THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF PSIA- CENTRAL

LATE WINTER 2005

Efficiency
By Doug Radefeld, AASI Level 3, AASI-C Ed Staff,
IN THIS ISSUE
Trainer at Boston Mills/Brandywine 3 Boyne Highlands
I started taking skiing lessons in junior high. My father had already Workshop-Clinic
taught me the basics and I could confidently ski any hill I wanted in what
I felt was a perfect parallel. My instructors kept having me try different 4 Managing PSIA-C
movements and turns that they felt would make me a better rounded skier
for all conditions. I was 13 years old and I did not understand. I thought 5 Listen to your
I could ski anything I ever wanted, and they were just wasting my time. At students
15 I started snowboarding. Snowboarding has always had a reputation
for being the rebel sport where you can ride anyway you wanted and try 6 Silver Fox Series
anything you can imagine. Coming from a skateboarding background
with the same ideals, I figured this was the winter sport for me. No
snowboard instructor would ever tell me I had to snowboard a certain
7 Ride with D-Team
way!
8 PSIA-C Official
Once I started teaching snowboarding I started to understand what those Board of Directors
ski instructors were trying to do. They were trying to expand my bag Candidates
of tricks so that I could ski groomers, ice, bumps, steeps, or whatever I
wanted safely and with confidence. They were also trying to make my 13 Official PSIA-C
everyday skiing more efficient, so when I left my 240 vertical feet of hill I Election Rules &
could enjoy myself on 4 mile runs out west.
Ballot
I still believe snowboarding (and skiing) can be done successfully in a
variety of ways and with a variety of techniques. However, as instructors 14 Special Olympics
we need to be teaching our students the safest and most efficient ways
of doing things and then let them add their own style or ideas to it. In 15 Ride with D-Team
snowboarding we have two fundamental movements that make the Opportunities
snowboard perform in the snow. The timing, intensity, and duration of our
rotational and flexion/extension movements all affect the size, shape, and 16 Nordic Education
type of turns our boards make. Let us explore some of the more efficient Staff Report
movements we can share with our students.

Rotation 17 Events

Rotation involves moving a body part, or entire body, around an axis This 18 Nordic Women of
can be as simple as shaking our head in a “no” motion or as complicated West Yellowstone
as doing a 900 degree spin. When making turns we rotate a part (or
19 Skiing and FISH!™
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
 (EFFICIENCY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
THE CENTRAL LINE
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL
SKI INSTRUCTORS OF AMERICA - CENTRAL
parts) of the body to make the snowboard pivot
about an axis. We can start the turn by looking in the
PSIA-C 2004/2005 direction we want to go with our head, then shoulders,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3225 West St. Joseph
Lansing, Michigan 48917 President
hips, knees and down to our feet. The board reacts to
Phone (517) 327-0601
Wm. “Skip” Dickel the movements we started with the head and initiates
Fax (517) 321-0495 Executive Vice President
Michael Bell
the turn. We can also initiate the turn by rotating our
info@psia-c.org
Education Vice President feet, knees, and hips in the direction we want to go
General Information Members should
contact their board representatives to
Brent Heimann with an upper body quiet or slightly enhancing the
Financial Vice President
share concerns or opinions on policies
David P. Kamke lower body movements. While both work, and both
or procedures in order that they be more
effectively represented. Marketing Vice President eventually cause the snowboard to turn, initiating
Mindy Covington
Submissions: Submissions of articles, the turn with our lower body requires less energy and
photos, and other items for publication Alpine Directors
are welcome. All documents that are 1 Wm. “Skip” Dickel causes the snowboard to react more quickly.
submitted will be published on the web, Jeff Lewin
therefore they should be submitted in
Microsoft Word Format (7.0 or higher)
2 Brent Heimann Flexion/Extension
David P. Kamke
with the following header: article name,
3 Robin K. Roberts
date and author. Documents can have
Thomas L. McIntosh
Flexion and extension involves moving a body part, or
minimal graphics (GIF/BMP) small size -
no photographs (for website). Photographs 4 Kris Agnew entire body, through a plane. Flexion is accomplished
may be submitted to the office and will be
published in the Central Line but will not be
Walter B. Sappington by closing the joints, or making smaller angles at the
5 Douglas Wren
published on the web. Please send to the
Mark D. Foyteck
joints. Extension is the opening, or creating larger
PSIA-C office at the above address. Articles
are accepted on the condition that they are 6 John F. Cole angles at the joints. In snowboarding our neutral
released for publication in all PSIA and
PSIA division periodicals. PSIA-C reserves
Gary D. Kepler stance is with our weight balanced over both feet and
the right to edit all articles.
Nordic Director
Michael Bell
our ankles, knees, hips, and spine slightly flexed.
The Central Line, copyright © 2005,
Snowboard Directors
is published four times per year by the
1,2,3 Chuck Ankeny Assume we are on our toes doing a sideslip or traverse.
Professional Ski Instructors of America-
Central. Permission is hereby given to 4,5,6 Mindy Covington By lifting the toes on our front foot toward the shin
the Professional Ski Instructors of America
and other divisions to copy original ma-
Ex-Officio PSIA-N Director
John Peppler
(flexing our front ankle joint) and slightly pushing down
terial from this newsletter providing credit on the rear toes (extending the rear ankle) we can
is given to the Professional Ski Instructors
of America-Central and the material is 2004/2005 twist the board along its length. This will engage the
not altered. Articles that contain specific
copyright notices may not be reprinted
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
front half of the heel side edge while simultaneously
unless written permission is obtained from President taking pressure off the rear half of the heel side edge.
the author. It is requested that a copy Wm. “Skip” Dickel
of any publication containing reprinted This will reduce the chance of catching the heel edge
material from this newsletter be sent to Executive Vice President
the editor at the address above. Brent Heimann when transitioning from toe to heel. Switching the
Subscriptions: Persons who are not
Financial Vice President & movements allow you to go from heel to toe. This is
members of PSIA-C can purchase a Secretary the most efficient (but not only) method for initiating
one-year (four issues) subscription to The David P. Kamke
Central Line for $15. Send your name and Alpine Directors a turn, especially at slower speeds. These movements
address, along with your check, to PSIA-C
at the above address.
1 Wm. “Skip” Dickel should be subtle and the rider will need to shift the
Jeff Lewin
Note: Materials published in The Central 2 Brent Heimann
hips and center of mass over the new edge to apply
Line that have been provided by persons David P. Kamke appropriate pressure as they move farther into the turn.
who are not writing as PSIA-C officials are
the responsibility of the author and are 3 Robin K. Roberts
not necessarily endorsed by PSIA-C. Thomas L. McIntosh If twisting the board is the most efficient way to initiate
4 Kris Agnew
PSIA-C STAFF Walter B. Sappington
a turn, what would be the preferred way to unweight
Executive Director 5 Douglas Wren the board before twisting it and changing edges?
Donnelly K. Eurich
Director of Continuing Edu-
Mark D. Foyteck Two ways to actively unweight the board are up-
6 John F. Cole
cation/Member Services
Gary D. Kepler
unweighting or down-unweighting. Up-unweighting
Katie HC Poindexter
Administrative Services Adaptive Directors is when a rider actively extends the legs to bring the
Donna Devereaux
Kari Brandel
David Henderson center of mass over the new edge (standing taller at
Government Relations/Edu-
Nordic Director
Michael Bell
edge change). Down-unweighting is when a rider
cation Coordinator
Kelly Johnston Snowboard Directors brings the board back underneath the center of mass
Publications Coordinator
1,2,3 Chuck Ankeny to release the old and engage the new edge through
Nancy Hawkins 4,5,6 Mindy Covington
controlled flex of the legs (shorter flexed position at
Administrative Support Ex-Officio PSIA-N Director
Kelsey Gregory John Peppler edge change). By unweighting the board through
Editor in Chief down-unweighting, our CM is lower to the ground
Mindy Covington
Graphic Designer Contact information can be found
Erich Reich at www.psia-c.org/whoswho (CONTINUED ON PAGE 6)
2
Boyne Highlands Workshop-Clinic
By Chris Van Tongeren, PSIA-C Alpine Ed Staff, Photos by Rick Van Tongeren
Skiers and riders love to have a good time, and the workshop-
clinic held Dec. 11-12 at Boyne Highlands was no exception.
This event was a perfect opportunity to enjoy beautiful early
season weather, make new Friends, as well as learn or refine
skills. More than 200 members signed up for the event. They
broke into more than 30 groups of Alpine and Nordic skiers and
snowboarders.
The event was the first under a new format for sections 4, 5 and 6.
Some groups had interesting names like the Silver or Grey Foxes.
Groups like the Specialty and Sampler Platters were offered, as
was Variety in the Spice of Skiing. The race clinic was filled to
capacity. Eleven women signed up for the women’s group, and
about a dozen signed up for children’s accreditation.
And don’t forget the free-heeling telemark group. Four D-team
members, Andy Docken, Doug Pierini, Butch Peterson and
Rob Sogard, arrived Friday to lead mini-academy groups. The Demo team members Andy Docken, Doug Pierini,
snow conditions were pretty darn good. Temperatures were cold Butch Peterson and Rob Sogard led mini-
early in the week, and a few inches of light, fluffy powder graced academy groups at a workshop-clinic December
the slopes. at Boyne Highlands

