President’s Message By Neil Bussiere, ASEA Western President Ready for Your Turn
Each year Halloween reminds me that this is my Neil Bussiere, favorite time of the year. The ASEA-W President boots need to be dusted off, the skis waxed, and new equipment blended into the quiver of boards, skis, and boots littering the garage. With the filing of all that returning instructor paperwork behind us, October is the time to prepare for our first significant snowfall and that much-anticipated first turn of the season. Last Spring culminated with a rousingly successful Convention in Mammoth which saw a huge turnout in support of our candidates for the National Demonstration Teams. Thanks to Ceci Chourre for organizing the silent auction fundraiser to support
the candidates’ efforts and offset their expenses. Congrats to Robin Barnes, Mike Hafer, and Josh Spoelstra, as well as returning members Mike Rogan and Doug Pierini for making the teams. The Western Division was well represented and can be proud of all those who tried out. Administratively, Craig Albright, Heidi Ettlinger, and I were re-elected to three-year terms on the Board. We welcome Leigh Pierini to the board as our new Scholarship and Education Foundation Chairperson and recognize outgoing director Mike Hafer who served with distinction as Alpine VP these past few years. Mike continues to be the consummate professional and the Board will miss his dedication and attention to detail. Current Board member, Elianne (El) Furtney takes over for Mike as Alpine VP and we can look forward to continued dedication from El at (cont’d on pg. 21)
Stranger in a Strange Land By Alain Bertrand PSIA/AASI instructor Alain Bertrand tries his hand at running a snowsports school in China. New National Teams Named . . . . . . . . pg. 4 & 5 Event Calendar . . pgs. 12 & 13 Avoiding a Meltdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.14 Understanding Senior Skiers . . . . . . . . . . pg. 22
Land of famines, and communism! Now she is buying over IBM and America. For two centuries she used to inspire pity, now she instills awe. Being submitted to a continental climate, (cold all right, but dry) skiing certainly was the last luxury I could imagine China would ever fall for. Alas, the Chinese are bright people but not so wise. Anything and everything that is “European-American” is the most desirable. So when an old friend hired me to teach in the main Chinese ski resort in the winter 2005/06, it certainly threw me out of my stirrups.
An adventure in China... continued on pg. 18
Most Chinese ski resorts can be mastered with a wedge.
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Fall Events Looking for a great start to the 2008-09 season? Polish your skills and fulfill your educational requirements. Register online at www.psia-w.org, or use the “Event Application” at your right to sign up today. Thanks to our friends at Northstar for hosting these events. Alpine Fall Rally/ Ed Core Northstar, December 7-8 Sunday-Monday Space is limited to 100 participants, so get this application in as soon as possible to the PSIA/AASI-W office. Cost is $40 per day, which includes a Northstar lift ticket. Fall Rally is open to all alpine members and will offer a variety of Educational clinic topics. You may attend one or both days. Alpine Ed Core is for Level 3 certified members and Level 2’s who are the primary trainers at their snowsports school. Trainers who
the
edge
The Edge is a publication of the The Western Division of Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA-W) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI-W) covering California and Nevada. We are one of nine divisions that make up the American Snowsports Education Association (ASEA). PSIA was founded in 1961 to develop a standardized system for teaching and to unify instructors throughout the country in the disciplines of: Alpine, Nordic, Snowboarding, Adaptive, as well as Backcountry. The Edge is published three times annually. For advertising submissions and information, contact our office: PSIA/AASI Western Division 9709 Highway 267, Suite B, Truckee, CA. 96161 phone (530) 587-7642 fax (530) 587-4273 admin@psia-w.org For all membership inquiries, check out our website at www.psia-w.org or contact our office for additional information.
will be conducting the Level 1 InHouse program at their home resort will need to attend Sunday Dec. 7 Ed Core, OR the Dec. 15 In-House Training day at Mammoth. Snowboard Ed Core Northstar, December 8-9 Monday-Tuesday Snowboard Ed Core is open to all Level 3 certs, and Level 2’s who are the primary trainers at their resort. Cost is $40 per day, which includes a Northstar lift ticket. Snowboard In-House Trainers should plan to attend Ed Core, a Mini Ed or the Resort Trainer Accreditation. Nordic Symposium Mammoth, December 10-12 Wednesday-Friday Nordic Symposium is an event for Telemark and Cross Country
skiers to jump start the season with a variety of education clinics and exam prep opportunities. The Cross Country events will be held at Tamarack Cross Country, and the Telemark clinics at Mammoth. The cost for all education events is $ 60 per day, and a sliding scale for Exam Preps (see below.) Exam Preps offered at Nordic Symposium: Dec. 11–Cross Country Level 1 Prep Location: Tamarack XC Cost: $70 Dec. 11–Telemark Level 1 Prep Location: Mammoth Cost: $70 Dec. 11-12–Telemark Level 2 Prep Location: Mammoth Cost: $160 Participants will be required to purchase lift tickets unless they hold a pass at the above areas. Expected price is $10 at Mammoth.
Save the date...
Spring Convention 2009
Mammoth April 24,25,26 Check the website for information on lodging, clinics, and schedule as the season progresses.
Feeling Creative? WIN A FREE DAY OF CLINICS AT SPRING CONVENTION 2009! This year Steve Evenson and the Convention Committee will be reviewing suggestions for the slogan that will be used on spring convention 2009 t-shirts and hats. If you have a crafty suggestion, put it in writing and email
to: weavens@aol.com. Please include your contact details. The Winner will be announced on January 15, 2009. All entries must be received by December 31, 2008. Good Luck!
Contact weavens@aol.com for more information!
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New PSIA-AASI National Teams National tryouts had a decidedly western flair last spring. First off the event was hosted by Mammoth Mountain, allowing PSIAAASI members from across the country to sample the mountain’s signature park and halfpipe features in addition to big mountain terrain, groomers, and a world class race corridor. And after an intense week of selection, there were five members of Western Division selected for the final teams: Robin Barnes, Mike Hafer, Doug Pierini, Michael Rogan, and Josh Spoelstra. In addition, Bill Bowness of Western was named the coach of the newly formed adaptive team. National team members will be responsible for charting the course of snowsports instruction in the United States by working with snowsports schools throughout the country, conducting clinics, and serving as the public face of the organization. The National Team selection process, which takes place every four years, started April 28, 2008 and consisted of five grueling days–three days of skiing and riding tasks followed by two more days of teaching and learning activities, in-depth interviews, and group project assessments. A total of 139 candidates from all nine divisions of PSIAAASI attended team selection. “It was a strong field, and many strong teachers, riders, and skiers didn’t make the teams. It’s more than a job interview and it’s not an exam,” commented PSIA-AASI Executive Director Mark Dorsey. “It’s not – Mark Dorsey, the fastest PSIA-AASI Executive Director time wins
or the biggest air wins. It’s really about consistent performance over five days–five days of Survivor meets American Idol.” While a careful analysis of candidates’ snow-sliding ability was used to narrow the field, the teaching segments, movement analysis, and interviews on customer service ethics and job perception are what clinched the victory for those candidates who made the teams. In total, 25 instructors were named to the 2008–2012 National Teams—Alpine (14), Snowboard (6), Nordic (4), and Adaptive (1 provisional). They will serve under the direction of Teams Manager Katie Fry and Coaches Rob Sogard (alpine), J. Scott McGee (nordic), Lane Clegg (snowboard), and Bill Bowness (adaptive). ALPINE The PSIA Alpine Team will be composed of six incumbents, one former team member, and eight newcomers. Those returning to the team are Western Division members Doug Pierini and Michael Rogan, joined by Rob Sogard, Jeb Boyd, Nick Herrin, Dave Lyon and Bobby Murphy. Jim Schanzenbaker, who served on the
“It’s really about consistent performance over five days–five days of Survivor meets American Idol”
Mike Rogan
Named for 2008-2012 team from 2004–2008, regained a spot on the team and is joined by first-term members Robin Barnes, Matt Boyd, Mike Hafer, Eric Lipton, Dave Lundberg, David A. Oliver, and Jennifer Simpson. Rogan, who was named team captain, is the first non-coach team member to serve four consecutive terms.
