PSIA-RM Spring 2010

THE JOURNAL OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONAL SKI AND SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR

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PSIA-ROCKY MOUNTAIN-AASI Rocky Mountain Ski Instructors Educational Foundation PSIA REPRESENTATIVES Linda Guerrette - President, Western Slope Joel Munn, Vice President, Western Slope Jon Hinckley, Southern District Michael Chandler, Southern District Rhonda Doyle, Southern District Earl Saline, Secretary, Member at Large Donnie Mechalke, Front Range Michael melhauser, Front Range John Wiltgen, Western Slope J.P. Chevalier, Front Range Brian Dunfey, Member at Large COMMITTEE CHAIRS Ruth DeMuth - Adaptive Chair Jonathan Ballou - Alpine Chair DUSTY DYAR - Children’s Chair JP Chevalier - Member School Chair Patti Banks - Nordic Chair Tony Macri - Snowboard Chair

50 YEARS

Mark Addison, Fred Ammer, James Isham and Jean Mayer!

(We will be listing the 25, 35, 45 and 50 year members in our next issue)

Who cares about form, go for the adventure!

Dana Forbes: PSIA-RM-AASI Executive Director

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am about to tell you all a secret but please keep it to yourself. Truth is told sometimes I just don’t care what I look like when I ski. “Gasp” you all say but it’s true. I have been teaching skiing for 22 years and a member of PSIA for 19. I am your Executive Director but deep down inside I hate trying to always look “just so” when I ski. So what did I do about it? I spent the entire winter not caring about how I looked or if I skied efficiently…i.e. if I edged just so and rotated the right amount. Instead, I choose the adventure. I broke all the rules and guess what I loved it! I have told you all before that every day, no matter what, take just one run for yourself, well guess what bro, I took them 2

all for myself this year!

For those of you who don’t know my background, I came from a small area in the east, 750’ vertical to be exact. It was boiler plate and if you blinked just once, you were at the bottom. This is my 3rd season in Colorado. My first season was spent just trying to be able to not stop 25 times to take a break in one run and managing powder that was waist deep. I managed to build up my stamina and learned how to deal with the powder but my form suffered the most. Having been an east coast boiler plate skiing diva, I over edged and over rotated. So my second year was spent refining my skills and focusing on my D.I.R.T (duration, intensity, rate and timing). I needed to slow it all

down which for those of you who have heard me talk know there is nothing slow about me.

In fact, an examiner once told me I skied as if I had drank enough caffeine to kill a mule before I skied. He was mean but right.

As I entered into this season, my decision from the prior year to go for my TA (trainer’s accred) started to fade. As mentioned in my last article, I learned how to tele and cross country which made me want to venture into the woods. Being the cautious one, I decided to take an avalanche training course because this east coaster was not going to get buried alive. It was there something magical happened. I met a man. He was in the snow pit next to me and I can’t lie, it was love at first PSIA-RM/AASI WINTER 2009

sight. Though this is not what was magical, it was the course itself! We learned how to read the layers of snow to see if they were unstable and how to read and find buried beacons. We learned where to go and not to go to avoid slides and what online tools were available to search the conditions of the day for the backcountry area in question. I learned a whole new respect for snow and the beast it can be. Then came the best part, as I stood on the top of Rabbit Ears Pass; I saw dozens of mountains all around me that all of the sudden became ski areas to me. Oh my god I thought, I can ski anywhere!

So I thought… but what were lacking were the skills and the mind set needed to do so.

This is when the adventure began. Now when you are from the east there are these things called chairlifts that take you to the top of the hill but here it is sometimes necessary to hike to the top of the mountain. Seems kind of ridiculous but I was told that’s where the magic happens. Yet what they failed to mention was just how heavy the skis are, that the altitude makes breathing difficult and that when you get to the top it is necessary to ski down. That’s when I realized I was scared to death. This was not a time to worry about my form so I leaned back and threw them from

50 YEARS

WINTER 2009 PSIA-RM/AASI

side to side, 100% survival. It was plain ugly but “funner then hell!”

