• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Because the Family that Skis Together, Enjoys Life Together.
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards
    • Featured Author
    • Brand Ambassador
  • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Contact Me

The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

  • Skiing
    • Skiing With Kids
    • Ski Racing
    • Learn to Ski
    • Cross Country Skiing
    • Telemark Skiing
    • Snowboarding
  • Ski Resort Reviews
    • United States
      • Alaska
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Pennsylvania
      • Utah
      • Vermont
      • Washington
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • France
    • Finland
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
  • Ski Gear Checklist and Recommendations
    • Equipment and Gear
    • Product Reviews
    • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Hiking
    • Camping
  • Biking
    • Downhill Biking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
  • Good Stuff
    • Parenting
    • Health
      • Getting in Shape
    • Reflections

Start Your Ski Season and “Go With A Pro”

November 7, 2012 by braveskimom

psia alpine team copper mountain colorado
Members of the PSIA Alpine Team at Copper Mountain, Colorado. October 24, 2012.

brave ski mom logo“How’s your morning going?” I asked the man next to me. We were waiting to board the   Xcelerator high speed quad at Copper Mountain.  With a wicked grin, he laughed, replying, “Better than the alternative.” I had to agree.

It was October 24, and yes, we were skiing. Not only that, but we were skiing some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world: the PSIA-AASI Teams.

The Best of the Best

As you probably know, PSIA-AASI stands for the Professional Ski Instructors of American/American Association of Snowboard Instructors. Each year in October, about 30 of the best Alpine, Nordic, Adaptive and Snowboard instructors in the country come to Copper Mountain for their fall workshop.

These instructors are members of the PSIA-AASI teams and while at Copper they work with coaches refining their skills both on snow and off, and as one instructor explained, “developing the playbook for the coming season.”  Responsible for promoting snow sports education and instruction at all levels, these élite instructors teach at their home mountains and travel extensively, working with other professionals across the country (and the world).

psia nordic team scotty mcgee megan spurkland
PSIA Nordic Team coach Scott McGee and Team member Megan Spurkland.

Making the PSIA-AASI Team is a huge deal. The teams are chosen every four years, the competition is ferocious, and the selection process is rigorous. To a person, team members I spoke with are thrilled to be on the current team, whether starting their first term or returning for a second or third term.

Go With A Pro

go with a pro logo psia-aasi
Image courtesy PSIA-AASI.

“Our job is to get you fired up about skiing and snowboarding,” a man’s voice intones. I’m watching a preview DVD of this year’s Go With A Pro television segments, produced by PSIA-AASI. In the course of the next 50 minutes, I’ll be nearly moved to tears listening  to a Vietnam vet explain how much skiing is changing his life — and he’s only been doing it for three weeks. I’ll be motivated to get on snow and purposefully practice carving and skidding my turns (and being aware of the difference). And, I’ll totally bond (at least in theory) with Dave and Tami Lyon, the parents of two ski racing sons who also run the Lyon Ski School at Stevens Pass, Washington (we have so much in common!). By the time I’m done watching, I am totally fired up about skiing and snowboarding.

PSIA-AASI began producing Go With A Pro TV for two reasons: 1) to promote skiing and riding and 2) to share the stories of people within the PSIA-AASI community.

“Go With A Pro TV is a great way for us to introduce some of our instructors to the general public and to let them tell their stories. It’s a way for people who share this passion to connect and pick up some tips,” explains Earl Saline, the Professional Development Manager at PSIA-AASI.

Go With A Pro TV airs from October through April. You can find it on the Outside Network (check your cable listings). Outside Network reaches 41 million households across the United States, so your chances of finding it are actually pretty good!

Additionally, you can Go With A Pro and see more video at the PSIA-AASI YouTube channel. Check out short 1-3 minute videos addressing topics ranging from how to ski in flat light to properly using your poles. There are videos for alpine, nordic and adaptive skiers, and snowboarders, too.

Take a look, and get fired up!

Early Season Honors

So yes, I’ll admit it. I love skiing at Copper Mountain in October. I like the fact that, thanks to PSIA-AASI, my season kicks off so early. I love the fact that the mountain is closed and the snow is perfect. Best of all, I can’t think of a better way to start a ski season than by watching and trying to emulate the textbook perfect skills of the PSIA-AASI teams. Inspired by these athletes, I can’t help but ski better.

copper mountain colorado early season snow
Copper Mountain, Colorado. Who could imagine that this is October snow?

For more information on PSIA-AASI, please visit their website. You can also follow them on Twitter (@thesnowpros). Better yet, take a lesson this winter. No matter how good you are, you can always improve. And, I guarantee, you’ll have fun, too. 

Enjoy!

Related Posts: 

  • Get Your Kids Ready for Ski and Ride School
  • What to Do With a Scared Skier
  • Is Anyone Too Good for Ski or Ride Lessons?
  • Take Your Tele Skills to the Next Level
  • Do Kids Have to Ski Before They Ride?
  • The Benefits of Adaptive Skiing
  • The Family Ski Lesson: Humbling, And Worth It

© 2012 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Spread the Love (thanks!)

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Learn to Ski, Ski School Tagged With: Colorado, copper mountain, learning new stuff, ski, skiing, snowboarding

Primary Sidebar

2023-2024 Partners

FERA
World Snow Day
FERA

Welcome

I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

Never Miss a Post

Enter your email address to subscribe. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter

Today’s Most Popular Posts

  • No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
    No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
  • Upside Down Ski Resorts: When the Base is at the Top
    Upside Down Ski Resorts: When the Base is at the Top
  • Family Skiing at Beaver Creek and Vail
    Family Skiing at Beaver Creek and Vail
  • A First-Time Family Guide to Skiing Breckenridge, Colorado
    A First-Time Family Guide to Skiing Breckenridge, Colorado
  • Telluride's Bear Creek Trail: Family Perfect
    Telluride's Bear Creek Trail: Family Perfect
  • Our Child Doesn't Want to Ski. What Should We Try?
    Our Child Doesn't Want to Ski. What Should We Try?

Categories

Footer

Recent Tweets

My Tweets

Featured In

snowlink world snow day snowkidz
liftopia mtn town learn to ski and snowboard mom trends
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Affiliate Disclosure · Product Review & Giveaway Policy · Guest Post Policy · Privacy Policy · Login
 

Loading Comments...