By the event’s first day, conditions were sunny and warm. The
snow sparkled. It was definitely time to break out sun block.
Saturday saw the start of a full day of activities, skiing till 4:00
pm, relaxing at the cocktail hour and a ski-snowboard reps show.
The evening ended with a four-star banquet.
Most of the groups were recorded on video, allowing participants
to review playbacks of the day’s accomplishments.Sunday
brought more snow. Despite the long drive home facing most
attendees, they seemed to welcome the white stuff.
The ski school directors group met on Monday, providing them
with a much-needed rest after the weekend event.
The Boyne Highlands staff did an excellent job welcoming their
PSIA-C guests, including President, Skip Dickle, and Finance Vice
President Dave Kamke.
A telemark group was one of an array of groups
The Boyne Highlands workshop was a smashing success. Be sure offered in a new format this year.
to attend this one next year, don’t miss out on the fun. PSIA-C

A snowboard group, led by

Kelly Seelbinder

3
Managing PSIA-C
By Skip Dickel, President
How Now? How in the Future?
The national PSIA and AASI organization, now named
American Snowsports Education Association (ASEA),
is about to undertake a serious self-examination of its
own governance, or how that national organization
is managed. It is appropriate for Central Division
to undertake a similar self-examination of its own
governance.
As an organization grows and evolves, its systems
for leadership and management must be examined
and tested for continued effectiveness and efficiency.
The present structure may be perfect, or not. If not,
possibilities of change for improvement should be
explored.
Members are encouraged to consider PSIA-C’s
present structure, described below, and to think about
ways by which that structure might be more effective
or more efficient. Members are invited to share
thoughts, including both questions and suggestions,
in writing sent either to a board representative, to
the management office at selfexam@psia-c.org, or
preferably, to both.
Present Structure
The core function of PSIA-C is educating, training, and
certifying snowsport instructors. The PSIA-C Education
Staff provides direct performance of that function by
developing, scheduling, and conducting all clinics and
certification examinations for members.
The Ed Staff is divided into disciplines of alpine skiing,
snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and adaptive skiing and
riding. Individuals invited to serve on the Ed Staff for
a season are instructors who have earned level three
certification, and who have been further evaluated
through a process that includes an Education
Staff Development Group clinic (recent addition),
interviews, on-snow auditions, and shadowing
participation in certification exams. Training continues
toward becoming an examiner. Members generally
know the Ed Staff folks as our Examiners.
Alpine examiners elect from among themselves its
own leadership, known as the Alpine Education and
Certification Committee (ECC). The ECC elects from
within two chairpersons. Ed Staff members are paid
nominal compensation for conducting a clinic or an
4
exam. Ed Staff committee work, both in leadership
roles and in development duties, is volunteer work
with no compensation.
A discipline specific administrator provides oversight
for Ed Staff activities in each discipline. In a hierarchy
sense, all administrators report to an education vice
president. As a practical matter, administrators work
with the education vice president, the finance vice
president, the executive vice president, the president,
the ECC chairs, and the office staff in Lansing,
Michigan.
The board of directors elects an education vice
president, a finance vice president, a marketing vice
president, an executive vice president, and a president
each year in May. Certified members from specific
disciplines and geographic sections elect directors
to two-year terms. There are two alpine skiing
directors from each of six sections. There are two
snowboarding directors, one for sections 1, 2 and 3,
and one for sections 4, 5 and 6. There is one Nordic
skiing director. These directors serve both the PSIA-C
corporation and the PSIA-C Education Foundation
corporation. There is one adaptive director who
serves on the PSIA-C Education Foundation board.
The PSIA-C representative to the national ASEA board
also has a non-voting seat on the Central boards.
All administrator work, all board work, and all officer
work, is volunteer work without compensation.
Qualifications for election to the board include
minimum certification in the discipline represented,
residence within the geographic section represented,
and membership in good standing.
Daily operations are conducted by Eurich
Management Services, a management company
under contract. That company provides the “office
staff” in Lansing.
Central Division is one of nine divisions in the
United States. Each division appoints a national
representative to serve as a director on the ASEA
Board of Directors. All divisions are required to
operate under the ASEA bylaws and principles of
snowsport instruction.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 14)
Listen to your students, and they will hear
By Chris Clark, Level 3 snowboard, level 1 alpine, certified USASA Judge and Coach,
Competitor
Have you ever noticed yourself getting into a rut
and teaching a stock lesson? I am sure we all
have, especially when it comes to beginner lessons.
Teaching the same lesson to every student may not
always work, especially if the student is not ready to
hear what you have to say.
I realized I was ready to hear what people were
telling me about my riding after I saw a video of
myself. I taught myself to snowboard after taking
ski lessons for eight years. I progressed quickly to
an intermediate level, but I
had a habit of never bending
my knees on my heel-side
turns. I was told this over I realized I was ready
and over again, especially to hear what people
once I started riding with
fellow instructors. They tried were telling me about
everything in their power
to get me to change, but
my riding after I saw a
I wasn’t ready to hear it. I video of myself
thought that I was bending
my knees, until about five
years ago when I saw a video of myself for the
first time and saw how ugly my riding looked. This
experience changed everything. I was ready to really
hear what others were saying and motivated to start
working on it myself. Like any good instructor, I am
still perfecting my riding, but one of the primary
reasons my riding has really improved is because I
was ready to hear.
Most students have the best intentions in the world
to listen to everything that you have to say, but
sometimes they just never hear you. You have to
come up with creative ways to show them that
what you are saying will help them improve. Only
then will they really hear what you are saying and
take it to heart. I have used techniques found
in the manuals, tricks from other instructors and
even approaches that I have come up with myself
over the years. No matter what technique I use,
I routinely change it right on the slope to fit the
needs of my class.
Often it’s a matter of showing rather than telling.
For example, to get my students to bend their
knees, I have them stand up and bend slightly
5
forward at the waist and look at their legs. Then I
have them do the same thing while bending their
knees slightly, so they can see a difference. Instead
of saying, “Look to make sure that your knees are
bent,” I say “If you can see your shins, you are not
bending your knees enough.” No matter how many
times you tell your students to bend their knees,
nothing can compare with seeing it for themselves.
Seeing is believing, and the next time they hear
“bend your knees,” they will actually “hear” it and
make sure they can’t see their shins.
The next time you take out
a lesson, don’t only try to
get your students to hear
you, but also try and hear
them. What do they want to
learn? How have they been
taught in the past? How are
they interpreting what you
are saying? On a chair ride
up or a walk to the hill, ask
these questions and make
sure you really hear the answers. This will give you
an opportunity to figure out if the students actually
“heard” what you said. Only then will you be able
to supplement the same exercise with another
technique in your bag of tricks to fill in the blanks.
Don’t be scared to try something new. You never
know what might work and what it will take for a
student to truly hear what you are saying.
By listening to our students and making sure they
really hear us, both instructor and student can get
more out of a lesson. Get away from always doing
the same thing. Skiing and snowboarding are
always changing, and there is plenty of room for
innovation. Take some time and really listen to your
own body and figure out new ways to do and teach.
I am a firm believer that there are hundreds of ways
to get the same results. Find a new way and pass it
on your fellow instructors. They will thank you, and
so will your clients. If you continue to teach stock
lessons not only will your students get tired, but you
may also lose the enthusiasm and love of the sport
that made you become an instructor in the first
place. PSIA-C
The Silver Fox Series is a Success!
By Jay Parks, Alpine Level II, Instructor
Perfect North Slopes
I like to start my stories with the
“Once Upon a Time” phrase, which
is how I like to remember my skiing.
Not that I am that old, but I am
now having a very hard time with
my ego as I attempt to keep up with
the Clinic leaders and the younger
instructors that were in many of
the groups at the PSIA-C Clinic at
Boyne Highlands in December.
I was delighted to find the new
section with the title “Alpine
Silver Fox Series.” The description
included, “Easy pace, some skiing,
some talking, and some teaching.”
This is just what I had been used to
getting except for that easy pace
part. Did I mention that I had been
nursing a bum knee that is on its
way towards surgery? So you can
see, the Silver Fox Series seemed to
fit the bill for me.
I was also delighted to find that my
group of “Silver Foxes” was small,
with two guys in my age range
and two absolutely amazing and
wonderful skiers who are in their
80’s. Our group leader was none
other than the “Master” Instructor,
Senior Ed. Staff member, and silver
haired (get the connection?) Walt
Sappington. He met us on the
hill in that infamous lineup next to
the Camelot lift. We introduced
ourselves and Walt gave us the
agenda for the morning.
We focused on the same edging
techniques that I saw many other
groups doing that morning. We
did it with an easy going pace that
allowed us all to move forward with
our skill levels with emphasis on
the “fun” part. There were many
stories thrown in by all of the group
members; especially the really
senior Silver Foxes of the group.
We skied all morning with only a
short potty break for those of us with
bladders that work more frequently
than they used to. We concluded
the morning with a great lunch
discussion of what we were learning,
PSIA updates from Walt, and our
afternoon
game plan.
The Silver Fox session was similar
to other clinic sessions I have
attended except for the pace and
the discussions revolving around
the helping the senior customer
move forward with their skiing. We
also talked a lot about safety and
comfort levels for the senior skier;
enabling them to feel comfortable
with their lesson and being able to
ski longer because of the skills they
had learned to make them more
efficient skiers.
As you can see, I feel that this first
attempt directed towards the senior
ski instructor was a huge success.
My guess is that the five of us had
combined skier longevity of about
190 years and about 125 years
of teaching experience (not even
counting Walt). We all learned a
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 19)

