08winteredge

Board of Directors’ ElectionsDeadline for submission is February 8, 2008

Do you have energy and ideas and a spirit of volunteerism? Do you feel like you can fairly represent the membership of PSIA/AASI Western Division? Consider running for Board of Directors.

Qualifications: A passion for the sport and a willingness to work hard in a coopera-tive setting for the benefit of the member-ship. Attendance is required at two annual Board of Director meetings, normally held in spring and summer. This year’s meetings are sched-uled for April 17, 2008 in Mammoth and August 2-3, 2008 at our Truckee office.

Convention Update . . . . . . . . . . . pg . 3

Lessons from the Dojo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg . 7

Try a Ski Race . . . . . pg .13

Rusty Crook – 70 Years on Skis & Still Going . . . . . . . . . . . pg . 15

Looking Forward to Powder “08”s

2008?….Is it possible that nearly a decade has elapsed since we all held our collective breath and ques-

tioned whether the clocks in our computers and our various forms of high-tech sliding apparatus would function in the new millennium? Quite recently, in digging through the closet, I was pleasantly surprised to see that red LED light on those fancy “piezoelectric” skis from millennia past still manages to flash and blink when the skis bend. I’ll take this to be a sign of good things to come in the ‘08, like Rudolph leading us through white-out

President’s Message By Neil Bussiere, ASEA Western President

conditions to the promised land of perpetual powder in the new year.

This new year’s arrival is not without reflection on recent successes. The past few months have seen a fresh look to our website, a well-attended Tech Team Training and Sports School Directors’ Meeting in Mammoth in mid-November, an energized Fall Rally in early December at Mammoth and an expanded and concerted effort to garner new membership across the division. Kudos to Heidi Ettlinger of our Pub-licity Committee for her selfless dedication of time and spearheading the efforts behind the website and updated recruiting materials, including the wealth of deliverables and information now available across all (cont. on pg. 2)

Neil Bussiere, ASEA-W President

Guidelines for submitting your candidacy: Pro-spective Board members should submit a candidate statement of approximately 300 words, and an electronic photo (head shot) to our office by February 8, 2008. Statements will be printed in the Spring issue of The Edge. Results will be announced the first week of April.

Check out the complete story on page 6.

Josh Spoelstra demonstrates beginning mono-ski turns.

theedge • Winter 2008 Page 2

theedge The Edge is a publication of the The Western Division of Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA-W) and the American Association of Snow-board Instructors (AASI-W) covering California and Nevada. We are one of nine divisions that make up the American Snowsports Education As-sociation (ASEA).

PSIA was founded in 1961 to devel-op a standardized system for teach-ing and to unify instructors through-out the country in the disciplines of: Alpine, Nordic, Snowboarding, Adaptive, as well as Backcountry.

The Edge is published three times annually.For advertising submissions and information, contact our office:PSIA/AASI Western Division9709 Highway 267, Suite B, Truckee, CA. 96161phone (530) 587-7642fax (530) [email protected]

For all membership inquiries, check out our website at www.psia-w.org or contact our office for additional information.

Additional photography for The Edge courtesy of Aaron Rosen.

disciplines. Visit www.psia-w.org for a look if you haven’t already. Also, remember to consult the Member Benefits page and partake of the area discounts and freebies listed there.

As we look forward into 2008 the coming of Spring means our annual Board of Directors’ election is near-ing. If you are someone with good ideas and a passion for snowsports instruction please consider throwing your hat, make that helmet, into the mix. The deadline for the sub-mittal of your Position Statement and photo to the office is February 8th. Don’t be shy and make your voice heard. We look forward to your involvement.

Let’s hope my pair of blinking “Rudolph” skis is right and there will be powder for all in ’08. Toss in a clinic or two for good measure and keep your educational arsenal loaded with the latest info while maintaining your Educa-tional Credits. Make tracks of progress wherever you go

and success is sure to follow. Remember, everyone benefits when we share the passion behind what we do. We hope to see you out there.

Slide safely and shine brightly, Neil

President’s Message By Neil Bussiere

President’s Message (cont’d)

It is with great sadness that I share with the membership the pass-ing of Kent “Y.T.” Ehman on 9/28/07.

Kent’s steady support of our Division, contributions to our mem-bership and enduring passion for winter sports is what sparks memo-ries of him most. Anyone that took a powder run with him or a cruiser in the sun was treated to just the right amount of blab on the lift and a big Y.T. grin on the way down. He was the master at delivering the sublimi-nal ski message; not a lot of talk with a whole lot of walk.

