PSIA/AASI-NI Introducing Our New Board Members!

and dad how to be a survivor, instructing. She work hard to be the best, and celebrates the enjoy life. Most winters she accomplishments made by enjoyed numerous days on her students sometimes even the slopes. Soldier Mountain more then they do. Being Area was her weekend elected to the PSIA-AASI NI backyard. Board gives Beth new opportunities. Beyond the As an NCAA DII athlete and large amount of learning she kinesiology major at gets to do, Beth hopes to see Northwest Nazarene members realizing and Beth McLam grew up in University, Beth knew that enjoying the value of their Fairfield, Idaho. She spent following graduation she membership. She thinks this the majority of every would enjoy working in the first happens through former USAF/ANG summer helping out on the sports/recreation members staying informed instructor / evaluator pilot, as family farm. From industry. Being an athlete and being encouraged to well as an airline instructor / handling different and involved in sports is a connect with others in our evaluator pilot. irrigation systems, to highly prioritized thing she professional snowsports driving heavy equipment, strives for in life. Beth spent community. Beth looks He looks forward to serving to making inventive portions of her late/post- forward to this service with on the NI board and "farmer" repairs, Beth college winters and a summer gusto. representing the entire learned from her grandpa coaching high school membership. He would like basketball. Most of her other Gary Baarson was raised in to meet as many of his fellow jobs have been exploring Montana and has had a life instructors as possible, and Inside this issue: positions within the winter long love of skiing encourages the membership's mountain resort and sharing his love of the inputs and ideas to promote setting. Beth's winter sport with his students. His our division, our sport, and The Ski Season Does Not 2 position now is on the Sun parents were part of a group our profession. Comet to and End Valley Ski and Snowboard that started and built a ski Another Perspective on 4 instructors team. area in Montana. As a result, He can be contacted at: the Western Division he grew up on . 208-938-0472 Symposium in Mammoth Beth has a fascination with [email protected] PSIA-NI Education Staff 6 the differences in how people He has a passion for teaching Training 2014 learn, which contributes to and has been an instructor why she is passionate about for over 30 years. He is a Submit Articles for our 8 next Newsletter

It’s not all childs play! Way to go, newly certified Childrens Specialit 1 instructors! Timothy Ball Allen Benner Wick Warrick Weylin Barrett Alex Simpson Liz Keppinger Susan Crist John Straka Anthony Ortiz PSIA/AASI-NI

PSIA/AASI-NI P.O. Box 2587 The Ski Season Did Not Come to an Ketchum, ID 83340

End! By Bonnie Wetmore Officers

Tom Koto, President Being on the road with my dog ‘Sammy’ (208)866-5461 was a unique experience. Every pit stop [email protected] demanded time for exploration. Once we crossed the Nevada boarder the dessert Seth Jacobsen, Vice President (208)634-6531 was behind and the spectacular Ritter [email protected] and Cathedral mountain ranges loomed in front. Yosemite was not far. Just off to Walt Coiner, Exec. Sec. the northwest. WOW! We stopped at P.O. Box 2587 Ketchum, ID 83340 Mono Lake to enjoy the moment and (208)539-2253 cell wishing we had more time to explore. [email protected] faced us on our journey south. It took 9 ¼ hours from Monika Duran Photography Ketchum to arrive in Mammoth Lakes. Directors

Gary Baarson Spontaneity can sometimes offer beneficial Motel 6 on main street Mammoth Lakes is (member at large) rewards. When the ski season came to an dog friendly, very close to an outstanding (208) 908-3144 end at Sun Valley, I was not ready to end it. bakery, within walking distance to [email protected] Our spring skiing was outstanding right up restaurants, and a bus stop conveniently Beth McLam to the last run down Greyhawk! It was too located down the driveway to catch a 4- (208) 421-0410 late at that point to sign up for the National mile ride to the mountain. Due to my dear [email protected] Academy at Snowbird, so I opted to look Sammy, I chose to stay in this location

Casey Jeffus further west. Thanks to a conversation I rather then get accommodations right at (208) 634-6893 happen to have with two experienced Mammoth. This was perfect for our [email protected] Mammoth skiers, Tony & Maria Parkhill, my needs, plus the daily fees were

Mike Young mission became the Western Spring discounted as part of the convention. Like (208) 895-6711 Convention at Mammoth – April 25 to 27. I all resorts going through seasonal [email protected] gave the area a call anticipating it may be too transitions, the town was pleasantly

