CSIA NATIONAL NEWS
GET READY FOR THE 2024-2025 SEASON!
Next season is right around the corner, and we already have a few dates for you to put on your calendar!
Membership Renewal Open
September 4, 2024
Program Registration Open
October 1, 2024
Early Season Pro Days Camps
CSIA National Pro Days Camp (West) – Lake Louise: November 25-28, 2024
CSIA National Pro Days Camp (East) – Mont Tremblant: December 4-6, 2024
CSIA Atlantic Eastern Pro Days Camp – Resort TBD: December 7-8, 2024
CSIA Central Pro Days Camp – Holiday Mountain : December 13-15, 2024
National Annual General Meeting
Mont Tremblant: December 4, 2024
CSIA Interski Team 2027
Selection Stage #1 – Applications deadline: January 15th, 2025
CSIA WOMEN IN SKIING UPDATE
The Women in Skiing (WIS) Committee hope you are all enjoying the summer (or the Southern Hemisphere) with friends and family.
The committee met in May for a few days of strategic planning for this season and we are so excited to share with you what is coming down the pipeline for 2024-2025 season. We welcomed a few new members to the committee and have included in our update a fun introduction to our incredible team. Read below!
Things to look forward to with WIS:
- Our Annual WIS Summit is confirmed for April 15-17, 2025, in The Bow Valley, Alberta! This will be the perfect excuse to head to Banff area for some epic spring skiing and learning! More details on registration, accommodation and ticket packages, session schedule etc. coming in early fall – keep your eyes on our social media outlets (Facebook and Instagram)
- WIS Talks being confirmed for September through December – topics this year include preseason training, equipment tuning and tech talks!
- Mentorship Program is BACK! We have made the program more robust and look forward to sharing with you the details this fall.
- Working with the TEC Committee to expand our Learner Considerations for women in our sport.
- Working with the National Board to promote Safe in Sport learning for all our members.
- NEW “Come Ski with me” initiative coming, more details this fall!
| Vision and mission statement for the CSIA WIS Committee: VISION: Our vision is to champion equity, foster inclusivity, and create safe environments—physically and psychologically—to empower women to thrive and progress in the world of skiing. We envision a future where every female, regardless of background or ability, feels welcomed, supported, and inspired to pursue their skiing aspirations without barriers or biases. MISSION: We want to help to increase and retain female members in the CSIA, identify and share methodologies specific to female skiers, and drive participation and engagement at all levels, including (and especially) in leadership roles. |
Meet our 2024-2025 CSIA WIS Committee!
The 2024-2025 Women in Skiing Committee would like to formally introduce themselves to you! Please feel free to reach out to any of us via the WIS Facebook Page or Instagram with questions, concerns and ideas of how we can best serve our female membership!
| NAME | ROLE | RESORT | ICE CREAM | BUMPS OR GROOMED | SUNSET OR SUNRISE | 80’s OR 90’s FASHION TREND |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Berry | Chair | Snow Valley (ON) | Salted caramel | Groomed | Sunrise | Anything NEON and parachute pants! |
| Kathleen Buffel | Vice Chair | Fernie (BC) | Chocolate | Bumps | Sunrise | Fluorescent pink sunscreen |
| Cheryl McMurtrie | Secretary | Sugarloaf (NB) | Vanilla | Groomed | Sunset | Peter Pan boots |
| Christine Davidson | Research | Red Mountain (BC) | Depends on my mood | Groomed | Sunrise | Doc Marten boots (still have mine! |
| Victoria Wight | Mentorship | Sun Peaks (BC) | Chocolate | Groomed | Sunrise | Overalls and scrunchies |
| Betsy Linnell | Staff Member | Whistler (BC) | Mint chocolate chip | Groomed | Sunrise | Cowboy boots |
| Lucia Glasse Davies | Past Chair | Fernie (BC) | Salted caramel | Groomed | Sunset | Hoping to forget my fashion choices from then! |
| Julie Sauvageau | WIS talks | Mont Sainte-Anne (QC) | All of them! | Bumps | Sunset | Fluorescent spring ski gear |
The WIS Committee is always looking to hear from our female members about what issues they feel are important to them and encourage you to reach out at csiawis@snowpro.com.
