Total cash value $10,000 Keep em’ on the slopes: Pilot Program

This program was first discussed in hopes to dedicate some of our resources to other non profits. In its pilot year, we will support a group of kids in the form of a cash donation to gain them access to the slopes. We are currently reviewing several different organizations to receive this funding. Total cash value $2,500 Committee Proposals approved

Applications will be accepted Nov 1st through Dec 15th for the below scholarships. Look for details at psia-rm.org or aasi-rm.org.

• 10 FULL Three day ITC’s • 10 Level 2 one day prep clinics • 10 Level 2 exam days • 10 Level 3 one day prep clinics • 10 Level 3 exam days • 5 Rocky Mountain Trainer, Full Exams (1 each discipline) • 10 one day introductory PSIA-AASI New member clinics (applied for by ski school directors) • 10 special order clinics (applied for by member school directors) Total cash value: $15,425 Scholarships:

• There are additional existing scholarships available online.

In addition to the above scholarships and programs the board approved over $15,000 in committee proposals. These include: development of an online written exam process, examiner exchange, subsidized training for our potential national team attendees, revision of all snowboard written exams, and much more.

When I was 16, I wanted more then anything to join the peace corps, so I could do my part. Although that dream never materialized I have an incredible sense of satisfaction and pride in being a part of this organization. Although we don’t technically have stock holders I believe that the members own this organization. As a member myself, I am confident that as owners/share-holders, you would support the above programming.

We have all been in a place where a little help would go a long way to help us obtain our goals and dreams. Keep dreaming and we will do everything we can to support those dreams, this year and in the years to come.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

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President’s Letter

By Joel Munn

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s your President, I feel I owe all of you clarification on the relationship between our organization PSIA-RMAASI and National. In his National Report, Peter Donahue quite accurately describes that there are only “loose affiliations between our ten separate corporate entities. Peter then further states that; “there is no protocol to establish responsibility and accountability for nationally consistent decision making in key areas of our business”(es).

Most of you are aware there are 9 divisions within PSIA-AASI. At the same time, it may come as a surprise to many of you that not only are the 9 divisions separate legal entities, but PSIA-AASI National is a separate and individual entity as well. In other words, as Peter quite clearly points out; “there are no formal agreements between the divisions, nor between divisions and the national association except those governing the use of our logos, and the non-binding agreement on adhering to national standards.”

By now most of you have received and hopefully filled out a survey sponsored by PSIA-AASI National which is being conducted by JVA Consulting LLC. Half of you were told within the survey communications that PSIA-AASI National was going to implement a dues increase of $11 for FY 2013.

Many of you may be wondering “why a survey now?” In the spirit of clarity and transparency, I must be totally up front with all of you. The survey is being conducted because of issues surrounding the decision to implement this dues increase, the way the decision was reached by the National Board, and the considerable push-back the National board received from leadership across all divisions in the months following its decision.

The consensus by the majority of the divisional presidents was to request the national office conduct a survey of the membership.

The Council felt the entire subject of an unexpected and divisionally unrepresented dues increase called for a better understanding of the perceptions of the membership relative to the value of National’s services. They also

felt it was time to see how members view the entire subject of divisional/national similarities and differences.

As mentioned, National is a separate and individual corporate entity. As such, our representative to the National Board has a legal and binding fiduciary responsibility to vote exclusively with National’s best interest in mind. Our national representative is OUR representative in name only. Although they will represent their division’s position on issues, in the end they must vote to support the health and welfare of their corporation (National), on whose board they sit. To clarify, the National Rep. holds a seat on the RM Board, yet it is an Ex Officio (non-voting) position only, and thus their fiduciary responsibility is ultimately to the National Board.

The unfortunate reality of this is that due to the structure which now exists, the fiduciary responsibility of the “divisional representative” to the National Board may be in opposition to the welfare of the division many of you assume they represent. The need for National to raise dues in FY 2013 to insure their financial survival is one of these times.

Therefore, although we disagreed wholeheartedly with National’s decision to raise its dues, we chose to view the subject of a dues increase as a “symptom” rather than the “cause” of the problem at hand. Similar situations have occurred in the past due to this

shortcoming in our organizational structure.

The actual fact we were faced with was that we could “kick and scream” all we wanted, but in the end we needed to accept reality … we don’t structurally or legally have a vote!”

Where do we go from here? How do we make sure these types of situations no longer happen and similar situations don’t get in the way of our individual and collective success and evolution? As Peter mentions in his article, division presidents and national board directors will convene for two days in late January. RM has taken a strong position on the organizational structure that presently exists.

Since July, we have voiced repeatedly in the forums where change can be implemented, that the status quo is no longer acceptable - a “re-structure” of the relationship between the 9 divisions and National must be on the agenda of this January meeting.

In collaboration with all other divisional presidents, executive directors, and national leadership, we are suggesting, with great emphasis, the creation of one corporate entity which would be made of and be directly represented by the 9 divisions. It is the membership of these 9 divisions along with others who are the stakeholders of this entire organization. Ultimately, and perhaps most importantly, the members are the direct shareholders of the national entity we feel must be created and which many of you assumed already exists.

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FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 3

“Let’s get it started”

By Dave Schuiling, Director of Education

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all in the Rockies. There’s nothing quite like the crunch of aspen leaves under the foot or bike tire. As we all enjoy the last bits of summer hanging on, I can’t help but start to twitch and fidget in anticipation of the snow that is coming. As I descended today down Emerald Mountain on my bike, I couldn’t help but think about the white surface I long to slide on as I entered every berm, compression and drop. The crunching and popping of leaves suddenly disapparated me into the “white room” and I was back in Closets and Shadows on a blower day. Yes, as the temperatures drop, many of us have a hard time focusing on normal daily tasks. Plain and simple, it’s the burden all of us snow sliding junkies must carry around until the lifts start turning around. Here’s a few exciting developments in the world of AASI/PSIA to get the juices close to the boiling point. Let’s do this.

Education Curriculum

By now, you’ve received notice of the Education curriculum shared through Google calendar. The link is posted on the RM website under the events page. Additional documents to follow will be shared events by location and date. An additional way to peruse the event calendars is through the event meeting registration portal in www.thesnowpros. org. Log in using your national identification number in the username field and the password field. Use the search function to find events by type, sport, location and even division. A calendar view option is also available through the portal.

While visiting thesnowpros site check out the Community. The Community is THE social media link to everything happening in snowsports education and all the current goods of our entire national association. By joining specific Community groups you can connect with other snowsports enthusiasts with similar interests. Join the Rocky Mountain Community to stay connected with all of your RM sisters and brothers. Do you have a particular interest backcountry, moonlight, 4

switch, nordic snowboarding? You can start your own community on just about anything pertaining to your snowsports fetishes.

On-line Written Test

We are extremely excited to announce Level 2 and Level 3 on-line written tests for snowboard and alpine beginning November 10th. Our Education committees have teamed up with the Eastern division to roll out this project. Upon signing up for the exam you will receive a link to the timed test to take at your leisure in the comfort of your own cyberspace connection. When you complete the test, you will be given your score immediately, and have an opportunity to review your missed questions. Even though the answers will not be provided, you can seek out the answers and learn from your experience.

Ample time will be provided to complete the test but not enough to “look up” answers in your library. Hit the books now before we all hit the snow. A great place to start is all of our current national publications such as the Children’s Instruction Manual, the Alpine Technical Manual, the Snowboard Instructor’s Guide and Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors.

Children’s Specialist

We are entering our second season of the national certificate program Children’s Specialist (CS1 & CS2). CS1 and CS2 were very

well received across the country last season.

The consistency of these credentials speaks volumes to the incredible work achieved by our national children’s task force. Because of the consistency and quality, the achievement of this certificate is transferrable across all divisions earning nationally credibility and international recognition. Most of our Member schools across the country recognize instructors holding these certificates with pay and priority incentives. As the standards currently read, a level one certification is the prerequisite for CS1 and CS1 plus a level 2 certification are the prerequisites for CS2. In certain circumstances, a member may apply to go directly to CS2 if they have a level 2 certification and extraordinary, relevant experience in children’s instruction. For more information regarding this option, please contact your RM office for the application.

Your education teams in Rocky Mountain, other divisions and your national children’s task force are considering utilizing the children’s specialist certificates to satisfy the children’s standards requirements in all disciplines. For example, a CS1 will satisfy the children’s certification requirement for Level 2 in alpine, Nordic, adaptive and snowboard. In similar fashion, CS2 handles the level 3 certification children’s requirement. These requirements are being considered for the 2012-13 season with the goal of enhancing the overall process while developing more experienced and successful instructors. Anyone who has participated in the CS programs can attest to the extremely valuable knowledge and experienced gained whether someone teaches kids full time or not. How many adults do you know that act like children all the time and especially while on vacation?

Strategic Education Plan (SEP)

Currently, one year into the process, our National Strategic Education Plan is under way and gaining momentum. A brief history in this project goes back to the fall of 2007 when a meeting was held to support our membership by defining roles and functions of the divisions and national to optimize efficiency. The overall objectives and benefits to the SEP include the following: Improve the integrity and relevance of PSIA-AASI education and certification system.

Clarify national and divisional roles. Align PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

association resources to increase effectiveness and efficiency of education programs.

Collect accurate data about member use of education materials, courses and testing.

Expand member and stakeholder communications and opportunities for input and feedback about education initiatives.

This October 1st and 2nd, a group of educational stakeholders from every division met in Denver to collaborate on our National Level 1 certification standards. In the true spirit of the SEP which promotes the “three C” philosophy of Communication, Collaboration and Consolidation, each division sent a representative for all discipline sports to enhance our level 1 processes and define common elements for success and integrity of the national standards. Also present at this meeting were representatives of the Education Advisory Council (EAC). The EAC represents all sports disciplines, member school management and the national teams.

Throughout our conversations, the main focus was to make sure that our key stakeholders were acknowledged.

National

Member

Director

Division

Guest

This group has committed to this cause and realizes the benefits gained from working together, reducing wasted duplication and pooling the collective educational influences across the country. The Level 1 process is the starting point and look for future projects to span all of our educational and certification programs. The SEP taskforce has been meeting regularly via phone conference calls, sharing documentation through the Community and plans to meet face to face again in the spring. Who benefits from all of this hard work? Every member of our fine association.

Divisional Exchange

In a similar spirit of working together, education staff members from East, RM and Western divisions began observing each other’s level 3 certification process. The exchange focus was “best practices” and how each division utilizes our national standards in the certification process. Although each division’s process may be slightly different, all parties involved felt very confident that the level 3 certification standard was being maintained with consistency. As this program develops, more divisions are joining

the exchange enhancing the overall process.

