PSIA-AASI

Whether you’re new to teaching or a seasoned veteran, these valuable teaching and technical resources can help you be a great instructor.   

Core Materials

Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors #126 $24.95
The centerpiece of the PSIA-AASI educational system, this well-written and beautifully color-illustrated book contains topics relevant to all teachers and coaches of winter sports. It emphasizes the core of successful instruction: creating meaningful relationships, memorable experiences, and lifelong learning. Through anecdotes and text, this book shows teachers how to develop proficiency in lesson delivery, assess motivation, build a positive relationship with guests, and customize experiences. It also discusses how to stay at the top of your game in professional development. Topics include human development, guest service, safety, movement assessment, equipment, and the resort environment. 8 x 11”. 90 pages. Reprinted with new photographs, 2008.

Alpine Technical Manual: Skiing and Teaching Skills, 2nd ed. #176 $24.95
The second edition of the Alpine Technical Manual includes material about teaching, movement mechanics, and ski performance, and also provides an organizing tool to show relationships between learning systems. Designed as a companion to Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors, this manual focuses on the contemporary technical aspects of skiing and ski teaching. Fast track to parallel as well as more traditional lesson planning possibilities are explored. While maintaining the heart of the “skills concept,” the material covers movements leading to acquisition of proficient skills. It incorporates features of American skiing, ski performance, movement analysis, skier zones, slope etiquette, and boot alignment issues. Skiing drills, lesson tips, and beautiful skiing photos in full color are designed to boost your teaching expertise, letting both you and your students enjoy the process of learning. 8 x 11”. 92 pages. 2006.

Children’s Instruction Manual, 2nd ed. #264 $24.95
The second edition of this essential manual expands material about teaching children of all ages and ability. It also provides an organizing tool to show the relationships, experiences, and learning so vital to successfully teaching children to ski and snowboard. Top PSIA-AASI children’s teaching professionals have combined their expertise to update these materials and provide current images. With its focus on the contemporary technical aspects of alpine and nordic skiing, snowboarding, and teaching, this edition retains information about the American Teaching System, skills and performance concepts, and the “stepping stones” approach to lesson design. These concepts are supported by information about drills and exercises, progressions, age-specific tips, and movement considerations for all types of learners. This manual describes the tools you need to successfully teach skiing or snowboarding to children. Use it as your guide for delivering safe, creative, professional, and inspirational lessons. 8 x 11”. 128 pages. 2008.

Movement Matrix #99 $14.95
Featuring hundreds of short video clips with voiceover describing the skills concept and the application of that concept in a variety of real-life alpine skiing, nordic skiing, and snowboarding conditions, the Movement Matrix brings familiar, and not so familiar, words and ideas to life—providing a way for explanations to jump off the page in those situations that require an accurate visual aid. With learning modules for skills concepts, situational skiing (alpine and nordic), snowboarding, and drills, the Movement Matrix is a one-stop shop for all skiing and riding improvement and snowsports teaching endeavors, be they personal or professional. This dynamic tool is designed to provide something for everyone and is proving to be an indispensable supplement to other PSIA and AASI training. Launched first with alpine content, the Movement Matrix now includes nordic and snowboard components as well. System Requirements: The Movement Matrix requires the most current version of the (free) Adobe Flash Player. You may download the Flash player from the following URL: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BIOW

Additional Alpine Materials

Alpine Technical DVD #265 $15
A visual tool that captures the look and feel of contemporary skiing. In this DVD the PSIA Alpine Team guides you on the path to great skiing and teaching. A companion to the Alpine Technical Manual, the Alpine Technical DVD visits the concepts of skills development, showing how ski performance affects the way instructors blend skills for optimal results. It also introduces “stepping stones” options to building progressions for unique, effective lessons. DVD. 20 minutes. 2002.

 

 

Alpine Stepping Stones Pocket Guide #148 $5
This handy waterproof edition is structured like a trail map that unfolds into a large two-sided piece showing the route to a remarkable lesson. Designed to support the concepts of the Alpine Technical Manual, it provides “stepping stones” charts, skills concepts, and numerous ideas for assessing student needs. In addition to Your Responsibility Code, the pocket guide also includes lists of lesson ideas for building, pacing, and providing closure. Use these lists to be the instructor that students request most. 2 1/2 x 3 3/4” folded, 10 1/2 x 17 1/2” unfolded. 2005.

