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Calling all PSIA Divas
- Thread starter Briski
- Start date
@liquidfeet What’s next?
Online movement analysis prep. clinic in early December, an online professional knowledge exam, then Precision skiing 201 in February. Hoping to be ready for a spring L2 Assessment.
Online movement analysis prep. clinic in early December, an online professional knowledge exam, then Precision skiing 201 in February. Hoping to be ready for a spring L2 Assessment.
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
@liquidfeet. I have not identified a mentor yet. But, I do know that there is at least one trainer at Crested Butte (they open Wednesday). I also know another instructor trying to get her level 2 - I skied with her last Spring. I sure appreciate the Diva encouragement!
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Years ago, when I was a new-ish instructor, I found it difficult to work my skiing up to Level II standards without a mentor and without a partner who also was working towards the same goal. Other instructors at my mountain (men, and one young woman) had these supporters but not me. The materials offered by PSIA were many, but translating what I read and saw in videos, and what I experienced in almost all my PSIA events, way back then, was confusing.
There was a PSIA forum at that time, which did not last due to poor participation, but while it was extant I participated daily. I hoped to get clarification from higher ups in the PSIA hierarchy in my posts. This did not happen.
What I discovered was that members of the PSIA National Team did not like posting and answering questions. They were assigned to do this by the team captain, Mike Rogan, and there was some rotation among them to get this assignment, but they one and all hated it. Mike Rogan responded to me when I was experssing my strong frustrations about this and said the best way to work up the certification ladder was to find a mentor who would work with you. Soon after that the forum was shut down.
I never found a mentor, but I did figure things out by digging for info all over the place, and working on my skiing with notes from what I found. I succeeded in getting the LII, but aged out before getting my LIII.
It would have been very good had I found a mentor back then. I encourage you to go all out to find yourself one. Best of luck as you engage in this amazing journey.
There was a PSIA forum at that time, which did not last due to poor participation, but while it was extant I participated daily. I hoped to get clarification from higher ups in the PSIA hierarchy in my posts. This did not happen.
What I discovered was that members of the PSIA National Team did not like posting and answering questions. They were assigned to do this by the team captain, Mike Rogan, and there was some rotation among them to get this assignment, but they one and all hated it. Mike Rogan responded to me when I was experssing my strong frustrations about this and said the best way to work up the certification ladder was to find a mentor who would work with you. Soon after that the forum was shut down.
I never found a mentor, but I did figure things out by digging for info all over the place, and working on my skiing with notes from what I found. I succeeded in getting the LII, but aged out before getting my LIII.
It would have been very good had I found a mentor back then. I encourage you to go all out to find yourself one. Best of luck as you engage in this amazing journey.
Aging out before L3 is a real possibility at 51 y.o.! I hope the fact that I’ve been L3 Alpine and L2 Telemark in the past means the skiing is close. I skied the Black Pearls 88s/176 cm, my new teaching skis, for the first time during the CS1 assessment. I haven’t been on anything that narrow and short in 20 years. I could feel a little sequential edging (my left leg is a dog with neuropathy, had a nerve removed in my left foot) on the narrower waisted ski. I’ll definitely have to work on that. I am hoping for a great trainer!
Skier31
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Agree. My husband is an excellent instructor and retired examiner. I was very fortunate to have him as a mentor/coach. The PSIA clinics and ski school training is not enough.
In addition to mentoring, or instead of in my case, a ton of in house clinics were my solution to passing each of my exams on the first try. I am lucky to have access to free clinics from top level DECLs and national team members where I teach, and recognize that every resort is different. The year I went for my level 3 I logged 98 hours of official in house training with a wide variety of coaches and only paid for the minimum required PSIA clinics. If nothing else it really helped me see what they look for and critique instructors on, during the trainings, which for me was key in the exam process. One mentor would have been lovely, or a few, but no one really has the time where I work to do so. I did it a while ago, and am not familiar with the current testing protocols, but suspect that my take aways still ring true, and you already did it once, so my suspicion is that you have the people skills, which are now an official part of testing, down! The on snow skiing skills are kinda fun to practice, and I bet your MA and teaching have only gotten better with the years. I so find their whole recertification process a bit over the top. In nordic we could declare which level we were aiming for and bypass level 2 if we wanted to back in the day. I barely passed my 2, but liked that approach for those who felt ready to aim high, which I did not. I wish the alpine recert were similar.
Midlifeaddiction
Certified Ski Diva
I am not sure you “aged out,”. Last year a guy close to 70 got his Level III but of course the guy trainers (examiners) were all over him. Find a mentor? I’ve never been able to find a mentor. The women that ”make it” are all the more incredible for their accomplishments.
I definitely feel as though the idealized stance and movements are distinctly those of a structurally well-aligned male. The structural differences between men and women leave women working harder for that “PSIA” turn - in particular getting on the new downhill edge early enough. No doubt that a great boot fitter, focused on bodily alignment, will need to be engaged for this knock-kneed gal to get L2. The goods news is that the better aligned I am, the more efficient and effective I will be as a skier. The other good news is that teaching 6 year old Level 2&3 kids last weekend was super fun (and tiring). Thanks for all the support Divas!