In the near future, look for a multi-divisional certification exam event utilizing education staff from all participating divisions.

National Teams Selection

Every four years, our National Teams selection process chooses teams that highlight the nation’s best instructors. The outcome of this process will be a team that embodies three attributes outlined by the teams taskforce.

• Inspirational Educators • Lifelong Learners • Inspirational Athletes Any current Level 3 PSIA/AASI instructor is eligible to try out for the teams and completed application packets are due December 9, 2011. A 2012 Team Selection community page is posted on the PSIA/ AASI community page for more information on the details. Last spring the RM Assessment Trials, “RAT” were held to showcase and train prospective national team members. This event was a huge success in setting the bar for training leading up to the national selection process. The skiing was inspirational! Here’s a link to some footage from the event. http://vimeo. com/29245995 A special thanks to your alpine committee chair, Jonathan Ballou for the edit. We will follow up with training opportunities leading up to the main event next spring. If you’d like to show your support to a potential team member or anyone representing RM at the selection, please contact the office.

Are you Ready?

As my 11 year old says, Dad, It’s on! Yes, I’m sure like many of you, I feel like an 11 year old when I start thinking about snow.

As they say, the first step toward recovery is admitting your obsession. I’m not sure that this vice is something I need recovery from.

If a person is to have vices then I feel pretty good about this one. I look forward to seeing you all this season out at events. Please be sure to say “what up?” and bend my ear with anything you’d like to see better happening in the world of education and PSIA-AASI. I’ll let you in on another one of my vices, as a lifelong learner myself; I’m totally committed to our educational offerings and will continually strive to do best by our association.

Peace to the O. U. T.

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The official publication of PSIA - Rocky Mountain - AASI P. O. Box 775143 Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 Phone: 970.879.8335 Fax: 970.879.6760 Executive director - dana@psia-rm.org Director of Operations - carolyn@psia-rm.org Director of Education - dave@psia-rm.org Events Coordinator - ks@psia-rm.org website - www.psia-rm.org General Information Submissions of articles, photos or other items for publication are invited. PSIARocky Mountain- AASI members submitting articles of an educational nature with a minimum of 500 words will be reimbursed $100 per published article.

Type copy should be double spaced and sent to the editor at the above address.

A disk may be submitted along with a hard copy in either PC or MAC formats.

All the submitted material is subject to editing. Use of all material will be at the discretion of the editorial staff. Articles are accepted on the condition that they may be released for publication in all PSIA/AASI National and Divisional publications.

Instructor to Instructor is published four times per year by the PSIA-Rocky Mountain - AASI divsion. Permission is hereby given to PSIA/AASI and all divisions of PSIA/AASI to copy original materials from the newsletter providing credit is given to PSIA - Rocky Mountain - AASI and the author, and the material is not altered. Articles that contain specific copyright notices may not be reprinted without written permission from the author.

Subscriptions: Persons who are not members of PSIA - Rocky Mountain AASI can purchase a one-year subscription of Instructor to Instructor for $15.

Send your name and address along with payment to the above address.

Note: Materials published in Instructor to Instructor which have been provided by persons in other than an official capacity, or for official purposes, are the responsibility of the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of PSIA-Rocky Mountain - AASI.

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 5

August 2011 Meeting

Board Briefs

A complete copy of any of the minutes may be obtained by contacting the RM office.

1. Minutes from the May, 2011 and June and July, 2011 board conference calls were approved.

2. Dave Schuiling, Director of Education, reported that the online written test is being developed and will be in place for the 2011/12 season. He also stated that the switch to employees by the education staff is ontrack.

3. Barbara Szwebel, Adaptive Committee Chairperson, reported that work is still continuing with standards at the national level for both Adaptive Alpine and Adaptive Snowboard.

4. Dusty Dyar, Children’s Committee Chairperson reported the issue regarding whether CS1 should be a prerequisite for CS2 has not been resolved.

5. Patti Banks, Nordic Committee Chairperson, reported that the biggest project within the Nordic discipline is solidifying the Telemark MA process.

6. Gates Lloyd, standing in for Jonathan Ballou, Alpine Committee Chairperson, reported that there had been great feedback from the Alpine exam modular system, and that the one-day format works well for the membership. Gates also said that Alpine intends to shift its focus to examining skills. He said that they will take maneuvers and break them down into skill pools.

7. Peter Donahue, National Representative, acknowledged that the Pro-Tech system is not user friendly, but suggested that such problems are common with new database systems. He stated that the organization had hired Patrick Bragg, a leader in the field who understands the issues involved in making the website useful for different levels of users.

8. Peter Donahue reported that Ben Roberts was leaving national’s Education Department and that Earl Saline will assume the leadership role in the renamed Professional Devel-

A Non-PSIA Educational Credit Alternative T

he U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) Sport Education department would like to invite all PSIA members to attend their Level 100 coaching clinics for 2011-2012. The USSA clinic schedule is available at: www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/ formembers/coaches/clinics.html, with registration starting October 3, 2011 As a professional consideration, PSIA Level III instructors are welcome to attend at USSA member prices by entering in their PSIA division and certification number in the notes section of the USSA registration along with the code “psia1012”.

The USSA Sport Education department works in conjunction with the U.S. Ski Team coaches, regional and development staff, and sport scientists, to develop resources and programming to assist ski coaches from across the United States to continue learning and growth in the coaching profession.

If you attend a USSA clinic and would like to receive PSIA/AASI educational credits for your attendance, please download the form from the Rocky Mountain website from the Ed. Materials page and submit it with payment to receive up to 2 days (12 hours) credit.

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opment Department.

9. Both the PSIA-RM budget and the Rocky Mountain Ski Instructors Educational Foundation budget were approved by the board.

10. $10,000 was allocated in the Educational Foundation budget to fund the non-profit schools initiative.

11. The board approved $15,425 in the Educational Foundation budget to fund new scholarships.

12. Fred Rumford, Vice President and Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, said the B & F committee is reviewing proposals from 3 investment firms to determine if a transfer of the investment account would be worthwhile at this time.

13. A fundraising committee will be created once those who have expressed interest have been contacted and coalesced into a group.

14. The by-laws committee of the board recommended that an attorney be contacted to revise the by-laws.

15. The next board meeting is scheduled on November 18, 2011 in Breckenridge, after fall training.

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You are part of the Community?

Have you checked it out!

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he PSIA-AASI Community is the newest way for members to connect with each other, their divisions, and those who share a passion for snowsports and teaching snowsports. It is a place to get to know your fellow instructors, talk about upcoming events, and share ideas with colleagues across the country. You can search for old friends, find new ones, join a new community, or create one of your own.

The PSIA-AASI Community is an upgraded version of our Member Forum. Here you can share documents and study guides, start a discussion, voice your opinion, and participate more fully in your association. You will find communities focused on divisional areas and instructional disciplines. Within individual communities are discussion boards and blogs where we encourage you to interact with other members.

Get started by creating a profile and seeing all that’s happening within PSIA-AASI. http://community.thesnowpros.org/home A

PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

Scholarship Recipients

President’s Council and National Board of Directors to convene for Strategic Planning

Matthew Naschak, son of member Paul Naschak, was awarded a $500 Educational Foundation scholarship. He is attending the Alaska Pacific University.

By Peter Donahue

Hunter Black, son of member Annie Black, was awarded a $500 Educational Foundation scholarship. He begins his freshman year at the Dartmouth College.

Dana Smith, daughter of member Cindy Smith, was awarded a $500 Educational Foundation scholarship. She begins her freshman year at the Western Washington University. A

Vail Ski and Snowboard School 50th Reunion!

Sunday December 11, 2011 we are having a Vail Ski & Snowboard School reunion.

It will consist of skiing/riding during the day & a celebration afterwards.

This will be a great opportunity to reconnect with alumni & current staff.

The event is open to anyone who has worked or is currently working for the Vail School and will be followed by the actual 50th celebration in December 2012.

If you have contact info for alumni please forward it to: vailssshistory@comcast.net Check out on Facebook: “Vail Ski & Snowboard School Alumni & Current Staff” We look forward to seeing you in December. A

OPEDIX

Member Discount Code

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ctober has arrived with cool nights and glorious autumn days, guiding our thoughts to the approaching winter and the pleasures of our calling. It is the time to reflect on our resolutions past and goals for the future. In that spirit, the division presidents and national board of directors have made the decision to convene in late January to discuss divisional and nationalgovernance and organizational structure.

This meeting represents the next stage in an ongoing process that began five years ago this fall when the same group gathered to discuss the challenges facing the association.

That meeting, setting the stage for the October 2007strategic planning session the following year, brought unprecedented agreement between our divisions and national association on the roles and responsibilities of each. The most significant outcome was the adoption of “The Three C’s” resolution: Communicate, Collaborate, and Consolidate, to better serve the needs of our membership and our industry as a whole.

Following the transition of all our nine divisions to a common national database, our Education Advisory Council recommended a Quality Assurance review to consider the present state and future direction of our Education programs and Certificationcredentials across divisions. The council recommended the adoption of a Strategic Education Plan to better alignour programs and credentials to better serve our membership.

In working through this process, it became clear that our organizational structure has presented challenges to successful implementation of this and other initiatives that require close cooperation between our divisional staffs, national staff, and volunteer leaderships across the country.Given the loose affiliations between the national and divisionalcorporate entities, there was no protocol to establish responsibility and accountability for nationally consistent implementation in key areas of our business. Divisional committees governing Alpine, Snowboard, Nordic, Children, and Adaptive programs make decisions largely in isolation from their counter-

parts in other divisions, and their efforts are duplicated instead of consolidated, leading to inconsistencies and even rivalries between divisions. Efforts to realign these opportunities could only come from voluntary communication and cooperation among divisional and national leadership.

In the last two years, Rocky Mountain Division Alpine chair Jonathan Ballou and Education manager Dave Schuilling have done a tremendous and unprecedented job of reaching out to other divisions to share best practices. Additionally, our President, Joel Munn, has worked tirelessly to inspire other division presidents to consider bold steps and realign our governance and organizational structures.

The national association has retained a research consultant to gather additional member and industry stakeholder feedback to inform the January gathering. This research follows several other studies conducted over the last decade that will be posted for your review on the national website. As I write, the process is underway to review RFP’s from potential facilitators for the session. When we first convened the Strategic Planning Task Force in 2007, we could only hope that that the divisions would choose to come together to discuss and address the underlying challenges facing our association. Special thanks are due to Joel Munn for his passion and persistence that have been essential to making it happen. The measure of our success will be tangible outcomes that are beneficial to our members and our industry as a whole.