He started his teaching career as part of the Echo Summit team, moving on to Kirkwood for 18 years, attaining position as staff trainer & supervisor as well as tech-team member. His responsibilities as F & B director @ Lake Tahoe Golf Course limited his time on the hill but he continued to teach and was part of Heavenly staff the past two seasons.

If you knew Kent pick a Y.T. day and take some time to have a run and remember his ski spirit. He will be missed.

Happy to be his friend, Aaron Herne

In Memory of Kent Ehman By Aaron Herne

Kent “Y.T.” Ehman.

Convention 2008-Mammoth


The 2008 PSIA/AASI-W Spring Convention will be held at Mammoth Mountain, April 18-20, 2008.

For those who have not attended one of our Conven-tions recently, this event is built around opportunities for camaraderie and fellowship with our fellow instructors, combined with an impressive array of on-snow clinics and learning experiences.

Responding to member suggestions, we will be offer-ing more selection for attendees who want to branch out to a snowboarding or adaptive clinic. How about, “Fun with Sit Skis?” Give it a try.

We expect a very high-energy event, as tryouts for the PSIA/AASI National Tech Teams will be held at Mammoth a week after our event. Expect to see some out-of– Division members cruising the slopes with us.

Tentative Schedule: • Thursday, April 17 PSIA/AASI-W Board of Directors Meeting • April 18-20 – 8:30am – 4 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday Daily educational clinics, all disciplines

April 18-20, 2008

• Saturday, April 19 – 6pm-8pm Friday Kick-Off Party at the Tusk Bar • Sunday, April 20 – 6pm –10pm, Saturday - Banquet at the Grizzly Room, Canyon Lodge

LodgingMammoth has offered our membership discounts

at all three Mammoth operated resorts, Mammoth Moun-tain Inn, Juniper Springs Resort, and The Village. Room options vary from regular hotel rooms to one and two bedroom condominiums, so combining with a group

of friends can make the lodging pretty economical.

To make a reservation:OnLine:

Individuals may book ONLINE up to and until the room block has been released on Friday, March 14th, 2008 at https://lodging.mammothmountain.com/v1web/Availability.asp?WCI=Groups&WCE=GroupSelect using the following information: • Group ID: 4957• Password: 37000778 A reservation fee of $15.00 will apply to all reservations. Please note applicable taxes and fees are subject to change at the time of your stay.By Phone: Individuals may call 800-MAMMOTH (800-626-6684) for reservations by referenc-ing the group name PSIA Regionals. Reserva-tions are subject to the deposit and cancella-tion policies quoted by the vacation specialist.

You are welcome to stay in town where lodging may be less expensive. Other lodging choices are available through the Mammoth reservation bureau, 800-462-5571 or www.mammothvacations.com. Mammoth Area Shuttle operates a dependable shuttle service to the Main Lodge.


Alpine By Mike Hafer, Alpine Vice President

First Turns of the Season

Once again Mammoth Mountain provided what Mother Nature could not in the early season. Thank you to the Mam-moth Mountain snowmakers. Even with the limited cover-age, the Tech Team was able to conduct its first training day of the season on November 14. The team’s agenda covered an array of topics including professional development, scheduling and how to better coach our Division’s trainers. This team is made up of highly motivated and professional individuals that are ready to serve the Division’s needs.

I would like to introduce some not so new members to the Division’s Tech Team. Leigh Perini has rejoined the team and will be working at Alpine Meadows. Kevin Mitchell is no stranger to the Division. You can find him ripping up the crud at Sierra at Tahoe. Bud Heishman has been a long time member of the Division and will be helping out Northstar at Tahoe. Jim Gregory has planted his roots in Tahoe Donner. Last

but not least, Sean Johnson has joined the Diamond Peak team. These folks bring a ton of knowl-edge to the table with experience in other divisions, as regional Demo Team members and former National Team members. I am sure you will enjoy every oppor-tunity you get to ski with this group.

Due to the high demand for our team members, I would like to encourage the ski school direc-tors to contact the individuals as soon possible to set up the Mem-ber School Clinics. The PSIA-

Tell All Your Friends This season we are kicking off several new member

educational clinics and a new Level I certification mod-ule for people not currently working at a resort. We are encouraging current members to familiarize themselves with these new products (see Become a Member – New Member Events on our website), so they can share this in-formation with family and friends who express an interest in becoming a snow sport instructor.

The Publicity & Advisory Committee is also travel-ing around the division giving presentations on how to become a member and to answer questions on the benefits of membership and certification. If you’d like to schedule an opportunity for us to visit your resort or business, or would like to use our Member Recruitment Video, Flyers, or PowerPoint presentation for your own recruitment events please contact: [email protected].