But “wait” you say “what happened to the guy” (we are all suckers for a love story) well fortunately I did get his number and the best part is he is patient. He has since dragged me up into areas where I would stand on top looking down; doubtful I would live if I dropped in but he encouraged my success. That success didn’t require the perfect PSIA turn, it required doing what I needed to do to get down. I fell and I faltered, I overrotated, my counter wasn’t perfect and god knows how out of balance I was but none of that mattered. What mattered was I allowed myself to have the adventure of a winter that will continue for years to come. I could never have done it if I had worried about all the things we do as instructors. We over-think every turn; we over analyze every move. So do me a favor and from now on when you take that one run every day for yourself… let it go and just ski or ride the way you want.

No rules, no judgments, choose the adventure. I did and I am better for it.

Oh and always get their phone number because we should all be willing to risk looking like a fool for love at least once in our lives.

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On the cover: JEAN MAYER Celebrating 50 years of membership…

For those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting or skiing with Jean Mayer join me in celebrating his 50th year of membership with the organization. For those of you who have not met him, then I encourage you to make it a point. He is unlike any person I have ever met. He exudes passion for the sport of skiing in every breath he takes and every word he speaks. He is an industry visionary that is 30+ years ahead of all. The owner of the St. Bernard in Taos NM, a place that takes you to the heart of France, the one Hotel still standing that honors European Alpine traditions. Staying there was unlike any experience I have ever had. Jean you have touched my heart and inspired me like no other. Merci beaucoup… je t’aime- Dana Jean has been a member since January of 1960 with a division # of 73 and an Alpine Examiner for PSIA-RM since 1966.

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 Office manager - carolyn@pisa-rm.org Snb, Kids, Adap Manager - scott@psia-rm.org Alp & Nord Manager - dave@psia-rm.org website - 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.

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Where Are We Going?

By Linda Guerrette, President

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o we need to change how we run our business?

How do we fit into the evolving and innovative Snowsports equipment industry?

How can we affect the retention and attraction aspect of our industry?

How do we positively impact the two largest population groups in the Snowsports world? These groups are the Baby Boomers born between 1945-1964 and the Millennials born between 1976-2001. Both of these groups are roughly the same size.

How do we evolve our certification process to measure the appropriate characteristics of a skilled Snowsports teacher/coach?

These are all questions the Board has been discussing as we work on fulfilling one of our duties which is to be visionaries. A vision is defined as the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. Certainly the answers to the above questions are not simple. The Board is certain that as we evolve 4

as an organization, we need to focus our training energies on Guest Service.

Our certification process addresses Guest Centered Teaching which has you, the instructor, focus on guest expectations and motivations as a basic framework for lesson development. We teach recreational activities to a diverse population and we believe our Snowsports guest is looking for more than technique. This said, we are not suggesting that we lower or change our current standards. What we are saying is that we need to evolve our education track to include more guest service tools. With this approach, we wish to develop professionals that have both technical and relationship management skills.

Ever since we adopted our Strategic Message last summer everything we do as a Board, Administrative Staff, and on the Divisional Educator’s level is observed through that message’s lens. The message has become a very powerful tool used to manage our

behavior and functions as a guideline to setup curriculum that supports our vision, mission and culture. Our culture and the character of our organization are reflected by how we do our jobs. It is within this area that we can have the greatest gain with and for our guest.

As professionals in the service industry, we must ask ourselves “how do we communicate what we do so it motivates people to continue wanting to invest time, effort and money in Snowsports, as well as refer and promote Snowsports to friends and family?”

The components of our Strategic Message are values and behaviors which support strong Guest Service. Bringing this message to life with our guest will increase our ability to connect with them and convey our love for Snowsports; thus inviting them into our world of sliding and enhancing their experiences.

We are currently looking at divisional products to make sure they can be delivered with key components of the Strategic Message. To change and improve our culture and embody the key components of the Strategic Message, we invite you to ask yourself the following questions: PSIA-AASI-RM Strategic Message: As a lifelong commitment, PSIA-Rocky MountainAASI will provide opportunities to enhance your success and inspire your passion as a Snowsports professional by offering experiences that value people and are inclusive and supportive.