CREATING COMMUNITY: LAURA BERRY’S COMMITMENT TO WOMEN IN SKIING
Laura Berry, Chair of the CSIA WIS Committee
Laura Berry, the newly appointed chair of the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) Women in Skiing Committee (WISC), is on a mission to transform the ski industry by increasing female representation and fostering a supportive community for women in skiing.
Laura’s Background in Skiing
Laura’s skiing journey began at the age of six at Pine Ridge and Medonte in Ontario. Her early years were marked by competitive ski racing until she turned 17, after which she transitioned to instructing and coaching. She grew up in Barrie, Ontario, and has a rich history of skiing experiences, including teaching stints overseas in New Zealand at Coronet Peak. Now, she holds a Level 3 CSIA certification and has extensive coaching credentials, including NCCP Coach Mentor and Learning Facilitator certifications.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Laura wears many hats within the skiing community Head Coach at Snow Valley, Ontario, Member of the Southern Ontario Division Committee under Alpine Ontario, Chair of the Women in Skiing Committee and Ontario Representative, Lead Coordinator/Instructor at Bryan College.
Laura balances her professional commitments with a vibrant family life. She is a mother of three: her daughters, aged 16 and 9, are both ski racers, with the eldest holding a Level 1 CSIA certification and entry-level coach status. Her son, aged 15, plays hockey and lacrosse.
Joining the WIS Committee
Inspired by Alpine Ontario’s initiatives for women in coaching, Laura joined the WIS committee with a clear goal: to create an easier pathway for her daughter and other young girls interested in skiing.
“When the committee was started around 2010 by high-level female course conductors, the goal was to bring more women into CSIA membership as well as an increased demand for women-only training. But I think now we can really start to make some headway. As a newer member of the CSIA, I’m happy to be that person and bring in new ideas”.
CSIA WIS Committee Vision and Initiatives
Under Laura’s leadership, the WISC is focused on several key initiatives designed to support and retain women in the ski industry:
- Annual CSIA WIS Summit: This summit aims to create a national network of female ski instructors and coaches, offering a space where women can learn, share experiences, and grow together.
- Equity on boards and in leadership: Laura is a strong advocate for achieving gender balance in leadership roles within the industry. She believes that women bring unique perspectives to guiding and leading, which are essential for the industry’s growth and innovation.
- Professional development days: These events are designed to be more than just educational; they aim to foster a social and supportive community.
Creating a Supportive Community
At the heart of Laura’s vision for the WISC is the creation of a supportive community for all female participants. She aims to ensure that women in the ski industry do not have to navigate their careers alone. By fostering a sense of belonging and providing ongoing support, Laura hopes to retain more women in the industry, even as they balance family and professional commitments.
She also values the importance of creating space for women to lead. Her approach includes recognizing that sometimes women teaching other women, especially in areas like biomechanics, can be more effective.
“I hope all our female members make themselves aware of who we are and what we do. We’re very open to hearing from our members and the ways that they contribute and the ideas that they might have. We don’t pretend to know all. We’re working from our own experience and our own skill base, so we’re very open to input from the community. So, if there’s something that comes up, please email one of us at csiawis@snowpro.com.”
WILDFIRES IN JASPER, ALBERTA
Our hearts are with the residents and responders in Jasper, Alberta, as they face the ongoing wildfires. On behalf of the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance family, we extend our deepest support during this challenging time. We are happy to know that the Marmot Basin Ski Area’s infrastructure has not been affected by the wildfires and that they plan on fully operating the ski area for the 2024-2025 season. Please stay safe and know that our thoughts are with all our members from the Jasper area.
Click here for more information on Marmot Basin Ski Area.
CSIA REGIONAL NEWS
WHAT’S NEW IN QUEBEC?
The entire CSIA Quebec Board of Directors team has been hard at work since the end of the ski season, developing new projects and programs for you, our valued members. More details to come.
We also have a seat on the CSIA Quebec Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee of the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance, Québec (CSIA Québec) is seeking nominations for a director position on the Board of Directors. More specifically, we are looking for a person with a degree in accounting with CPA designation and relevant experience in the field. Will be considered an asset: Corporate Director Certificate, training in corporate governance; experience as treasurer in other non-profit organizations.