Heidi Ettlinger – Publicity & Advisory Committee

Upcoming Alpine Events: Jan. 10 Ski Improvement w/D team, Squaw ValleyJan. 11 Teaching Tactics w/D team, Squaw Valley All day clinics with the best in the Nation, can’t beat that for $60.Jan. 12 Backcountry Day w/NASTC, Sugar Bowl Try your hand at randonee with the pros at NASTC.Jan. 14 & 15 L2 Ski & Teach Module Training, Alpine Meadows Taking the Level 3 this year? These events can help you.Jan. 27-28 Ski with the Regional D-Team, Snow Summit All day clinics with the best in the Nation, can’t beat that for $60.Jan. 29-31 L1 Module, NorthstarFeb. 4-5 Senior’s Accreditation 1, Diamond PeakFeb. 4 & 5 L3 Ski & Teach Module Training, Alpine Meadows Taking the Level 3 this year? These events can help you.Feb. 6-8 L1 Module, MammothFeb. 10 Fundamentals of Instruction and Skill Dev., Snow Summit New to teaching? This is the course for you.Feb. 11-12 Ski w/Regional D-Team, Heavenly All day clinics with the best in the west, can’t beat that for $60.

For complete descriptions and up-to-date schedule, check the Western Division website, www.psia-w.org. Remember the two-week deadline for signing up without a late fee.

West administrative office has an up to date contact list for our Tech Team. Please remember that these clinics are meant for training pur-poses and not for certification.

I would like to wish everyone the best for the upcoming holidays.

I look forward to seeing you on the hill!Mike


I hope that everyone is enjoying the start of their winter season. I know I am. This season the snowboard members are working hard on many new goals; from increasing their abilities and specialties with the Children’s and Freestyle Accreditations, to striving to achieve certification advancements and pursuing the Trainer’s Accreditation to become next year’s newest Tech Team Members. The Western Division is proud to be a strong represen-tative at the National level and is working with other divisions of AASI to help to bring more con-sistency and cohesiveness to the divisions. Look to our Snowboard Tech Team Staff and Regional Snowboard Demo Team for up to date information and changes occurring in AASI. Talk to your Member School Director to bring one of these snowboard educators to your home mountain.

By Doug Fagel, Snowboard Vice President SnowboardingStarting off the 2007-2008 Season

Note to Members Training for Certification

If you are planning on becoming certified or advancing your level of certification, then you should start preparing now. The biggest barrier to certification advancement is being ill prepared for the events. Take time early season to start fo-cusing on your goals. Find other instructors and coaches with similar goals to help motivate one another throughout the season. It is much easier to work in a group, as a team, than working towards these goals on your own. Make sure to train for both the riding and the teaching portion of the Exam. Even though the Riding Module comes first people tend to have more difficulty with the Teaching Modules. Do not wait until after successfully pass-ing the Riding Module to train

Upcoming Snowboard Events: Jan. 7-9 Level 1 Module, Alpine MeadowsJan. 17-18 Freestyle 1 Accreditation, MammothJan. 22 Intro to Freestyle Coaching, Bear Mountain & Northstar Basic progressions and safety. Jan. 23-24 Freestyle 1 Accreditation, Northstar & Bear MountainJan. 28-30 Level 2 Riding Module, KirkwoodJan. 31 Trainers Accreditation Prep, Sugar Bowl Learn to train your peers.Feb. 1 Intro to Park & Pipe Riding, Bear Mountain & Northstar Those who can do teach better. Improve your freestyle skills.

Upcoming Children’s Events:Jan. 14-16 Children’s Specialist 2, Alpine MeadowsFeb. 4-5 Children’s Specialist 1, Sierra at TahoeFeb. 27-29 Children’s Specialist 2, Mammoth


for the Teaching Module. There is too much information to learn in just a couple weeks. Realize the large support system within AASI West Membership is built for one another and don’t hesitate to utilize the knowledge of your fellow members.

It is much easier to work in a group, as a team, than working towards these goals on your own. – Doug Fagel


Adaptive By Glen Smith, Adaptive Chairperson

Three years ago, several snowboarders requested help from the PSIA-W Adaptive Committee to establish an adaptive snow-board discipline. As with anything new, there was initial resistance from skiers within the adaptive community. Some of the reactions included: “it will never work” to “Obviously, snowboarding is harder to learn, so why should someone with a disability even try?”

However, there are some disabilities that seem to work out better for snowboarding, for instance skiers with leg amputa-tions have difficulty controlling rotary and some angles of the ski. Having two feet on the snowboard overcomes some of these prob-lems. Skiers assisting a bi-skier are in a wedge position much of the time, and have difficulty with

AASI-W Scores a First!

emergency stops. Snowboard instructors can be much more ef-fective by dropping the heel side edge to stop.