Dan Rowe late to sign up. Fortunately, they couldn’t quiet. (208) 221-0731 have been more accommodating and were [email protected] pleased to have me come. A few of the many highlights of my experience at Mammoth:

Signing up on-line for 3 days of clinics, 2 topics each day, had a challenge all its own. *The weather. The first day we joined our Topics like: Tricks for skiing harder not groups in what was to be 40” of new smarter, Skiing strong when the body no snow in 20 hours. What joy being gifted longer wants to be abused, Monkey see- with a “winter” sorely missed! monkey do, Skiing not talking, Teaching and Movement Analysis Thoughts, Tactics and *Topic: Video and MA. Our leaders were techniques to ski faster, 23 laps on chair 23 two coaches from Western Division- (steeper than steep). The choices were vast, Mammoth and Squaw. Unfortunately, due plus all disciplines had categories. Present the fact that it was snowing and blowing and former members of the National Demo sideways, the visibility was poor and Team and clinicians from the Western filming just did not work. However, we Division were destined to lead the groups. looked at a number of other skiers from Attendance was from as far away as RM, NI, previous videos spanning many years and NRM, not to mention all the Western showing all ages of equipment, styles of Division ski areas of ! skiing, and quality skiing in varying

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PSIA/AASI-NI P.O. Box 2587 Ketchum, ID 83340

Committee Chairs

National Board of Directors: Walt Coiner

Professional Development: Weylin Barrett (208)720-7060 [email protected]

Alpine Certification: Jamie Zolber (208)859-6807 [email protected]

Alpine Education: Eric Zimmerman (208)830-3557 [email protected]

Snowboard: TJ Kauth The 2nd AM after 40" of snow and high winds. A spectacular day that will not be forgotten. (208)861-4699 [email protected] keep observations and explanations brief, functional Stance, starting at the boot/foot our primary focus was on the basic on the ski. Change weight from outside ski Nordic: fundamentals of good skiing. It became to outside ski as the turn is made. Turn feet Lew Peterson (208) 890-3490 apparent and increasingly obvious that these and legs more than the upper body. The [email protected] fundamentals defy time and are a common use of inclination and angulation to control denominator in all skiing. Along with the edge angle. The ability to regulate Children’s Education: evolution has come clarity (understanding pressure along the length of the ski. Our Jani Sutherland movements, skills, bio mechanics), simplified focus was to ski a lot and watch for these (208)788-0089 [email protected] further by the “what”, “how”, and “why”. things happening. Questions were Video, no matter what the guidelines are to sometimes raised and group participation Freestyle: view and interpret, is such a useful tool. As became apparent. At times, specific Jake Bolin professionals we must continue to keep up movement focuses (such as the ankle use) (406)529-3323 with and learn to utilize this technology regarding the “how”, “when”, “where” [email protected] creating easier access to viewing. Good were discovered and further defined. Newsletter: interaction and meaningful conversation Without a doubt Jonathan had us easily Jennifer Whiteman came out of this session. captivated, learning and enjoying (208)315-3110 ourselves. Group interaction was key and [email protected] *Topic: Teaching and Movement Analysis helped to draw out the positive. NI Microsite: Thoughts. Jonathan Ballou (D-Team TJ Kauth member). I really enjoyed Jonathan. His *The last highlight (and there were knowledge of the basic movements that others) was skiing Mammoth steeps. The Adaptive: Vacant apply to good skiing he shows so well and day presented itself! Runs such as Climax, consistently no matter how fast, steep or Cornice Bowl, Wipeout Chutes, Paranoid Membership: Vacant gnarly the conditions. His demonstrations Flats, and more all drop off Mammoth’s were solid, precise and appeared effortless highest ridge. It’s awesome to look at to watch. The MA process was watching him while riding the Panorama Gondola or and watching each other for improvements. Chair 23. After getting 40”of snow, the His teaching and feedback was simple, clear patrol did their avalanche safety duties. and to the point regarding the basic Blasts were heard down in Mammoth fundamentals: Specific definition of Lakes. Just about everything off the ridge