(EFFICIENCY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)

(safer and better balance), our joints are flexed, and
ready to make the subtle movements needed to twist
and flex the board (more efficient). As we discussed
above, steering movements initiated by the lower
legs are also more effective with ankles, knees, and
hips flexed.
With all this flexion where is the extension in our
dynamic turns? The extension comes as we steer the
board through the turn. As we push the feet away
from the CM we will increase pressure on the board
causing it to decamber. How much pressure is put
on the board will dictate turn shape, size and type.
It is winter, so stop reading and go to your local
resort. Try making turns in different ways. Initiate
some turns with upper body rotation, then with lower
body rotation. At the transition (edge change) of the
turn try standing up to release the edge and then
try flexing to release and engage the edge. Try a
combination of the two (ex. Down unweight the
board and initiate the turn with your lower body).
Have fun with it. Feel what works best and discuss
what would be the safest and most efficient way
to snowboard/teach students snowboarding with
other instructors. Add it to your bag of tricks, but
remember each student is different and you need to
customize the lesson.
If you are dying to read more on this subject, grab
a copy of the AASI’s Snowboard Movement Analysis
Handbook and head to chapter 3. PSIA-C

6
Ride with D-Team
By Eric Schultz, AASI Level 3 Instructor, USASA Level 3 Coach
Why choose a ride with the PSIA/
AASI National Demonstration
Team (D-Team) session for
Education Credit as opposed to
the other great clinics offered by
Central Division? I have been
pondering this question since
being asked to write something
about it. In my heart, I know the
value-added benefits are there,
but how was I to take my gut
feelings and translate them into
tangible words. Let’s start by
exploring some experiences with
D-Team and see what answers
we can find.
First, let’s define D-Team for
the uninitiated. D-Team is the
nickname of the PSIA/AASI
National Demonstration Team.
To steal the line from the movie
Men In Black, they are “the best
of the best of the best.” Another
way to put it is that they are
instructors for instructors. They
can cover a task from any angle
that an instructor could crave,
both in theory and practice:
riding it, teaching it, breaking
it down technically, providing
real-life examples with various
students, etc.
My experience with D-Team
started several years back when I
was considering taking my Level
2 exam. Hungry for information,
and any edge I could get that
would prepare me to pass the
exam, I took a day off work
to attend a Ride with D-Team
session. It is not until now that I
look back and see the huge value
I gained on this day. I had been
preparing, studying, working with
other instructors with my Level
2 goal in mind. All of this had
become much more like work
than like snowboarding. Work
is for the office; snow time is
supposed to be fun time. But
I was determined and working
toward a goal.
The day started casual, stayed
casual and finished fun. We
covered a variety of topics but
only ever talked briefly about any
of them. It was quick and to the
point so that we could get down
and try it. If there was someone
who wanted to get into more
depth, it happened on the chair
rides to keep things moving. I
was able to see our leader
demonstrate skills with a level of
precision that fellow instructors
at my home area where only
able to talk about. Very quickly,
I forgot that I was preparing for
anything. There was a passion
and enthusiasm for the sport in
that session that was infectious.
Not only did this session tune up
some of my skills, it also put me
back into the right frame of mind.
Several weeks later, I passed my
Level 2 exam.
Now, several years later, I have
returned to another Ride with
D-Team session during the
recent event at Boyne Highlands
(Dec. 11- 12). I came into this
experience with no agenda and
nothing to prepare for, having
passed my Level 3 at the end of
last season. I was wondering
what, if anything, there might be
left to learn. Honestly, I came
because the package deal for the
event was attractively priced and I
knew that I would get some good
riding time to kick off my season.
In our introductions that Saturday
morning, while the others in
7
my groups talked about things
they wanted to work on, I simply
stated I was here to have fun.
Like my previous D-Team
experience, we covered a wide
variety of topics. We worked with
basic foundation skills and we
experimented with progressions
and stepping-stones. We applied
all of it to more advanced riding
as well, covering some requested
advanced topics. At times, it
was rehashing things I had heard
before with a bit of a fresh twist.
Other times, it brought a unique
perspective on something. But
probably the most positive thing
about the experience was the
lack of ego. Having a wide
variety of experience myself, and
my own level of achievement, I
didn’t want some hot shot from
Aspen coming in and trying to
teach down to me. And I got
exactly what I wanted here.
He recognized where I was at
with my teaching and riding
and treated me as much like
a peer as a student. At times
he encouraged me to add my
own personal spin on a topic
to give the rest of the group a
perspective different than his
own. In the end, I walked away
having fun but also adding a
number of new tricks to my bag.
Now, having fleshed out a
narrative of my experiences, I
believe I have the answer. One
key skill most D-Team members
have it what I call “the ability to
teach without teaching” (sounds
very Zen, doesn’t it.) In my first
experience, I came to the table
obsessed with a specific goal
and in a high-gear preparation
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 15)
 PSIA-C Official Board of Directors Candidates
ALPINE SECTION 1 WILLIAM M. “SKIP” DICKEL
I seek continued
service to the PSIA-C
Board of Directors.
Continued goals
for Central Division
members include
excellent education
and training for
snowsport instructors, consistency and
reliability for certification candidates, and
improved public awareness about the
superb snowsports coaching provided by
Central’s members.
Goals for Central Division in the larger
snowsports community include service to,
and benefits from, its national PSIA/AASI
organization, now named American
Snowsports Education Association (ASEA),
and continued involvement with many other
snowsports industry organizations. ASEA
is about to conduct a self-examination of
how it is governed, and how its governance
might improve. Central has an active
interest in that process. Central Division
may contribute to the national governance
study. Likewise, Central Division will
consider conducting a similar study of
Division governance, and taking advantage
of what ASEA may learn.
My experience with Central’s Board of
Directors has been the present two years
term, which included serving as President.
ALPINE SECTION 2 KRIS KRUSE-ELLIOT
Experience: Twenty-
five year member of
PSIA. Member of
both Central and
Northwest divisions.
PSIA-C examiner.
USSA coach.
Technical director for
Tyrol Basin ski school, head coach Blackhawk
ski club third flight race program, coach
for Tyrol Basin junior race team. Associate
Professor of Anesthesiology, University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Twenty years of university
teaching experience in classroom and clinical
setting. Experience with curriculum design
and redesign, design of student assessment
methods, and human resource management
in both clinical and laboratory settings.
2005 PSIA/
My personal background includes:
Ski Instruction: 2005 is my 22nd season
AASI-C Board
as an alpine ski instructor with Skijammers,
based in metropolitan Minneapolis and St.
Nominees
Paul. Skijammers serves young skiers and
snowboarders, traveling to eight snowsport
areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I hold ALPINE CANDIDATES
level three alpine certification.
Ski School Management: I served six Section 1
seasons as a ski school director for one of
WM. “SKIP” DICKEL
Skijammers’ five divisions.
Clinician: I work with fellow instructors Section 2
during preseason training and in-season
KRIS KRUSE-ELLIOT
certification preparation.
Other Job: I am an attorney in a group Section 3
of eight. I am currently president for an
underlying corporate entity. TOM MCINTOSH
Board Service: Board of directors Section 4
experience has included business boards,
past and present; charitable organization WALTER SAPPINGTON
boards, past and present; and “other
season” sport organization boards, past
and present (i.e. sailboat racing and sailing Section 5
school organizations, with offices through JIM JOHNSON
commodore).
DOUG WREN
Contacts from members with questions,
suggestions, or comments are welcome! Section 6
JOHN COLE
BOB JOHNSON
ENGELBERT GAL
Goals: Primary goal is to be responsive to
and recognize the interests of the PSIA-C NORDIC CANDIDATES
membership and thus represent the needs
of the membership to the board. Particular
areas of interest are: how education and (ALL SECTIONS)
certification programs are delivered to
meet member motivation and needs in the ROBERT MOE
Central division; increasing the interaction MIKE STOCKREITER
