PSIA-AASI

4.22.2009

PSIA National Academy 2009: Part I

According to second-year Academy attendee Jeb Scicluna from Aspen/Snowmass, “the mountain has treated us well.”

His fellow skiers at the PSIA National Academy 2009 at Snowbird would likely agree. From ideal spring skiing conditions and perfect bluebird weather to the comprehensive educational and training opportunities, few industry events can match what Academy has to offer.

Scicluna, who has been skiing with PSIA Alpine Team member Nick Herrin’s group, says that Academy is an outstanding training tool. He came last season on scholarship, and was so inspired by what he accomplished that he decided to pay his own way to come back this year.

“My group has been really aggressive, while still providing the time for critiquing and learning,” said Scicluna, whose group’s focus has been on steeps and off-piste terrain. “We’ve been really creative with the mountain.”

Like the other 180 Academy participants, Scicluna has split from his group for electives. So far, he has worked on carving with former team member Andy Docken, powder and crud with team member Eric Lipton , and all-mountain freestyle with team member David Oliver . The week, for him, has been a progression, each day building upon the last day’s experience. He plans to work through steeps and bumps and possibly repeat a clinic based on where he feels he needs to improve, all in an effort to train for his Level III exam.

Aside from the training opportunity, Scicluna loves the energy of the event, adding that it’s great to meet people from the various resorts all over the country.

This draw of instructors from  coast-to-coast is the aspect of Academy that brings PSIA’s Official Suppliers to Snowbird. Starting with a mini-tradeshow and dinner, sponsors had a chance to showcase their gear and talk up their brands to what may be considered the industry’s most influential bunch. The next few days include on-snow demos where Academy participants will get firsthand experience with Nordica , Rossignol , Dalbello , Elan , Marker , Volkl , Salomon , Tecnica , Blizzard , Booster , Skier’s Edge , V.I.O. , and the most recent addition to the PSIA Official Supplier roster, Flaik . Earlier in the week, we were joined by Subaru for a sneak peek at the 2010 models, which will make PSIA-AASI look better than ever when we logo wrap our fleet next season!

Stay tuned for more from Snowbird . . . the fun is just beginning. Before long, these skiers will have their technical fix, and that’s when the party starts!!