So, the process was started in 2004. Disciplines have been defined, study guides have been developed, certification criteria have been written, and educa-tion events and exams have been conducted. Since there were no adaptive snowboard examiners, each exam utilized an adaptive ski examiner and a snowboard examiner.

Josh Spoelstra joined the team in 2005/6. Josh has been snowboarding for 19 years, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity Western University with a minor in outdoor recre-ation. Josh spent several years at Mount Shasta before coming to Heavenly. He has telemark and snowboard certifications, is a freestyle examiner, and serves on the AASI-W Committee in charge of professional development. He also heads up the snowboard training staff at Heavenly. Josh was able to help with the snow-board examiner responsibilities over the last two years.

Josh has worked with people with disabilities in the past and was able to combine these skills to help with the adaptive snow-

board development. When we started

the program, PSIA/AASI-Rocky Mountain was one year ahead of us. Thanks to an Education Foundation grant, we were able to send Brent Kuemmerle to Rocky to observe events and learn about snowboard assists. This knowledge was essen-tial to the development of the program in our division.

Three disciplines were established:• Cognitive Disabilities – All disabilities affecting mental processes• Sit-down – Disabilities affecting the legs such that the rider can not stand up to ride• Stand-up – Disabilities that do not affect mental abilities but allow the rider to stand up

Our program requires the can-didate to ride the bi-ski and mono-ski to the beginner / intermediate level, and teach to the expert level in all three disciplines to students with multiple disabilities. In ad-dition they must pass the AASI Snowboard module equivalent to their certification level.

Josh completed the Level 1 and Level 2 requirements over the last two years, and participated in the first Level 3 teaching and tech-nical prep and exam in the United States last year at Mammoth, along with Kuemmerle, Travis Thiele and Neil Woodruff. All four passed their Adaptive Snowboard Level 3 Teach and Tech. Since Josh already has his AASI Level 3 riding, he becomes the first L 3 Adaptive Snowboard Certified Instructor in the U.S.

Those of us who have been involved in the development of adaptive snowboard are very proud of the accomplishments of the program. We congratulate Josh, but need to recognize that Josh’s accomplishment is the result of the energy and passion of a number of individuals. In addition to Brent, Travis and Neil, outgo-ing Snowboard Chairperson Ken Mattson provided oversight and fi-nancial support, and Marty Moore for helping out as an examiner. We look forward to the growth and development of the program.

Glen SmithAdaptive Committee Chairman

Upcoming Adaptive Events: Jan. 22 Welcome to Adaptive Ski/SB, HeavenlyJan. 26 Welcome to Adaptive Ski/SB, MammothFeb. 2 Welcome to Adaptive Ski/SB, Big Bear Try out skiing and riding on adaptive equipment For complete descriptions and up-to-date schedule, check the Western Division website, www.psia-w.org. Remember the two-week deadline for signing up without a late fee.

Josh bucket assistsBrent Kuemmerle in the mono-ski.


By Sally Jones, Chief Examiner for PSIA-W Cross Country Nordic NotesLessons from the Dojo

Sally Jones clocking some diagonal stride reps

A few years ago I was look-ing for a new challenge. My focus over the previous decade or so had been fine-tuning my skiing and instruction skills. I had achieved my goals of becoming Level 3 certified in both cross country and telemark skiing and was leading clinics and exams for PSIA-W. I had found myself less driven and somewhat restless without a clear goal and direction to stimulate my learning. I was also feeling less connected to what it is like to be a beginner.

It was from this place that I stumbled across the Japanese Martial Art of Aikido. I had no previous experience of martial arts, nor any intent to begin study-ing one, but the flowing moves and rolls and the graceful power of the throws attracted me the first time I saw it. I was soon signed up for a class with a local Dojo (Dojo is Japanese for place of training), and was about to embark on a new wild and wonderful journey of self-discovery.

As I approached my black belt test this fall, the rigor and focus of

training reminded me of preparing for my Level 3 exams - the commit-ment to practice, the performance anxiety, the falls and crashes as well as the yahoo moments. I would like to share my insight from my recent experiences of what it is to strive for mastery in any pursuit, in the hope it will help and inspire anyone heading towards a “big” exam this season.

The Journey or the destination? Unfortunately in our “been there, done that, got the T shirt” culture, many people see the destination of the “black belt” (or the level 3 gold pin) as the reason. It typi-cally takes 5-6 years of dedicated training to achieve the rank of black belt. As you approach your test you begin to realize that its true what they told you– that the rank of black belt is actually certifying you as being ready to

be a beginner in the real teach-ings of the art of aikido. Hmmm! That in itself has thrown a new light on my skiing!