Doug Pierini
Western Division member Mike Hafer, a former Alpine Vice President, described the tryouts as “the most challenging endeavor that I have ever been involved in. Throughout the week you are competing against the most amazing and talented individuals in the country. I am so proud to be a part of this organization and am looking forward to the next four years.” Added Robin Barnes, “Even though we were all trying out for a handful of open spots, the level of support and camaraderie shared amongst the candidates was inspiring. Each of us wanted to acknowledge our peers’ hard work and dedication. Each of us wanted to witness the level of talent that exists in this Association. Each of us wanted to see each other’s best.”
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We extend them our heartiest congratulations.
New National Teams
mousetrap, to bruised butt and head concussion episode.” Spoelstra, as well, was amazed at the talent nationwide. “I am very proud of our own Western Division. We (Western AASI/PSIA) kicked some serious booty at tryouts, representing strong. Thank you to my brothers (fellow western demo team members), our Western Tech Team for building such a strong core, and to our two Demo Team coaches, Blair Mcleod and Stu Rea.” ADAPTIVE The PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team is new this year, representing a major step forward in the Mike Hafer
Robin Barnes
SNOWBOARD The AASI Snowboard Team—a requirement for which is freestyle proficiency—is made up of Lane Clegg, Scott Anfang (who returns for his second consecutive term), Gregg Davis (a member of the team from 2000–2004), and newcomers Dave Lynch, Tom Morsch, Eric Rolls, and Josh Spoelstra. For Josh Spoelstra, the week of tryouts was compounded in difficulty by a bad cold and some rough moments, including, “the switch 540, to heel edge catch, to
train, develop educational materials, and plan activities and new directions for the next four years. Western Division sent a team of 16 to the tryouts, including: Alpine: Robin Barnes, Kemp Dowdy, Heidi Ettlinger, Jill Evans, Steve Evenson, Elianne Furtney, Mike Hafer, Greg Lyons, Marty Moore, Tim Rankins Nordic: Aaron Pearlman, Lorenzo Worster Snowboard: Steve Bethell, Doug Fagel, Ryan Goralski, Josh Spoelstra
Bill Bowness
Josh Spoelstra
evolution of teaching disabled snowsports. Bill Bowness, who served as an adaptive representative on the alpine team for the past four years, now makes up the adaptive team. Joining Bowness as a provisional member of the PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team is Geoff Krill. Including coaches, the new teams hail from the following divisions: Rocky Mountain (10), Western (6), Eastern (6), Intermountain (4), Northwest (2), Northern Rocky Mountain (1), and Central (1). In November, team members will reunite at Copper Mountain, Colorado to
“I want to congratulate all of you for having the courage to step up and take this opportunity [and] for putting yourself in front of all of these selectors for the last five days,... I would just like all of us to be proud of ourselves and to continue to grow and mentor each other. I think that’s what really keeps this industry, this association, this vocation that we all love and do so strong. We’re all in this together.” – Teams Manager Katie Fry All photos by Jonathan Selkowitz/SelkoPhoto.
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Alpine
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By Elianne Furtney, Alpine Vice President
Hello everyone from your new Alpine VP! My name is Elianne Furtney and I am proud (and only slightly apprehensive) to have taken over the Alpine reins from Mike Hafer’s capable hands. I would say it’s a safe bet that like me, you love skiing with a strong and irrational passion. Running a close second to a good day skiing at Squaw Valley is the satisfaction derived from sharing that love with others through ski instruction. I look forward to exploring that obsession with all of you through the incredibly talented Tech Team we have and a new event-packed calendar! Did you ever see the BASF advertisement that said “we don’t make a lot of the products you use; we make them better?” In many ways that same statement could be used to describe what we do as PSIA educators. At our educational clinics the goal is not just to teach you to be a better skier but to help you become a better teacher of skiing – an arguably much more difficult task. Sometimes I feel like the perception on the hill is that PSIA/
AASI wants everyone to teach the same things the same way, and make exactly the same turn all the time. In reality, I strongly believe that PSIA is about providing resources and coaching to help each instructor develop a methodology and style that works for them but shares a common technical language. When I began teaching at Alpine Meadows back in the day, we attended daily clinics and hungrily absorbed every tidbit and drill that came our way in order to build our own bag of tricks. As you may have noticed, times have changed and ski schools are often short-staffed and over-booked, leaving new instructors to sink or swim as they try to develop their own methodology. Whether you are preparing for an exam or just trying to keep your teaching fresh, look at the new expanded calendar of events for this year and remember that the clinicians of PSIA-W are waiting anxiously to share their passion and knowledge with you!
Level 2 or 3 ski/ride module will carry over into the next consecutive season. This will allow members a bit Sugar Bowl’s Mountain Sport Learning Center is more flexibility in their accepting applications for full/part time ski/snowpath toward certificaboard, PSIA/AASI Certified Instructors, tion. Levels I/II/III for instructor/trainer positions. For example, if Please contact Mike Iman at iman@sugarbowl.com a Sally Snowboardor (530) 426-6770. er passes the Snow-
to ski/ride at the certification level being pursued during their Teaching module. In the above example, if Sally waits until the end of the 2010 season to try the Level 2 Teach, she will be expected to execute demos and maneuvers consistent with the level demonstrated during her riding module the prior year.
Alpine VP Elianne Furtney. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen.
“In reality, I strongly believe that PSIA is about providing Board Changes Exam Module resources and coaching to help board Level 2 Ride Module in Ski/Ride Module ‘passes’ now February 2009, that ‘pass’ will stay carry over to the next season each instructor develop a active on her record until the end At the April 17, 2008 PSIA/ of the 2010 season. AASI Western Division Directors methodology and style that Some caveats: meeting, in response to a peti– Effective Date is August 1, 2008 tion circulated by members, the works for them but shares a and will not be applied retroacBoard voted to make a significant tively to prior years. change in our exam procedures. common technical language.” Beginning this season, a ‘pass’ in a – Candidates will still be expected – Elianne Furtney
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By Doug Fagel, Snowboard Vice President
Snowboarding
New for 2009 Season! As we gear up for a new winter season, I need to express just how proud I am of the members of our regional demo teams. AASI-West has reached our goal of placing at least one of our regional team members on the national team, Josh Spoelstra. With the support of the Division, the Tech Team, and many others, Josh has accomplished what many of us dream of achieving. I look forward to working with Josh and the members of our regional team, Steve Bethell and Ryan Goralski, for years to come. Congratulations Josh – Our National Snowboard Demo Team Member!! Set Your Goals for the Season Don’t wait until New Year‘s! Now is the time to hit the calendar and make your plans on how to approach your season. If we think about what we want to accomplish and seek to find the steps on how to reach those new bars in November, we can have a much more productive and fulfilling season. Keep yourself well rounded and set goals for your riding, teaching and knowledge base (this part may entail reading, but look how well you are doing right now…) If you need help determining what goals are attainable for you, don’t hesitate to ask me, one of my fellow Tech Teamers or any seasoned veteran in the industry.
NEW FOR 2009 SEASON!! Riding Module Carry Over All members that successfully pass their Level II or III Riding Module will now be allowed to take their Teaching Module in the current and following season without having to re-sit the riding portion of the exam. This will
help members who need more time to train and and/or meet the financial burdens of certification advancement. We hope that this change will be seen as a benefit to our members, in particular candidates that have a desire to put more time and effort into preparing for the components of the exam.
able to all Level III Certified Instructors and is part of the pathway towards becoming a member of the AASI-W Tech Team. The existing Trainer Accreditation will now be known as the Divisional Trainer Accreditation. I am looking forward to seeing you and all our new friends out on the snow this season.
