Adam Jewell - Search & Affiliate Marketing

Hard to believe the 2008 PSIA National Academy is coming to a close already. It started out with the usual breakfast buffet at the Aerie restaurant at the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird and a rush to get to the Tram plaza where we met with Steve Smart to kick off the morning clinics.

We started of with a few group pictures, something there wasn’t much of during the trip - photos, either posed or action shots. After that it was back to the slopes, Mineral Basin as well as the front side of the mountain. We picked up a little snow to take the edge off the hard pack icy conditions that developed as the temperatures fluctuated above and below the freezing point.

The afternoon clinc was skiing with some international pros and included ________ from the British ski instructor association as well as ____________ from Australia. This clinic provided an opportunity to learn about teaching and sking methods from around the world which was a nice compliment to the presentations from the international ski pros offered at 5:00 pm each day afer the skiing was done.

The last couple runs were on some new terrain that was a bit off-piste and took some catwalks to get to on the front of the mountain. By late afternoon, the snow had softened up and we hit some soft and steep bump runs on the font side of the mountain.

After the sking was done, _____________ gave a presentation on the Argentinian ski professional philosophy, training and certification process and requirements. The presentation covered the technical aspects of ski teaching methods in Argentina. Like the US, in Argentina they have several different levels of certification for ski instructors. Unlike PSIA, the ski teachers in Argentina have to retake entire exams every few years in order to maintain certification.

Following the presentaion on the ski teching industry in Argentina was the final wrap up dinner. This was anohter great event! Tequila shots mysteriously appered at the table and there was a big toast to Steve Smart and to a great week overall. The ski group for the week all sat together at one table. Unlike previous dinners, this was not a buggest and was served by the waitstaff at the Cliff lodge by the banquet staff. Like everything else at the Cliff it was first class all the way.

There were some speaches at the dinner and then a video/slide show from the previous week. Mike Rogan took quite a barrage of humorour jabs with everyone on video saying something to the effect of “Hi I’m Mike Rogan”. This was simple a take-off on his introductions for The Matrix videos available as a subsription from PSIA to help illustrate various teaching concepts.

Everyone in attendance received a certificate for attending. At our table, everyone from the clinic session signed everyones certificate. In addition to the certificate, everyone got a PSIA National Academy pin which was the size of the PSIA level 3 certification pin. Now I can show off how importnt I am to ski instructors everywhere.

After the dinner was over, most people went up to the Aeries bar for some more drinks and socializing. Since it had been a rather long week, I didn’t stay up there for to long. The local Polygamy Porter (Take some home to the wives!) takes a toll after a while. It is a great local Salt Lake City brew.

My roomate, Doug had to take off for Arizona the next day so he retired fairly early as well. The whole week and event passed with mostly Sproing skiing conditions, lots of hard pack that softened up in the afternoon. If at all possible, I’ll be back for the PSIA National Academy next year. It’s one of the best events I’ve ever been to professional or for skiing.

I’ve got 4 more days to ski now that the event is over. Let’s pray for some snow over the next few days!