of members with board members to
improve member involvement in how the
PSIA-C is managed; push to keep Central SNOWBOARD CANDIDATES
division on the cutting edge and forefront
of how ski technique and ski education
are changing relative to developments in (SECTION 4,5, & 6 ONLY)
technology, technical understanding, and
ski technique at the highest levels. MINDY COVINGTON
JODY PROUDFIT
8
ALPINE SECTION 3 TOM McINTOSH
I’m running for re-election to the PSIA
board, because more work really needs
to be done to make difference for our
membership. In the last four years on
the PSIA-C board, the board has had to
make some hard decisions, but I have
tried to do what was in best interest of
our membership and organization.
Because I’m not a school director, division clinic leader, or an
examiner, I believe that I represent the majority of the PSIA-C
membership: enthusiastic instructors who teach for enjoyment,
whether we ski or ride. Most of us in this section work at other
ALPINE SECTION 4 WALTER B. SAPPINGTON
I am seeking a position on the
PSIA-C board of directors because
I believe we need to continue
moving forward toward a complete
education system. We have just
begun to explore the benefits of
education as a primary focus. There
a many programs that need to be
explored in the near future that will lend themselves to
increasing ones knowledge of how people think and
move while sliding on the snow.
I also want to be a part of looking at ourselves to see if
there is a better way of governing the division in all of its
aspects. It seems to me it takes too long for information
to get to those who need it most---the line instructor.
There must be a better way to distribute information
to the membership than we now utilize. I know the
ALPINE SECTION 5 JIM JOHNSON
Level III Certified, Ski School
Director, Ski School Director
Representative-Section 5,
Eight-time National Academy
participant, CEO Blizzard Ski and
Snowboard School.
Serving on the PSIA-C Board of
Directors is a prestigious and important function. To
serve well, a member must have intelligence, enthusiasm,
experience, and the all-important factor of time to devote
to the organization. Please make a brief statement
regarding the above items and why you feel you can
do a good job as a member of the PSIA-C Board of
Directors.:
Since taking ownership of Blizzard Ski School in the early
9
jobs and teach in our spare time because we love the sport.
Since teaching skiing is a series of Stepping Stones, I want to
help our organization step forward into a brighter future.
PSIA-C must promote a guest-centered approach. Our
members’ needs are much the same as our students. If they
are not progressing or having fun, they will not continue to
take ski lessons or remain members of the organization. When
our membership has contacted me, I have tried to listen and
help with their concerns and needs. I have learned how our
organization works, and how I might better serve and do more
for our membership. Thank you for considering me, and I ask
you for your vote.”
Internet is great but everyone does not have access.
The written material is good but some times seems slow
in arriving. The clinics are good but most instructors
only attend every other year. I believe if the clinics were
more interesting than in the past mort instructors would
participate at least one every year and some more than
once a year.
The ski schools need a better method of being heard
at the board of director’s level. I’m not sure how that
might be accomplished but I am willing to help find a
solution.
As we move into the future the demands on our personal
time continue to take a toll on those qualified to manage
our organization. I encourage younger members of PSIA-C
to look around them and ask fellow instructors to join
them in creating a strong focal group to bring us into
the future. Thanks for your continued support.
1990’s, I have managed to double enrollment, despite
a declining market. I attribute this accomplishment
to working very closely with our best customers - My
Instructors! Helping develop training and requiring
them to become a PSIA member has proven successful.
Two proposals: “Education Event Credit every 4 years”
and “Reduced Membership Fees” for active high
school/college students were drafted with my support
and implemented this 2001/2002 season by PSIA-C.
I encourage you to contact me (248) 496-6000 or
j2iii@ameritech.net, and elect me so together we can
pave a successful path for our organization. With your
input PSIA will continue to gain value and I will present
to the board all of your concerns.
Elect me and I will make you PSIA-C’s best customer.
ALPINE SECTION 5 DOUG WREN
Level III certified, Ed Staff member/
Examiner, Past President PSIA-C, Section
5 Board member, Ski School Director
and Instructor. I have been involved
with PSIA-C for over 30 years. To this
day I still find it exciting and an honor to
be involved with this organization.
Over the years I have seen the
organization evolve and grow becoming an industry leader.
I hope to continue working for the organization and the
members to continue the growth and industry leadership.
Many exciting things are started and moving in the direction
ALPINE SECTION 6 BOB JOHNSON
Hi, my name is Bob Johnson a.k.a.
“Uncle Bob” from Mad River Mt. Resort,
Bellefontaine, Ohio. I am running for the
Section 6 Alpine Board of Directors seat
and would appreciate your support.
I began my teaching career with the
Hans Dorn Ski School in 1981 and have
over 20 years membership in PSIA-C.
Beginning in 1981 and for the next ten years I was the entire
Children’s Ski School staff at Mad River. During my time as an
instructor I have been involved in all areas of instruction and
for twelve years I coached a Special Olympics Alpine Team.
I am Alpine Level II certified and have completed PSIA-C
Children’s Accreditation. I have been a long time advocate
of participation in PSIA education events and encourage all
new instructors to get involved as soon as possible.
Having retired, several years ago, from the construction
industry I have the time to devote to the Board and the
experience to make me an active contributing member. I
ALPINE SECTION 6 ENGELBERT GAL
Dear Fellow Outdoor Enthusiasts,
This season marks my 23rd year
participating in snow sports. I was
practically born on the snow considering
I am 25. Winter and snow activities
are my love and are a large part of my
life. FIS racing, coaching, teaching and
patrolling are my passions. A few years
ago, I set aside ski racing to concentrate on my education.
While obtaining two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s
degree, I became a snow sports instructor, as well as a snow
sports patroller. I currently hold a level II certification and hope
to become fully certified soon.
My various backgrounds and travels have exposed me to many
programs, but none bring me as much pride as the respect,
educational knowledge and resources that exist within PSIA-C
10
to benefit the members and our customers. Moving to an
education-based system is a huge step to make it better for
our members which passes on to the customers. We are at
the beginning of this program and many others and it would
be an honored to continue to help in the process.
With my experience and contact with the membership. I have
a good feel of what the membership needs and wants from
its association. I also have a good insight of what is possible
for the association can do for the member.
I would ask for your support and return me as your section
representative to the board of directors.
worked in the construction industry for over thirty years and
for fifteen years I was a full time officer and representative of
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. This work has definitely
given me the expertise necessary to serve effectively on the
Board and the skills required to deal with the needs and desires
of the membership.
As a member of the Board I will encourage more active
participation from the rank and file members and do my
part by making visible and available to all of the members
of Section 6 and PSIA-C. I am an advocate of early training
and development for new instructors and will do my part to
promote programs that will enhance the skills of our present
membership and encourage those new or prospective
members to become active. The Board of Directors has an
obligation to serve the needs of the members and I believe I
have the level of enthusiasm, energy and expertise necessary
to fulfill that obligation.
Thank you for your support and thank you for your vote.
and my own section 6. As the association grows, it is important
to focus on the needs of its members, as well as, our ultimate
beneficiary, the customer. It is my goal to ensure that the
integrity of PSIA is upheld as snow sports ambassadors.
You should vote for me because I am dedicated to the sport
and the association. My core values are strength through
education, respect and focus on the customer.
I encourage all section 6 members to be active in PSIA and
voice your opinion with your representatives.
Vote for me, I will listen and represent you. Email me at
engelbert@hotmail.com
Please fill out the ballot and choose Engelbert Gal as your
section 6 representative.
ALPINE SECTION 6 JOHN COLE