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Alpine Exam Passes

Matthew Percuocco A3 Another perspective on the NI Division Christian Pravda A3 Lance Cole A2 Convention in Mammoth By Tom Williams Christian Luening A2 Craig Meyers A2 Stephen Riley A2 Most, if not all, divisions of PSIA-AASI roads in Mammoth Village were still clear, Connor Bogert A2 organize conventions. They are often a 3 day but no telling what the conditions might be Jason Barland A1 get together at a resort within the division. like up the mountain. The road from the Jordan Nichrich A1 Attendees are mainly members from the Village to the upper ski area is a well paved Logan Krisrickson A1 John Hunter A1 hosting division with a sprinkling of invited and wide road that winds through forest to Todd Kerplan A1 guests such as prominent clinicians, D-team an upper parking lot at 9,000 feet. No Ryan Bourk A1 members, and a few members from other surprise, by about half way up this 4 mile Billtryder A1 divisions. stretch of road, snow started to collect on Phil Byers A1 This year, the Northern Intermountain the road. Ewold Grabber A1 Division held their spring Convention the One would never have guessed it from the Dean Dalzell A1 end of March. By all reports, it was a rousing number of cars in the parking lot, but the Charles Kistler A1 Hannah Curran A1 success. I wanted to go, but couldn’t get away Roma Room was swarming with people in Erica Larson A1 from commitments in Sun Valley. A quick motion. People were changing into ski boots. Cierra Thomas A1 check of TheSnowPros.org showed that the Boot bags were stowed under every table Lauren Mamola A1 Western Division was holding a convention and against the walls. Skis and poles were Jeffery Barber A1 on April 25-27 in , stacked around helter skelter. Steve Haims A1 California. Somewhere along the line, I was told to be Christina Carlson A1 Jayme Coonce A1 Mammoth Mountain was an 11 hour drive boots on, ready to go at 9:00 on snow. I Lorena Croucher A1 from Sun Valley. Not very close, but I could stepped outside into the storm a little before Colton Mann A1 mix in a trip to Squaw Valley to ski and 9:00. This first morning there were 15 Andi Martin A1 socialize with friends and family. At the same alpine clinics, 4 snowboard clinics and 2 Lori Miller A1 time, two others from Sun Valley were Telemark clinics. Each clinic topic had at Ben Warren A1 considering making the trip to Mammoth, so least 2 sections. I had chosen “Down and Chris Resman A1 there could be some familiar faces at the Dirty Movement Analysis”. My section had Victoria Paluzzi A1 Zachary Tomlinson A1 convention. skiers from Squaw, Heavenly and some Naomi Shapiro A1 The drive from Sun Valley to Squaw Valley smaller places in Southern California that I Ted Dedden A1 was 10 hours with easy driving across the had not heard of. There were 6 of us Abby Hughs A1 Nevada desert. The Squaw plan was a partial counting the clinician. Braeden Pugmire A1 success. The social side was super, but the Once up on the mountain, the snow was Cody Scoper A1 skiing was pretty bad by any standards. coming down even harder. The top of the Emilee Milborn A1 California had been in a serious drought the mountain was closed and definitely not Kate Pekuri A1 Sarah Miller A1 entire year and it showed. Not much of the visible. We did the best we could with the Shea Nash A1 mountain was open, the snow was punchy clinic topic, and otherwise had a great time Danielle Valentine A1 and there was a serious threat of rain most of skiing in perhaps 6 inches of fresh snow. Laura Anzalone A1 the time we were on the snow. A morning of After 3 hours of blasting through the fresh Gerald Smart A1 this was enough; I quit early and headed to snow, we skied down to the lodge for a Amelia Ruiz A1 Mammoth. As I departed Squaw, a storm welcome one hour break. Toby Potter A1 Jocelyn Pulver A1 was gathering in the west. Then back for the second class at about 1:00. Colleen Morishita A1 By the time I reached my lodge located on Again each clinic topic had two or more Minarets Avenue in Mammoth Village, it was sections of about 5 skiers each. This nearly dark. There were signs of snow here afternoon, I chose Teaching Movement

and there, but not much. Of course I knew Patterns that work for all ages and all terrain

that the convention would take place further with Cookie Haile from Jackson Hole. The up the mountain where more snow was snow was still coming down at 2+” per hour. likely, and perhaps something good would As a result, most of the clinic concepts were come of the forecasted storm. discussed on the gondola rides and inside at Next morning, it was starting to snow. The a coffee/get warm break. On snow we just

