Following our second Interski Team training camp, the CSIA Interski Team had the opportunity to extend that energy, learning, and innovation directly to the membership through a special Research & Development Camp at Whistler Blackcomb in mid April. More than just a training event, this was a chance to open the doors on the work being done as the team prepares to represent Canada on the international stage—and to bring members into that journey.
What made this camp especially meaningful was the clear focus on both performance and pedagogy. While many naturally think of the Interski Team as preparing their own skiing for world-class demonstration and performance, what continues to make this group exceptional is their equal commitment to becoming even stronger educators. Representing Canada is not only about skiing at the highest level—it is about demonstrating leadership in how we teach, develop skiers, and create exceptional learning experiences for instructors and guests across the country.
At the centre of this work is our evolving Ski the Canadian Way and Teach the Canadian Way approach.
Throughout the camp, participants experienced many of the same development concepts the team is actively refining for international presentation. On the teaching side, there was a strong emphasis on the Canadian Teaching Approach—recognizing the needs of the student, understanding where they are in their journey, and creating meaningful learning experiences that match those needs. Great teaching is never about delivering information alone; it is about observing, assessing, adapting, and developing skiers in a way that feels personal, relevant, and effective.
Participants explored how effective task design can create clarity and engagement, how strong assessment processes help instructors make better decisions regardless of skier level, and how consistent development approaches allow both instructors and students to better understand improvement. Whether working with first-time skiers or high-performance athletes, these principles remain foundational.
On the skiing side, members gained insight into the technical frameworks the team is using to refine performance through Ski the Canadian Way, connecting movement, intent, and skill development in practical ways they could immediately apply.
We are incredibly proud of this team—not only for the level of commitment they are showing in preparing to represent Canada with excellence, but for their dedication to raising the standard of instruction for our entire membership. Their willingness to challenge their own teaching as much as their skiing reflects the very best of who we are as an organization.
For members who could not attend, we hope this offers a glimpse into the journey. And for those considering future events, this is exactly where innovation, community, and professional growth come together.