The PSIA-AASI Board of Directors enthusiastically embraces these developments. It has been sixty years since the first efforts to create consistent national certification policy were spearheaded by PSIA founder Bill Lash at the National Ski Association convention in 1951. Despite tremendous improvement, PSIA-AASI has been unable to get past the persistent regionalism that impeded divisional communication and cooperation.

Today, we are ready as never before to look critically at the organizational inefficiencies that impede us from offering even greater value to our members.

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FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 7

INSTRUCTOR TO INSTRUCTOR NEWSLETTER The official newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Division is published four times per year with an average circulation of 6000. The schedule for submission of articles and advertisements is listed below:

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AASI-RM, Let’s Ride!

By Michael Blanton

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here we were, in the famous and historic Taos Ski Valley! It was the spring of 2011 and Tony Macri and myself had the honor of providing a couple of certification exams. It had been a lean snow year up until a few days before our arrival but luckily, the mountain was sprinkled with some fresh snow for our adventures. As we started to mingle with the locals and our crews, we noticed, an overall infectious passion for sliding. Sure, certification was our purpose but the atmosphere of fun was our true reward. Sliding on snow is so simple, yet with our standards it can appear complex, sometimes muddling the fun. I think we all like the fun, just go to Taos if you ever need that reinforced. Taos is a great mountain with fun-loving people!

Your AASI-RM committee has been aware of the fact that priority is given to safety and learning. Fun often takes a back seat to it’s cohorts in our motto. Your AASI-RM committee has been creating new “developmental” programs to not only address more “fun”, but to also give the membership options for growth.

Exam preps and exams themselves have been the staple of AAS-RM. The problem with those assessment-based programs is that fun and development take a back seat to - delivering to the standard, where the pathway to achieve goals. With regard to those ideas, preps are now called exam previews and are exactly that. It was a disservice to the participants to attempt to preview the exam format/standards and truly develop skills within these events. Participants miss out on the ever critical practice time with feedback, which is what we are always preaching. So it is time to walk the talk and offer true developmental sessions where the practice time is not being compromised by a required amount of certification preview.

In an exam, candidates are assessed on particular skills at different levels. The standards represent those levels because of the fact they best encompass applications in the real world, but not all. The examiner only gets a “pinhole” view of the candidates over-

all skills. Therefore many people train to the exam standards, not the elements that make the standards relevant. Certification is not the “end all, be all”, it is the development and success of the participants that should be front and center. Certification is merely a validation of that growth. In these developmental sessions candidates will explore concepts that involve the standards as well as applications outside of the standards. Understanding this whole creates relevance to the certification “part”.

It is the goal of AASI-RM to put the fun into “fun”ction! So keep an eye out for the new developmental session offerings. If you see something you like, sign-up! Or at least show your support or this will be a short lived initiative. We are hopeful for this to grow into such offerings like “Heli drops in Silverton!”

That’s a session I would not miss!

Your AASI-RM committee works hard for you! Every person volunteers time to help benefit our membership. It can be a thankless job. But that is ok, because that is not what being on the committee is about. These people give their time selflessly for the smiles and experiences that are a result of thier hard work. There has been much growth with AASI-RM. Change can be tough, especially if it is not needed. This is where your committee shines! The diverse group of individuals determine whether or not there is a need for change, how to make the change and the benefit to the membership. Every discussion ends with addressing the benefit to our membership! With that support I am proud to be a member of this organization.

Next time you see Tony Macri, thank him! It is hard to see all the work that goes on behind the scenes. Tony has been diligent with addressing the needs of our membership with very positive outcomes. Tony has been a great leader of that team for awhile now. I now have the honor of following Tony as AASIRM committee chairperson. Thankfully there is very little change with this team as Tony is still an integral of the development of AASIRM. Thanks Tony for all your hard work in the past, and the future!

A PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

Instructor Insight to Parents

By Jamie Maybon

M

any of us in our life time will make a few big decisions and one of them maybe to have children. For my husband and I this decision came later in life, which seems to have become fairly common place. We put careful thought and consideration into having a child and the effects one would have on our lifestyle, jobs and income. Prior to our son, our only real responsibility was our four legged hound dog, who was easy to pawn off on parents and friends for travel and teaching. Even though our dedication and attachment to our pet was unwavering, we understood that having a child was something we were ready and unprepared for.

During the 40 weeks of pregnancy, yes this is 10 months; I began to receive unsolicited advice from family and friends on child rearing. My 93 year old grandmother even warned me to avoid “Hollywood” names and go more in favor of traditional family names. Her favorite being Anton after her father, which none of her FIVE children is named? To add to the verbal information barrage came the baby books. Baby books inundate a new mother with more information about her upcoming delivery, monthly milestones of a child and even daily “things” your child should be doing. Lastly the educational/informational World Wide Web helped compound the feeling that you know nothing about becoming a parent. After our son’s arrival we reviewed every piece of material, talked to all our friends and fretted at the first sign of anything wrong. You would have thought we were studying for a master’s degree in a foreign language like Chinese.

As our son developed and aged, we laughed at our early parental anxieties, threw away the books and quit searching the internet. Since we both have careers in the ski industry with children specifically, we could hardly wait until he was old enough to ski. I thought of all the parents I had seen come through ski school, the hovering mom, the overzealous fathers, the parents that have detachment issues, the constant phone callers and so on.

I knew I would never be “that” type of parent. We would be better than the other parents since we “understood” skiing and ski school.

We have an additional advantage, he would be participating in a children’s program that I have the pleasure to help coordinate. I was fairly certain that this would be easy.

Fortunately, he took to skiing like a fish to water. He loves it and talked about it all summer. He is unbelievable to watch and enjoyable to ski around the mountain with. We could not be more proud of his three year old accomplishments last season, but my behavior is another matter. I now realize I am “that” parent and it is worse because I have authority in how the program is run. I now realize my affective needs as a parent outweigh anything sensible, cognitive or rational when it comes to my child. I now understand all those parents I so easily giggled at regarding their behavior with their child. I know that I am “that” mother and it is ok and it will not change.

This is how I know: I purchased boots for my son that had front buckles and soft cuffs so he had the ability to flex his ankle better. I kept him on shorter, center mounted skis until he mastered certain skills and was able to ski easy green runs parallel. I even questioned the extremely experienced ski pro when she suggests we put him in different boots for more ankle support as his soft boots kept unbuckling. It wasn’t until she told me his feet were too big for his boot that I gave in and let her change the boots. The next time I skied with him I apologized to her as he had figured out how to tip his ski because he had a more supportive boot.

Clothing is always a hassle at ski schools.

Items get lost and found constantly. I explain this at least 2 times a day to parents who lost a neck gator or glove. Come on, how hard is it to label and clip gloves or go buy them a new pair? Well, eat my words again. I had to buy new ski socks twice because at the end of the day they were taken off and misplaced. Have you ever tired to label a ski sock? The cost, with my discount was

still $15 for a youth size 8? The first time was frustrating but the second time; I began to wonder what was wrong with the staff?

Oops…nothing I came to find out. The one pair showed up the next day the other at the end of the season. That is a better return rate than the dryer at my house.

I have always thought ski school kids food was questionable, not really the healthiest meal and usually consisted of some type of compressed breaded chicken, chips, juice and/ or hot chocolate. I must admit is has gotten healthier than when I learned to ski which was usually a hot dog, coke, chips and candy bar for all ages. Although I still spend a large amount of time telling parents the menu, what’s in the food and receiving sack lunches, I now understand why they are concerned. One day a instructor informed me my son would only each Catsup for lunch and another time I was told all he ate was snow on the hill while skiing. Needless to say one of my daily pick up/ drop off narratives has become what did he drink or eat today and if he does not drink enough water he will try to eat snow. I felt like a broken record and quickly purchased a second set of gloves since his other pair was usually wet.

Lastly and possibly my biggest indicator that I am “that” parent is my desire to search out and find my child’s class on the hill under the guise of “checking on classes”. Lucky for me my fellow coordinators have all had children and probably did the same thing. Thankfully, the instructors all humored me as I often skied away with my child as he melted down when I tried to leave. Honestly, I know better but could not help myself. Yes, it is amazing how well my child learned to ski.

I will admit that I am “that” parent, the parent whose own affective needs override my common sense and logic. I will admit I am “that” parent who would do almost anything for my child. I will admit I am now “that coordinator” who really understands the parents and knows you can only understand them once you have walked in their shoes. I will admit I am a parent.

A

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 9

Ski-biking, and other cool ways to ski and ride!

By Barbara Szwebel

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hile teaching Adaptive Ski, Snowboard, Sit ski lessons over the past 22 years I have seen plenty of adaptive equipment. In the beginning there were few options for people with missing limbs or compromised balance, such as a toboggan like sit ski that could only be steered by dragging hand-held picks in the snow or outriggers (crutches with ski-tips attached to them).

Over the years, inventive souls came up with many different ways to get out there, but I want to tell you about the ski-bike.

I have used it successfully with quite a few students, including Nathan, who came to our program after suffering a Stroke. After extensive re-habilitation Nathan was able to walk again, but was doubt full that he could ski again with his right side still substantially weaker. He came to Winter Park wanting to try Snowboarding, since he had heard that it might be easier for him to control one board rather than 2 skis.

Never having ridden before his “CVA” (stroke), we were pretty successful on the beginner slope, completing a few runs on the first morning. However, Nathan came in to lunch pretty worn out from trying to just stay upright, so I suggested taking out the skibike. Not only would he be able to use the handlebars to help with steering, sitting down would also allow him to save the strength in his weaker leg for steering purposes. Nathan had no problems applying all his previous skiing knowledge about skidding and finish10

ing turns to ski-biking, and we started heading higher up the mountain. Within a few days we made it to the top of the mountain and came down the 5 mile long blue & green run to the base and Nathan was back in the game.

This is only one of my ski-bike success stories. Check out another one on YouTube. Look for “Dreams accomplished with NSCD” Part 1(January 2011) and Part 2(April 2011) posted by another of my students.

Some more involved students will need more help, such as tethers, attachments of the footski-tips to the bike or additional padding. As a rule, if your student can control his/her legs, even without the strength to stand up, and has enough fine motor control in at least one hand to steer the bike, this might be the way to go. As a rule the learning curve is pretty steep and even riders with little stamina can make it off the beginner slopes.

People with amputations or suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Brain Injuries, Cerebral Palsy and other neurological impairments are great candidates for ski-biking, as are students with anxiety or developmental disorders who have a hard time getting their feet to turn when they start moving at more than a walking speed.

