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The recent ISIA meetings in Krakow, Poland, were very productive, bringing together international colleagues to discuss the future of snowsport instruction. Technical Commission sessions on October 15–16, along with joint meetings involving ISIA, INTERSKI and IVSI and IAESS, provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and support collaboration across our international community.
Technical discussions focused on strengthening international quality standards, improving consistency in technical tests and developing clearer processes for reviewing and supporting member associations. A recurring theme was the importance of sharing expertise and helping associations develop. These discussions are relevant to the CSIA as we continue to strengthen our education programs and contribute to the international understanding of instructor qualifications.
Preparations for INTERSKI Vail 2027 were another important focus, including plans for ISIA Day. This event will provide an opportunity to explore international standards on snow, compare approaches and gather feedback from participating nations. For the CSIA, these exchanges offer opportunities to share Canadian expertise while learning from colleagues around the world.
As a new member of the ISIA Board of Directors and the new Secretary of the Technical Committee, I look forward to contributing to this work. I will also be transitioning into the role of Technical Commission Chair, with the handover planned for completion at INTERSKI Vail 2027. These responsibilities provide an opportunity to bring a Canadian perspective to international certification standards and the ISIA Card and Speed test discussions and support practical collaboration that benefits our members and the wider snow sport community.
Decoding the international snowsport instruction acronyms…
| Acronym | Full name |
| ISIA | International Ski Instructors Association. International Ski Instructors Association |
| INTERSKI | Interski International – International Association for Snow Sports Instruction. interski.org |
| IVSI | International Federation of Amateur Snowsport Instructors. The abbreviation comes from the German name, Internationaler Verband der Schneesport-Instruktoren. IVSI |
| IAESS | International Association of Education and Science in Snow Sports, as named on the current Interski website. INTERSKI |
Jason Young PhD, CSIA Manager, Products and Education