New Education Events We are offering a whole new line of purely educational events for this season! We recognize the list of snowboard educational events offered by the Western Division was shrinking and we are putting a stop to that trend. Educational events are the heart of our organization, so get out on the snow and share some new experiences without having to worry about the stress of a pass or fail exam. Take a look at the new event calendar for an event near you. Trainer Accreditation We are expanding our trainer accreditation offerings! We are now offering a new Resort Trainer Accreditation for all members that are Level II certified or beyond. The Resort Trainer Program will instruct members on how to conduct and develop training programs for member schools throughout the division, including running an In-House Certification Program. It is a great way to get comfortable using new teaching methodologies in front of one’s peers. The program will be avail-
“Education events are the heart of our organization, so get out on the snow and share some new experiences...” – Doug Fagel
Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen.
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Adaptive
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By Robin Conners
Adaptive Level 1 and Level 2 Exam Formats and Standards
Supporting our Adaptive instructors with their certifications is an important element of our organization. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen.
The Adaptive Committee and the Adaptive Alpine & Snowboard Technical Teams have worked hard to clarify the PSIA-W Adaptive Exam process and standards. Our goal is to make the exams a great experience for skiers and snowboarders, and achievable for full-time, part-time, and volunteer instructors. The current exam standards and information about the exam process are available in the Adaptive Study Guide posted on the PSIA-W website under the Adaptive tab. Similar to past years, Adaptive Alpine Instructors wishing to take a Level 1 exam can do so in any one of six disciplines; cognitive disabilities, visual impairments, mono ski, bi ski, three-track or four-track. Passing a one-day Teaching / Technical exam in one discipline plus a oneday skiing exam (requirement waived if already certified), earns a Level 1 pin.
On the Adaptive Snowboard side, there are also six disciplines but the breakdown of disabilities covered in each exam is slightly different from Adaptive Alpine. Adaptive Snowboard disabilities fall under; stand up, sit down and cognitive disabilities/ visual impairments. A candidate must also pass a one-day riding exam to earn the Level 1 pin, unless they previously hold a current Snowboard certification. Both Adaptive Alpine and Adaptive Snowboard require a written test at each level included in the Teach / Tech portion of the exam. The detail for the exam process and requirements can be found in the Level 1/2 Adaptive Study Guide available online. Adaptive has adopted the “coached” exam format so exams are a positive learning experience. Back by popular
demand, exam preps are offered but not required before taking adaptive exams. For Level 2 Adaptive Alpine or Adaptive Snowboard Certification the rest of the modules need to be attended and passed at a Level 2 standard along with the Level 2 ski or riding exam. There are no partial passes in these modules. A candidate must pass both days during the two-day module to complete that portion of the exam. Exams in all disciplines must be a pass to earn the Level 2 pin. As in the past, there is a written test for each level and sliding apparatus. Good luck to all of you seeking your certifications! The Adaptive Tech Team Members are there to help you succeed. Do some research, study, ask questions, teach lots and be in touch. Be part of the ADAPTIVE TEAM!
Honing skills helps with exams. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen.
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By J. “Cedar” Seeger, Nordic Chair Come the fall, things start to change. At long at last here comes the rain. The first flakes finally hit the trees. Out comes the gear and tune the skis. I check the internet again. Another storm is rollin’ in. Go wax ‘em up and try to sleep. Powder dreams of steep and deep… Oh, Wee, Oh, I love to ski! Tele turns on bended knee. Floating thru the glades and trees… Magic wings on my feet….
And away we go….the 2009 season is upon us! The Climate Prediction Center is trending out of La Nina and moving to ENSO neutral conditions in the western Pacific which is good news for early season precip patterns. The Nordic Summer Meeting was held in July. Sally Jones was re-elected Cross Country Director, Geoff Clark was re-elected Backcountry Director, and Urmas Franosch continues as Chief Examiner. Many thanks to you all. The 08-09 Nordic Symposium will be at Mammoth Dec 10-12. We have discounted lodging at the Pine Cliff Resort arranged, as well as inexpensive dorm style accommodations at the Davison Street Guesthouse. The Cross Country Examiner Clinician Training will be on Monday Dec 8th and the Telemark Training on the 9th. All level 3 members in those disciplines are invited to attend free of charge. Cross Country events are at Tamarack Nordic Center. World class clinicians and terrain make this a very valuable experience. The Banquet will feature fine
Nordic Notes
ings to our members in the near future. Stay tuned to our website and this newsletter for the latest information. Exams and Prep clinics will be held throughout the course of the season, so please check the website for times, dates etc to mark your calendars appropriately. Don’t let that exam get by you this season. – J. “Cedar” Seeger Sign up for a Prep Clinic and go for it! Let your Memdining and entertainment in the bership lapse? Like to get reinNordic tradition. (Cheap). Please stated? We have a new program mark your calendars, rat-hole to make it easy and cheap(er) to some greenbacks and network for get reinstated and begin enjoying ride sharing etc. the benefits of membership once This is our Big Event of the again. Check with the office for Season, tuning up our skills, details. gaining Ed Credits and generally The PSIA-W Nordic Tech getting REALLY STOKED about Team is being created. This team the season. Come on and bring will be comprised of those who yer buddies! See you there! will be conducting exams and PSIA-W Backcountry clinics this season. If you are a Events 08-09. There is good L3 member and would like to be news and bad news here. PSIA/ involved, please contact Urmas or AASI National is currently workmyself. ing out the details of an “Out of Feel free to contact me Bounds Instructor”certification anytime… that will be offered by the AmeriCedar Seeger can Mountain Guides Association, cedarseeger@hotmail.com and will be open to PSIA/AASI 530 795-4670 Level 3’s. While the details are still in process, we expect this certification to be recognized by NaNordic Symposium – Dec 10-12. tional and will offer our members an affordable and exciting method Join us for three days of telemark and to upgrade their professionalism cross country clinics and fun with the Now for the bad news: we cream of the PSIA/AASI Nordic crop. have had to cancel our Backcountry education course offerings, at Telemark events will be held at Mammoth, least for the near term, as insurand cross country events at Tamarack ance coverage issues are worked Cross Country. See www.psia-w.org for out. We hope to be able to offer details and registration information. some form of Backcountry offer-
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_______________________________________________________________________________ To Order: Fill out form and fax to 949-362-7752. Check current availability and pricing by calling Customer Service at 800-999-0475. Please indicate that you are a PSIA-WEST member. Name:_______________________________________ PSIA-WEST Member#______________ P.O. Box______ Address________________________________________(No P.O. Box for Delivery) Zip Code__________ Phone #______________________________ VISA Master Card______________________________ Expiration Date_______________ Name on the Card_______________________________________ EMAIL________________________________________________ Signature______________________________________________ Style #__________ Color#__________ Size__________ Price__________ Style #__________ Color#__________ Size__________ Price__________ Style #__________ Color#__________ Size__________ Price__________ Style #__________ Color#__________ Size__________ Price__________ Questions? Contact: Patty Kleiner at gotcha4ski@sbcglobal.net
Office: 949-362-3034
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Greg Lyons – Children’s Chair
Children’s
Reduce the Anxiety, Impress the Guests! Have you seen a child complain of fatigue, sickness or a ‘mysterious injury’ to get out of participating in a lesson or activity? Do students show excessive worry or unreasonable fear and panic? Can they practice a task successfully on the carpet, but not when applying it in real situations on the hill? Your students may have the skills to participate, but their high anxiety levels may be preventing them from being successful. Snow sports offer many opportunities for anxiety for a child; separation from parents, the challenge of learning a new skill or sport, meeting new people, change of routine, and worry at not being as good as one’s peers. Anxiety can be facilitative or debilitating. Athletes with a higher level of self-confidence can channel their anxiety to facilitate improved performance. However, if too much anxiety is placed on an individual, or if an athlete’s self-confidence is low, the individual starts to doubt their ability to cope. Their performance level will begin to decline. A mnemonic device called PRESSURE can help with anxiety.
they are personally failing. Help them focus on the outside causes that are preventing progress. This can be of assistance when students feel that there are too many demands that are being put upon them.