Good Snow to everyone, it is hard to
believe my first two year term as your
Section VI director is completed. I would
like your vote & support for election to
a second two year term.
For those who do not know me, my
name is John Cole. I am a small
business person in Dayton, Ohio, a Level III instructor &
instructor trainer at Perfect North Slopes & a thirty-five year
member of the National Ski Patrol. I am still active with the
PNS patrol, & by happen stance organized the PNS patrol
twenty-five years ago.
PSIA-C as a whole had a pretty good two years but as with
any organization, we were not without a few problems. I do
believe what I set out to accomplish when I was elected as
your director, has been full filled. Unfortunately, all did not
go the way many of you or I would have liked but we still
are working on it! For that, I need your input. Email me
at unclejohn@woh.rr.com PLEASE, don’t gripe, and write
me!
One item I promised was communication to everyone,
including our Snowsports Directors. I have done this to the
best of my ability. I asked everyone wanting included in an
email update of items affecting our instructors, to please send
me their email address, snail mail is acceptable also. Many
have & many of you receive infrequent but important emails
with blind addresses for everyone’s security. The most recent
email concerned an issue where I wanted everyone’s input;
the change from a two day to a three day Level II exam. This
is the first time as I recall, you were given a direct voice in a
NORDIC CANDIDATE ALL SECTIONS MIKE STOCKREITER
My name is Mike Stockreiter and I
am running for the Nordic Seat on
the PSIA-C
Board of Directors. I look forward
to the challenge of participating in
the direction and decision making
of the ski instructor community in
the Central Region. It is a chance to
understand the current goals and direction of all PSIA-C
Instructors and be the voice of the Nordic Instructors,
representing their needs and objectives in the coming
year. There is a common thread of ski instruction and
education between the diverse disciplines of Alpine,
Snowboard and Nordic. Participation on the Board of
Directors will be an excellent opportunity to be part of
the decision making process and the future of PSIA-C.
11
critical change affecting you. Your email addresses on your
comments were redacted & your comments (pro or con)
were sent directly to the Education & Certification Committee
without. While the Level II did change to a three day exam
from a two day exam, against my position & many of yours,
you had a voice!
I said I would communicate with the Snowsports directors,
letting them know who I am & offering any assistance they
might need with PSIA-C. I have started every season with a
note to your Snowsports Director, reintroducing myself, &
offering PSIA-C or my assistance. At the very least they should
know who I am & how to contact me. A few have contacted
me & we have worked together solving some very important
issues, for events as an example. Unfortunately, I have not
been able to meet every Snowsports Director, as my schedule
in the winter is like theirs!
I have worked very hard to nudge us towards education based
programs. Our instructors have asked strongly for this and I
believe we are starting to see those efforts. I am still working
on developing a division instructor training video, similar to
PSIA-NW, and I believe with a little time & budget we will bring
this about. Additionally, along with Mindy Covington’s superb
support, we have added another permanent snowboard seat
on the division board. This is a very large group of instructors;
they did need more representation at the table. I have a lot
more future plans in the works, so hold on to your seats! I will
assure you, any vote I cast on the board will always be in the
interest of the membership first. After all, you are PSIA-C!
“Please vote and I would appreciate if you would cast a vote
for me”!
Certifications: Nordic Track Level II, Alpine Level I
Background:
Former Senior Member National Ski Patrol, Alpine
- 20 years
Ski School Director, Lake Shore Ski Club
MBA-Marketing, Loyola University, Chicago
BS-Finance, Marquette University
Captain United States Naval Reserve-30 years
(Retired)
Product Manager, Sales, Systems Engineering, Lucent
Technologies-25 years (Retired)
Computer Sales, IBM-12 Years
NORDIC CANDIDATE ALL SECTIONS ROBERT MOE
Hello, my name is Robert Moe
and for the past 27 years I have
been a member of NSP (National
Ski Patrol). Presently, I am a senior
with National No. 6312, and hold
instructorship in Alpine Toboggan
and Level II Avalanche. My wife,
Dorothy, and I live in northern
Wisconsin and we ski at Christie Mt., Bruce, WI.
About eight years ago after I began Telemark skiing, I
had the opportunity to take part in a PSIA clinic in this
discipline. Following that experience I began my pursuit
and am now a Level II Telemark (Nordic Downhill)
SNOWBOARD SECTIONS 4,5,6 MINDY COVINGTON
Please give me the opportunity to
continue to represent the snowboard
members of Central Division on the
Board of Director’s one more term.
I have been a very active board
member holding both the Marketing
Vice President position for the last
3 years and Editor-in-Chief of the
Central Line for the past 2 years.
The snowboard discipline of Central Division is moving in
a positive direction. We have added: educational events
and staff, an additional snowboard seat on the PSIA-C
Board of Directors, joined other disciplines at events to
enhance availability and reduce costs, and now offer
several opportunities to ride with members of the National
D-Team. (These are the items I promised I would strive for
2 years ago when running for this same seat). In addition,
the snowboard education staff has trained together in
SNOWBOARD SECTIONS 4,5,6 JODY PROUDFIT
I have been a member of the central
division since 1992 and currently a
Level III Snowboard instructor. I am
currently the Snowboard Director for
Winter Walden and a Trainer for Alpine
Valley Snow Sports School both in
Southeast Michigan. Prior to joining
Winter Walden and Alpine Valley, I
taught for several season at Boyne Highlands and Mt.
Brighton.
My interest in running for the board of director comes from
personal event experiences in recent years. Many of my
12
instructor. However, there are not many clienteles
in this discipline with the exception of Telefest at the
Porkies, U. P. of Michigan.
I have tried the avenue of Alpine instructor, but was told
my choice of equipment prevented me from continuing.
This was very disappointing because I believe a
Telemark skier can do anything that an “Alpine” can
do plus. We seem to encourage cross over, but only
one way. Teaching is guiding and sharing.
If elected, my intent would be to narrow the gap, but
without tunnel vision. As PSIA, AASI or NSP, we all are
part of the same industry.
2004 to improve the knowledge and ideas we bring to the
members.
To improve programs takes dedication, planning and
funding. As a board member I have been involved in
each of those functions on many projects over the last 4
years. We have increased communication to the members,
created the Snowboard Children’s accreditation with Doug
Radefeld, encouraged Alpine, Snowboard, Adaptive and
Nordic disciplines to have combined events and worked on
Snowboard events being offered at more locations, to name
a few. My passion is to continually work on maximizing the
benefits of your membership, serving you, the member, and
developing innovative new programs that will make Central
Division the division to watch!
Your vote for me will ensure an active voice
regarding the snowboard discipline on the PSIA-C
Board of Directors.
experiences have been very positive, and a few have been
frustrating. As your representative my goal is to support
the members needs through developing new programs,
expanding current programs and bringing consistency to
the certification standards.
As your voice on the board of directors I will strive to do
what I can to improve member services and education. I
look forward to your support and providing you with the
representation to help us become a strong organization
for the future.
 VOTE!
Remember you can
make a difference!
Get involved.
ELECTION VOTING RULES
There are several seats on the PSIA-C Board of Directors
in contest. You should carefully consider the candidates
and cast your ballot so it is received by PSIA-C no later
than March 15, 2005.
Active Certified Level I, II, III and Lifetime Honorary
members in good standing, whose current dues are paid
and who reside in the same section’s as the candidate
for whom they are voting, are eligible to vote. Affiliate
members, Basic Instructors, Registered Instructors,
inactive and alumni certified members are not eligible
to vote.
PSIA Central Division
Section Map
Eligible members may vote by completing the election
ballot and mailing the ballot so that it is received in the
PSIA-C office no later than March 15, 2005.
If a member wishes to cast a secret ballot, the completed
ballot shall be sealed in a plain envelope and marked
“secret ballot”. The ballot envelope shall be sealed in
an outer envelope containing the member’s signature,
membership number and return address, and no
ballots or inner envelopes shall contain reference to the
member’s identity.