Several Adaptive programs now offer Ski-biking as a viable alternative to standup or sit-skiing, and if your program does not, check out the clinics at the “Adaptive National Academy” in Breckenridge, early December or in Vail or Keystone later this winter. Your school can also request a traveling clinic from the RM office.

Barbara Szwebel is the RM-Adaptive Chair. She started teaching Adaptive lessons in Beaver Creek in 1989. After moving to Winter Park in 1994 and working full time for

the National Sports Center for the Disabled as instructor and staff trainer, she became an Adaptive Alpine as well as Adaptive Snowboard Examiner and helped develop RM’s Adaptive SB certification program. Starting this fall she will be back in Vail as the Adaptive Product Manager for Vail Resorts.

ashlinzmom has shared a video with you on YouTube:

Another dream accomplished with NSCD I used to love to ski but it was 7 years after I suffered a brain injury that I was finally able to return. I attended NSCD in January and want to share one of my dreams I accomplished. My first goal was to ride the chair lift. With the amazing staff and their dedication to people like me, I did it. I exceeded that first goal quickly. It was a truly amazing week. My family was there and said the smile on my face was priceless. I returned to NSCD in April and was able to meet even higher goals. Thank you to all my instructors-especially Tommy who “set me free” for the first time.

Going from a mountain man sit ski-to bike skiing freely and having the time of my life-wow. I can hardly wait for the snow to start falling again. Please check out my 2 videos--Dreams accomplished with NSCD Part 1(January 2011) and Part 2(April 2011). Enjoy!! A PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

N-Mail

By Jim Sanders

H

ello Nords. Fall is an interesting time, isn’t it? It’s a time of change. The days get shorter. It’s too darn cold in the morning. The leaves are so beautiful, but where did the flowers and the brilliant green of summer go? The first snow storms have hit the high country, so the peaks are white, standing tall in a brilliant blue sky and many of us start getting excited about something that is soon to come.

I know what it is. You are wondering when you will get a chance to read another addition of N-mail! It’s your lucky day, because your N-mail is here. Oh yeah, and ski season is almost here too.

A bit of recognition is due. Emily Lovett became our newest full XC Nordic Advanced Educator last spring! Emily coaches and teaches out of Steamboat Springs. She has been an XC Apprentice and Level 1 NAE for several years now. If you have skied or worked with her, you should be familiar with her quiet, competent and confidant ways as an instructor, coach, and clinician. Congratulate her when you get a chance, and take some time to ski with and get to know her. Her increasing involvement in the division is a big plus for all of us.

Speaking of people who have a positive effect on their fellow instructors and our organization, are you one of those people?

I know it’s hard to believe, but some of us on the Nordic Committee are getting a bit older, (luckily, not me). There have been many discussions amongst both Telemark and XC Examiners about our desire to see “new blood” come up through the ranks and prepare to carry the Nordic torch, so we veterans can cash in our huge retirement packages and start enjoying our golden years following the International Loppet circuit in Europe. Okay, I’m exaggerating, (and hallucinating) about the retirement packages, but hopefully you get the idea. If you are passionate about Telemark and/or XC skiing and instructing, and you feel like you would like to contribute more to your fellow instructors, PSIA-RM and Nordic Skiing in general, consider looking over the Nordic RM Trainer information on www.psia-rm.

org and stepping up your involvement. And please never hesitate to talk to the current NAE’s to get a better idea of what we do and what’s involved.

Looking back on last winter’s Nordic events, we saw a drop in Telemark event participation. It’s hard to know the specific reasons for this, but certainly the state of the economy and its effect on the ski industry along with cyclical fluctuations in numbers of folks who want to get certified enter into the equation. If you have your own ideas about why Tele event attendance was down or suggestions for changes and better offerings in RM Nordic events please e-mail, write, or talk to any of the NAEs. We want to hear from you. For now, the effect of last season’s numbers is there are less Telemark events being offered this season. This means if you plan to pursue certification this winter, you will need to plan to pursue certification. And you might have to travel a bit farther than you expected. Sorry about that, but it’s an economic reality. As the numbers of folks coming to events increase again, more events will be added in the future.

Just as a reminder, if you are a good organizer and you know several people in your area that are of similar experience, ability and interest for a Nordic event, you can organize a “travelling” event to your area. If you are interested, please call Patti Banks or the office for more information.

I would like to talk a bit about Nordic Movement Analysis (MA). A key focus for the RM Nordic Advanced Educators has been the development of effective and easy to use MA tools for both Telemark and XC. We have been able to steal and Nordify many aspects of the current Alpine MA model for Telemark with much success. For XC, we have been using a Norwegian system that identifies specific phases in each stride or skate, helping an instructor to better assess a Cross Country skier’s movements.

The result is two very good MA models that help us all in our teaching and consequently are of increased importance at certification events. I mention this because MA has been a weakness for many recent certification candidates. The message here is practice with these MA tools, especially if you are planning to go to an exam this season. Practice on your guests, practice on skiers that you see when you are out free skiing, practice on videos of skiers with a group of your fel-

low instructors. You will be amazed at how much it helps your teaching, and therefore your performance at certification. You can learn more about Nordic MA in the PSIARM Nordic Handbook, the Nordic Technical Manual, at RM pre-certification events and/ or by contacting one of your local, friendly NAEs. We are here to help you.

Please remember, the goal is not to have a “PSIA Way” that you have to buy into as the only path to true Nordic enlightenment. You must do MA in a way that works for you and your guests, whatever system you use. But understand that there are MA tools available that work great that you should be comfortable using when you come to an exam. This is necessary to offer a consistent, fair standard for certification, not to imply that there is only one way to do things.

Here is something new for N-mail: a fun quiz about National! Do you know what ASEA stands for? Until recently, I didn’t.

It stands for the American Snowsports Education Association, which does business as PSIA/AASI, a Colorado based non-profit membership association of which we are all members. Here’s another stumper: have you ever heard of the EAC? I didn’t know this one either. It’s the Education Advisory Council, a national education steering and advisory committee for PSIA/AASI composed of one representative from each discipline, a Ski School Management representative, the various National Team coaches, and our National Education Managers. Last question: who is the Nordic Representative on the EAC? I know this one. As of last October, it’s me. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but it sounded fun and confusing, so I applied and got selected. If you have some ideas, suggestions, or even bones about National, I invite you to get in touch with me. I don’t expect to have answers, but I’ll sure try to find out for you, and I will represent your interests and concerns to the committee and the powers that be to the best of my ability. I plan to offer more information about this EAC stuff as it comes to be, (translation: future N-mails).

That’s enough for now. Consider reading N-mail as part of your endurance training to prepare for ski season. It goes well with numerous long runs, hikes, or rides before the snow truly flies. Until then, you can e-mail n-mail at hugeglide@aol.com. See ya’!

A

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 11

Motor skill development

By Jonathan Ballou

T

eaching mechanics to students involves developing a skillful blend of rotating, tipping, and pressuring the skis. There are many ways to accomplish this in the context of the snowsports lesson but skill development is the key mechanical goal.

How do you know that a student has truly learned to apply the skill or concept that you have just introduced?

How do you know when student has reached a level of mastery and is ready to move onto something new…or needs more practice time where a particular skill can be challenged in slightly new ways?

There are a number of excellent methods available to us that help us answer these questions. Blooms Taxonomy of Cognition is a great resource for assessing understanding and is widely used throughout the PSIA. Development of physical skill however, does not always correspond with the skill actually being learned. This can happen at a slower or faster pace than cognitive understanding.

Learning physical skills requires movements to be assembled, component-by-component, using feedback to shape and master them until they become natural, almost unconscious reactions to the mountain environment. This is a process that requires repetition, trial and error and internal and external feedback.

Fitts and Posner (1964; Fitts & Posner, 1967) developed a theory that suggests learning movements in a sequential manner. Mas12

When we first introduce a student to a new movement or concept their main objective is to understand what we are asking, or to form a mental picture of the task. Developing possible strategies for success requires considerable mental activity and concentration.

During this stage we expect movements to be inconstant, slightly confused and by no means smooth. This is generally because the student is going through a process of trial and error, meeting various degrees of success along the way. This is the essence of the Cognitive stage. tering of a skill can be broken down into three distinct phases. As a student passes through each phase they demonstrate specific behaviors that the instructor can recognize.

According to Fits & Posner’s Model for Motor Skill Development the stages are: • Cognitive phase - Identification and development of the component parts of the skill – involves formation of a mental picture of the skill • Associative phase - Linking the component parts into a smooth action - involves guided practicing of the skill and utilizing feedback to master the skill • Autonomous phase - Developing the learned skill so that it becomes automatic— involves little or no conscious thought or attention whilst performing the skill - not all performers reach this stage (From www.brianmac.co.uk/tech.htm)

Cognitive Phase Characteristics • Student needs demonstrations and verbal explanations

• Student needs to be directed to effective cues

• Trial and error takes place

• Performances are inconstant, instructors should expect errors

The Fitts-Posner Three-Stage Theory of Motor Skills Acquisition* Stage

Goal

Activity

Performance

Cognition

Understand the task

Explanation, demonstration

Erratic, distinct steps

Deliberate, practice, feedback

More fluid, fewer interruptions

Association Comprehend and perform mechanics

Continuous, fluid, Autonomy Perform the task with Automated perforspeed, efficiency and mance requiring little adaptive precision cognitive input, focus on refining performance *Adapted from Fitts and Posner PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

Imagine a student attempting a wedge for the first time. The wedge has been explained to them, demonstrated to them and they have had key things they should be feeling described to them. As they listen they begin to form a mental picture of what we are teaching them. Despite all this invaluable information their first attempt is usually fairly lackluster.

The wedge is asymmetrical, off-balance, or the skis shoot out from under them and they fall on their rear end. From here we give them feedback, generally something simple that will enhance their performance. Upon receiving this, the student alters their mental picture and attempts the wedge again, trying a different strategy based on their enhanced mental image, and so this process of trial error- feedback - trial continues until some form of constant success is achieved.

The cognitive phase is when the instructor generally gives the most intensive feedback.

This is necessary because the student has not fully associated positive movements with positive results. During this stage the instructor can expect the most dramatic improvements in their student’s performance.

Once the student has achieved repeatable success, they have entered the Associative phase. During this phase the student takes this newly learned skill or task and begins to master it through experimentation with subtle changes.

From our previous example, once our student has can perform a gliding wedge with some degree of success they have created a functional mental image of the task and a tactical strategy for executing it.

Now the real fun begins...