Prepare
Re-evaluate
Students must mentally prepare for what they will face in their day. Anxious students often prefer a structured routine, or schedule. Create realistic goals because if they are too overwhelming for the individual this may result in increased anxiety.
Stay Positive
Acknowledgement of the importance that individuals should have confidence in their abilities. Selfconfidence can be one of the biggest factors in a successful lesson. Give positive feedback. Seek out what your students do well and tell them!
Single minded
Tell your students when they do well. Photo courtesy of (c) Corey Rich/www.coreyrich.com
Stay focused on the task at hand.
Unite
Research conducted comparing athletes competing in team sports with those competing in individual sports report significantly higher self-confidence in team sport participants. Create a team. Even if it is a private lesson the team is you and your student. Develop a team name, handshake, cheer, and colors, do synchronized skiing, use guided discovery to share leadership of the next task or activity, etc.
How important is this event in the real world? Be patient and
understanding. Use the CAP Model to understand how students of various ages may view the same information differently.
Extend yourself
Give your best performance every time no matter how important, or unimportant, the event is. Many factors go into making a student enjoy and perform at their optimum. By reducing their anxiety and building their self-confidence you will bring your students to the next level! Greg Lyons
Relax
Breathing exercises, stretching, and imagining what you plan to happen. Imagery provides familiarity with the task at hand and also provides positive feedback of their imagined performance.
Externalize
Don’t allow the student to get down on themselves, or feel like
Creating a team makes teaching easier. Photo courtesy of (c) Corey Rich/www.coreyrich.com
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E V E N T S
Register online and check for updates or changes at www.psia-w.org.
Adaptive Events
Event Date Event Location Cost 1/24 Welcome to Adaptive Mammoth $60 1/27 Welcome to Adaptive Heavenly $60 1/31 Welcome to Adaptive Bear Mountain $60 2/10 L1/2 Teaching Imp. Alpine Meadows $60 2/24 L 3 Teaching Imp. Mammoth $60 2/28 L1/2 Teaching Imp. Mammoth $60 3/7 L1/2 Teaching IMP. Bear Mountain $60 3/16 L1/2 Exam Heavenly $70/$80 3/17,18 L1/2 Teach and Tech Heavenly $70/$80/day 3/23 L1/2 Exam Mammoth $70/$80 3/24,25 L1/2 Teach and Tech Mammoth $70/$80/day 3/30 L1/2 Exam Bear Mountain $70/$80 3/31,4/1 L1/2 Teach and Tech Bear Mountain $70/$80/day 4/13 L1/2 Exam Mammoth $70/$80 4/14,15 L1/2 Teach and Tech Mammoth $70/$80/day 4/20,21 L3 Ski/Ride Exam Mammoth $90/day 4/22,23,24 L3 Teach and Tech Mammoth $90/day 4/24 L 1/2 Teach and Tech Mammoth $70/$80
Alpine Events
Event Date Event Location Cost 12/7,8 Fall Rally / Ed Core/L1 In-house Trainer Training Northstar $40/day 12/14 NIGTTG* Squaw $60 12/15 L1 In-House Trainer Training Mammoth $40 12/14-16 L1 Module Northstar $210 1/4-9 6 day L1 Module Heavenly $600 1/5 Boot Alignment Clinic Northstar $60 1/7&8 Mini Academy-Nat’l D Team Squaw $60 1/11 NIGTTG* Snow Summit $60 1/12 Building your Training Prog. Northstar $60 1/14 GS training Mammoth $60 1/14 L2 Ski Module Training Mammoth $60 1/15 L2 Teach Mod. Training Mammoth $60 1/15 Finding the “Cause” in “Cause & Effect” Heavenly $60 1/20 Intro to Bumps & Steeps Alpine $60 1/21 Teaching Props Kids/Adults Northstar $60 1/22 L2 Ski Module Training Heavenly $60 1/25 Skiing Tasks-Why they Rock Snow Summit $60 1/25 Senior Skiing Edu. Event Snow Summit $60 *New Instructors Guide to the Galaxy
Event Cost 1/26 Adv. Bumps & Steeps / Freeskiing Tactics Mammoth $60 1/27 Exploring Short / Slalom Turns L2 & up Sierra @ Tahoe $60 1/27-29 L1 Module Mammoth $210 2/1,2 Women’s Camp Squaw $60/day 2/4 L3 Ski Module Training Alpine Meadows $60 2/5 L3 Teach Mod. Training Alpine Meadows $60 2/5 Intermediate Bumps/Steeps Kirkwood $60 2/9-11 L1 Module Heavenly $210 2/9 Intro to Racing Fund. GS Northstar $60 2/10 Skiing Tasks-Why they Rock Mammoth $60 2/11 Skiing Skills w/ D team Mammoth $60 2/11 Women’s Intro to Bumps Sugarbowl $60 2/12 L2 Teach Mod.Training Northstar $60 2/15 NIGTTG* Alpine Meadows $60 2/22,23 Sen. Specialist L 1 Accred. Snow Summit $140 2/23 Developing Progressions Sugarbowl $60 2/24-26 L2 Ski Module Diamond Peak $24 2/25 Boot Alignment Clinic Mammoth $60 2/25 Tech Team Tryouts Mammoth $60 2/27 Senior Skiing Edu. Event Mt. Rose $60 2/28,3/1,2 L1 Module Snow Summit $210 3/1-3 Sen.Specialist L 2 Accred. Snow Summit $210 3/2 Adv. Bumps & Steeps Squaw $60 3/2 GS Training Sierra at Tahoe $60 3/3-5 L2 Ski Module Mammoth $240 3/4 Fun & Games with Kids Mammoth $60 3/7-9 L2 Ski Module Snow Summit $240 3/9-11 L3 Ski Module Mammoth $270 3/9-11 L1 Module Alpine Meadows $210 3/10 Teaching in Spanish Heavenly $60 3/11 ATW-”anything that works” Sugarbowl $60 3/18 Intro to Freestyle Boreal $60 3/23-25 Sen. Specialist L 2 Accred. Sugarbowl $210 3/25 Crudbusters Squaw $60 3/28,29 L2 Teaching Module Snow Summit $160 3/29-4/3 6 day L1 Module Mammoth $600 3/30,31 Sen. Specialist L 1 Accred. Diamond Peak $140 4/1-3 L1 Module Sierra at Tahoe $210 4/1,2 Freestyle Accred Northstar $140 4/6-8 L2 Ski Module Alpine Meadows $240 4/6-8 L3 Ski Module Squaw $270 4/26-28 L1 Module Mammoth $210
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C A L E N D A R Register online and check for updates or changes at www.psia-w.org.