Achieving the next level of certification will hopefully be rec-ognized in your next pay check, but is that really why we put ourselves through the humbling experience of taking exams? The bigger drive is that there is some-thing in the human nature that craves the personal satisfaction, the recognition of moving forward and of achievement of goals.

It was hard for me to swallow the fact that I had not passed at the first attempt for my Level 3 Telemark. At the time I was dev-astated by the “failure”, and yes a little angry! It was a very different experience a few years later when I did not pass my first try at one of my earlier aikido tests.

(cont. on pg. 10)

Upcoming Nordic Events: Jan. 10 X-C Level 1 Prep, Royal GorgeJan. 11 X-C Level 2-3 Prep, Tahoe DonnerJan. 28 Telemark Level 1 Prep, Mt. RoseJan. 29-30 Telemark Level 2 Prep, Mt. RoseJan. 31-Feb.1 Telemark Level 3 Prep, Kirkwood

Upcoming Backcountry Events:Jan. 15-17 AIARE Avalanche Level 1 course, Kirkwood


Studies show that it takes at least 300 repetitions to achieve basic muscle memory and over 3,000 to embody a move. – Sally Jones



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Nordic Notes By Sally Jones, Chief Examiner for PSIA-W Cross Country

Lessons from the Dojo (cont’d)

The realization that “the test” is not the end – its just a benchmark for us to see where we are in our growth. Not passing (“failing”?) can often be a gift. I can now see clearly that I was not ready for my first Level 3 attempt, and by being encouraged to get an-other season under my skis has made me a much stronger skier and teacher.

Practice Practice Practice

Studies show that it takes at least 300 repetitions to achieve basic muscle memory and over 3000 to embody a move- ie to achieve a level of being able to perform without having to think about it.

Some of the most basic looking moves in ai-kido are fondly known as 20 year techniques. The basic move can be learned fairly quickly – just like the diagonal stride. 300 reps happen within a few laps of the teaching lanes. And 3000 reps are clocked on a tour pretty quickly – but are we practicing “good form”??

Do we walk our talk with all those drills we encourage our students to try ?......and have we been striving to find the next layer in our learn-ing? If our balance has been subtly compromising our ability to glide on a flat ski, or we have been leaving our leg behind on a skate push off, or swinging our poles with tight shoulders all these years – the 300 / 3000 counter starts again.

So as we approach the season be thinking what moves do I need to practice to take my ski-ing to the next level?

Being Willing to be a BeginnerAs our skills improve in any discipline we

undertake, it is easy to forget how overwhelming it can be to be a beginner. Stepping on the mat in an aikido dojo was a very alien environment to me and being humbled by being a beginner again is one of the best things I’ve done recently to become a better teacher. “ which leg does what, while what arm goes where, and you want me to do what with my hips…….and I’m supposed to relax?!”

The most important lessons we teach are the begin-ner lessons. We are given the opportunity in a beginner lesson to make or break a potential convert to our sport. The more compassionate and in touch we are to what the beginner is thinking and feeling, the more likely we are to succeed.

If you haven’t put on a beginners hat in a while, I challenge you to do so, whether it is picking up a guitar or strapping on a snowboard for the first time or learning to juggle. By stepping into something new is not only stimu-lating and will keep you young, it will also tune you in to a heightened awareness of the beginners world .

Sally Jones is The Chief Examiner for PSIA-W Cross Country, and is also a Clinician/examiner in Telemark. She has been teaching and coaching for almost 20 years in California and New Zealand, and currently runs The Nordic Programs at The Auburn Ski Club Training Center on Donner Summit. Sally is also a US Ski Team Certified Coach, an Associate coach with Strozzi Institute for Embodied Leadership, and teaches aikido in Truckee. [email protected]


Lessons from the Dojo (cont’d)

By Greg Lyons Education Foundation

A group of over 40 ski instructors gathered at Northstar this fall for the first ever PSIA/AASI Education Foun-dation Golf Tournament Fundraiser.

Northstar had the course in top shape. It was a beautiful fall day and we met our goals of having a lot of fun while raising money for the Education Fund! “Perfect Day, we had a blast!” Steve Evenson’s comment summed up the feeling of all who attended.

The event included a four-person scramble, putting contest, and raffle with over forty prizes. Prizes included new Salomon skis and bindings, golf clubs, compli-mentary rounds of golf to Empire Ranch, Genoa, Montreaux Golf, Lake Tahoe Golf, and Northstar, rib dinners, tunes, foot beds, and products from DNA, Volkl, Tecnica, Marker, NASTC, etc. National D-Team Members Mike Rogan and Chris Fellows each donated a day of training. West-ern D-Team Member Mike Hafer donated time at Northstar.