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The emphasis was on stance, balance, A fund raising silent auction was held Snowboard Exam pressure. during dinner. Also, at least one notable, Passes We didn’t finish out the entire clinic that first Glen Plake, hairdo and all, showed up and afternoon. Five or so hours of skiing in a mingled. After the banquet the socializing serious snow storm had taken its toll, and continued at the Lakanuki Bar in Chris Lenington S3 we needed to freshen up before the Kick-off Mammoth Village for those with stamina. Beth McLam S2 party at Lakanuki Bar Luau in Mammoth Sunday broke bright and sunny with Paul Canfield S2 Village later in the evening. It was just as fewer clouds, less wind and somewhat Coby Miller S2 well that we stopped early. The parking lot warmer temperatures than Saturday. The Hallie Touchstone S2 was a mess. My car was buried in about 2 clinic schedule was a fair amount lighter Neal Uys S1 feet of snow. than on the first two days. There were 17 Robert Rusack S1 The next morning was sunny and cold. On clinics, total in the morning with titles like: Gene Fairbrother S1 the way to breakfast, I took a look at the “Bloody Mary Clinic” and “Moderate All parking lot and saw that my car now had Mountain Skiing”. I chose “Exploring the Kami Doan S1 another foot of snow on it. The roads had Four Skills”. Megan Jones S1 been nicely plowed during the night and In the afternoon, there were a total of 6 Camden Sutton S1 visibility was now excellent. I could see how Alpine clinics with names like “Afternoon Johanna Denmark S1 really beautiful Mammoth was. But when I Skiing with Jonathan” or “Afternoon Skiing Ryan Belanger S1 arrived at yesterday’s parking lot, I found it with Mike” or “Cruising Through the Ryan Mathieson S1 now cost $20/day to park. What? Well, it Robby Hauck S1 Finish”. I chose “Skiing Smarter not was Saturday, the sun was out and there was Andriel Aguinaga S1 Harder”. If there was a theme to the last 40 inches of new snow. The LA crowd had Jack Bovis S1 arrived. There was nothing to be done other day of skiing it would be something like Anthony Ortiz S1 than give the attendant $20 and scoot up to relax, enjoy some superb skiing and have James Figgins S1 the Roma Room. fun. The morning clinics kicked off at 9:00. This Jennifer Whiteman S1 morning, there were 15 alpine clinics, 4 Kevin Raymond S1 snowboard clinics, 3 Nordic clinics, one Shea Nash S1 adaptive Nordic clinic and two all day Joy Adams-Johnson S1 Specialist clinics - one for Children Specialist Melanie Yakemovic S1 and one for Seniors Specialist. These all day Sean Butler S1 clinics also continued on Sunday. My choice for the morning session was Level 2 Freestyle Specialist 1 Certification Ski Prep. Several of those I had skied with yesterday were back in my David Rader section. So there was the opportunity to get Kristine Storer further acquainted. The snow and weather Beth McLam were glorious. Gene Fairbrother My Saturday afternoon clinic was Timothy James Kauth “Movement Analysis not Just for Exams” in Elizabeth Wallace which we mixed periods of fun skiing with Weylin Barrett periods of standing on the side of runs and Alan Stadther analyzing skiers as they came by. Saturday’s Megan Jones weather had started clear but developed into Paul Canfield a mostly cloudy day. This didn’t take much Chuck Chiu away from the free skiing, took nothing away Eric Zimmerman from the movement analysis clinic work and Grady Beck had the effect of keeping the snow quality Heidi Schernthanner high. Seth Jacobsen Saturday evening was the Members Banquet Kamela Doan at the Mammoth Mountain Conference Nicholas Newman Center in the lodge. Festivities kicked off at Joshua Hadden about 6:00 with a cocktail hour. The Sun John B. Bolin III (Jake Bolin) Valley contingent, four of us, sat at one table. Chuck Shaffer Page 5 conditions or racecourses. In an effort to PSIA/AASI-NI