Mastery: From here the student begins to refine and master individual components of the new skill. They might be balanced slightly aft; this creates muscle fatigue in the thighs. The student associates this feeling with being aft and creates a basic understanding of this cause and effect relationship.

Through this process of association the student learns self0correction.. Although not to the extent of the cognitive phase, progress at this stage still uses a considerable amount of mental energy. Opposed to the cognitive stage, this is not due to formulating a mental picture but creating relationships between their mental picture and a physical outcome.

Due to the fact that movements are more refined, progress is considerably slower than during the cognitive stage. Guided practice, allowing for mistakes and the realization of more efficient choices is key to mastery during the associative phase. Time spent in this phase cannot be undervalued.

Autonomy: When a student produces the new movement with little thought or effort in a skillful manor they have reached the Autonomous phase. As implied by the name, students demonstrate this phase by producing the desired result almost automatically and on their own. Depending on the skill this stage can be reached very quickly and last for a very long time, or could take weeks or months to achieve and be very fleeting. In the example of the student attempting to master the gliding wedge, this process may take only minutes and last a lifetime. On the other end of the spectrum, all of us are about to go back on snow, be it very shortly at a front range resort that will be open sometime in October or sometime later than that. We will

Autonomous Phase Characteristics • The student is able to perform the skill with minimum conscious thought and can concentrate on tactical situations • The Motor programme is established and stored in the long term memory and is able to be recalled with little prompting • Self-confidence is increased and the student is able to consistently correct performance • When feedback is given, it can be specific and highlight errors to ensure improvement • Improvements are slow and if practice is not maintained the student may return to the associative phase

get off the lift at the top of, what will most likely be an intermediate or beginner run and look for all those great feelings we had in our last week skiing in the 2010/11 season. Low and behold, they won’t be there. Through practice those feelings will awaken and in some reasonable amount of time, minutes, hours, weeks. Or, if you are like me, months, they will come back. That is simply the associative process. We are working to regain autonomy of skill we once had.

Associative Phase Characteristics • Longer than cognitive phase, students sometimes never leave this stage • Learners begins to recognize and eliminates mistakes • Performances become more consistent • Motor programmes are developed with subroutines becoming more coordinated resulting in skill becoming smoother • The learner is able to recognize and act on relevant cues • The learner develops the availability to use kinesthetic feedback to detect some of their errors

Recognizing this will help give us insight into how fleeting our skills are and the process that our students go through to reach mastery of whatever we are teaching them.

Using this Model for Motor Skill Development will greatly help us as instructors pace the information in our lessons to help lead our students to mastering the skills of sliding. A

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 13

“Training in the Summer for the Winter!”

By Anne Black

A

fter teaching skiing at Keystone and the surrounding Vail Resorts for 35 seasons I have learned a few things about injury prevention and how to stay on top of my game. You see, like many of you, I do NOT want to get hurt and I want to ski at the highest level that I can. When I am fit aerobically I can ski my best. When I stay strong in the core my back & knees don’t hurt. And when I eat correctly my performance and stamina are even more enhanced.

For my students and for myself I need to be able to do the best demos possible, especially when Bob Barnes is behind the video camera!

No matter what the condition of the snow I need to be able to ski it well. That’s the pressure that comes with being a PSIA-RM examiner. But the truth be known, even if I weren’t an examiner, I’d want to perform my best.

After all, we are called “Snow Pros,” aren’t we? To me, accompanying that title comes the responsibility to be skilled and competent.

Our students are paying BIG $$$ to ski with us so we need to deliver!

But regardless of whether you feel that it is your duty to know and do what you are talking about or not, it makes good sense to be in shape. Chances are if we are physically fit we can avoid injuries and have more fun!

I fill my free time in the summers with biking, hiking, Yoga and Pilates. Mt. Biking is my favorite summer activity and it strengthens my quadriceps, hamstrings, core, heart, lungs, and calf muscles just to mention a few.

It is much more weight-bearing than road riding and makes me agile and responsive.

It’s so satisfying climbing up our incredible single track in Summit County that the time goes by quickly. And after a grueling ascent we enjoy the descent and work on our downhilling skills, —just like we were on our skis or snowboards!

Don’t get me wrong, road riding is a blast and great for us as well. Both can build us iron lungs and bodies and prepare us for long bump runs and full, fresh powder days!

Routine stretching is key for us to be injury free as well. For me, though, the trick is to be 14

warmed up BEFORE I stretch. I used to start the day with Yoga but found myself getting hurt routinely. --- No more 8:00 AM Yoga classes for me! I’ve learned over the years to start activities SLOWLY and work into stretching after the body is WARM. Après ski stretch or yoga classes are best to avoid injury. (Trust me on this one!)

If you haven’t tried a Pilates, Core, or Power Band Class I suggest you enroll in a similar type soon. (But be prepared to suffer emotionally & physically!) It was humiliating when I first started Pilates and I felt like a down right WIMP. It was embarrassing because I could not complete half of the exercises. After a couple months of torture @ Pilates I steadily improved and now I can do 90% of the classes and my back feels better than ever.

Along with Pilates, Yoga has helped me focus on alignment, core and posture. These three elements are CRITICAL in skiing and snowboarding. Know that all of the best physical conditioning in the world means nothing if proper alignment, a strong core and good posture are missing. And that attention to alignment and my desire to stay strong is why I wear Opedix alignment-based apparel.

The Opedix top keeps my posture upright and the tights keep my knees aligned and less fatigued.

And finally, I would be amiss if I did not mention diet when it comes to peak performance on the slopes. You can email me personally for my nutrition advice at anniefarkle@comcast.net or visit my website http:// www.annieblack.vemma.com. I believe nutrition is KEY to ultimate performance and as “Snow Pros” we need to set the example and raise the bar here as well. So … you want to pass Cert III? Start with your physique!

In summary, I suggest that we all find offseason activities & habits that complement & enhance our winter sports so that when the snow flies we are prepared. (It may not be biking or Pilates and that’s OK.) And when we start skiing we cannot stop our training & disciplines. We must continue, albeit with a less intense routine, of cardio, core strength and flexibility training. We must continue with a supplemental nutrition program like VeMMA to keep us healthy and injury-free.

We must continue paying attention to our posture and alignment.

As I approach my 36th season at Keystone/ Vail Resorts I am excited because I am as strong and healthy as when I started teaching skiing in Colorado in 1976. Join me in another injury-free season. Let’s vow to be as strong and full of energy in late March & April as when we enter the season in November or December! ‘Have fun and let’s pray for another super season as skilled and prepared as we can be!

Annie Emich Black 168 Wild Irishman Road Keystone, CO 80435 anniefarkle@comcast.net www.annieblack.vemma.com (Annie is mother of three sons. Jake and Zack are professional snowboarders and Hunter is a collegiate ski racer for Dartmouth. Annie is co-captain of the MSO Divas Mt. Biking Club and Race Team. She teaches mt. biking in the summer and skiing in the winter and believes there are no better jobs in the universe!)

A PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

“Too much plastic?”

By Simon Marsh

A

s instructors, we are always working to detect and correct a student’s bodyto-ski relationship in a lesson. We all know that it’s important to look at the body movements, (both upper and lower), as well as the skis to determine what body movements are working well for them and what movements are creating problems to efficiently turn, edge, or apply pressure to the ski.

There is great emphasis these days on having the ability to flex the ankle. It is widely encouraged throughout PSIA-RM clinics and exams that we all attend. The importance of ankle flexion in the boot is so great, that the inability to flex the ankle can cause all the gross upper body movements we see in our student’s, (and even our own), skiing. Tipping the body, rotating the shoulders, or moving up and down rapidly so as to try and get the skis to come around in the turn can result from a stiff ankle in the boot.

Being told to “Flex the ankle” may sound very basic, and we are told this all the time.

However, it is easy to become involved in a lesson with different strategies you may be working on and overlook the fact that the ankle may not be moving as well as it should be.

The problem can narrow down to a variety of issues, including having STIFF BOOTS and not striving to stay in an athletic position.

We all tell people to flex in the boot while they are on the hill, but when they need to flex their ankle the most, it doesn’t happen.

Take a look at Photo A of the skier in the yellow jacket. She is leaning into the turn

with the weight on the inside ski. Her hips are behind her feet so we know that it is difficult to have any ankle flexion. Her next turn will have to come from somewhere other than turning the legs, such as a strong upper body rotation or a massive down-unweighting move. In short, there is little ankle flexion.

Is she in too stiff of a boot? Very likely. A quick fix is if she were to find her balanced position, otherwise known as an athletic stance, she would be able to feel the shins in contact with the boot cuffs. From this balanced position, she could then find more success in feeling the ankle flex to begin the turn.

After doing some exercises to find ankle flexion, take a look at Photo B of the same skier in the same location in the turn a short while later. You can see that the skis are bent and the hips are better positioned over the feet. Because her ankles are flexed in this position, she can stand strong against her outside ski and turn or edge the ski as much as she wants.

Have a look at the skier in Photo C: Width of stance is appropriate, and you can see ankle flexion and an overall balanced position. This is a high level skier whose boots are very stiff, but they are appropriate to his strength and abilities.

So what can we do to encourage more ankle flexion? Just standing on the hill and unbuckling the boots is a great way to see how much range of motion we have. A good indicator is if we can flex the ankle wearing our boots outside on a cold day, then we probably have sufficient movement to bend the plastic.

How about all of our students? Can we really teach them how to carve or even turn their feet if their boots are too stiff? Or go in the bumps for that matter? The need for softer boots, (in flex that is, not lateral stiffness), are becoming increasingly more important for all abilities. If their boots are too stiff, it may take a visit to a boot fitter to shave out some of the plastic. They may find a difference in their performance.

Photo A

Photo B

Photo C

Here are some exercises to work on to encourage ankle flexion: • Power ploughs, (commonly known as wedels) • Hop turns, (for the more advanced skier) • Various types of garlands and j-turns, (we all know these) • Uphill carved arcs, where you have ankle flexion before tipping the feet into the hill • Exaggerated flexion and extension movements through a turn.

Just as important is to work on these exercises on terrain that is well within a student’s comfort zone. Flat terrain for exercises is good even for the expert skiers.

So you see how we can really emphasize sticking to the basics, (and basic terrain), when we are out on the hill. In addition, don’t be afraid to shave the plastic out of the boots.

The more we encourage the ability to flex the ankle, especially from the beginning levels of skiing, the more we can get them moving down the hill with confidence to truly enjoy the sport.