Patti and Dan Kleiner rep-resented the southern portion of our division, as well as donating

1st Annual Education Fund Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Descente North America products for the raffle.

Aaron Rosen and Jon Jacobson deserve special thanks. Their dona-tion of time, organization skills and ability to motivate others signifi-cantly helped this event meet its goal of raising money. Over $3000 was added to the Education Fund.

Look for another golf event com-ing this spring/early summer. We will try to schedule it at least two months in advance and shoot to have it on a weekend day. Look for bigger and better prizes too! A big prize Hole-In-One contest is a possibility! We’ll keep you posted.

I have one additional memory of this event. Kent Ehman, whose nickname was Y.T., a long-term Level Three Alpine Instructor was my contact at Lake Tahoe Golf Course. As he handed me four complimen-tary rounds of golf he did so with a huge smile, and wished me and the upcoming tournament his best. Kent passed away September 28, 2007, three days prior to our event. We missed him then, we will think of him always!

Left to right, Frank Deras, Randy Bell and Bob Gerrero measuring for ‘close to the pin.’

The gang enjoying Northstar.

Thank you to all who participated and donated!

Excelling at the Entry Level and Beyond


You’ve finally earned your jacket as a ski or snowboard pro and are anxious to apply your passion and expertise to one of the most rewarding jobs on the planet. You’re on the way but don’t set your sights too high just yet. It takes time and a steady record of achievements to reach your potential. Following are a few ideas to help you make the most of your first job and excel as an entry-level employee:

Go beyond the call of duty.Demonstrate a strong work

ethic by completing your assign-ments -- no matter how tedious or tiring they may seem. Offer to assist colleagues with their lessons or take on those tasks no one else wants to do. As managers and supervisors see your tenacity and drive, you will be rewarded.

Show confidence, not cockiness.

Employers’ chief complaints regarding recent new hires are that they expect too much too soon and presume they know as much -- or even more -- than seasoned employees. Understand that you will need to earn your stripes before being given greater responsibility. Doing an excel-lent job on every lesson you’re assigned to is the best way to impress your manager and win your colleagues’ respect.

By Carl Underkoffler, PSIA-W Executive Vice President

Observe dynamics of other employees.

Pay attention to the behav-iors and accomplishments valued in the school. Ask yourself what types of people seem most suc-cessful and identify the attributes they share. Consider identifying a star performer who can serve as a mentor and provide advice. Watch other instructors and note how they teach, interact and deal with people.

Take the driver’s seat. No matter how supportive

or sympathetic your supervisor is, it’s not his or her obligation to advance your career. It’s up to you to build your knowledge and acquire new skills. Volunteer for lessons and projects. Pursue professional development oppor-tunities both within and outside the organization. Take classes or attend training sessions that will help you better perform your current duties or prepare you for more complex assignments. Join a professional organization. Get certified.

Feedback and Reflection. Ask your supervisor for a

performance evaluation. Some schools also do peer reviews, which add a different point of

view from your supervisor

or manager. These reviews will identify your strengths and weak-nesses and provide strategies for improving your overall perfor-mance. The acclaim will come in handy when you seek a promo-tion or apply for a new job. Your first job is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and what kind of work you prefer. You will also learn about ‘bosses’, the variety of differing management styles and what kind you thrive on. Teaching is not for everyone. If, over time, you learn that you would be happier in another type of role, inquire about other open-ings that might be available on the mountain

Have fun. All work and no play could

lead to burnout. A guest can tell if you are not having fun. Make sure to leave room in your sched-ule to ride, ski and socialize and get to know the people around you. It will not only add levity to your workweek but also help you develop your professional network.

Entry-level jobs may not be the most glamorous, exciting or well paid, but they play a key role in setting your dreams and goals in motion. Approach them with an open mind and enthusiastic outlook, and you’ll move quickly up the career ladder. Even if the experience doesn’t pan out the way you hoped, you’ll at least

have a clearer sense of where you want to go next. Good luck and enjoy the snow.

Carl Underkoffler is the Director of June Mountain Ski and Snowboard School.

Make sure to leave room in your schedule to ride, ski and socialize and get to know the people around you.

PSIA has a long history of promoting competitive skiing, specifically ski racing as a way to develop and improve skiing skills. The development of technique, line and tac-tics are easy adaptations of skills that all skiers possess. One need not be an expert or a world-class athlete to participate in and enjoy the fun and chal-lenge of running a racecourse. Terrain is generally gentle to moderate on mostly groomed green circle to blue square runs with small undulations. While you may think the goal of racing is to go fast, the actual intent is to ski a line as efficiently as possible. You can challenge yourself to whatever degree you wish. Going fast is an outcome of develop-ing tactics that build confidence. As confidence grows, so might a feeling of gentle competition with your peers that will spur you on to go faster. Citizen league racing is a prime example of this. While there are some very competitive skiers, most are there to share their favorite sport with friends.