OFFICIAL PSIA-C ELECTION BALLOT FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Professional Ski Instructors of America - Central, 3225 West St. Joseph, Lansing, MI 48917
Tel: 517.327.0601 • Fax: 517.321.0495
E-Mail: info@psia-c.org

Print name of the candidate for whom you are voting Your section number

Your discipline

I am a current, dues paid, active Certified Level I, II, III or Lifetime Honorary
member in good standing and eligible to vote in this election.

Print your name Sign your name Membership number

13
 PSIA-C MEMBER REPRESENTS USA AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS
One of Central’s own will be representing the USA this
February at the Special Olympics Winter World Games
to be held in Nagano, Japan. Jimmie Johnson was
again selected as the Head Coach of the Alpine team,
which will compete at this event. He last held this role
at the 2001 Games, held in Alaska. Jimmie is a 20-
year member of PSIA-C and is certified as both a level
III Alpine and a level I Adaptive instructor (for the vision
impaired). He is also the Technical Director at Paoli
Peaks, where he has been since 1980.
Over 2000 athletes and 600 coaches from all over
the world will come together at the World Games to
compete. Out of the 200 athletes that will be competing
for the USA, 48 of those are Alpine skiers. Jimmie will
have 12 assistant coaches to run the three race venues
at the games. The team just completed a training camp
at Copper Mountain, CO, where they got some one-on-
one training and spent some time in the gates. It was a
(MANAGING PSIA-C CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4)
Once each year the division presidents meet as a
council in October during an ASEA Board meeting. The
Presidents Council selects its own chairperson who attends
and participates in all ASEA Board meetings, but without a
vote. Also once a year, an office staff person or executive
director from each division meets with ASEA, in October
one week before the ASEA Board meets.
Central’s management must evolve and adapt to its
growing membership and expansions in modern snowsport
activities and coaching. Candid self-examination, and
continued searching for successful management systems
are essential to that commitment.
The Future
Many questions about PSIA-C’s future should be
considered when examining the present.
Can a volunteer work force maintain professional expertise
in snowsport technology, information and education?
Can volunteer administrators be expected to provide
the time and energy necessary to work all year long with
the ECC, and to coordinate hundreds of clinics and
examinations for 3,500 instructors throughout the entire
Midwest?
Is there an intact pipeline for distribution and exchanges
of information between the national organization, Central
14
great training camp to get ready for Japan.
The athletes will be staying with host families the first few
days in Japan. They will learn about Japanese culture
and see what goes on in everyday life. After a few days
with their host families, they will move to the ski area and
start preparing for the races. They will be competing for
six days, both in qualifying and medal runs.
You can keep updated with Team USA on their web
site: SpecialOlympicsTeamUSA.org. There are currently
pictures and stories from the training camp on there
now. Pictures and stories from Japan will be updated as
the games begin. Opening ceremonies will be February
26th and closing ceremonies will be March 6th. At the
2001 World Games, we were represented by the Great
Lakes Region, which brought home 5 gold, 6 silver and
9 bronze medals. Lets hope we can build on that great
medal tally! PSIA-C
Division management, Central’s Ed Staff, snowsport
schools, and school instructors? Are snowsport schools
adequately served, or represented, or even identified?
Are all significant segments of snowsport instruction
properly balanced in the board of directors’ composition?
Is the present board too large to operate efficiently? Is the
present board too small to enable effective participation
for all member schools and member instructors? Is the
present board constructed properly to enable effective
interaction with other sectors of the snowsport industry,
such as individual area operators, or the Midwest Ski
Areas Association, or the National Ski Patrol?
Should board representation be based on geographic
residence? Should there be geographic subdivisions
(currently sections one through six)?
A list of questions may be endless. Some of these broader
questions may serve as rough starting points.
PSIA-C is an outstanding organization that provides
superb products and services. PSIA-C must look at itself
critically, with pride, so it will maintain and even improve
its quality and effectiveness in the future.
What do you think? PSIA-C