• Lifelong How do we project Snowsports as a successful lifestyle choice to all guests?

• Opportunities How do we increase various opportunities for all guests?

• Success What additional tools for advancement can we provide to all guests?

• Passion How do we reflect our own passion to all guests?

• Value people How do we show all guests they are valued?

• Inclusive Why is it important to make all guests, no exception, feel included?

• Supportive Are we doing the best we can to support all guests?

Let’s all work together on selling the dream of having fun with Snowsports. Please send your feedback to lindaguerrette@aol.com A PSIA-RM/AASI WINTER 2009

National Report Spring 2010

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he American Snowsports Education Association Board of Directors met in Denver on January 27th and 28th just prior to the Snowsports industries America (SIA) show. The meeting provided the opportunity for your board representatives to interact with our industry partners and demonstrate our commitment to the growth and health of the American Snowsports industry.

The board and division presidents heard an opening presentation from Michael Berry, the Executive director of the National Ski Areas Association that highlighted the statistics tracking Snowsports participation in recent years. The data suggested, while the industry in this country has experienced substantial growth in recent years bringing overall participation to over 60 million days, the ageing baby boomers are beginning to seek alternative activities. The three-generation family holidays are in danger of becoming a thing of the past without efforts to engage extended families in a range of activities for all ages, and without the success of ski/ride schools in converting beginners into lifelong Snowsports enthusiasts. Mr. Berry cited a recent NSAA study that demonstrated that empathy with the student and sharing passion for Snowsports was as important as teaching experience among instructors in the study, so keep your passion alive and share the love!

Kennon Warner, IT Director, demonstrated our new association management software, Protech CRM4M. This system will provides enhanced web functions that will speed and standardize online membership renewal, events registrations, and member profile updates for all members across divisions.

Members will have access to all divisions’ course offerings and programs. Division transfers and participation for credit in clinic offerings in other regions will be vastly simplified. More importantly, our members will no longer be confronted by substantial variations in policies and procedures in different regions because of the underlying operational consistency required by the new database.

This implementation is the result of an enormous investment of time and effort and high levels of cooperation by our divisional and WINTER 2009 PSIA-RM/AASI

national staffs. It marks the outcome of a commitment to cooperate, collaborate, and consolidate made at our national strategic meeting in October, 2006. Our success in this project is unmatched in the professional association community, and you can thank your divisional and national staff for their unwavering commitment to member service to make it happen!

In the not so distant future, members will enjoy a seamless partnership between all the divisions and the national organization. There will be some changes in the look and feel of your profile page and in our online events registration process in the coming months, so keep an eye on psia-rm.org and thesnowpros. org for updates.

Other big news is 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the national association; the biggest celebratory event of our history is in the works. Plans are under way for a combined Rider Rally and National Academy at Snowmass in early April, 2011. The event will be a celebration featuring all the disciplines with Children’s content and special provisions for visiting member families. Creative scheduling will allow lots of flexibility for participants to plan their event according to their interests and needs. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss the party… it’s bound to be an event we will not soon forget!

Also related to the 50 year celebration is a new pin to honor our 50-year members. Divisions have been honoring their members of record prior to 1961, but owing to the fact that the national association was not founded until that date there has been no national recogni-

tion of this venerable and dedicated group.

2011 is also the 60th anniversary of Interski, the premiere international Snowsports event. The event will be held in mid January in St. Anton Austria where it all began in 1951. Our national teams are hard at work on presentations for the event, and special offerings are in the works for our members to attend and gain an insider’s view of this extraordinary international gathering of professional Snowsports educators.

The Education Department reported on the progress of the Quality Assurance Review.

Education Directors, Ben Roberts and Earl Saline, have conducted extensive research into various credentialing organizations’ best practices, and this information will provide valuable insight into our own credentialing processes in the future. The new Child Specialist program being developed by the Children’s Task Force is following recommended norms for defining, outlining, and standardizing “assessment based certificate” programs of this type. These new events will be updates of current divisional Children’s Accreditation and Advanced Children’s Educator (ACE) programs, and they will offer consistent Child Specialist education across the country.

