PSIA Free Skiing

[PSBoy]

PSIA Free Skiing
YouTube - PSIA-RM Alpine Standards 2009/10 Veriable Terrain

[PSBoy]

Hi, snowrider

As I know, you are an accredited and experienced PSIA instructor. I would like to understand more about the PSIA techniques so as to know how to enjoy the video and techniques. Would you please give me some hints based on the above video?

[snowrider]

Hi, snowrider

As I know, you are an accredited and experienced PSIA instructor. I would like to understand more about the PSIA techniques so as to know how to enjoy the video and techniques. Would you please give me some hints based on the above video?

Hi PSBoy, thanks for the compliment. I am still working on my level-2 exam prep. From the vedio clip, I think that it's for level-3 standard because it states "variable terrain & conditions ..."

I am in PSIA's East division while the vedio is made by PSIA's Rocky Mountain division. Even though they are two different divisions, they are all under the same PSIA's guidelines. From my division's Alpine exam guide (http://www.psia-e.org/ed/alpine/AlpineExamGuide.pdf), it says that a level-3 skier needs to "...be able to flex and extend the legs at will (independently of where he or she is in the turn) and have the ability to absorb variable terrain (bumps, knolls, turn dynamics, etc.)..."

The keys (I think) are to control the skis "at will" and in "variable terrain". Therefore, you can imagine that a level-3 skier is basically one who has fully integrate his/her skis into body (or feet) and can do almost any turn without thinking.

[PSBoy]

Thanks, snowrider, for your kind explanation. Wish you would pass the level-2 examination! BTW, you may also explain the core philosophy of your PSIA technical and teaching method.

[snowrider]

Thanks, snowrider, for your kind explanation. Wish you would pass the level-2 examination! BTW, you may also explain the core philosophy of your PSIA technical and teaching method.

Hi PSBoy, this is a big topic. Our teaching system is called American Teaching System (ATS). The exam guide's page 41 explains the principals of ATS.

[PSBoy]

Hi PSBoy, this is a big topic. Our teaching system is called American Teaching System (ATS). The exam guide's page 41 explains the principals of ATS.

Yes, that is a very big topic...hehe!

As I know, it is not a profitable business for teaching skiing in your country. What are your major motivations to be a ski instructor?

[snowrider]

Yes, that is a very big topic...hehe!

As I know, it is not a profitable business for teaching skiing in your country. What are your major motivations to be a ski instructor?

Yes, you are right about this. Ski patrols get paid nothing while instructors get paid minimum wage. My motivations are simple: to be in the loop of professionals and to be able to access the training not available to outsiders. I categorize us into two types of instructors - some are in PSIA certification track while some don't.

We have all kinds of coworkers, some teach for a certain number of hours in order to get season passes for their family, some just want to ski (like me), and (very few) really want to work this as a job for money. We have big companys' exectives, professors, scientists, engineers, school teachers, ... etc. all kinds of people here. I think that they have same motivations as mine.

[PSBoy]

Good to hear you have these motivations. I am sure you must be very happy to ski with your peers