Welcome to this 5th edition of the “Communiqué!”
We are now within a month of launching the 2021-2022 season! As always, here are a few key updates.
GENERAL UPDATES
FALL PRO DAY CAMPS
If you haven’t yet registered for the Fall “Pro Day Camps” (aka Members' Conventions) refer to the links in the last edition of the Communiqué to register and book your accommodation.
For the Lake Louise event, our incredible room rate ($185.00 plus taxes) at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is open only until October 29th – So act now! As an added feature to the Lake Louise event, our neighbours to the South (PSIA) are bringing a delegation. Nick Herrin, PSIA CEO will be in attendance along with PSIA National Demo Team Members Stephen Helfenbein (Deer Valley) and Josh Fogg (Training Manager, Ski Schools of Aspen).
Both events East and West, are great opportunities to kick start your season, get tuned up, reconnect with friends, and celebrate this year's Hall of Fame inductees! If you missed the HOF announcement, please refer back to the last edition of the Communiqué!
AGM NOTICE
Our annual AGM (Annual General Meeting) will be held on November 16th, 2021. The event can be attended in person at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or virtually via zoom. Please click here to consult the official AGM Notice.
Members registering to attend the AGM virtually (Zoom live webcast), please note that the link provided in the official notice will bring you to a login page or, if you are already logged in, the Search and Register page showing you your profile information. Once on this Search and Register page, please scroll down and click on the “Next” button. You will then see the AGM registration page, which you must add to cart and then complete the registration as indicated in the notice.
NEW EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
As we race towards the launch of the season, the staff, our volunteer Committees, and our contracted production resources have been crazy busy putting the final touches on our Programs and educational resources. A few highlights of pieces you will see shortly:
- Next generations of our foundational documents
- New video resources:
- The Collaborative Teaching Approach
- The Skills Framework
- How Skiing Works
- New Personal Risk Management Content
- New Bias Awareness Training
These are just a few of the pieces that will be rolled out this fall starting with our Course Conductor Community and then to the Membership at large. I have had a chance to see these materials and I am really excited about what the team has brought to life. Stay tuned for the release, later this fall!
LEVEL 1 COURSE CONDUCTOR TRAINING UPDATE
If you are a CSIA Level 3 Instructor, you are invited to train to become a Level 1 Course Conductor.
Steps and prerequisites include:
- Email your regional EPC if you are new to the process so they can sign you up for Course Conductor Training.
- Attend Level 1 Course Conductor Training
- Take the Trainer Development Course – this makes you eligible to get involved in the “rookie” process on a Level 1 Course.
- Take the Trainer Exam – this is the final step!
Pro Days for Trainers are also available for additional training, and practice, whether you are looking to become a Course Conductor or add to your toolbox as a Trainer in your Snow School!
**NOTICE for Current L1 Course Conductors**
The Trainer Exam requirement kicks in for the beginning of the 2022-2023 Season. You are still eligible to teach Level 1s this season without it. We look forward to working and training with you soon!
CWSAA BURSARY INITIATIVE
As identified in our Strategic Plan it is a key strategy to work closely with the industry that serves to better impact our Members. Recently, we had a great announcement with our partners from CWSAA (Canada West Ski Areas Association). In support of their smaller Ski Resorts, they created a bursary for people to attend our Level 1 and Level 2 CSIA Courses. Successful applicants will have 50% of their course cost reimbursed by this CWSSA Fund!
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS UPDATE
PRO DEALS
Some of our Sponsor’s Pro Deals are now available through your online Profile on snowpro.com: The North Face, Blizzard /Tecnica/ Nordica, Rossignol/Dynastar/ Lange/ Look Kerma, Head, K2, Leki/Seirus, MDV, ROI and Sidecut.
All you need to do is to access your Membership Profile, then click on Member area and My Pro Deals and Promo codes to consult the list of sponsors and to access their order forms (or the link to their online purchase platform). Keep checking as many more will be appearing soon.
NEW CSIA SPONSOR
We are happy to announce a new Bronze Partnership for the 2021-2022 season with Level Canada, a gloves and mittens company. Stay tuned for all the details and Pro Deal!
NEW CSIA STORE ITEMS
New CSIA store items are starting to arrive! Check out the new CSIA branded Swany leather gloves for women and men! With a suggested retail price of $150, you only pay $109.95 as a Member…A saving of approximately $40.00! Hurry up and get your pair in time for the season on snowpro.com.
OTHER NEWS
BC SPEAKERS SERIES
On Tuesday, October 19, The CSIA BC Regional Board hosted a talk with David Freeze from ripplerockconsulting.com on performance psychology. An excellent session and a must-watch! Click here to access the meeting recording.
LEGEND OF THE BRAND PODCAST
I recently had the chance to chat with Phil Gordon, CSIA Level 4 Member, from his home in the UK, on his Podcast “Legends of the Brand”. Below are the links to our conversation; we had a great chat!
Part 1:
“It’s not every week one has the opportunity to speak to a recipient of the Queens’ Jubilee Medal - but this week I did when I had the pleasure of connecting with Perry Schmunk - Managing Director for the CSIA - in this first part of a 2 part conversation we talk about his journey to the mountains and ski instruction from his roots in Saskatchewan. I first had the opportunity to meet and work with Perry at Whistler Blackcomb many years ago.”
Click here to listen to the first part.
Part 2:
“In this the second part of our conversation - Perry Schmunk - Managing Director of the CSIA - we talk about the skills you gain working as an instructor, how they are transferrable to other areas of life; as well as building an inclusive environment for everyone.”
Click here to listen to the second part.
Until the next issue, I hope everyone stays safe and keeps on with their preseason dryland training, to make the most out of the winter ahead!
Best Regards,
On behalf of the entire CSIA Staff Team,
Perry Schmunk
Managing Director
