Cross Country Academy Celebrates a Self-Powered Paradise
PSIA Cross Country Academy wrapped up today in the free-heel hotbed of West Yellowstone, Montana, with perfect snow conditions.
“Everything has been rolling out really nicely,” said PSIA Cross Country Team Coach Zeke Fashingbauer. “The weather has been excellent, and we’ve got more than 50 attendees along with seven coaches.”
For the first time the event has welcomed PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers such as Atomic and Rossignol, which offered attendees the opportunity to demo new equipment. Fashingbauer said this Academy also included a series of “special guests,” such as former U.S. Cross Country Team member and current Ski Coach Andy Newell.
“It was great to have Andy present some high-level technical concepts,” said Fashingbauer. “And also hear him talk about how his movement analysis (MA) approach transitioned in 2021 from being an athlete to being a coach. His philosophy about teaching is congruent with PSIA and also has some very similar MA components.”
Other guest presenters included:
- Adam St. Pierre, Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Nordic Ski Team, Montana State University/U.S. Ski and Snowboard Cross Country Coordinator
- Ian Harvey, Toko US Brand Manager and Wax Guru
- Matt Larson, AASI Snowboard Team member
The extensive Yellowstone trail system – especially its groomed trails – offers Academy attendees the opportunity to ski and learn at their own pace. And according to Fashingbauer, having the event take place immediately after the annual Yellowstone Ski Festival, which takes place during Thanksgiving and welcomes competitive and recreational skiers from around the world, only adds to the free-heel stoke.
“Being here is really cool, and I do like this trail system a lot,” Fashingbauer said. “Having a good mix of attendees from across the country has really added to the atmosphere, and my teammates Tulie Budiselich and Justin Arndt really worked together well to make this happen, with everyone taking charge of different aspects, whether it’s getting people in the right groups, or making sure the suppliers are all set. We’re so fortunate to have such a solid team, to be working so well together this fast.”
Former PSIA Cross Country Team Coach Scotty McGee, who led one of the clinic groups at Academy, shared this insight from a couple skiers in his group.
“I watched Tulie’s video on PSIA’s TheSnowPros website many times and to meet her in person was beyond my expectations. It was a joyous event. I also got to ski with some of the best technicians in the world, and being able to visually see in person what they’re talking about in their videos has been extraordinarily helpful.”
– Keri Ostergaard, Ogden Nordic
“Academy for me is about learning, keeping it fresh, keeping it real, and keeping it fun, and this Academy has checked all those boxes for me.”
– Ben Arndt, Leadville High School Coach
“I have at least 100 ideas of what I can take back to my instructing in Hyak, Washington. Lots of ideas on improving high-end technique and a lot more on just making skiing more fun for those people who turn up.”
– Peter Turcan, The Summit at Snoqualmie
Find out more about how you can improve your game and have more fun at the PSIA-AASI Events Page.