Not coincidentally, the Certification Unity Task Force, which had been focusing on a national level three exam, will redirect their focus to the level one process. The level one event is reasonably consistent across the country in terms of specifically defined content and process. As such, it will be easier to define, outline, and standardize according to recognized norms of credentialing organizations.

Last, but certainly not least, the audited financial report showed the organization to be in good financial condition despite increased expenses due to the breakup with the National Ski Patrol, and the large capital outlay for the association’s management software, hardware, and development costs of the system.

Mark Dorsey and the national staff have done an excellent job of guiding the organization through a challenging reorganization, and the membership can look forward to exciting improvements in service and benefits in the coming years.

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PSYCHOLOGY MATTERS ENHANCING MOTIVATION: DESIGNS FOR MOTIVATIONAL TEACHING

By Tony D. Crespi

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here are certainly gifted ski instructors and coaches capable of interacting, teaching, and coaching with great style.

They are able to elicit tremendous interest from their students and racers; there are other instructors and coaches who seem less than captivating. What is the secret behind extraordinary teaching and coaching? Motivation! When students are motivated, learning is improved and satisfaction is enhanced. This article provides an overview of four ingredients to motivation. For those who meld these ingredients into their work, the results can be, well, inspirational.

Motivation?

Understanding the Need for Motivation

Each year countless numbers of children and adults walk away from various classes bored and unsatisfied. It happens! And it happens in all types of settings: universities, public schools, and on the mountain. Fortunately, most people can also recall at least one or two individual teachers who evoked great interest.

These individuals knew the secret of motivation.

Like so many issues, motivation is a topic of somewhat vague proportions. Lots and lots of folks talk about it but it seems hard to define. Motivation is like that because it cannot be dealt with through our senses. It isn’t physical, so you can’t see it. It makes no sound and, therefore, cannot be heard. And have you ever been able to taste, touch or smell motivation?

Nonetheless, most people know something of its potential.

Psychologists typically define motivation as those actions which give meaning to our behavior and which drive us to perform. In a practical sense, motivation can be defined as that quality which can drive one of two competitors to victory. Some call it drive, others effort, and still others ambition. Whatever it’s name it can help maximize learning: we will call it motivation. If we accept the idea that motivation is a desirable entity for learning, then ski instructors able to elicit motivation are better prepared to enhance learning and development.

Dr. Raymond J. Wlodkowski of the Univer6

sity of Wisconsin has identified four ingredients to motivation: 1) Expertise, 2) Empathy, 3) enthusiasm, and 4), clarity.

Designing Motivational Practices

The four characteristics, expertise, empathy, enthusiasm, And clarity, can serve as a foundation for teaching and coaching. Consider each in turn.

Expertise

A teacher must know their subject. Quite simply, there is no substitute for breadth of knowledge. Breadth is the cornerstone for expertise. Limited knowledge, on the other hand, breeds monotony. Ask yourself, can I draw on a reservoir of examples in my teaching to better explain concepts? The pro possesses a breadth of knowledge; he can meld ideas and is likely to enhance interest. Guides who can motivate are characterized by a high degree of knowledge.

By evaluating your knowledge, and by strengthening your weaknesses, you can develop greater expertise. For success, the development of knowledge is the foundation for effective coaching.

Empathy

While there is no substitute for knowledge, brilliant, thoroughly knowledgeable teachers can still be less than inspiring. For this reason, effective teachers must also be empathic in their understanding of the athlete’s needs.

By anticipating and exploring expectations, wishes, and interests, teachers can be of greater value. Ignore athlete interests and boredom hovers like a blizzard stalled at sea.

Empathy involves several ingredients: understanding of an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, knowledge of an athlete’s drives, and knowledge of an athlete’s frustrations.

Armed with this knowledge, you can build on strengths which reinforce positive behaviors.

By analyzing learning from the skier’s vantage point, you are better equipped at maintaining interest.

Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is contagious. It is also inspiring and motivating. A truly enthusiastic teacher can emit a sense of energy, animation, and excitement about their subject.