A

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 15

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 2011/2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER

Dillon- Register by 10/21/11

Keystone - Register by 11/15/11 XC Beyond Level 3

Adaptive Indoor Clinic Intro to Autism Intro to Teaching Cog/VI

Nov 5 9:00-noon 1:00-4:00

Winter Park - Register by 11/15/11

Alpine Indoor Clinic Teaching Theory 401 Tech Found. & Presentation Skills

Nov 5 - 6 Nov 5 Nov 5 - 6

Breckenridge - Register by 11/16/11

Breckenridge Invite Only - Register by 10/31/11 Adaptive Div Ed Fall Training

Nov 13 - 15

Alpine Div Ed Fall Training Children's Div Ed Fall Training Alp Freestyle Div Ed Fall Training

Nov 13 - 15 Nov 16 Nov 17

Snowboard Div Ed Fall Training

Nov 13 - 15

Telemark Div Ed Fall Training Cross Country Div Ed Fall Training

Nov 16 - 17 Nov 18 - 19

Member School Management Seminar Adaptive MSM and Trainers Alpine RMT & Resort Trainers Snowboard RMT & Resort Trainers

Nov Nov Nov Nov

Loveland - Register by 10/31/11

16 - 17 16 16 - 17 16 - 17

Nov 18 - 20 Nov 18 - 20 Nov 19 Nov 20

Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Nov 18 - 20 Nov 18 - 20 Nov 19 Nov 20

Cross Country Rendezvous Self-Improvement: Classic Day 1 Self-Improvement: Skate Day 1 Learn to Cross Country: Classic Self-Improvement: Classic Day 2 Self-Improvement: Skate Day 2 Learn to Cross Country: Skate

Fall Workshop

Adaptive Snowboard ITC

Vail - Register by 11/17/11

Nov 29 - 30 Nov 29 Nov 29 Nov 29 Nov 30 Nov 30 Nov 30

DECEMBER Breckenridge -

Register by 11/10/11 Telemark Rendezvous Dec 1 - 2 Learn to Telemark Dec 1 - 2 Telemark Skills Improvement Dec 1 - 2

Aspen Mountain - Register by 11/14/11 Alpine ITC Level 1 Dec 5 - 7 Alp Indoor Overview Dec 5 Alp Teaching/MA Dec 6 Alp Skiing Dec 7 Alpine Clinics Dec 6 - 7 Teaching Contemporary Skiing Dec 6 - 7 Clinic Leading Skills 401 Dec 6 - 7 Children's Clinics Dec 6 - 7 Children's Specialist 1 Dec 6 - 7

Dec 6 - 7

Dec 7 - 9

Telemark Clinics Tele Level 1 Prep Clinic Tele Level 2/3 Prep Clinic Tele 401 Workshop

Dec 8 - 9 Dec 8 - 9 Dec 8 - 9 Dec 8 - 9

Sipapu - Register by 11/21/11 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Dec 11 - 13 Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 11 - 13 Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 13

Winter Park- Register by 11/22/11 Adaptive FSTI Prep

Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing

Frisco Nordic Center - Register by 11/8/11

16

Dec 6

Dec 12 -13

Breckenridge - Register by 11/23/11

Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Alpine Clinics Movement Analysis 201 Movement Analysis 301 Movement Analysis 201: On-Snow Movement Analysis 301: On-Snow Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Children's Specialist 2

Dec 14 - 16 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 15 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 14 - 16 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 14 - 16 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 14 - 16

Vail Nordic Center- Register by 11/28/11

Cross Country Level 1 XC Level 1 Prep Clinic XC Level 1 Exam

Dec 15 - 17 Dec 15 - 16 Dec 17

Steamboat - Register by 11/28/11 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Dec 15 - 17 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 15 - 17 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17

PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 2011/2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Enchanted Forest Nordic - Register by 11/28/11 Cross Country XC Level 2/3 Prep

Dec 17 - 18 Dec 17 - 18

JANUARY

Keystone - Register by 12/21/11 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing

Jan 11 - 13 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13

Copper Mountain - Register by 12/14/11 Alpine ITC Level 1 Jan 4 - 6 Alp Indoor Overview Jan 4 Alp Teaching/MA Jan 5 Alp Skiing Jan 6 Children's Clinics Jan 4-6 Children’s Specialist 2 Jan 4-6 Children’s Development Clinic Jan 5-6

Eldora - Register by 12/22/11

Breckenridge - Register by 12/14/11

Beaver Creek - Register by 12/22/11

Crested Butte - Register by 12/19/11

Aspen - Register by 12/22/11

Adaptive Functional Skiing Prep

Jan 9 - 10

Snowmass - Register by 12/19/11 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinic Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Snowboard Level 3 Clinics Snb Inst 3 Clinic Snb Ride 3 Clinic Snb MA 3 Clinic Adaptive Snowboard ITC

Eldora - Register by 12/22/11 Jan 9 - 11 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 9 - 11 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 9 - 11 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 9 - 11 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 9-11

Telemark Trainer Prep Clinic

Vail - Register by 12/21/11

Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Alpine Clinics Technical Foundations NASTAR Clinic Performance Bumps Teaching Contemporary Skiing Clinic Leading Skills 401 Precision Skiing 201 Precision Skiing 301 Alpine Freestyle Specialist 1 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Snowboard Level 3 Clinics Snb Inst 3 Clinic Snb Ride 3 Clinic Snb MA 3 Clinic Children's Specialist 1

Jan 4 - 5

Jan 11 - 13 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 12 - 13 Jan 12 Jan 12 - 13 Jan 12 - 13 Jan 12 - 13 Jan 12 - 13 Jan 13 Jan 13 Jan 11 - 13 Jan 11 - 13 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 11 - 13 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 11 - 13 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 12 - 13

XC Clinics XC 2/3 Prep Clinic XC 401 Workshop

Telluride - Register by 12/22/11 Learn to Telemark

Learn to Telemark

Learn to Telemark

Learn to Telemark

Loveland - Register by 12/22/11 Learn to Telemark

Vail - Register by 12/23/11

Jan 12 - 13 Jan 12 - 13 Jan 12 - 13

Jan 12

Jan 12

Jan 12

Jan 12

Jan 12

Adaptive Ski Biking

Jan 13

A-Basin - Register by 1/2/12 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Jan 20 - 22 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 20 - 22 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22

Breckenridge - Register by 1/2/12

Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Alpine Clinics Teaching Contemporary Skiins Precision Skiing 401 Precision Skiing 301 Alpine Exam Day - Cert 3 Skiing

Jan 23 - 25 Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 23 - 25 Jan 23 - 24 Jan 24 - 25 Jan 24 Jan 25

Buttermilk - Register by 1/2/12 Children's Specialist Children's Specialist 1 Children's Specialist 2 Alpine Clinics Alpine Freestyle Specialist 1 Alpine Freestyle Specialist 2

Jan 23 - 25 Jan 23 - 24 Jan 23 - 25 Jan 23 - 25 Jan 23 - 25 Jan 23 - 25

Keystone - Register by 1/4/12 Cross Country-Learn to Skate

Jan 25

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 17

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 2011/2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Telluride - Register by 1/4/12 Cross Country-Learn to Skate

Beaver Creek - Register by 1/4/12 Cross Country-Learn to Skate

Steamboat - Register by 1/4/12 Cross Country-Learn to Skate

Copper - Register by 1/4/12 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Snowboard Level 3 Clinics Snb Inst 3 Clinic Snb Ride 3 Clinic Snb MA 3 Clinic

Telluride - Register by 1/4/12

Jan 25

Jan 25

Jan 25

Jan 25 - 27 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 25 - 27 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 25 - 27 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27

Telemark Clinics Telemark ITC Telemark Extreme Mountain Perf.

Jan 25 - 27 Jan 25 - 27 Jan 26 - 27

Winter Park - Register by 1/4/12 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Alpine Clinics Technical Foundations Teaching Beginner Bumps Performance Bumps Precision Skiing 201 Precision Skiing 301

Jan 25 - 27 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 26 - 27 Jan 26 Jan 26 - 27 Jan 26 - 27 Jan 27 Jan 27

Adaptive Clinics- Register by 1/5/12 Adaptive Level 3 Teacher's Prep Adaptive Trainer Prep Clinic

Jan 26 - 27 Jan 26 - 27 Jan 26 - 27

Pajarito - Register by 1/5/12

Teaching Contemporary Skiing

Crested Butte - Register by 1/9/12 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing

Crested Butte - Register by 1/9/12 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Jan 26 - 27

Jan 30 - Feb 1 Jan 30 Jan 31 Feb 1

Jan 30 - Feb 1 Jan 30 Jan 31 Feb 1

Aspen Highlands - Register by 1/9/12 401 Tech Found. & Presentation Skills

18

Jan 30 - 31

FEBRUARY

Winter Park - Register by 1/2/12 Alpine Level 2 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Skiing Exam Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Breckenridge - Register by 1/11/12

Jan 31 - Feb 2 Jan 31 Feb 1 Feb 2 Jan 31 - Feb 2 Jan 31 Feb 1 Feb 2 Jan 31 - Feb 2 Jan 31 Feb 1 Feb 2

Adaptive Functional Skiing Prep

Feb 1 - 2

Purgatory - Register by 1/12/12 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Alpine Clinics Teaching Theory Managing Splits & the Family Private Precision Skiiing 201 Precision Skiiing 301 Alpine Level 2 Skiing Exam Day Children's Specialist 1 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snowboard Ride Improvement 201

Feb 2 - 4 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 2 - 4 Feb 2 Feb 3 - 4 Feb 3 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 3 - 4 Feb 2 - 4 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 2 - 4 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 2 - 3

NSCD at Winter Park - Register by 1/13/12 Adaptive Equipment and Its Uses

Feb 3

Winter Park (Mary Jane) - Register by 1/10/12

Adaptive Level 1 & 2 Exams Functional Skiing Exam Cog/VI Exam Mono/Bi Exam 3/4 Track

Monarch - Register by 1/17/12 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Keystone - Register by 1/18/12 Alpine Clinics Technical Foundations Movement Analysis 201 Movement Analysis 301 All Mountain Performance Teaching Beginner Bumps Teaching Contemporary Skiing

Feb 7 - 10 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 10

Feb 7 - 9 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 9

Feb 8 - 10 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 9 Feb 8 - 9 Feb 8 - 9 Feb 8 - 9 PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 2011/2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Keystone - Register by 1/18/12

Alpine Exam Modules Alpine Level 2 Exam Teaching Module Alpine Level 3 Exam Teaching Module Children's Specialist 1 Alpine Freestyle Specialist 1

Keystone - Register by 1/11/12 Snowboard Level 2 Exam Snb MA 2 Exam Snb Inst 2 Exam Snb Ride 2 Exam

Feb 10 Feb 10 Feb 8 - 9 Feb 8 - 10

Monarch - Register by 1/24/12 Feb 8 - 10 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 10

Crested Butte - Register by 1/18/12 Edwin Terrell Memorial Clinic

Feb 8 - 9

A-Basin - Register by 1/18/12 Telemark Extreme Mountain Perf.