4/27-29 L2 Ski Module Mammoth 4/27-29 L3 Ski Module Mammoth 4/27,28 L2 Teaching Module Mammoth 4/27,28 L3 Teaching Module Mammoth
Event Cost $240 $240 $160 $180
Children’s Events Date Event 1/27-29 Children’s Cert. L 2 2/4,5 Children’s Cert. L 1 2/25,26 Children’s Cert. L 1 3/11-13 Children’s Cert. L 2 3/18,19 Children’s Cert. L 1 4/25,26 Children’s Cert. L 1
Event Location Cost Alpine Meadows $210 Mt. High $140 Diamond Peak $140 Mammoth $210 Mammoth $140 Mammoth tba
Nordic Events
Event Date Event Location Cost 12/10-12 Nordic Symposium Mammoth/ Tamarack XC 12/11 L1 Prep Cross Country Tamarack XC $70 12/11 L1 Prep Telemark Mammoth $70 12/11,12 L2 Prep Telemark Mammoth $160 1/11 L1 Prep Telemark Sierra at Tahoe $70 1/14 L2/3 Prep Cross Country Tahoe Donner $80/$90 1/26 L1 Prep Telemark Northstar $70 1/27,28 L2 Prep Telemark Northstar $160 1/29,30 L3 Prep Telemark Alpine Meadows $180 3/9 L1 Exam Telemark Northstar $70 3/10,11 L2 Exam Telemark Northstar $160 3/12,13 L3 Exam Telemark Alpine Meadows $180 3/25 L1 Exam Cross Country Tahoe Donner $70 3/29 L1 Exam Telemark Sierra at Tahoe $70 3/31 L2/3 Exam Cross Country Tahoe Donner $80/$90 Snowboarding Events Event Date Event Location Cost 12/8,9 Ed Core Northstar $40/day 12/15-17 Level 1 Module Northstar $210 12/18 Mini Ed Mammoth $40/day 12/18 Mini Ed Bear Mountain $40/day 1/6,7 Resort Trainers Acc. Alpine Meadows $140 1/8 Intro to Freestyle Coaching Northstar $60 1/8 Race Tactics Bear Mountain $60 1/9 Snowboard Cross Tactics Boreal $60 1/13-15 L1 Module Mammoth $210
1/13 Ride w/ Demo Team Mammoth 1/20 Freestyle Riding Basics Boreal 1/21,22 Freestyle L 1 Accred. Bear Mountain 1/21,22 Freestyle Level 1 Accred. Northstar 1/23 Divisional Trainer - Prep 1 Heavenly 1/26 Ride w/ Demo Team Kirkwook 1/30 Chix Only Squaw Valley 2/2-4 L1 Module Alpine Meadows 2/2-4 L2 Riding Module Sierra @ Tahoe 2/6 Divisional Trainer - Prep 1 Snow Summit 2/6 Pipe Riding Improvement Mammoth 2/9-11 L3 Riding Module Mammoth 2/12 L2 Teach Training Alpine Meadows 2/23,24 L2 Teaching Module Alpine Meadows 2/23 Intro to Freestyle Coaching Bear Mountain 2/25-27 L1 Module Mammoth 3/3-5 L2 Riding Module Squaw Valley 3/3-5 L3 Riding Module Squaw Valley 3/8-10 L2 Riding Module Bear Mountain 3/9-11 L1 Module Sierra Summit 3/9-11 L1 Module Mt. Shasta 3/16-18 L1 Module Homewood 3/16 Divisional Trainer - Prep 2 Mammoth 3/19 Creative Teaching Heavenly 3/20 Movement Analysis Tech. Mammoth 3/20 Ride w/ Demo Team Bear Mountain 3/23-25 L2 Riding Module Mammoth 3/23-25 L3 Riding Module Mammoth 3/26 Creative Teaching Mammoth 3/27 Movement Analysis Tech. Heavenly 3/30,31,4/1 Freestyle L2 Acc. Northstar 3/30,31,4/1 L1 Module Mt. High 4/2,3 L2 Teaching Module Snow Summit 4/23,24 Divisional Trainer - Exam Mammoth 4/23,24 Freestyle Level 1 Acc. Mammoth 4/23 L2 & 3 Teach Training Mammoth 4/27-29 L1 Module Mammoth 4/27,28 L2 Teaching Module Mammoth 4/27,28 L3 Teaching Module Mammoth
Event Cost $60 $60 $140 $140 $70 $60 $60 $210 $240 $70 $60 $270 $60 $160 $60 $210 $240 $270 $240 $210 $210 $210 $70 $60 $60 $60 $240 $270 $60 $60 $210 $210 $160 $140 $140 $60 $210 $160 $180
And Spring Convention April 24-26 at Mammoth. Remember, sign up two weeks before the event to guarantee a spot!
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Avoid a Meltdown
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By Carl Underkoffler – Executive Vice President
Even if you like your job, chances are you have experienced a bad day, a day where something or someone at work was wearing you down. And if a work-related incident is combined with problems that happen at home or outside of work place, you may feel overwhelmed. Even happy workplaces can spark meltdowns. You have all witnessed (participated in?) one, admit it. You get stuck with a beginning lesson three days in a row. Or you see your ‘personal’ client go out with another instructor because you have an assignment already. Sometimes, those commonplace stressful moments keep building until a meltdown happens–a massive, off-the-tracks-train-wreck meltdown. And it can happen to the most professional employee or staff member. Does any of this sound familiar? If you, a co-worker or a manager is nearing a meltdown, this may be a sign that things at work are out of balance. You and your workmates should consider these preventative measures:
stress and blowing off a little steam is important. Nobody wants to create a negative atmosphere with nonstop ranting about work, but if those frustrations are impacting your ability to get the job done or are impacting a number of people on your team, it’s not healthy. Include your supervisor or upper management in the discussions. Go for a run after work and chat on the chair about what happened and how to avoid it again. Large schools and small schools need teamwork to run smoothly.
Encourage communication at work. Discussing workplace
Take a break. With layoffs, injuries, Visa issues and reduced staffing levels, many workers have been pushed to the brink simply because they feel overwhelmed. Take a break; make a run. It
Assess your workload. Meltdowns are more likely to happen if a larger portion of the workload is resting on one set of shoulders. If the balance of work in your department is off-kilter, talk to your supervisor or manager. He/she may not be aware of the issue. Even if you are incredibly busy, take the time to crosstrain other employees whenever you can. The investment of time pays off handsomely when those co-workers are able to take on a bigger workload.
will remind you why you chose this line of work. It’s not easy to say NO to a client, but sometimes a mental health day is necessary. Make sure you get away from your resort to try out another lift system. If you don’t feel like going out in the weather, try finding a quiet place indoors, like an unoccupied conference room, to chill or just read a book. If all else fails, close your eyes and take 10 long, deep breaths. Offer a helping hand. Your co-worker or manager may have personal issues that are wreaking havoc at work. Though you clearly want to respect everyone’s privacy, ask your co-worker if everything is OK. If he/she discloses a problem, encourage him to find solutions. Many employers offer an assistance program to employees with resources that will help with issues like childcare, elder care and drug and alcohol dependency. Sometimes a coworker just needs a set of ears to listen. It is important to address issues that trigger a meltdown before they happen, Your co-workers, managers and resorts may be understanding to a degree; especially if you are apologetic about it afterwards, but there is a risk of crossing the line. A meltdown could result in probation, suspension and ultimately termination. If the issue is important enough to trigger a meltdown, it should be a priority to address the issue and resolve it. Good luck and pray for snow.