It comes easier for some than for others but, it is important to recognize that enthusiPSIA-RM/AASI WINTER 2009

asm is related to motivation. When was the last time that you heard someone speaking in one long boring monotone that was inspiring and motivating?

While ski pros need not leap up and down to display enthusiasm, it is important to convey interest. Do you display good eye contact? Does your face reveal sincere interest?

By evaluating such ingredients, and by modifying deficiencies, skier motivation can be enhanced.

or risk losing a part of their team. Clearly, the pro able to provide an atmosphere which enhances motivation will have the edge in maximizing learning. The four ingredients of motivation can serve to uncover the secrets of effective teaching. Each of the variables is clear and understandable but, still, many pros can benefit from analyzing each carefully and determining whether they are present in their own work. Truly, the task is not easy. But, the benefits are tremendous.

Clarity

References

While some explanations may seem simplistic to a teacher, even the simplest of explanations may sound foreign to an athlete.

Clarity is a prerequisite for effective coaching. So often skiers acknowledge that some coach has great knowledge or skill but lacks the ability to communicate their ideas clearly and succinctly. What’s the result? Confusion and dissatisfaction. Certainly, confusion is not motivating.

Clarity is required whether coaching aspiring world class competitors or weekend warriors. Skiers learn best what they understand.

By design, then, effective teachers must communicate clearly. Do your students and racers understand your explanations? Is your choice of vocabulary suitable to their level of understanding? Is the detail sufficient? Such questions can serve as a checklist for assessing clarity. When communications are vague or confusing, interest wanes and motivation suffers.

Taken globally, motivation is a powerful concept. From a psychological perspective, motivation encompasses attitudes, and needs, as well as strengths and weaknesses. Most often, teachers attribute motivation to the student. This is unfortunate, though, because of the influence coaches can have on learning and development.

Because motivation can be altered, it is worthwhile for ski pros to consider motivational enhancements. The pro who analyzes their style and who addresses motivational variables is more likely to increase appeal and elevate an athlete’s interest. As ski pros become aware of these four ingredients, and incorporate each into their work, motivation can be improved.

Cross, K.P. (1981). ”Adults as learners: Increasing participation and facilitating learn-

Conclusions

ing•. San Francisco: Jossey©Bass.

Epstein, J. (Ed). (1981). ”Masters: Portraits of great teachers. New York: Basic Books.

Madsen, K.B. (1974). ”Modern theories of motivation•. New York: Halstead Press.

Wlodkowski, R.J. (1985). ”Enhancing adult motivation to learn. San Francisco: Jossey©Bass.

Dr. Tony D. Crespi is presently Professor of Psychology and Core Faculty, School Psychology Program, The University of Hartford [CT}.

He has served as both a Ski School Supervisor and Development Team Coach.

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Ski teaching and coaching can be a challenging enterprise. Ski pros either coach well WINTER 2009 PSIA-RM/AASI

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INSTRUCTOR TO INSTRUCTOR NEWSLETTER

At the Foot of the Master

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:

By Susanne Long Keniley

ISSUE

Fall Winter Spring Summer

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DELIVERY

DEADLINE

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September December March June

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• Classified rate for members is $15 for up to 200 characters, and $2.00 for each additional 50 characters. Maximum ad length is 400 characters.

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2.5” x 2.5” 2.5” x 3.75” or 3.75” x 2.5” 2.5” x 5.0” or 5.0” x 2.5” 2.5” x 7.5” or 7.5” x 2.5” or 3.75” x 5.0” 2.5” x 10.0” or 5.0” x 5.0” or 7.5” x 3.35” 5.0” x 7.5” or 7.5” x 5.0” or 3.75” x 10.0” 5.0” x 10.0” or 7.5” x 6.67” 7.5” x 7.5” 7.5” x 10.0”

* Inserts, colors and special arrangements quoted upon request. * All ad prices are quoted per issue.

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t’s been five seasons since he left. A handful of us stayed behind.