Alpine Movement Assessment Pocket Guide, 2nd ed. #174 $5
These waterproof cards contain simple statements that all alpine instructors can use to describe skiing. Identifies the movement patterns resulting in either fun, functional skiing or in dysfunctional skiing. Developed by the PSIA Alpine Team with the National Education and Certification Committees. These six laminated cards are printed front and back and are fastened together at one corner. 3 1/2 x 5 1/2”. 2005.

Alpine Entry-Level Guide for Children’s Instructors #120 $9.75
This guide provides background information that helps new children’s instructors prepare to deliver fun, effective, safety-conscious alpine ski lessons from the start. Discusses PSIA, and examines what to teach along with how to teach it. Also includes information about how to involve parents in their child’s learning.  8 x 11”. 33 pages. 1997.

 

Tactics for All-Mountain Skiing #149 $24.95
Former PSIA Alpine Team member Chris Fellows draws on extensive experience as a teacher and coach as he shares ways to help upper-level students reach the apex of skiing performance. Filled with sought-after advice on how to negotiate moguls, steeps, powder, chutes, and ice, the manual contains numerous suggestions on how to tackle virtually any type of terrain and snow condition. It also includes information on how to set up a learning environment, from choosing and customizing equipment to instilling efficient movements and learning tactics. Illustrated with numerous photos of the nation’s top ski instructors in action. 7 x 10”. 108 pages. 2006.

A Ski Instructor’s Guide to the Physics and Biomechanics of Skiing (not shown) #156 $9.50
By Juris Vagners. This text surveys aspects of physics and biomechanics relevant for the serious student of skiing. Focuses on the basic concepts and interpretation of the physical laws and biomechanics that govern skiing performance. Three-hole punched and shrinkwrapped. 8 x 11”. 126 pages. 1995.

Other Materials

Park and Pipe Instructor’s Guide #152 $24.95
This first-edition guide ventures into one of the most innovative areas in snowsports instruction today. Terrain, etiquette, class management, skills, and tricks are all examined in this essential resource. It also emphasizes coordinating with all the players who design, maintain, and ride the park and pipe. Teachers and coaches are given visual cues to assess students’ readiness for this special terrain as well as practical ways to help them transition there from all-mountain riding. Designed for all snowsports riders—whether alpine, snowboard, or nordic—this resource shows how to progressively move to larger features and tricks, and ultimately develop personal style. An extensive glossary of basic and new-school terminology is also provided. 6 x 9”. 158 pages. 2005.

Cues to Effective/Ineffective Teaching #17208 $5
This handy teaching tool outlines instructor characteristics as related to four components of an effective lesson: creativity, communication, knowledge, and process. Within those same components, the characteristics that contribute to ineffective lessons are also examined. All of this information is presented on six waterproof cards that are printed front and back and fastened together at one corner. 3 1/2 x 5”. 2008.

Ski and Snowboard Movement Guide #153 $5
This small waterproof booklet is full of simple descriptions and images to demystify children’s movement patterns. It highlights common (“real”) patterns in children’s skiing and riding, and helps you guide them toward more efficient (“ideal”), developmentally appropriate movements. Written by PSIA and AASI children’s specialists, this is a terrific on-hill reference. 3 1/2 x 4 1/2”. 28 pages. 2005.

Children’s Instruction Handbook: Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding #125 $9.50
This handbook is a portable assistant for instructors who teach children to alpine ski or snowboard. As a companion to the children’s manuals, the Children’s Instruction Handbook is a convenient on-hill tool for providing creative, fun, and effective lessons.
4 x 6”. 84 pages. 2000.

Captain Zembo’s Ski & Snowboarding Teaching Guide for Kids, 2nd ed. #107 $9.75
This second edition text from John Alderson, a.k.a Captain Zembo, is filled with games and strategies for teaching kids to ski and snowboard. A must for new instructors and a classic for experienced instructors. 8 1/2 x 11”. 33 pages. 1996.

Vail-Beaver Creek Handbooks (not shown)
These great resources travel easily on the hill. Carry them all to expand your teaching options! 4 3/4 x 6 1/4”.
Children’s Snowboard Teaching #162 $14.95 For students ages 7 to 15 years. 247 pages.
Adult Alpine Teaching, 3rd ed. #172 $19.95 Spiral Bound. 214 pages.
Adult Snowboard Teaching, 2nd ed. #173 $14.95 197 pages.