“If all else fails, close your eyes and take 10 Taking a break can help you avoid a massive meltdown. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen.
long, deep breaths.” – Carl Underkoffler
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Heidi Ettlinger – Publicity & Advisory Committee
Publicity
Fall Updates We are in the process of preparing to launch another big season! This year there are loads of web improvements like the soon to be released new home page features. We are striving to keep you up to date with the latest event changes, industry videos, national press releases, and better connections to what is happening throughout the division. Look for member loyalty giveaways at education events, media support resources for the member schools recruitment events, and a host of regional & resort meetings to promote our association and educate instructors on the value of joining our team. This season will be challenging given that many of our international friends did not get their visas to return. Personally I will
miss the camaraderie and welcomed diversity that they lend to our resorts. Our association and the industry benefit from the ideas that are generated when people from around the world work together. Over the next few months many resorts will face an even greater challenge as they attempt to Being part of a supportive & passionate team makes our membership train and support large secure and happy. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen. numbers of new instructors. Hopefully our through teaching. Last season PSIA/AASI members can encourwe made several improvements age these new folks to use our to accessing online resources for association as an opportunity for education and certification events. professional growth, and to take Please continue to send us your advantage of our talented clinifeedback, and we’ll do our best to cians while learning how to share make it happen. their passion for snow sports
Finding the Right Soap to Reach Your Personal Summit Heidi Ettlinger – Publicity & Advisory Committee My heart is pounding, sweat is pouring down my arms and I’m clipped into a bike that doesn’t actually go anywhere. At the front of the room is an RPM instructor calling out, “Resistance equals results.” She takes another breath and shouts, “If you want to achieve your goals you need to put on more resistance now!” I reach for my towel and then crank up the resistance dial. Generally I prefer peddling through mud puddles arriving home dirty, stinky, sweaty, and riding a wave of endorphins. But something very powerful in this class has generated a drive in me to train harder then I ever have before. I reminisce for a moment about all of the trainers that have helped me develop personally and professionally as an instructor. Luckily for us in the snow sport industry
this becomes more like a lifelong partnership, and launches the motivation we carry back to the people we teach. The leader of our peloton is 2-time winter Olympic competitor, Manuela Berchtold, who competed on the freestyle world cup circuit for 10 years and has held several top 10 and top 20 rankings. She’s an inspirational gem who founded High Country Fitness, nestled in the snowy mountains of Australia. Manuela is the first person to acknowledge that as an athlete she’s had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as a competitor. Her training philosophy, Train for what you want! “Put into it what you want to get out of it. The people who don’t achieve what they wanted to achieve, probably didn’t train hard enough.”
In May I finished my own version of the Olympics, the PSIA National Demo Team Tryouts. Our opening ceremony didn’t look anything like Beijing, but as a competitor you felt every bit of the pressure from the media crews filming, team selectors lining the sides of each run, Manuela Berchtold 2006 Winter Olympics and folks cheering for you who had traveled from all around the country to watch this event. Although I didn’t make the final team, I competed up until the very last cut. It was like coming in second when only first place gets an actual medal. I desperately searched for that special brand of soap that (cont’d on pg. 16)
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Finding the Right Soap to Reach Your Personal Summit (cont’d) Heidi Ettlinger – Publicity & Advisory Committee (cont’d from pg. 15) could just wash away the disappointment. About 6 weeks later I finally found the soap (and some answers to my own questions about motivation) when I began my RPM classes with Manuela. Sometimes just before the hardest segment of our ride she’d say, “I want you to think about the reasons why you are here and what you want to achieve. How hard do you want to work to achieve that?” I knew deep inside what I was here for, but looking around the room were small signs pasted to the wall confirming this: • Aim High – Knowing that the quality of the goals you choose influences your character. • Never Give Up – Understanding that ability comes only through persistence. • Believe in Yourself – Even when others doubt you, have confidence in yourself. • Perseverance – The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather, in lack of will! How many of us wish we could detach our selves from the outcome and really focus on the process? Whether we are attempting to improve our career, personal fitness, or training for another level of certification in our discipline. Sometimes it’s how we go about the weeks, months, and maybe years of planning and preparing that makes all the difference in the end. Another one of Manuela’s favorite sayings, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Have you ever had that feeling? Did I prepare enough? You look around at the folks standing next to you and wonder, well, how much did they prepare? Manuela told me
that one year before the Olympics she earned enough money so she could focus the entire season just on her training. This included getting the right hours of sleep each night, a strict daily nutrition schedule, in-door and on-hill training sessions, all to take her to a peak fitness level and ultimate preparedness. She said, “I wanted to get to the bottom of the run and know… That there was nothing else I could have done to be more prepared, and be able to be content with my results.” This was definitely the silver bullet I’d been missing; I wished I could have been more prepared.
“I want you to think about the reasons why you are here and what you want to achieve. How hard do you want to work to achieve that?” – Manuela If you want to prepare for your next big event, attain another level of certification, strive to be a resort trainer, try out for the Technical Team or maybe get ready for the next national team tryouts, consider checking out online resources like, The Sierra Center for Peak Performance. They offer a wealth of services that compliment the on and off-hill portions of your training. Some of their suggestions are listed below: 1. Mentally rehearse what it is you are attempting to do as often as possible. The power of visualization is often equal to that of physical practice. Whether it be mentally rehearsing the activity in your mind or watching a video of someone performing it perfectly, cementing these
images is important. Try building a library of video clips that you can watch daily, or log-on to the Movement Matrix from the national site. 2. Learn how to voluntarily relax. Being able to control your levels of relaxation will help you achieve a state of being energized but relaxed enough to perform. Our mind and body have a deep connection that affects our performance. If we are overly anxious, the body cannot perform to its peak potential. We’ve all been there before, standing at the top of a run our heart racing, our mind flipping from thought to thought like a motorized rolodex. We arrive at the bottom of the trail and wonder – what happened? Finding the right levels of being pumped up but focused takes time. Learn what works for you and practice this while teaching before you use it at a big event. 3. Set goals and develop positive self talk. Negative thoughts and emotions have a negative effect on our actions. Stopping this cycle and replacing those thoughts with positive ones re-connects our brain with our body to support putting thoughts into action. Many elite athletes use positive affirmations to gain a competitive edge, when physically they are equal to their competitor. There’s something quite remarkable about competing, pushing your limits, and striving for excellence. Ideally, we’d probably all like to get to the bottom of the run and know we did our absolute best, and many will rise with the cream to sit on the top. The choice is yours this season to put into it what you want to get out of it. Sometimes the only resistance to achieving our results lies solely within us. View life’s challenges and your own dreams with determination, and don’t forget to thank the people that helped you along the way.
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National ASEA Report - Summer 2008 By Craig Albright – ASEA Operations VP & Western National Representative At our summer meeting, held June 6-8 in Colorado, the National Board reviewed the accomplishments of the past winter, considered proposals, and approved a budget for the Association’s fiscal year. Highlights of the year include: A very successful teams tryout at Mammoth Mountain in May where the new Alpine, Snowboard, Nordic and Adaptive Teams were selected. The new teams will serve four year terms as the “educational face” of the organization both nationally, and internationally at InterSki in St. Anton, Austria in January of 2011. Kim Seevers, as the Director of the Education Department continues to produce high quality educational materials in an increasing number of mediums. The new Snowboard Manual and the new Movement Matrix (a web-based movement analysis tool) lead the long list of work produced by the Education Department during the last fiscal year. Wendy Schrupp, our Communications Director, is busy with two main projects this year. First, the redesign of the National website and second, the retooling of our publications TPS and TPR into one multidiscipline publication which will be titled 32 Degrees: The Journal of Professional Snowsports Instruction. The first issue of 32 Degrees will be published in the fall. Marketing Director, Andy Hawk reports a good summer for sponsorship contracts even in the tightening economic climate. We have renewed mulit-year contracts with: Blizzard/Technica, Booster Strap, Burton/Red/Anon, Bushnell (Bolle), Dale of Norway, Duofold, Dynastar/Lang, Elan/Dalbello, Grabber, Leki, Nordica, Reusch, Rossignol, Swany, Volkl/Marker, and Rudy Project. Additionally, Andy signed new mulit-year contracts with: POD (helmets, eyewear, and protection), Salomon, Todi (footwear), Turtle Fur, TwentyTwo Designs (telemark bindings) and Voz Sports (helmet to helmet communication). Certainly the association’s largest project this year is the upgrade of our association software system. This web based application provides the association with the tools to manage dues billing and payment, event registration, education credits, etc…as well as tools to allow us to more effectively use the web a distribution pipeline for our future generations of educational products (i.e. Movement Matrix). This project is not without its challenges. Getting nine divisions who have been operating fairly independently for 50 years to all adopt similar policies, procedures and naming conventions requires compromise and adjustments by each division, but it is encouraging that there is broad based support across the divisions for moving the association in this direction. The
Come hang at one of our Ed events. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen.
