Safety in Practice: The Deposition Experience

What happens when a snowsports leader is called to provide testimony following an incident? In this interactive session, David Byrd from NSAA will simulate the deposition process, giving participants a firsthand look at the types of questions leaders may face and how operational decisions, policies, documentation, and communication can come under scrutiny. Through a realistic scenario and group discussion, participants will gain a better understanding of the deposition process and how everyday leadership practices can matter when an incident becomes a legal matter.

Operational Belonging in Practice

This follow-up session builds on the keynote by giving participants an opportunity to explore what belonging looks like in day-to-day operations. Through discussion and practical examples, leaders will examine how communication, expectations, decision-making, feedback, and team practices can either strengthen or weaken a sense of belonging. Attendees will leave with practical ways to apply the keynote concepts within their own schools and teams.

Planning Purposeful Professional Development Pathways with Your Staff

As with our students on snow, one size does not fit all when it comes to professional development for instructors. This session examines PSIA-AASI curriculum components–from the Learning Connection Model and published resources to on-snow events–as both operational tools and enrichment opportunities for creating purposeful, customized development pathways. Explore how these resources can be used to address the needs and interests of individual instructors, cohorts within your staff, and your staff as a whole.

More Than a Pin: The Value of Certified Instructors

Every instructor and every lesson should have a positive impact on the health of the snowsports industry. Exceptional guest experiences don’t happen by accident–they begin with empowered instructors, intentional leadership and educational content aligned with identified best practices to create guest loyalty. In this session, Jeb Boyd will share our vision for helping snowsports schools cultivate instructor excellence through outcome-based education and the Learning Connection Model. Participants will explore how our Certification Criteria in People Skills, Teaching Skills, Technical Skills and Instructor Behavior and Decisions can be woven into staff development, training, and organizational culture to support instructor growth, elevate lesson experiences, and encourage guests to return to the sport year after year. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can apply within their own schools to strengthen both instructor development and guest engagement.

XC Teaching Strategies for Children

Explore practical strategies for creating engaging, age-appropriate cross country lessons for children. Through on-snow activities, discussion, and shared ideas, participants will practice using play, exploration, and experimentation to build skills while adapting activities, communication, pacing, and terrain to meet the needs of young learners.

Alpine Beginner & Intermediate Movement Analysis

Step onto the snow for an immersive session focused on building your staff’s ability to deliver powerful, student-centered learning experiences in the Green & Blue Zones. Through guided practice, we’ll explore effective ways to design activities that lead to real performance outcomes while sharpening observation skills with movement analysis. This session will also highlight how to recognize movement patterns, make timely activity adjustments, and keep lessons flowing based on the needs of the students in front of you.

Inside the Tech Understanding & MA Module

Support your candidates with a clearer understanding of the Technical Understanding & Movement Analysis module for Alpine and Snowboard Level II and III certifications. This interactive session, led by Alpine and Snowboard examiners, examines the assessment format and criteria, and discipline-specific expectations while providing an opportunity to discuss common questions and coaching strategies. Ideal for snowsports leaders looking to strengthen candidate preparation and staff development.

Event Sneak Peak: Teaching Senior Adults

Curious about teaching aging adults more effectively? This session provides a snapshot of our two-day Teaching the Aging Adult event, introducing the CAP Model for the Natural Aging Process and sharing practical teaching strategies, movement analysis concepts, and activity ideas designed for older learners. You’ll leave with actionable tips–and an understanding of how the full event can further develop skills.

Inside the Alpine Level I

This session provides a deeper look at the Alpine Level I certification. Participants will explore the assessment format, performance expectations, and assessment criteria while discussing strategies for effectively supporting candidates throughout their development. Bring your questions and leave with greater confidence in mentoring your teams.

Snowboard Movement Analysis for Everyday Teaching

Join us for an interactive indoor session focused on making Movement Analysis practical and useful in everyday snowboard lessons. Participants will explore a simple, repeatable format for observing riders, identifying what is happening, connecting movements to snowboard performance, and choosing an appropriate teaching focus. The goal is not just to prepare instructors for assessment, but to help them use Movement Analysis as a daily coaching tool with real guests. Attendees will leave with a clearer framework they can bring back to staff training and use to help instructors make more accurate observations, stronger lesson decisions, and more effective coaching.

