Fall/Winter Issue Plus 2012/2013 Event Guide A career you can be passionate about. Adventure • Leadership Camaraderie • Excellence theedge • Fall 2012/Winter 2013 Page 2 President’s Message By Carl Underkoffler, PSIA/AASI-West President Winter 2011-12 will soon fade away in our This October some of our key chairs, along with memory banks, only to blend in with the other years representatives from across the country, will be at- already stored there. It was a difficult year for all of tending a national standards meeting hosted at Cop- us in the Western Division and the data from across per Mountain. The purpose is to focus on standards the nation mirrors our season: and training towards each of our disciplines includ- ing Adaptive Skiing, Adaptive Snowboard, Alpine, • Nationwide skier visits fell almost 16 percent Cross Country, Telemark, Snowboarding, Children from the prior season to an estimated 51 million and Freestyle. The collaboration and discussion that visits. will happen at this event will help build consistency • 2011/12 witnessed the lowest total visitation across divisions. since 1991/92 when 50.8 million visits were As I grow older, the years get meshed and jum- recorded. bled but when you get down to it, none of them have • 2011/12 was marked by the lowest average resort really been that bad. It’s all a matter of perception. snowfall in twenty years. There is always a bright side. So while 2011/12 was • The national average season was shortened by not the best year snowfall-wise the skiing and riding 7.9 percent in 2011/12, with many resorts open- that was available in late spring was fantastic. I have ing late and closing early. noticed that once resorts begin to close for the season • On the bright side lesson penetration increased a lot of you hang up your tools and put the season to 7.4 percent from prior season levels. There were rest. The reasons can be endless, spring job, burnout, less skiers but more of them took lessons. injuries, attitude, “I’m over it” seems to echo in the locker rooms. The Western Division held its summer Board of If you have a real passion for your career in Directors meeting in Truckee August 4&5, 2012. The snowsports, give yourself a fresh start for the next agenda was packed with topics including updates on season and go on a spring vacation to a resort that is the Policy and Procedure Manual, Member School still open. Work on your craft in the am and enjoy policies, sponsorship opportunities, insurance/ the surroundings in the pm. Set yourself up for suc- worker’s compensation issues, accounting practices, cess the next season by using the end of one season certification policies/procedures, as well as calen- to be the start of the next. Utilize the time wisely and dar and budgeting for 2012-13. These major topics change the way you think about spring. Yes it is a were dealt with in a serious manner with all of our time for cycling, hiking, fishing, moto cross, baseball, division’s stakeholders in mind. You did a great job softball, sailing etc. but if snow is still available go electing a well balanced Board of Directors. find it and embrace it. On behalf of the Board of Directors and our This March you all will be asked to elect mem- membership we would like to extend a “THANK bers that have the desire and time to sit on the Board YOU” to Glen Smith for his time and commitment to of Directors. You all play an active role in choosing the division. Glen has been a very positive voice for the next representatives so please take the time to the Adaptive community. He willingly accepted the read the bios and make your voice heard. If any of job of Adaptive Committee Chair that no one else you are considering a bid for the BOD and are unsure wanted at the time. He stepped in and made a differ- of duties, roles or responsibilities please contact ence in pro- Mitch or myself. You could become the most influen- grams and tial board member. Run for PSIA/AASI-W processes for Often Kennedy’s words inspire me “Ask not what Board of Directors our adaptive your division can do for you but what you can do for members. your division.” Slight edit but sure you get the idea. Candidate Statements are due by Jan. 20th, 2013 When you In closing enjoy the season that will be upon us to be considered. see Glen on shortly, thank Glen Smith, get out and train in the Qualifications: member in good standing, and the snow or spring for yourself and vote for your Board of a willingness to work hard for the membership. in the locker Directors. Send your statement of approximately 300 words room please and a ‘head shot’ to the PSIA/AASI office, take a mo- Carl U [email protected]. ment to say Directors are elected by a vote of the membership. great job and thanks. Successful candidates