expenditure for the AMS (association management software) is considerable at more than $400k, but this investment should allow us to provide a much greater consistency and efficiency of member service when completed. (cont’d on pg. 21) Race Coach and Recreation Coach Tahoe Donner Association is looking for both a Race Coach and a Recreation Coach for the 08-09 winter season. Job Requirements: * Min. 1 year coaching experience; * PSIA II/III or equivalent; * Valid Class C Driver License; * Current CPR and First Aid certifications recommended; * Certification in ski binding procedures. Job duties include, but are not limited to: * Provide excellent customer service to customers, employees, and business partners. * Must demonstrate proficient ability in skiing skills. * Coach participants on proper ski form, technique, and equipment. * Assist with area set up, races, promotions, and special events. * Maintain current knowledge of teaching and skiing techniques. * Set up race courses and timing equipment. * Assist with snow removal including shoveling and clearing snow from walkways, stairs, equipment and other areas as needed. Duration: December 1 - April 12 Wage: $16.31 - $21.86/hour Please fill out an application online at www.tahoedonner.com or in person at Northwoods Clubhouse, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161. For more information, please call (530) 587-9415 or email jvanvalkenbur@tahoedonner.com.
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Stranger in a Strange Land (cont’d) (cont’d from pg. 1) In China, most of the hills they call “ski resorts”enjoy a vertical elevation of 400 feet and are easily mastered with a wedge. On weekends, even a wedge is too much, since the place turns into an anthill black with people who are too busy playing in the snow to bother about skiing. My first duty was to turn some local peasants into instructors in a matter of 2 weeks. I protested ‘I was not too gifted for working out miracles’. The flattering answer came as: ‘Aren’t you French, ski instructor and from Chamonix? So do your job.’ Then, I lost a few boys to the cold (minus 35° Celsius), a few girls walked away with a boyfriend, one ended up singing Xmas carols in the local Catholic church. These people in the boondocks are Roman Catholics, for some reason! Still, 10 days later, I turned out 10 instructors out of 10 total beginners. They would not qualify for certification with PSIA/AASI-WEST, but they could teach a decent wedge and ski black diamond parallel without disparaging their uniform. My next mission was teaching the aging and well fed Party big wheels. My instructions were again simple and clear: NEVER LET THE BIG MEN FALL! Keeping their bums off the snow is the single achievement of a whole ski life I’m most proud of. I had to steer clear of helpless beginners’ wrecking in front; I had to fend off schuss-boomers belting along at 20 miles an hour, planting poles to deflect impending impacts and rushing to hold up
the wobbling 200 pound Party rich. In their eyes, these were run of the mill events. The only achievement that fascinated them was that I could ski the whole hill backward. Never expect recognition. I made one good friend out of the big wheels, and found out they knew they had to end up democratic, but were pondering where to start from and when. I think they now know where but haven’t decided when! Riding my sense of cultural superiority, I launched on one more mission: find a real mountain for these poor folks to ski on. I resorted to the old dimwit
“...I launched on one more mission: find a real mountain for these poor folks to ski on.” – Alain Bertrand on “ski resorts” in China. Western way of searching maps and selecting the closest high mountain next to Peking. As 90% of China is mountains, I had no difficulty spotting a 4,000 footer just 26 miles by the freeway from Tian An Men square, the heart of Peking. I climbed the mountain
By Alain Bertrand
and found out the most exciting downhill piste could be drawn on its’ East face and an extensive recreational resort could be designed on its upper levels. Three times as close to town as any other miserable little ski field, twice as much of a vertical drop as any of the northern major resorts and ten times as big in sheer surface. Aware I was sitting on a mountain of gold, I kept my trove secret until I found an investor wielding a few billions. As I didn’t find any, I resigned myself to letting some Chinese ski colleagues in on the secret. They rushed to my invitation, and eagerly scrutinized the valley I had selected. Unfortunately, my mountain bore no resemblance to the little slopes they usually skied on. They could not fancy the cable-car giving direct access to Peking, or picture a World Cup or Olympic resort there, as I could. This is how I became the laughing stock of the professional ski community in China. They christened me the “East slope dimwit” and bend over with laughter at any allusion to my endeavor. Nowadays, as I grow in age and mental simplicity, I realize that too obvious a fact can be a major obstacle to understanding. My Chinese friends standing in front of a mountain that does not fit their preconceived view of a ski area, deny its existence. Is it that we see what does not exist? Or do we not see what does exist? I’m wondering how much of myself is left to exist! Alain, a long-time PSIA/AASIWest instructor, numbers the ‘victims’ of his ski lessons to over 10,000. Based on his experiences in China, unsuccessfully translating the French and PSIA teaching systems into Chinese, Alain has developed the Panda method of skiing instruction and written a book “Glee.” Have a look at www.skipanda.com.
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By Leigh Pierini, Foundation Chairperson I’m honored to have been selected as the Chairperson of the PSIA-Western Education Foundation and I look forward to sharing my ideas with you as well as hearing from you on your ideas about how to grow our Foundation. Before I get started in sharing with you the next steps for the Foundation, I want to thank my predecessors who lay an amazing platform for our work. In particular, I want to thank Chris Fellows for his dedication to the Education Foundation/Sodergren Fund. Chris has been committed to the Foundation for the past 10 years. He was the Education Foundation Chair for many years. Chris was instrumental in starting the Sodergren Fund in 1998 in honor of Mike and Mariam Sodergren. The Sodergren Fund was designed to help instructors finance their education needs. “Mike and Mim exemplified what we all strive for as ski and snowboard professionals, as well as what we strive for as quality people,” stated Fellows in the 2005 Fall Edge edition. Moving Forward Since my appointment as the new Education Foundation Chairperson in April, I have been busy building on the work that has been done thus far. We have formed and Education Foundation Committee. This committee consists of Leigh Pierini, President, Barclay Moore, Vice-President, Katherine Hayes-Rodriguez, Treasurer, Mitch Dion, Secretary, Chris Fellows, Past President, and Dave Achey, committee member. Every committee member has extensive investments, both personal and professional, to the Association.
Education Foundation
The Committees’ vision is to: • Promote exceptional standards at all levels and disciplines of snow sport instruction • Build leadership in individuals through education, training and adventure • Inspire a lifelong passion for snow sports, adventure and the mountain experience • Connect snow sport instructors of the world together in order to share, learn and grow New Structure As part of the overall effort to increase understanding of the Foundation’s work in the membership, the Committee has created a new organizational structure for the entity. (please see chart below) The Education Foundation and the Sodergren Fund in the
Mike and Mim Sodergren.
past 10 years have been a name that is one in the same. This committee has cleared some blurred lines to make your membership donations and the services the Foundation provides easier to understand. (cont’d on pg. 20)
Organizational Structure Education Foundation
Scholarships
Sodergren Scholarship
Member Support
General Scholarships -Adaptive -Alpine -Childrens -Nordic -Snowboard
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Education Foundation (cont’d) By Leigh Pierini, Foundation Chairperson (cont’d from pg. 19) Specifically, the restructuring will be as follows: The Education Foundation is a part of the division and is set up as a non-profit corporation with a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status. Within this foundation, there are scholarships offered. The Sodergren Scholarship remains an important part of our Foundation offerings. The committee has broadened the scholarship offerings to: • Provide benefits to all certified levels of instructors and all disciplines • Assist instructors based on economic need Scholarships We will be offering scholarships for attendees to certifica-
tion events as well as educational events, which represents a significant change in the structure of the Foundation. In addition, we will be offering a scholarship through the Sodergren Fund, which will be open to a member who desires an Academy type education/experience and/or a weeklong intensive immersion training course. Obviously, to do these wonderful things and keep the foundation healthy we need to raise money. We have many fundraising ideas that will be fun to participate in. We will keep you posted! In summary, I would like to add that I am committed to building on the work of my predecessors, to create vibrant, exciting Foundation scholarship offerings
and am working hard to assure that every membership donation is being well spent. Happy skiing! Leigh Pierini, Chair Western Education Foundation of PSIA/AASI
P.S. Please use the enclosed envelope to send in your donation TODAY to support our wonderful members!