Feb 8 - 9

Sandia Peak - Register by 1/19/12 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing

Beaver Creek - Register by 1/19/12

XC Skate & Classic Workshop

Keystone - Register by 1/23/12 Tips for Skiing with Special Kids

Feb 9 - 11 Feb 9 Feb 10 Feb 11

Feb 9 - 10

Feb 11

Aspen Highlands - Register by 1/23/12 Alpine Rocky Mountain Trainer Exam

Snowmass - Register by 1/17/12

Snowboard Level 2 Exam Snb MA 2 Exam Snb Inst 2 Exam Snb Ride 2 Exam Snowboard Level 3 Exam Snb Inst 3 Exam Snb Ride 3 Exam Snb MA 3 Exam Snowboard Clinics Ride Improvement 301 Ride Improvement 401 Snowboard Trainer Clinic Snowboard Freestyle Specialist

Feb 13 - 15

Feb 13 - 15 Feb 13 Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 13 - 15 Feb 13 Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 13 - 15 Feb 13 - 14 Feb 13 - 14 Feb 13 - 15 Feb 13 - 15

Beaver Creek - Register by 1/24/12; ASB exam 1/16/12

Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Alpine Clinics Movement Analysis 201 Movement Analysis 301 All Mountain Performance Teaching Contemporary Skiing Teaching Beginner Bumps Freestyle Fiesta Precision Skiing 401 Precision Skiing 201 Precision Skiing 301

Beaver Creek - Register by 1/24/12; ASB exam 1/16/12 Children's Specialist 1 Feb 15 - 16 Adaptive Snowboard Exam Feb 14 - 16 Adap Snowboard Cog/VI/HOH Prep Feb 14 - 15 Adap Snowboard Level 2 Exam Feb 16

Feb 14 - 16 Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 16 Feb 15 - 16 Feb 15 Feb 15 Feb 15 - 16 Feb 15 - 16 Feb 15 - 16 Feb 15 - 16 Feb 15 - 16 Feb 16 Feb 16

Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing

Feb 14 - 16 Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 16

Angel Fire - Register by 1/25/12 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Feb 15 - 17 Feb 15 Feb 16 Feb 17

Sunrise - Register by 1/16/12 Adaptive Level 1 & 2 Exams Functional Skiing Exam Mono/Bi Exam

Feb 16 - 17 Feb 16 Feb 17

Gold Run - Register by 2/6/12 Cross Country Exams Cross Country 2/3 Exam Cross Country Trainer Exam

Feb 27 - 28 Feb 27 - 28 Feb 27 - 28

Santa Fe - Register by 2/6/12 Alpine Clinics Teaching Theory Precision Skiing 201

Feb 27 - 28 Feb 27 Feb 28

Steamboat - Register by 2/6/12 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1

Feb 27 - 29 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 29

Vail - Register by 2/6/12

Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Snowboard Level 3 Clinics Snb Inst 3 Clinic Snb Ride 3 Clinic Snb MA 3 Clinic Snowboard Level 2 Exam Snb MA 2 Exam Snb Inst 2 Exam Snb Ride 2 Exam Snowboard Level 3 Exam Snb Inst 3 Exam Snb Ride 3 Exam Snb MA 3 Exam Children’s Specialist 2

Feb 27 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 29 Feb 27 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 29 Feb 27 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 29 Feb 27 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 29 Feb 27 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 29 Feb 27

- 29

- 29

- 29

- 29

- 29

- 29

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 19

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 2011/2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Breckenridge - Register by 2/7/12 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing

Feb 28 - Mar 1 Feb 28 Feb 29 Mar 1

Aspen Highlands - Register by 1/31/12

Alpine Cert 2 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Skiing Exam Alpine Cert 3 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Ski Exam

Feb 28 - Mar 1 Feb 28 Feb 29 Mar 1 Feb 28 - Mar 1 Feb 28 Feb 29 Mar 1

Taos - Register by 2/8/12 Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing

Feb 29 - Mar 2 Feb 29 Mar 1 Mar 2

Steamboat - Register by 2/8/12

Children's Specialist 1 Alpine Clinics All Mountain Performance Teaching Beginner Bumps Teaching Contemporary Skiing

Feb 29 - Mar 1 Feb 29 - Mar 1 Feb 29 - Mar 1 Feb 29 - Mar 1 Feb 29 - Mar 1

March

Steamboat - Register by 2/10/12 Adaptive Ski Biking Angel Fire - Register by 2/3/12

Mar 2

Alpine Level 2 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Skiing Exam

Mar 2 - 4 Mar 2 Mar 3 Mar 4

Copper - Register by 2/13/12 Alpine Clinics Movement Analysis 201 Precision Skiing 201 Precision Skiing 301 Performance Bumps Alpine Exam Module- Cert 2 MA/Tech.

Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Snowboard Level 3 Clinics Snb Ride 3 Clinic Snb Inst 3 Clinic Snb MA 3 Clinic Snowboard Freestyle Specialist

Mar 5 - 6 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 6 Mar 5 - 6 Mar 6 Mar 5 - 7 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 5 - 7 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 5 - 7

Southern District Spring Fling/Telluride - 3/2/12 All Mountain Performance Extreme Mountain Performance Performance Bumps Teaching Contemporary Skiing Women's Extreme Mountain Perf.

Snowboard Bumps Telemark Extreme Mountain Perf.

Children's Specialist 1

Santa Fe - Register by 3/5/12

Alpine ITC Level 1 Alp Indoor Overview Alp Teaching/MA Alp Skiing Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Children's Specialist 1

Loveland - Register by 3/5/12 Alpine Clinics All Mountain Performance Teaching Contemporary Skiing

Telluride - Register by 2/27/12

Mar 24 - 25 Mar 24 - 25 Mar 24 - 25 Mar 24 - 25 Mar 24 - 25 Mar 24 - 25 Mar 24 - 25 Mar 24 - 25

Mar 26 - 28 Mar 26 Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 26 - 28 Mar 26 Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 26 - 27

Mar 26 - 27 Mar 26 - 27 Mar 26 - 27

Snowboard Level 2 Exam Snb MA 2 Exam Snb Inst 2 Exam Snb Ride 2 Exam

Mar 26 - 28 Mar 26 Mar 27 Mar 28

Steamboat - Register by 2/28/12 Alpine Cert 2 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Skiing Exam Alpine Cert 3 Exam MA/Technical Exam Children's Specialist 2- Register by 3/6/12

Mar 27 - 29 Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 27 Mar 27 Mar 27 - 29

Copper - Register by 2/29/12 Snowboard Level 2 Exam Snb MA 2 Exam Snb Inst 2 Exam Snb Ride 2 Exam Snowboard Level 3 Exam Snb Inst 3 Exam Snb Ride 3 Exam Snb MA 3 Exam Snowboard Trainer Selection

Mar 28 - 30 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 30 Mar 28 - 30 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 30 Mar 28 - 30

Taos - Register by 2/29/12 Alpine Cert 3 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Skiing Exam

Mar 30 - Apr 1 Mar 30 Mar 31 Apr 1

Three ways to complete registration:

• Online at http://www.thesnowpros.org - login then go to Event-Meeting Registration • Mail in completed application downloaded from http://www.psia-rm.org/events.php • Fax in completed application downloaded from http://www.psia-rm.org/events.php 20

PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 2011/2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS April/May

Copper Mtn - Register by 3/14/12 Snowboard Freestyle Clinic/Exam

Breckenridge - Register by 3/20/12 Telemark Exams Tele ITC Level 1 Exam Tele Level 2/3 Exam Telemark Trainer Exam

Breckenridge - Register by 3/14/12 Snowboard Freestyle Clinics/Exam

Breckenridge - Register by 3/14/12 Adaptive Exams Functional Skiing Exam Cog/VI Exam 3T/4T Exam Mono/Bi Exam Adaptive Level 3 Exam Adaptive Trainer Exam

Vail - Register by 3/14/12 Alpine Cert 2 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Skiing Exam Alpine Cert 3 Exam MA/Technical Exam Teaching Exam Skiing Exam/Ski Retake Alpine Reactivation Day

Vail - Register by 3/23/12

Children's Specialist 2 Alpine Freestyle Clinics Freestyle Specialist 1 Jibber's Paradise Special Freestyle 3 score day

Aspen Highlands - Register by 3/28/12 Apr 3 - 5

Apr 10 -12 Apr 10 -12 Apr 10 -12 Apr 10 -11

Apr 11 - 13

Apr 12 - 15 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 13 - 14 Apr 13 - 14

Apr 11 - 13 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 11 - 13 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 13

Apr 13 - 15 Apr 13 - 15 Apr 13 - 15 Apr 13 - 14 Apr 15

Vail Spring Fling - Register by 3/23/12 Alpine Clinics Apr 14 - 15 Brilliant Skiing & Riding Apr 14 - 15 All Mountain Performance Apr 14 - 15 Teaching Contemporary Skiing Apr 14 - 15 Women's Extreme Mountain Perf.

Apr 14 - 15 Women's All Mountain Perf.

Apr 14 - 15 Teaching Beginner Bumps Apr 14 - 15 Performance Bumps Apr 14 - 15 Alp Freestyle Fiesta Apr 14 - 15 Strength Based Learning Concepts Apr 14 - 15 25-year anniversary clinic Apr 14 - 15 35-year anniversary clinic Apr 14 - 15 45-year anniversary clinic Apr 14 - 15 Snowboard Clinics Apr 14 - 15 Ride Improvement 301 Apr 14 - 15 Ride Improvement 401 Apr 14 - 15 Snb Freestyle Fiesta Apr 14 - 15 Tele Clinics Apr 14 - 15 Tele Skills Improvement Apr 14 - 15 A-Basin - Register by 3/27/12 Tele Academy

Alpine Clinics All Mountain Performance Extreme Mountain Performance Teaching Contemporary Skiing Alpine Freestyle Specialist 1 Children's Specialist 2

Apr 18 - 20 Apr 18 - 19 Apr 18 - 19 Apr 18 - 19 Apr 18 - 20 Apr 18 - 20

A-Basin - Register by 3/28/12 Snowboard ITC Level 1 Snb ITC Inst 1 Snb ITC MA 1 Snb ITC Ride 1 Snowboard Level 2 Clinics Snb MA 2 Clinic Snb Inst 2 Clinic Snb Ride 2 Clinic

Apr 18 - 20 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 18 - 20 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20

A-Basin - Register by 4/6/12 Late Season Clinics Alp All Mountain Performance Alp Teaching Contemporary Skiing Telemark Blues and Beyond Telemark Skills Improvement Ride Improvement 301 Ride Improvement 401

Apr 28 - 29 Apr 28 - 29 Apr 28 - 29 Apr 28 - 29 Apr 28 - 29 Apr 28 - 29 Apr 28 - 29

A-Basin - Register by 4/2/12 Snowboard Level 2 Exam Snb MA 2 Exam Snb Inst 2 Exam Snb Ride 2 Exam

Apr 30 - May 2 Apr 30 May 1 May 2

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION • Events have a limited number of spaces available.