Ski racing has definitely changed since the flex gate was introduced. Slalom has become a contact sport where racers are clad in armor like a moto-cross racer, however a low-tech course is also a great way to become familiar with racecourses and race tactics. Courses need only be comprised of small markers, brushes, cones or stubby gates to create the visuals necessary to demarcate a course. It is essential, however, that before attempt-ing to set a course it must be


By Jon Jacoby Try A Ski Race

cleared by the authorities at your area that regulate hill use (ski patrol, race/ ski school director, mountain manager). It is strongly recommended that all race courses be set in controlled areas either on runs closed specifically for training or posted with signs warning of race training in progress.

That said many ski schools regularly set courses as tools for teaching and evaluat-ing students. Many areas/ schools offer public racecourses and clinics and it may just be a matter of asking a supervisor to become involved. PSIA/AASI-W can provide coaches for race clinics if your home area doesn’t have staff available for that purpose. Some areas have terrain and hill space that is more appropriate for racing. Other areas just don’t accommodate racing as well.

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adaptive program of your choice.

Marcel Vasquez demos a good line.

Regardless, it is recommended that every PSIA/AASI member should have at least some expo-sure to ski racing, understand the fundamentals, be able to describe how to ski a line and successfully finish a short course. Most impor-tant of all it’s really fun!

WANTED: SPRING SKIERS! Looking for Volunteer Ski Instructors & Disabled Skiers/Newcomers to join our club at Mammoth

Mountain for fun in the sun! For more information contact: [email protected].


Member Profile Profiling Rusty Crook

Rusty is a Liftetime member of PSIA/AASI, and has 50 years experience as a coach, ski instructor and clinician. Last year Rusty was instrumental in helping to create the Senior’s Accredita-tion in Western Division.

Rusty, can you tell us a little bit about your background in the sport? I began my love affair with skiing in 1937 when I was just four years old in Syracuse, New York. My grandparents gave me a pair of skis and poles and sent me out to the golf course to expend a little energy. I quickly gradu-ated to “Dead Man’s Hill,” not due as much to my skiing prowess as to my ability to duck under the barbed wire fence that purportedly once took off a skier’s head (hence the hill’s ominous name).

Skiing – Still Fun and Functional After Seventy Years

By my 10th birthday, I was skiing in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains at what would be-come Mt. Rose/Ski Tahoe. It was there that Doddie Post, captain of the 1948 women’s Olympic ski team, first impressed upon me the importance of those right and left turns (I’ve been working on them ever since!).

I did some competitive ski-ing myself in the 1950s for the University of Denver during Willy Scheffler’s reign of terror (I can’t even mention the term “boot pack” without shuddering) and later as a World Cup racer. I was certified Level III in 1957 at Arapahoe Basin by Willy Sheffler and Max Durcome while serving as a ski instructor in the army’s Mountain Cold Weather Training Command. At 26, I began teach-ing and coaching young ski racers at Mt. Rose, where I continued Doddie’s invaluable lessons about the benefits of turning. Many kids believed what I told them, and nine kids that I coached went on to join the U.S. Ski Team.

What do you think are the qualities of a good skier?

In the past, if someone could ski all conditions and all terrain, then they were considered a good skier. This is still true, but now we add an important new element.It’s not what they ski, but how they ski it. Is the skier functional and contemporary? As the readers know, there have been a number of changes in the sport, in both equipment and technique. So the question becomes, is he or she using the equipment the way it’s designed to be used? Perhaps the most important question that you as an instructor can ask is, how can I help someone have the max-imum fun with the least amount of effort? Functional skiing is fun and always will be.

What are those changes that have affected you as a skier and an instructor?

When I started skiing, it was on long wooden skis and leather single lace-up boots that were no more supportive than a high-top tennis shoe. The first skis were long and straight, which was thought to give a skier stability and speed. Skiers found out they really didn’t. Back in the old days, we tried to carve as much as we could, but the skis just wouldn’t respond to our demands. The best we could do was set our muscles before initiation, rise straight up at the turn initiation (thereby un-weighting the skis), break our tails loose to change the direction of the skis, and carve out of the turn as soon as we could (the best ski-ers in the world were able to begin the carve sooner). During the majority of the turn, we kept our weight on the outside ski, so each initiation also included a radical move from the old outside ski to the new outside ski. As a result, each turn required a lot of energy and wasn’t very efficient.