Those first years were rough. We didn’t know what we didn’t know. Boxes and drawers of papers to shuffle through as if some answers would be there. Even then the memories were beginning while we were trying to fill the hole rather than build on the foundation. Many expecting us to be him – an impossibility. We had to be ourselves, but we didn’t know it then and we didn’t know who we were.

He didn’t just run the Snowsports School.

He ran the whole damn enchilada. He’d be in the cats when the sun came up and then give clinics when the instructors arrived. When the chair broke down he’d have grease up to his armpits. And on top of all that he was a highly respected Rocky Mountain examiner, entrenched in PSIA. At first we thought we had to fill his boots until we found our own dancing shoes.

He’d take time from his family for tech nights, preparing us for exams. It took us a few years to gather our emerging gurus, our trainers. Now our tech night host spoils us with home made snacks and wine in a comfy office at the foot of the mountain. During these current sessions, flash backs emerge of an old cowboy bar where a gas station now stands, when some ordered a whole bottle of wine for themselves. The bar crowd would interject with curiosity. He would quiz us as we quiz others now. Past knowledge is the foundation of what we build now, of what unfolds in our present.

The ghosts of the past emerge more frequently now. The fear replaced by confidence allows the dust of memories to settle.

Or maybe the déjà vous’ come because we are closer now to what we had once been. In the midst of a clinic run, he’s floating down in front of us. While putting out the first lessons of the day, a sense he is still sitting on the bench, watching as he did. He was always there far after everyone else left the mountain – to answer a staffing question or shed a brilliant light on a technical question that had been nagging. Now, after the lifts close, the Patrollers leave, the mountain is often the

only companion to answer those last phone calls, finish that paperwork.

Slowly, slowly, we have grown. It’s not as if he and the Bills, Bens and Bobs could be replaced, but that others have emerged, floated to the surface. First to find their fins and then to swim. A new team with new ideas while building on the old. An extended family who recognize that if we appreciate the best in each other, the weaknesses will disappear. Our training, team spirit and guest service grow stronger every season, every day. A day never goes by, now, when a guest doesn’t take the time to offer a compliment.

We struggled, but here we are strong, fresh, new. Somehow we found ourselves and I am so proud of who we are today.

Most of the current Snow Sports staff don’t even know his name. They know who we are now. There is a small sadness in that, but a real sense of accomplishment as well. We emerged from a seed and stand strong.

We are so very grateful to have learned at the foot of the master. Thank you, Tom….and Bill and Bob and Ben. Susanne Long Keniley, now Manager of Sandia Peak’s Snowsports School, reflects on the gift Tom Long left behind when his new Pajarito Mountain adventure began.

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The Snowboard World

By Tony Macri

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hope this newsletter finds everyone enjoying their season and preparing for a fun spring. At the start the season, many of us were eager to see what type of feedback we were going to get from the changes we have made to our certification processes. We are happy to announce that we have had overwhelmingly good comments and reviews on the changes. Some of these changes are the addition of more beginner park at the level one and two certification. We also added to the interview “pro knowledge questions” at the level 2 and 3 exams. But most importantly, we refined our task descriptions in all of our riding tasks at level 1-3. We also made a more concerted effort to describe the days’ events in a brief

discussion in the morning in order to create more transparency.

Another true success that we have noticed throughout this season has been the addition of Scott Anfang as the Snowboard Manager.

Scott has worked tirelessly in the office, on the phone, on the web, and at events to clear up the communication barriers between signing up and arriving at events. This is seen as a direct benefit to our members i.e. to have someone in the office with a vast knowledge of the snowboard standards and processes and the general culture of our industry. As we move forward into the spring and summer, I would like to encourage everyone to continue to give us feedback so that we can continue to evolve our association.