• Events can fill up before the ‘register by’ date.

• Fees for on-time registration are less than those for late registrations.

• Late registrations will be accepted after the ‘register by’ date as space allows and a late fee of $10 per event day applies.

• If an event lacks registrations by the ‘register by’ date, PSIA-Rocky Mountain-AASI reserves the right to cancel the event. All fees will be returned.

• PSIA-Rocky Mountain-AASI reserves the right to cancel an event at any time.

• Event confirmations will be e-mailed to registrants.

• If submitting application by fax or mail, please ensure all sections are complete and payment is included.

For latest event details please check online at www.psia-rm.org or call the RM office at (970) 879-8335. Events may be added or removed as situations change.

Apr 17 - 19

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 21

Job Opportunities The NSCD is currently accepting applications for the following positions for the 2011/2012 season:

19285 Hwy 103 • Idaho Springs, CO 80452 • 303.325.7347 • Fax: 303.845.9498 • www. echomt.com Echo Mountain Ski and Ride School is accepting applications for the following 2011-2012 positions: • Ski & Ride School Supervisor • PSIA Level 1,2, and 3 certified Ski Instructors • AASI Level 1,2, and 3 certified Snowboard Instructors • New Ski and Snowboard Instructors Visit www.echomt.com for full job descriptions Please send cover letter and Resume to lessons@echomt.com

• Adapted Ski and Snowboard Instructors • The NSCD is currently accepting applications for adapted ski and snowboard instructors for the 2011-2012 winter season. This seasonal position begins November 7, 2011 and ends April 1-22, 2012 with an hourly wage range from $11.00 to $15.00 DOE. Work weeks are generally 40 hours but if limited lessons are booked schedules may be curtailed. Instructors teach skiing and/or snowboarding to individuals with disabilities, assist with the instruction involved in the weekly, special, and sit ski programs and also support other departments within the NSCD. o Qualified applicants must have at least a PSIA or AASI Level I certification at the time of hire, at minimum be an intermediate level skier, and have a background in working with people with special needs, teaching, or the instruction of ski and/or snowboard lessons.

• Operations Supervisor (Full time) • Intern Supervisor (Full time) • Recreation Program Marketing and Sales Supervisor (Full time) • Executive Assistant (Full time) • Reservations and Service Representative ( Full time-seasonal) • Service Representative Lead (Full time-seasonal) • Service Representative (Part time-seasonal) To obtain more information or to apply for a position you may apply in person at Winter Park Resort/NSCD Administration office or Mail/E-mail cover letter and resume to Starlene Kuhns POB 1290 Winter Park, CO 80482 -- skuhns@nscd.org

Loveland Ski Area Ski & Snowboard School is searching for superstars to join our fun local team.

Level 1, 2, and 3 certified. The Loveland Ski/Ride School teaches children ages 4 and older and adults of all ages to enjoy the excitement of sliding and riding. We need people with the following characteristics: • Positive and fun attitude • People who will encourage our guests to make skiing or snowboarding a lifelong activity • Desire to share the sport you love with others • Openness to learn new and different things • Ability to communicate in a positive, encouraging manner • Pay DOE Benefits of Employment Include: • Loveland Ski Area season pass • Free skiing and riding at other ski areas in Colorado • Employee discounts on food and beverage, rentals, repairs, sport shop, ski school, and childcare • Complimentary employee shuttle transportation We will require a personal interview to pre-sign up for On-mountain hiring clinics for non-certified instructors. We ask for a minimum 14-day commitment on weekends and holidays and minimum 22 days for family pass benefits. All Full Time instructors need weekday commitment.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Please visit www.skiloveland.com/employment/Employment.aspx to apply online or contact the HR department at hr@skiloveland.com 22

PSIA-RM/AASI FALL 2011

WINTER PARK RESORT’S SKI + RIDE SCHOOL IS NOW HIRING! Are you a growth oriented professional looking to join a high quality organization? Be a part of the leading edge in Winter Park Resort’s Ski & Ride School which was the innovator of Guest Centered teaching! The Ski & Ride School at Winter Park Resort is currently accepting applications for: • Full-time, 10 month Kids Ski & Ride School Manager • Full-time and Part-time Uncertified and Certified Level I, II, & III Certified Adult and Kids Ski & Snowboard Instructors Winter Park Resort is located in the beautiful and still wild Grand County, Colorado, averages snow totals of 300”, hosts a base area of 9000 feet, and is home to the mogul capital of the U.S.A… Mary Jane, extremely Colorado. We’re about the mountain lifestyle, the fun, and the people…..and you’ll feel better just being here! Like we always say, we don’t just call it a career opportunity, we call it a lifestyle opportunity!

• Up to two weeks of paid training in our rookie training course (RTC) • Opportunities to continue to grow and receive cash allowances to support certification • Pay raises for passing Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)/American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) certifications I, II, III • Ski/Ride at one of the Top 10 ranked resorts by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine Interested? We’re glad you’re considering us as your future employer. We are looking for motivated and energetic individuals who have a passion for the outdoors! Apply online today at www.winterparkresort.com/employment or contact the Human Resources Recruiting Office for further information.

Email: wpjobs@winterparkresort.com, Phone: 970.726.1536

Keystone Ski & Ride School is hiring for 2011/12 season.

We are hiring INSTRUCTORS to teach skiing and snowboarding to both children and adults of all ages and levels. Full and Part-Time Positions available • PSIA Level 1, 2 and 3 Certified Ski Instructors • AASI Level 1, 2 and 3 Certified Snowboard Instructors We reimburse our returning instructors’ PSIA/AASI certification exam fees. Log on to www.skijob1.com or email KeystoneSkiandRide@vailresorts.com for specific opportunities.

Work, Ski, and Train with the Best in the Industry!

Ski & Snowboard Professionals of Aspen/Snowmass

 Kid Specialists ‐ Level I/II/III Ski and Snowboard Professionals • Full and Part‐Time positions available • Fluency in English, Spanish and/or Portuguese preferred  Snowboard Program Coordinator, Full‐Time  Pre‐School Program Coordinator, Full‐Time

For detailed job postings and to apply online, please visit www.aspensnowmass.com/jobs in addition to sending a resume to mountainjobs@aspensnowmass.com Subject: PSIA Certified Housing packages available for Full‐Time Employees

FALL 2011 PSIA-RM/AASI 23

PSIA/AASI Rocky Mountain Division P.O. Box 775143 Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 970.879.8335 / Fax 970.879.6760 www.psia-rm.org

Have you changed your PERMANENT address? Please contact the PSIA-Rocky Mountain-AASI office in Steamboat Springs. 970-879-8335 or 970-879-6760 (fax), carolyn@psia-rm.org

Jeff Patterson Memorial Fund

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By Erica Dudley

would like to thank the Jeff Patterson Memorial Fund proprietors and the PSIA/ AASI for awarding me a scholarship to help me further myself as a snowboard instructor.

A little introduction to me as described best by my step-father, “she’s a bilingual aeronautical engineer who decided she wanted to model, but then realized what she really wanted to do was become a snowboard instructor, so she moved to Denver and joined AmeriCorps as a community liaison.” Don’t try to follow the logic in that one, but isn’t that the new norm? “They” say this generation of twenty something’s will have about 10 career changes in their lifetime. The 2010-2011 winter season was my first in the Rockies (I’m a Michigander, i.e. I’ll show you my hometown on the palm of my right hand) and as a snowboard instructor, which I did part time along with AmeriCorps where I worked as a community engagement specialist with the Denver Public School System. Part of the AmeriCorps experience is living at the poverty level, one that all too many Americans are familiar with in the current economy. Since I had been snowboarding some 15 years and was on the school’s academic calendar, I figured instructing snowboarding

would be the way to get up into the mountains weekends and holidays, get a season pass and meet like minded people as well as little aspiring shredders. Little did I know how much goes into teaching snowboarding! Being the analytical engineer/linguist/sponge of knowledge I am, it didn’t take long for me to exhaust my trainers’ patience at Loveland so my supervisor gave me the AASI books and recommended I train for the Cert I. I asked him how long until I could get the Cert III and he looked at me like I was crazy, but I was determined. After completing the Cert I in January, I signed up for the Cert II clinics offered in late April 2011.

I have to say that the Cert II clinics were even more fun than the level I. AASI clinicians teach the way they want to see instructors teach; make it fun! This builds an amazing group dynamic of instructors supporting each other just the way we want our students to help one another. It’s much harder to learn when everyone feels tense so we loosened up on one of the many epic April 2011 powder days by taking a couple runs through Montezuma bowl at A-basin.

The topics covered over the three days are movement analysis (MA), riding and teaching.

We did outdoor MA on each other and indoor MA watching a video and filling out the answers to questions on a generic MA question sheet just

like the one used for the exam. The clinician also took video of us at the beginning of the day when we were still warming up so we could spot our own bad habits. Working on this MA with each other helped lead into day two; riding. Having already identified some of our riding weaknesses from the video recording, we had a good idea of what we needed to work on for riding.

While everyone has their own riding style, it’s important that the image relayed to our students is consistent and simple. On our teaching day we relied on each other more than ever for feedback and ideas. Since we were all given different riding tasks with a key board performance focus, we can store those lessons in our “teach bank.”

The other instructors will let you know if you are not talking loud enough or if you stopped the group in a bad spot for visibility, etc. Just important as the “what to do” is the “what not to do.” It’s easy to see this in someone else’s teach, but just wait for your turn! You really need this practice because while you think you’ve got it all together; once you are put on the spot it just may change your perspective. After your own teach is over, you can work on the issues you didn’t realize you had so the exam goes smoothly. All in all, I felt that the clinics gave me a clear idea of what to expect for the exam.

A See you on the hill! —Erica Dudley