It has been an incredible January already – see this: https://www.skihood.com/about-us/meadows-blog/posts/2017/01/meadows-powder-is-outrageous
I hope everyone has come through the Portland Snowmageddon unscathed and are ready for an epic next couple of days. This weekend, weather permitting, is going to be super busy and everyone should be teaching lessons from programs, to kids lessons to adult lessons. That said we will have evening clinics starting at 3:45pm each evening starting tonight and through Sunday. See this page: https://mhm.snowproportal.com/calendar
You can filter the clinic calendar by category too!
Paid Training
Paid trainings are meant to help you become a better skier, rider and instructor. These are not meant to completed “because I have to” but because there is a clinic topic or training session that sounds interesting or something you’d like to learn. This means attending same paid clinic topic 3 times does not count – diversify! Or just doing a skiing or riding improvement clinic 3 times is not really the point. Branch out, look at the clinic calendar and attend a Paid Training that can enhance your life as an instructor. And yes, you may attend as many voluntary clinics as you wish. And you may attend any paid training as an unpaid participant if you’ve already completed your “required” hours of training.
If you are looking to complete some of your required clinic hours, this weekend we have a Paid (required) Alpine Rehire clinic on Saturday and Sunday as well as an Adaptive Sit Ski training clinic on Saturday and an Adaptive Visually Impaired training clinic on Sunday.
Alpine Rehire (required):
http://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/rehire-on-snow-clinic-alpine-required-4
http://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/rehire-on-snow-clinic-alpine-required-5
Adaptive Training (paid):
If you are looking to expand your game and teach physically challenged or the visually impaired you may attend any of the Adaptive Clinics led by PSIA-NW Adaptive Examiner Kathleen Priest. These are also paid trainings, so there is no excuse to not learn about this growing segment of lesson students. The first clinics are this weekend on the topic of Adaptive Sit Ski lessons.
http://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/adaptive-sit-ski-training-3
http://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/adaptive-vision-impaired-training
Alpine Level 1 Certification
Early Season Alpine Level 1 Exam: If you are an experienced instructor who has taught for a season already or are certified in another discipline and want to take a Level 1 Alpine Certification exam the early season exam is planned for next Thursday January 19th is an option. If we do not have at least 3 people who are ready, have taken the on-line written exam by Monday January 16 then we will need to cancel or reschedule the exam. Details can be found here: http://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/level-1-exam-alpine-all-day-3
Mid-Season Alpine Level 1 Exam: For any Part Time or Full Time instructors who are non-members or new to teaching this season and have completed all the prerequisite clinics, the February 24th Alpine Level 1 Exam is for you. You will join PSIA-AASI on February 15th, signup and take the on-line written exam on or after February 18th but before February 22nd and take the on-snow portion of the exam all day on February 24th. Get the details here: http://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/level-1-exam-alpine-all-day-2
Late Season Alpine Level 1 Exam:
There is also an exam happening on Saturday March 18th that will be convenient for many of our part time instructors who are pursuing Alpine Level 1 Certification. Get the details here: http://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/level-1-exam-alpine-all-day
Snowboard Level 1 Certification
Information on the Snowboard Level 1 exam is coming soon.
PSIA-AASI Certification Interest Signup – Levels 1, 2 or 3 – Alpine or Snowboard
Please let us know your level of interest in taking an exam this season. You can quickly and easily let us know your commitment level by completing the form on the instructor portal.
The URL is here: https://mhm.snowproportal.com/training/certification-interest
Programs– they are FINALLY GOING TO HAPPEN
If you are teaching a multi-week program class for the next 4 to 6 weeks (kids or adults) which should be starting this weekend (weather permitting), have a plan! First, get to know your students by name. Find out their aspirations and let them be part of the goal setting process – THIS IS BEING STUDENT CENTERED. And given that this week is likely some of the first days they’ve been skiing or riding this season, be sure to “get warmed up.” Sure, maybe they were riding Easy Rider last season, however that was … last season!
Today I am now older, taller, more clumsy, have new gear, am using my older brother’s gear, am concerned about my peers, don’t have any friends in the class, I’m nervous, I’m ready, I forgot my pass, goggles, lunch, etc. Allow your students to get things dialed in and let them figure out what they’re doing again before you teach them something new. How about you review what we know like: The Responsibility Code; how buckle boots properly; how to ride the lift; etc.
Also, class management is super important: have a separation plan! Where do I go if I’m lost? What’s my instructor’s name and what does he/she look like (beside a green coat and grey pants)? Maybe I’m new to lessons (either as an instructor or a student) – remember what it’s like to be new! I’ve said this before (last week) … there is so much to be planning and thinking about on these first days of programs.
Now maybe you’re ready to teach them something? How about what a good, athletic stance looks like for skiing or snowboarding. And how do I do it? What joints do I flex? What should it feel like? Where should I carry my hands? How do I flex my ankles. May this video could be useful for skiers:
http://www.psia-nw.org/awesome/
And remember … Why are you/they here? TO HAVE MORE FUN!
See you soon!
Tyler