Gold Pass Winner
By Tom Anderson, US National Ski
Hall of Fame & Museum
“I never expected to win!” was the reply from
Larry Ruhstorfer of Columbiaville, MI. Larry
was the winner of the US Ski and Snowboard
Association’s Gold Pass in a raffle conducted
by the US National Ski Hall of Fame. The
Gold Pass entitles Larry to ski or ride any area
that is affiliated with NSAA (National Ski Areas
Association). That is 260 plus areas across the
country. It is fully transferable which means
Larry is going to have a lot of new friends!
The Gold pass is traditionally a fundraiser for
the US Ski and Snowboard Team. Because of
it’s relationship with the US National Ski Hall
of Fame and Museum, the Gold Pass was
issued to the Ski Hall to help with the Hall’s
ongoing fund raising for operations. Thanks
to our Education Staff members John Keating
(for being the courier) and John Peppler (for
his salesmanship).
The ski hall will be putting the proceeds of
this drawing towards special events, such
as this year’s US National Ski Hall of Fame
Induction. It will be held January 28 in
Ishpeming, MI where four new inductees: Alf
Engen, Thor Groswold, Picabo Street and
Donna Weinbrecht will receive our sport’s
highest honor. It is certainly worth the trip
to take this one in person. Check out the ski
halls web site @ www.skihall.com for more
information on the induction. PSIA-C
LES 2 ALPES
Summer Ski Camp
Training in Slalom, Giant slalom and
Snowboarding. French language
courses available.
Visit: www.summerskicamp.com
or call: 202-338-0079
Gerard Huve
4429 Que St. N.W.
Washinton, D.C. 20007
(D-TEAM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)
mode. In a way, I was quickly “fooled” into forgetting
the big goal and just diving into a great riding session.
Reflecting upon it, the less structured approach probably
helped me as much or more than the other preparation
I had been doing. The D-Teamer was able to get me
look past the goal of Level II and focus on what matters
most: riding and teaching. By contrast, I came back
to a D-Team session this time mostly with the intent
of just getting some riding in and screwing off. I am
realizing a week later that I learned more than I thought
I did or anticipated I would. Isn’t this a testament to a
great instructor, D-Team or otherwise? I feel that great
instructors have the ability to take a student at any level,
in any mindset and create a positive experience for him
or her.
There is still Ride with D-Team opportunities left on the
calendar this season. Find on that fits for you, go into
it with an eager and open mind. You’re bound to find
new perspective and opportunities for improvement.
PSIA-C
Ride with D-team
OPPORTUNITIES REMAINING
FOR THIS SEASON:
ALPINE
Jan 22-23, Paoli Peaks, IN event#6102
(women only)
Feb 12-13, Chestnut, IL event #6113
Feb 12-13, Pine Knob, MI event #6114
Feb 19-20, Sunburst, WI event #6115
Mar 5-6, Schuss Mountain, MI event #6116
Mar 5-6, Welch Village, MN event #6117
Mar 19-20, Marquette, MI event #6118
Apr 7-8, Snowmass, CO event #6105
(women only)
Apr 25-May 1, Snowbird, UT
SNOWBOARD
Feb 19-20, Brandywine, OH event #6206
Mar 29-Apr 2, Jackson Hole, WY
NORDIC
April 6-10, Big Sky, MT
For the most up-to-date info on event changes, additions
& cancellations or unscheduled events please go to
http://www.psia-c.org/events/UnskedChangedEvents.htm
15
Nordic Education Staff Report from
West Yellowstone
By Peter Berbee, PSIA-C Nordic Administrator, and Llona Clausen, PSIA-C Nordic Ed Staff
The Thanksgiving week in West Yellowstone has
always been the Mecca for cross-country skiers
seeking early season skiing. Thousands of skiers
from around the country converge on this town to
participate in the West Yellowstone Ski Festival.
This year the education staff from PSIA-C went to
West Yellowstone to gather new information.
The first few days, our crew did clinics with Dan
Clausen to learn some of the new ideas on ski
technique and work on personal skills. Dan had
several drills and ideas to help achieve a more
forward stance while classic skiing. This is an
area where many adult learners of skiing struggle.
We then divided into groups to participate in
the ski clinics organized by the West Yellowstone
Ski Education Foundation. Brock Woods, Lou
Awodey, Llona Clausen and I attended the clinics
and participated along with the other skiers from
the general ski community. This gave us a chance
to observe many other coaches from different
backgrounds. The typical coach was a retired
racer who has remained active in teaching. Several
coaches have PSIA credentials including Scott
McGee and our own Dan Clausen from the Demo
team. We all improved our personal skiing skills
and have new ideas to bring to central division
clinics.
We also spent this time working on the new score
and exam cards for the coming season. Cards were
improved so that exam participants can get more
feedback on teaching skills. The cards also reflect
ideas and terminology from the new PSIA national
Core Concepts and Nordic technical manuals.
The West Yellowstone Ski Festival involves demos,
evening programs, and clinics. The clinics were
organized such that small groups of skiers stayed
together for the entire clinic. Each group had two
different coaches every day. We each worked with
up to six different coaches. During the clinic we
observed the interaction between the coaches and
the group from the students’ perspective. All the
16
coaches had different skiing and teaching styles.
All the coaches demonstrated good teaching
methods. The best coaches had multiple teaching
methods and used them effectively to address the
skier’s needs. This strongly reinforced the need
to vary class handling and presentation style to
account for different learning styles. The skiers
were also interested in individual feedback and
keeping moving. Having time to practice and
getting comments from the coach was more
popular than standing around.
Some of the coaches had minor errors in
demonstration skills. This reminded us to get
feedback on our demonstration skills at PSIA clinics
or by use of video. For example, a common error
was demonstrating something with the legs, but
having something goofy happen with the arms. Of
course, the students sometimes picked up the goofy
movements too.
One thing we would change with the clinic structure
is to have a session for downhill techniques. It
could be one of the options for the afternoon on
the last day of the clinic. Most Nordic skiers have
downhill techniques that are at a significantly
lower level that their self-propelled techniques.
An exception is Nordic skiers that have an alpine
skiing background. As Nordic instructors we tend to
concentrate so much on propulsion that we forget
improving downhill skills is part of the fun and
impacts skier safety.
Other activities at West Yellowstone included
product demonstrations from ski and wax
manufactures, several races, and college and junior
teams from all over the country out for training.
Sadly, we must note that the police received a
number of complaints concerning groups of skiers
walking in the middle of the street. Although this
is a good indication of how many Nordic skiers
were at West Yellowstone, we assure you that no
members of PSIA-C participated in this outrageous
behavior. PSIA-C
 EVENTS
SNOWBOARD RIDER RALLY 2005
BE THERE!
What: Snowboard event equivalent to the Annual
Alpine National Academy
Who: Any AASI or PSIA member from all divisions
Where: Jackson Hole, WY
When: March 29-April 2
Why: Fun? What else? (counts toward your
education credit requirements)
Cost: TBD (reasonable, slopeside lodging deals in
process)
Contact: Mindy Covington, U321fly@hotmail.com
Recap: Ride with Randy Price and his D-team
members for 5 days at Jackson Hole, WY.
SNOWBOARD
ALPINE NATIONAL ACADEMY
PSIA National Academy
SCHEDULE
UPDATES
Snowbird, Utah
April 25 – May 1st
Arrival – Monday, April 25
Departure – Sunday, May 1st SNOWBOARD EVENT CALENDAR
Registration form available at PSIA.org CORRECTIONS:
8209 - Level 2 Prep 2/5-6/05 - Welch Village
Academy is open to Alpine members only, Certified
Level 1 and above, on a first-come, first-serve basis. If 8210 - Level 3 Prep 2/5-6/05 - Welch Village
you have further questions, please direct all inquiries to
academy@psia.org. CANCELLED:
1222 - Level 1 Exam 3/5-6/05 - Schuss, MI
NORDIC RENDEZVOUS
The PSIA/AASI Northern Rocky Nordic Rendezvous is
MOVED:
happening again this season. It is scheduled for April
6-10, 2005 at Big Sky, Montana. The event is open to 2203 - Level 2 Exam - moved to Nub’s Nob
PSIA, AASI and NSP members from all divisions. Clinic days 3/12-13/2005
will include lift access, telemark crust cruising in Yellowstone
National Park and backcountry trips with avalanche
ADDED:
education. You may sign up for as few or many of the clinic
days that you are interested in. Earn PSIA and NSP clinic 6206 - Snowboard Mini Academy 2/19-
credits while skiing with top PSIA-NRM examiners, clinicians 20/2005 - BMBW
and national Demo team members.
Section One Annual Meeting
Cost is $250/person for all five days. ($205 for 4 days,
$160 for 3 days, $115 for 2 days, $70 for 1 day). Discount March 6, 2005 at Welch Village, 4:30pm
lodging and lift tickets (lodging info and reservations 406-
995-5000). Lodging cost $75 per room for up to two Attention AASI-C Members
people and $25 for each extra person in the room. The
Changes for the 2005-2006 Season
room price includes a fine breakfast that most people would
consider dinner. All members intending on taking their Level 2
or Level 3 exam will be required to take the
For event information contact Neil Hetherington PSIA/AASI- appropriate prep prior to registering for the
NRM Office director@psia-nrm.org.
Certification.