will earn a three year term. theedge • Fall 2012/Winter 2013 Page 3 Benefits of Membership PSIA/AASI Certification is recog- deals, manuals, educational nized nationally and international- resources, and an assortment ly by snowsports school directors of customized clothing with and resorts. We have over 50 years our PSIA/AASI logos. experience providing premier • Subaru VIP Program - if you education events, customized need a new vehicle this offer training, and certification stan- has a potential savings that dards for over 32,000 instructors would cover more than 30 located in nine divisions from years of membership dues Alaska to the East Coast. at current prices. National Benefits: • GAP – Accidental medical • 32 Degrees – The Journal and professional liability of Professional Snowsports insurance. Instruction contains cutting edge articles on technique, Western Division Benefits: teaching, and keeping you • The Edge – The Journal in touch with the rest of the of Western Snowsports industry. Instruction keeping you • Movement Matrix – A giant up to speed with what’s online video library that happening in our division! covers everything from certi- • Discount Resort Tickets – the fication standards to tailoring Available at most resorts edge your technique based on throughout the western The Edge is a publication of the The terrain and snow conditions. division. Western Division of Professional Ski • Online Forum – So you can Instructors of America (PSIA-W) and • Professional discounts stay in touch with the other the American Association of Snowboard – Available from regional and 32,000 members sharing the Instructors (AASI-W) covering California national reps on most major same passion for snowsports. and Nevada. We are one of nine divisions brands and suppliers. that make up the American Snowsports • Technical & Teaching Manu- • Online Education Materials & Education Association (ASEA). als – Specifically customized Certification Guides – for instructors to help prepare Customized materials to PSIA was founded in 1961 to develop a you for everything from prepare for certification standardized system for teaching and to teaching levels 1-9 to events and general education unify instructors throughout the coun- certification and beyond. resources in 5 disciplines. try in the disciplines of: Alpine, Nordic, • National Academy – Premier Snowboarding, Adaptive. • Certification - in Alpine, event that features extensive Adaptive, Nordic and Snow- The Edge is published two times annu- curriculum designed to keep board disciplines. ally. The opinions expressed in this pace with the rapidly chang- publication are those of the authors, and ing snowsport industry. Spe- • Accreditations – in spe- are not necessarily the policies and cial on and off-hill seminars cialty areas such as Freestyle, opinions of PSIA/AASI Western Division. with an Children’s, and Seniors. assortment of guest speakers. For advertising submissions and • Instructor Training & information, contact our office: • Exclusive Equipment & Gear Continuing Education – PSIA/AASI Western Division Offers – Available from 40+ led by some of our coun- 9709 Highway 267, Suite B, Suppliers across the country. tries finest skiers, riders, and Truckee, CA. 96161 teachers. Our division offers • Accessories Catalog – Acces- phone (530) 587-7642 over 150 events throughout sible online and sent to you fax (530) 587-4273 the season. annually this catalog contains [email protected] a listing of all the professional For all membership inquiries, check out our website at www.psia-w.org or contact our office for additional information. theedge • Fall 2012/Winter 2013 Page 4 Heritage By Steven Evenson Nic Fiore Award 2013 This will be the 3rd year Nic would still call me Stevie when we met. I would for this special recognition always reply “Nic you can call me Steve now that I award to highlight the “Un- am in my 50’s.” sung Heroes” in our division. He would wink at me and say “You’ll always be a These are the men and women kid to me!” That is the spirit of this Award. that are the glue that holds The first year’s honoree was Ernie Gray of Tahoe our division and ski schools Donner, followed by Mike Iman of Sugar Bowl last together. There are no special year. The winner will be presented a recognition certifications or restrictions plaque at our Spring Convention in Mammoth. for these nominations. You If you would like to nominate someone: Submit know who they are at your your nomination in writing, specific areas. They are the 1000 words or less to Mitch at the PSIA/AASI Nic Fiore mentors and people in your Office ([email protected]) by Feb 15th. locker rooms that are the “GO TO” staff if you have Give us the history and background for your any questions or problems.