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By Neil Bussiere (cont’d from pg. 1) the helm of the Alpine activities. Meanwhile, Education Chair, Finlay Torrance is hard at work chairing a National Unity Task Force chartered to investigate the possibility of bringing national reciprocity to the Level III Exam process. Good luck Finlay and stay tuned for more information as the season develops. If you’re seeing pumpkins as part of your daily routine it might be time for you to rummage through your own garage and locate the goods. Check your equipment thoroughly and start your countdown to the first signs of winter. Above all, be ready…. ready for your turn, that first turn of the season.
President’s Message (cont’d)
We’re all looking forward to a great ‘08-‘09 season. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rosen.
Stay sharp and carve cleanly, Neil
National ASEA Report - Summer 2008 (cont’d from pg. 17) A reflection of this need to standardize policies and procedures across the divisions is seen in the work of the Certification Unity Task Force. This task force is chaired by the Western Division’s Finlay Torrance. The task force is looking into how to move from the divisions being all in agreement regarding the Certification Standards (which we have had for many years) to the next level by establishing a unified certification process. They have begun work on the Level 3 being the first level to try and establish a nationwide exam process that all divisions would follow. This is really a revolutionary undertaking and it will be interesting to see how much progress they can make towards a unified national exam process. Finlay will no doubt have more informa-
tion about this in his upcoming reports. “Getting nine divisions who have The Association is still in a relatively strong fiscal position. been operating fairly independently The National Board has operated at a budget surplus for much of the last decade and has built up a for 50 years to all adopt similar comfortable reserve. With the large expenditure policies, procedures and naming for AMS and our final deconsolidation (sharing staff and resourcconventions requires compromise es) from our former partners NSP (National Ski Patrol), we and adjustments...” approved a deficit operational budget for FY 08-09 with a plan – Craig Albright in place to bring the operational budget back to a small surplus by FY 09-10. The board is dedicated to managing the Ski Teaching in Spanish or Portuguese Association’s fiHandbooks with side-by-side translations for children/adults nances in a fashion Audio Tapes or CDs with Text that ensures our Enor Martinez www.skiteaching.com long term financial 3508 Virginia W ay www.yoskio@comcast.net (email) health and stability. Salt Lake City, Utah 84109 (801) 466-9039
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Understanding Senior Skiers
By Peggy Connor
Developmental Intelligence and the Senior Skier – Part One of a Four Part Series Developmental intelligence improves with age. (1) Certainly as the human organism moves into a period that I affectionately refer to as “advanced adolescence”, there are changes ... but they are not all bad. Older individuals can actually integrate and correlate many types of thought processes better than their younger counterparts. Thus, there is a lot to be said for the wisdom that comes with age. Now, finally, there is scientific documentation to prove that long held theory. In a nutshell, what happens is that the two brain hemispheres actually communicate more effectively, ie: the left and the right brain can share and process information more rapidly through complex integrated pathways that took years to develop. When you analyze the “two brains” … yes, you actually have two brains up there, the right brain and the left Because skiing brain, each has integrates both left and right different funcsides of the brain, a more mature tions. The right and therefore more balanced brain is busy brain, may excel. doing its spatial perception thing, communicating in the abstract world with its intuitive skills, integrating emotions and feelings, and interpreting visual data through pictures. Meanwhile, “old lefty” is busy communicating with words while logically analyzing everything that comes in through its various perception centers. And yes, the brain keeps growing with age, new brain cells do develop. The net result is called “systemic thinking”. “Systemic thinking” allows the senior skier to do just that ... systemic skiing. Dr Gene Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington Medical Center, describes these new ideas about the maturing brain in his recent book, The Mature Mind;
The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. Dr. Cohen states that it is in the later stages of life, between the ages of 60 and 80 that the information processing center achieves its greatest density and reach. Cohen defines developmental intelligence as the “maturing of cognition, emotional intelligence, judgment, social skills, life experience and consciousness” along with their integration and synergy. Moreover, according to William Keyser, Managing Director of Work Savvy, (the folks who have figured out that hiring seniors over the age of 55 has many advantages), “given that the brain’s emotional circuitry matures with and becomes more balanced with age, your judgments will most likely be more balanced, too.” Relate that to the fundamental concepts of our ski instructors teaching model and it is quite valuable. If the cognitive center of the skier is functioning in a more balanced mode, so will the skier. So, to ski or not to ski as a senior, the choice is yours. But knowing that your brain is more centered than ever before makes it a more approachable task. Lateral thinking leads to lateral skiing. Peggy Connor MD is a physician/surgeon specializing in environmental medicine and its relationship to cancer causation. Teaching skiing is her passion. She is PSIA certified in Level I Alpine, Level I Children’s Specialist and is PSIA-W certified as Senior Specialist, currently instructing at Northstar. Footnotes:(1) Your Aging Brain Is Good for Business William Keyser, Managing Director of WorkSavvy LLC http://www.55-alive.com/BooksandGamesphp?artID=7208
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By Ted Pitcher
Senior Program Expands
New Educational Events In addition to our very successful Seniors Specialist Accreditation, we have added three new educational events that will help any instructor who is working with Senior clientele. These events are open to any member of any age, without prerequisite. 1. Introduction to Teaching Skiing to seniors. This one day event focuses on contemporary skiing mechanics as applied to your own personal skiing, including video analysis. Our teaching focus is on how to adapt the teaching model and methodology to beginner and low intermediate senior skiers. Schedule for introduction to Senior Teaching and Skiing: Sunday Jan. 25th Snow Summit Friday February 27th Mt. Rose
2. In addition, at Convention this spring we have added a two day clinic on advanced skiing and teaching of Senior skiers. This educational event is also open to any member regardless of certification and will cover the same curriculum as our Level II Accreditation without the teaching evaluations. We will use video analysis to help coach your personal skiing. Schedule: Saturday and Sunday April 24th and 25th-PSIAW Convention at Mammoth Mountain. For those of you interested in our Level I or Level II Seniors Specialist Accreditation, check out the Accreditation description, prerequisites and free manuals available on our website www.psia-w.org
$105 $105 $105 $ 55 $ 70 $ 55
Level I Seniors Specialist Accreditation schedule: Sunday and Monday February 22nd and 23rd Snow Summit Monday and Tuesday March 30th and 31st Diamond Peak Level II Senior Specialist Accreditation schedule: Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday March 1st, 2nd, 3rd Snow Summit Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday March 23rd, 24th, 25th Sugar Bowl Emphasis for all senior clinics is education, improving teaching and skiing skills and of course, fun. We’ll see you on the snow!
PSIA - Western Division - AASI 9709 Hwy. 267, Truckee, CA 96161 (530) 587-7642, Fax: (530) 587-4273 Email: admin@psia-w.org Website: www.psia-w.org ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
PSIA-W/AASI-W Board of Directors & Officers 2008-09 Officers: President Executive Vice President Alpine VP Snowboard VP Nat’l PSIA Representative Past President
Neil Bussiere Carl Underkoffler Elianne Furtney Doug Fagel Craig Albright Dave Achey
Directors: Craig Albright (11), Neil Bussiere (11), Heidi Ettlinger (11), Steve Evenson (09), Elianne Furtney (09), Chris Fellows (09), Leigh Pierini (11), Greg Lyons (10), Ken Mattson (10), Ted Pitcher (09), Finlay Torrance (10), Carl Underkoffler (10). Nordic Chairperson: John “Cedar” Seeger Adaptive Chairperson: Glen Smith
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