PSIA-NI Education Staff Training 2014 By Mike Erlebach and Loren Livermore

Spring training for the division’s Did we mention – we worked on stance.  Tip skis onto corresponding edges education staff was held at Pomerelle STANCE IS IMPORTANT! The stance at the same angle. just prior to the Spring Symposium the should promote fluid movement not last weekend in March. Training was posed positions. It should be supple at  Turn legs independent of the torso conducted by National Demonstration the joints for easy flexion and extension Team member Jonathan Ballou who with relaxed but ready muscles to  Manage “natural forces.” Snow works for the Aspen Ski Co. He played a produce efficient body movements. building pressure beneath the ski, major role in writing the new Alpine centrifugal and centripetal forces, Technical Manual. During that process The stance should start at the ski with and gravity are examples of natural he and other D-teamers were the feet and ankles. Feet should be forces. instrumental in leading the way for the separated wide enough to allow the next evolution in skiing. Their mission soles to be flat on a flat surface. This Once identified and accessed from a was to bring skiing back to its most will promote equal application of good stance, the five basic fundamentals basic fundamentals or “truths.” movement to each ski. Feel the whole always need to be blended to produce Jonathan’s task was to introduce these foot on the bottom of the boot. Establish smooth accurate turns. Remember that fundamentals to the education staff. three points of contact inside the boot. when a turn is completed we are as The ball of the foot and heel are the close to being in our athletic stance as The division, the education staff, and the platform and the bend at the front of the we are going to get. While there, membership at large must realize ankle against the tongue is the third transition to the new turn by evolution in skiing is a given. This point of contact inside the boot. Boot transferring the CoM to the new outside particular iteration will be evident shaft angle determines the angle of the ski and forward in the direction of the during the coming season; in the shins and spine. The knee should be new turn. Think of extending and national standards, certification guides, flexed enough so when blended with hip turning the legs between the knee and training, and certification exams. We flexion (bending at the hip/femur ball hip for a smooth, progressive transition need to take this opportunity to tamp joint not the waist) the torso can be between turns. down our old bag of thoughts and tricks maintained in a parallel relationship to and make room for some fresh ideas and the shin angle. The spine should be As members of the education staff we concepts. maintained in its natural “S” look forward to sharing these concepts During training Jonathan shared a configuration to promote efficient and skills with the membership. revamped way to look and think of the movement patterns. traditional skills concept. He also let us Participation of the membership is a know, in no uncertain terms, it is the This sounds very much like the “athletic must in order to make this process education staff’s job to get the word out stance” we always strive for – it is! work. Members should take advantage to division members. Here are a few of However, if we think of our stance as a of every opportunity they have. Ask the Ballou’s thoughts on professional-ism. living, breathing entity giving us the education staff members at each First and foremost is get in shape and ability to access and blend skills to make snowsports school to help you and stay in condition. Be on time, look efficient turns then we are on the road attend in-house training as well as sharp, and be enthusiastic. Do not ski to good skiing. Are we ready to put this lazy at any time. This means with a stance to use? First let’s identify the division level training opportunities. client or not. Jonathan walked the talk. previously mentioned basic The message Jonathan presented is to fundamentals or truths of skiing. keep the message simple. There are five basic truths in skiing. Stance is the  Distribute pressure along the length overarching driver of the truths and is of the ski by moving fore or aft as our door to accessing these required to maintain balance. fundamentals. Stance is important! The first day of spring training was  Transfer pressure from outside ski dedicated to stance. The second day to new outside ski. (“It is the job of was dedicated to stance and then during the inside ski/foot to stay parallel to the Symposium we worked on stance. the outside ski/foot.”)

Page 6 Continued from Page 3. . . Upon arrival, was the clear sight of these AWESOME steep faces that were a mystery the day before. Runs were secured and opened gradually thru the morning. We proceeded to have major FUN with our Mammoth guide while watching for the next run to open. Entering off the top ridge had my heart racing, wondering if I could make that first turn. It was so bloody steep! However, after the second turn, exhilaration! The avalanche debris was surprisingly soft and consistent as long as you avoided ‘sink holes’ or pits. The clinician was a man of few words: “Flip your thighs from side to side, making round turns in the fall line, follow me….”. It worked, but keeping up became the challenge! From then on to make the first tracks became our pursuit.

Staying an extra day at Mammoth was a “Climax” mogul run, view from top gift to myself. Monday happened to be one of those very special clear mountain Because they had also experienced a Next seasons goal (and reward) will be days. Perfect blue skies, no wind, warm poor snowfall this season (300” instead to return to this well organized and fun but not too warm, and no people. The of the usual 600”) a good portion of the Western Division Spring Convention at views of the Minaret Peaks to the north mountain had to close early. Therefore, Mammoth. were spectacular! The steeps were there is a temptation to explore those calling out, even though to my chagrin, areas next year. I believe it’s my destiny Let me know if you get the urge. (I am Chair 23 was closed. Still there was to return and experience more. serious. Perhaps find a van, fill it, and plenty of divine terrain to be had. save space for a few dogs!)

My expectations of a satisfied season finale were by far fulfilled.

Skiing AWESOME vertical, learning from the cream of the crop professional leaders and being with a supper friendly culture of people who like to do everything you do, including a few parties!

Page 7 PSIA-AASI—NORTHERN-INTERMOUNTAIN DIVISION

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PSIA/AASI-NI P.O. Box 2587 Ketchum, ID 83340