Needless to say, we skiers wanted more. Manufacturers over time learned to build stabil-ity into almost any length ski by using new materials, such as fiberglass, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon, Kevlar, titanium, and boron, which reduced the need for long skis. Boots by the mid-1950s had moved to a double boot and started stiffening up the leather, but we still had to use leather long thongs to create support. Fur-thermore, the stiffening process created a new problem: the boot was stiff enough to do the job, but it hurt like Hades (talk about Boot Bang)! By the time we were able to break in the boots and ease our excruciating pain, the boots were worn out and we had to start all over.

Rusty Crook in 1937. Skiing in Syracuse, New York.


Member Profile

Eventually, we entered the era of plastic, but it took some time to perfect. When leather pre-impregnated with plastic first came out in the 1960s, the boots were so stiff that before we could wear them, we had to soften the boot with heat lamps and bind the softened boots around olive jars in order to mold the boot into the shape of the ankle. Manufac-turers eventually began eliminat-ing the leather when they realized that the plastic didn’t break down much, and improvements over the years have increased fore and aft flexibility while maintaining lateral stiffness.

What do you think of today’s equipment?

Today, skis are quite a bit shorter and vary in side cut, something we rarely spoke of in the days of the old boards! Slalom skis have tremendous side cut to facilitate the turn shape required by the discipline, whereas Super G and downhill skis have less side cut. All mountain skis blend

Slalom and GS side cuts to create a ski that’s “just right” for most recreational skiers. Powder and crud skis, big mountain skis, and twin tips are quite a bit wider all around; as a result, they float much better (good on powder days) but they don’t carve very well (less good on cruising days).

Thanks to the new equip-ment, we can now carve in and out of turns. These days, as we rise up, we move from one set of edges, to flat skis, to another set of edges, using weight blend instead of weight transfer, with the outside ski always being domi-nant. We rise perpen-dicular to the hill, flowing toward a new turn with a strong inside body and wide stance. We love these moves because they make us more stable, create a better body position for angula-tion, are easier on the

body. The new stuff has allowed more people of a wide variety of ages and abilities to be function-al and contemporary.

What do you get out of skiing after all these years?

When I think about all those great skiers from my past and watch all the great skiers out there today, I realize that skiing continues to provide fun and enjoyment, thrills and

spills, and the camaraderie of the people we ski and work with. We still face the same challenges, both physical and mental. We love the mountains, love being outdoors, love feeling free and alive. But more than that, we share a quest for the perfect marriage of form and function. Just ask this old timer with two titanium knees who still has fun out there after seventy years.

Positions Available

Sierra Summit Mountain Resort’s Snowsports School is seeking full-time/part-time ski/board Supervisors, Trainers, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Novice Instructors for the 07/08-winter season. Sierra Summit is located 65 miles northeast of Fresno and offers a growing resort, comparable wages, onsite housing, an awesome mountain and an exciting opportunity. Please contact our Employee Services Office at 559-233-2500 ext 4300, or [email protected] and specify the position inquiring about.

70 years later Rusty Crook flexing the titaniums. Mt. Rose, NV.

Perhaps the most important question that you as an instructor

can ask is, how can I help someone have the maximum fun

with the least amount of effort? Functional skiing is fun and

always will be. – Rusty Crook

Rusty Crook (cont’d)

PSIA W Ski Education FoundationPSIA - Western Division – AASI9709 Hwy . 267, Truckee, CA 96161(530) 587-7642, Fax: (530) 587-4273Email: admin@psia-w .orgWebsite: www .psia-w .org

Nonprofit Org .

U .S . Postage

PAID

Sacramento, CA

Permit No .1704

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PSIA-W/AASI-W Board of Directors & Officers 2007-08 Officers:President Neil BussiereExecutive Vice President Carl UnderkofflerAlpine VP Mike HaferSnowboard VP Doug FagelNat’l PSIA Representative Craig AlbrightPast President Dave Achey

Directors:Craig Albright (08), Neil Bussiere (08), Heidi Ettlinger (08), Steve Evenson (09), Elianne Furtney (09), Chris Fellows (09), Mike Hafer (08), Greg Lyons (10), Ken Mattson (10), Ted Pitcher (09), Finlay Torrance (10), Carl Underkoffler (10) .

Nordic Chairperson: John “Cedar” SeegerAdaptive Chairperson: Glen Smith

Over 75 members gathered in Mammoth for the Fall Rally/ Ed Core events in early December. In spite of the fact that the weeds next to the runs were deeper than the snow, thanks to the snowmaking at Mammoth, the event was able to run successfully.

Fall Rally/Ed Core Mammoth 2007

Thanks to the folks

at Mammoth!

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