17
Nordic Women of West Yellowstone
By Llona Clausen, PSIA-C Nordic Ed Staff
Being the only
woman on our
Yellowstone
Nordic education
National Park staff at the West
Yellowstone
Ski Festival, I
West Yellowstone
decided to look
into the world of
Nordic women and
sample what was
being offered at this
event. With this
in mind, I signed up for the three-day Women’s
Clinic. The first day involved a ski-off to
determine which group you would be skiing with.
The Women’s clinic was divided into two groups
with their skill levels ranging from beginner plus
up to racer. There was a wide range of ages
too; high school up to 60ish. Our coaches were
both male and female, although we were mostly
assigned female coaches, as the women seemed
to feel more comfortable with female coaches.
The coaches came from a variety of backgrounds:
PSIA instructors, ex-Olympic skiers, and coaches
from other programs.
I attended to observe teaching techniques and
ideas, as well as gain information on my personal
skills. It was a great experience to see what
the women wanted to learn and the reasons
they signed up for the Women’s Clinic rather
than participating in co-ed groups. By the end
of the three days I saw improvements in all the
participants, some making major advancements
in their technique. I also got some good tips for
improving both my technique and my teaching.
The biggest concept was the importance of
developing a drill to enhance the skills. First,
introduce the drill, making sure everyone
understands what the drill is and that it is just
a drill, not the finished product. Then, be
sure to allow enough time to practice the drill
before giving feedback. It is important to convey
the skill in a variety of ways and assist each
participant in achieving success. I saw that
learning opportunities are lost when we are in too
much of a hurry with students and try to convey
too many ideas and skills without practice time.
18
I also noticed that there was little understanding
of the importance of tuned equipment among
many of the women. Although there were waxing
clinics offered during the evening programs,
most of the women expressed intimidation or
disinterest in the clinics as they usually become
too technical. We may generate more interest
and increase confidence by offering wax clinics
for women with a more hands on approach.
This could include having multiple wax benches
available for participants to practice their waxing
techniques on their own skis. This format would
also appeal to many men.
I hope to share what I learned at upcoming
events and exams. I also hope that PSIA-C could
tap into a productive and insightful group of
participants by offering our own Women’s Clinics.
This could get more women in the Midwest
involved in Nordic instruction, leading to more
female instructors. PSIA-C
Classified
Ever thought of extending your teaching season
until Mid April? Or spending your spring at one
of the leading resorts in North America? Then
this special offer could be for you...
Park City Mountain Resort Ski and Snowboard
School (located in Park City, Utah) is looking
for enthusiastic and motivated ski and/or
snowboard instructors to supplement our staff
during late February, March and April of 2005.
Positions are available for schedule
commitments from as few as 10 days up to 45
days. Benefits vary with work commitment.
For more information contact the PCMR
Ski and Snowboard School at 435-647-5404,
or tomp@pcski.com, or go to
www.parkcitymountain.com/winter/employment
Skiing and FISH!™
By Steve Mintz
You’ve been there – First-timer lesson, three
degrees, and 20 mph winds out of the North.
One of your students has 15 year old equipment
that keeps coming off. 10 minutes into the lesson,
two students are ready for the Olympics but the
others are hardly able to stand up. On top of
all this, your mind is wandering because your
transmission made a disturbing grinding noise as
you pulled into the area. . . You get the picture.
Usually, it’s not that bad. But, there is some simple
wisdom that may help make the worst situations
okay and make the good ones even better. This
wisdom comes from the FISH! Philosophy™ based
upon the following four principles: Be There,
Choose Your Attitude, Make Their Day, and Play.
These ideas originated in a film about Pike’s Place
Fish Market in Seattle. They have become the basis
for numerous books and films, customer service
training, and educational curriculum worldwide.
Be There: Focus on each individual. Bring your
mind to the here and now (your transmission will
not get any worse in the parking lot). Your clients
will respond better if they know that you care
about their progress.
Choose Your Attitude: How you respond to the
“stuff” that happens is up to you. You can choose
to show frustration, or you can roll with it and help
your students laugh when they’ve fallen for the
27th time.
Make Their Day: Get to know the people you’re
teaching and find a way to surprise them. Carry a
few copies of great articles on skiing tips and give
someone the one that will make the difference for
them. Keep an emergency supply of chocolate in
your pocket for a chairlift pick me up. Remember
their names and talk to them in the cafeteria line,
even though the lesson ended an hour ago.
Play: Skiing is fun. The most technical coaching
in the world is useless if the skier does not enjoy
the experience. So, wear a hula skirt, do lots of
360s (they’re fun and great for developing edge
control), do the Macarena (they’ll smile and relax),
yodel (this is an alpine sport after all). . .
Whether you’re teaching beginners, working with
adult intermediates, or coaching a race program,
every lesson will be better if you throw in a little
FISH!
Steve Mintz is a level III instructor and race coach
at Afton Alps, Afton, MN. When he’s not skiing,
he is a teacher trainer and curriculum writer for
ChartHouse Learning. For more information on
the FISH! Philosophy, go to www.charthouse.com
PSIA-C

(SILVER FOX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6)

lot in the two days and we elevated
our skiing levels tremendously.
I would highly recommend this
series for all of you “Silver Foxes”
who might be thinking how hard
it is to keep up in those “regular”
clinic sessions, those of you whose
egos have been pushing you to
ski out of your comfort level, and
those of you who may have stopped
coming to the clinics because you
felt there was nothing being offered
for you. I am speaking on behalf of
all five of us in this first attempt at a
series that should continue to grow
because of the success we had and
because of the need for PSIA-C
“Silver Fox” members to continue
with their training in a session that
is tailored just for them.
I think the two terms that we all
used during the week-end were
pace and patience. We found
these two teaching elements are
critical for successful senior student
lessons and for those of us who
need an adjusted pace because of
our age or an injury.
Thank you PSIA-C for recognizing
the need, thank you Walt for
giving us a great week-end, and
thank you to Fran, Mike, Jim,
and Archie, my classmates, who
were absolutely some of the best
instructor examples anyone could
want.
All of us would highly recommend
that PSIA-C continue the Silver Fox
Series so that others could enjoy the
tremendous benefits of the “pace
and patience” of the weekend.
PSIA-C

19
PSIA-C
3225 West St. Joseph
Lansing, Michigan 48917
Who IS This Editor?!
by Skip Dickel, President
This newsletter, Central Line,
has blossomed as a print
source of information useful to Central Division
members. Driving Central Line’s growth and
direction is one of the leading volunteers serving
PSIA-C, Editor-In-Chief Mindy Covington. Just
who is Mindy Covington? This writer has sufficient
authority to report the answer to that curiosity,
disregarding the Editor-In-Chief’s protests.
Mindy is a snowboard instructor with Boston
Mills and Brandywine areas located just south
of Cleveland, Ohio. She is on the snowboard
education staff; an active mother of four; and the
corporate marketing director for a company that sells
very sophisticated medical technology, which locates
molecular sized cancer tumors by using subatomic
particles (“positron emission tomography”).
Mindy also serves the PSIA-C Board of Directors as
a snowboard representative, and as Vice President
20
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CLEVELAND OH
PERMIT 2180
for Marketing. Under that responsibility, interest in
content of articles has increased and broadened;
an editorial committee has been formed to
proofread draft articles; and recently a group
of examiners has agreed to provide technical
review of articles submitted for publication.
Coordinating with the permanent office staff in
Lansing, Michigan has provided digital distribution
of Central Line online, and a monthly email
newsletter produced by Katie Poindexter.
Additional goals for continued newsletter
improvement are under way. A new format is being
developed. Articles of interest to the snowsport
instruction community are being solicited from
members. Suggestions, comments, and increased
participation by interested members are welcome
and respectfully considered.
Mindy is very busy; she also is very available to work
for and with PSIA-C enthusiasts! PSIA-C