If you have the time and desire to join a dynamic and motivated group to organize activities in Quebec and give back to our members, this opportunity is for you! We look forward to receiving your resume!
The deadline has been postponed by 2 weeks due to summer vacations: Interested candidates should apply before August 30, 2024, at the following email address: amscquebec@snowpro.com
WHAT’S NEW IN ONTARIO?
Perhaps as we find ourselves now in the middle of summer heat, sun and rain, with our skis, boots and gear carefully stowed away, we might be forgiven to have thoughts of skiing and ski instruction far from our conscious. But quite to the contrary – our Board of Directors, Committees and Working Groups are hard at it now, getting us well prepared for the coming 2024-2025 season.
Budgets are being finalized, communications strategies are being revamped and refreshed. Member oriented events such as Fun Days, Member Appreciation and Engagement Days are being organized for this coming season.
We are working towards being completely prepared and organized for the 2024-2025 season well before the first snowflakes grace our Ontario ski areas.
A Reminder about Getting Involved with CSIA Ontario Committees or Working Groups
As we have mentioned in a previous Communiqué, we are ALWAYS grateful to CSIA members who show interest and volunteer to contribute to CSIA Ontario by giving their time, expertise and energy to a committee or working group, such as:
- Finance Committee
- Communications group
- AGM planning
- Grants/Scholarships working group
- Fun Day(s) planning
- Member engagement activities
If this interests you, please email info@csiaontario.com
2024-2025 CSIA Ontario Board of Directors : Jim Irving, Scott Bowditch, Steven Green, Michael Harrison, Kevin Bulmer (Chair), Monica Costa, Phil Sim, Jiao Jiang. Absent from the photo: Bill Hogg
WHAT’S NEW IN BC?
Hope everyone is enjoying a great summer. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to all those affected by the recent fires and for all those involved in the firefighting efforts, thank you for your courage and commitment.
We are excited to announce the Hall of Fame for the BC/Yukon Region. The CSIA BC/Yukon Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the history of our region, inspiring and encouraging the development of young instructors, and recognizing members from British Columbia or the Yukon, who have made a significant contribution to the growth and well- being of the CSIA on a regional scale. Members can be nominated for their outstanding contributions in three categories: Builders, Inspirational Leaders and Special Contributors. Learn more about the nomination process by visiting the website.
Congratulations to Jens Mende for the overall winner of the Photo Contest. Check out our YouTube channel to see the winning photos from all categories. Thanks to all that entered.
Follow us on Instagram for a chance to win some prizes with a summer Contest (details coming soon) and be sure to check snowprobc.com for the latest news and information.
We wish you an amazing summer and look forward to doing some turns next season!
SKI TIPS AND WELLNESS
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS IN EXPERT SKI TEACHING
By Jonathan Lepage, CSIA Level 4 Course Conductor and Member of the Technical and Educational Committee (TEC)
Summer is in full swing, and despite the warmer temperatures, maybe you’re like me, constantly thinking about the upcoming ski season. With the first snowflakes arriving sooner than we think, now is the time to set goals and explore the different options available to achieve them.
As a trainer, I often see aspiring Level 3 and 4 candidates put a lot of effort into perfecting their skiing on the slopes at the beginning of the season but often find less time to improve their teaching skills. Here are some tips to seize all the opportunities available this winter to truly progress and approach future evaluations with confidence.
–Set specific targets for your teaching development.
What do you want to improve? Maybe the ability to detect and understand the technical needs of your skiers, or simply your ease in speaking in front of a group of more experienced skiers? Whatever it is, name them and write them down to stay on track and measure your progress.
–Take advantage of the different opportunities offered by CSIA.
Pro Days, regional workshops, seminars, and especially the various courses available in your regions are valuable resources. Observe the course conductor’s methods and feel free to ask questions. Training sessions offered by your ski schools are also an excellent opportunity to consolidate your knowledge.
–Organize mock evaluations with your colleagues and mentors.
Preparation for evaluations also involves familiarizing yourself with their format. These exercises will allow you to analyze your strengths and areas for improvement, but above all, get used to the pressure and expectations of evaluators. Don’t aim for perfection but for improvement from one session to the next.
By following these tips, you will be well on your way to meeting teaching standards and passing your evaluations. Remember that the CSIA is here to support you at every step of your journey.
Good luck to all!