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The Formula for Creativity

By Tony Macri

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s I travel around to different events and meet lots of new people, I have the great opportunity to ride and train with many people at different levels of understanding. I have been told I have quite a large bag of tricks, and people want to know how they can get a hold of these. So I will let everyone know, there is no secret list. I use a very simple method of creation. I simply take a concept and then mix it up with the use of T.I.D.(A.) Through the use of Timing, Intensity, and Duration and then taking it to different Applications, you will get a multitude of different results by simply playing with this recipe. Start with a very simple movement, such as edging. Then try to achieve it with different body parts. You will be achieving different levels of intensity. Next, try doing those movements at different phases of the turn, changing the timing. Last, try those same movements in different size turns, holding onto the movements for different amounts of time, or duration. Now, you do the math. You have just created possibly up to 18+ different exercises.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to take these new

WINTER 2009 PSIA-RM/AASI

movements to all kinds of fun applications, such as groomers, bumps, pipe, and even jumps. The most important thing to remember is don’t be afraid to create ineffective or

inefficient movement patterns, as these are sometimes good to use to illustrate why you may choose to use the other movement patterns.

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Keep the Shinboo Telemark tip (alpine too) by Patti Banks

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was teaching a Telemark class and emphasized the importance of bending the front ankle to maintain shin-boot contact. About 5 minutes later, one of my students asked me if I could explain “that Shinboo thing” again. Was “Shinboo” an exotic new form of martial arts? Or perhaps a mystical creature somehow related to Sasquatch? Hmm, I thought, I guess I was talking too fast. I repeated my explanation, and “Shinboo,” a short, fun word for contact between the shin and the tongue of the boot, was born.

A common mistake made by Telemark skiers is to extend the front ankle as they complete the turn, putting pressure on the heel on the bottom of their foot and pressing the calf against the back cuff of the boot. This position makes it nearly impossible to release the edge efficiently and to steer the legs into the next turn. Instead of extending the ankle at the end of the turn (losing “Shinboo”), try flexing the ankle more as you complete the turn, (maintaining “Shinboo”). This will place the skier centered over the front foot (over the arch) in a much more efficient position so as to turn the legs to release the ski and steer it into the new turn.

I use “Shinboo” with alpine skiers and kids

Shinboo thing: d= 0 = (#Ouch!)

d

too. It’s an effective learning concept and kinesthetic cue; they love the word!!!! So give “Shinboo” a try in your own skiing as well as

DUES REMINDER

A 2010/2011 dues statements will be mailed dur-

ing May, 2010.

A National dues are $50 and RM dues are $50 for a total of $100 for 2010/11 dues.

A Alumni (formerly Emeritus) RM member dues are $25 plus National dues of $50 for a total of $75 for 2010/11 dues for alumni members.

A Please remember that dues must be in the office

by June 30, 2010 to avoid the late fee.

A NEW THIS YEAR!! Dues may be paid on-line at http://www.thesnowpros.org.

A Any payments received after 6/30/10 without the late fee will be mailed back for the additional late fee.

A If you have had or will be having a change of address, please check your account on the website to assure that a valid mailing address is on file at the office.

A Please update your e-mail address as the first and last reminders for dues payments will be sent by e-mail. A paper statement will be mailed between the first and last reminders.

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with students young and old. But, beware, if you use this term loudly, you will get a lot of funny looks from the uninitiated!

A

ATTENTION DIVISION-ONLY MEMBERS Beginning with the 2010/11 season the division-only level of membership is being discontinued. You will notice a difference in your dues billing statement.

In addition to being a member of PSIARM-AASI you will also be a member of PSIA/AASI (national) thus allowing you the benefits that are provided as a national member.

PSIA-RM/AASI WINTER 2009

Congratulations to the Successful Candidates for the Board of Directors!

Joel Munn Front Range

Fred Rumford Southern District

Carter Thomas and Mia Yue were the recipients of this year’s Daryle Bogenrief Memorial Fund Scholarships.

WINTER 2009 PSIA-RM/AASI

Earl Saline Western Slope

Joe Webster Member at Larg

Congratulations Congratulations to both women for their dedication to the sports they love!

Correction Maryann Teri was inadvertently left off the list of donors to the organization in the 2008 list.

Thank you, Maryann, for your generous donation!!

Mia Yue attended AASI level 2 Snowboard prerequisite clinics and written exam.

Carter Tho mas passed her level 1 Ada ptive on Fe buary 4th, 2010.

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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 phone 970-879-6760 fax carolyn@psia-rm.org

TAKE IT TC- THE NEXT LEVEL