More Than a Pin: The Value of Certified Instructors

Every instructor and every lesson should have a positive impact on the health of the snowsports industry. Exceptional guest experiences don’t happen by accident–they begin with empowered instructors, intentional leadership and educational content aligned with identified best practices to create guest loyalty. In this session, Jeb Boyd will share our vision for helping snowsports schools cultivate instructor excellence through outcome-based education and the Learning Connection Model. Participants will explore how our Certification Criteria in People Skills, Teaching Skills, Technical Skills and Instructor Behavior and Decisions can be woven into staff development, training, and organizational culture to support instructor growth, elevate lesson experiences, and encourage guests to return to the sport year after year. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can apply within their own schools to strengthen both instructor development and guest engagement.

Operational Belonging in Practice

This follow-up session builds on the keynote by giving participants an opportunity to explore what belonging looks like in day-to-day operations. Through discussion and practical examples, leaders will examine how communication, expectations, decision-making, feedback, and team practices can either strengthen or weaken a sense of belonging. Attendees will leave with practical ways to apply the keynote concepts within their own schools and teams.

Safety in Practice: The Deposition Experience

What happens when a snowsports leader is called to provide testimony following an incident? In this interactive session, David Byrd from NSAA will simulate the deposition process, giving participants a firsthand look at the types of questions leaders may face and how operational decisions, policies, documentation, and communication can come under scrutiny. Through a realistic scenario and group discussion, participants will gain a better understanding of the deposition process and how everyday leadership practices can matter when an incident becomes a legal matter.

Alpine Beginner & Intermediate Movement Analysis

Join us for an interactive indoor training session that uses video analysis to strengthen your staff’s coaching in the Green and Blue Zones. Together, we’ll break down beginner and intermediate skiing and explore how to design effective training that equips your instructors with the tools they need to deliver an outstanding experience.

XC Best Practices Roundtable

Led by Eastern Region and CCSAA leadership, this generative discussion will dive into timely and practical topics for XC snowsports schools. Join your peers to explore strategies for hiring instructors to handle sporadic lesson requests, building XC lessons as a profit center, and practical strategies to teach children. We’ll also cover safety considerations, XC Level I Assessment readiness, and fresh programming ideas. This session is an opportunity to share learnings, ask questions, and collaborate on best practices for a sustainable and thriving XC program.

Inside the Teaching & People Module

This session provides a deeper look at the Teaching & People module for Alpine and Snowboard Level II and III certifications. Participants will explore the assessment format, performance expectations, and assessment criteria while discussing strategies for effectively supporting candidates throughout their development. Bring your questions and leave with greater confidence in mentoring your teams.

Inside the Tech Understanding & MA Module

Support your candidates with a clearer understanding of the Technical Understanding & Movement Analysis module for Alpine and Snowboard Level II and III certifications. This interactive session, led by Alpine and Snowboard examiners, examines the assessment format and criteria, and discipline-specific expectations while providing an opportunity to discuss common questions and coaching strategies. Ideal for snowsports leaders looking to strengthen candidate preparation and staff development.

Event Sneak Peak: Teaching Senior Adults

Curious about teaching aging adults more effectively? This session provides a snapshot of our two-day Teaching the Aging Adult event, introducing the CAP Model for the Natural Aging Process and sharing practical teaching strategies, movement analysis concepts, and activity ideas designed for older learners. You’ll leave with actionable tips–and an understanding of how the full event can further develop skills.

Inside the Alpine Level I

This session provides a deeper look at the Alpine Level I certification. Participants will explore the assessment format, performance expectations, and assessment criteria while discussing strategies for effectively supporting candidates throughout their development. Bring your questions and leave with greater confidence in mentoring your teams.

Tools & Tactics for Inclusive Lessons

Discover practical, easy-to-use tools and creative teaching strategies for supporting students with different learning and movement needs in any lesson. Through realistic teaching scenarios, participants will explore individual student needs, consider different approaches, and experiment with simple, adaptive-friendly equipment such as tip retention devices, sliders, handlebar boards, hula hoops and long poles. This interactive, hands-on session focuses on accessible equipment and adaptable strategies that can help instructors create more individualized learning experiences, support student success, and expand their school’s ability to welcome a wider range of learners.

Freestyle in Everyday Lessons

Discover how freestyle concepts can enhance lessons well beyond the terrain park. This session explores approachable activities and teaching strategies that help students develop adaptability, confidence, and strong movement patterns through play, exploration, and creative use of natural terrain. Leave with practical ideas you can immediately apply in lessons across a wide range of ages and abilities.

Safety, Operations & Risk Management

What can current industry trends tell us about risk in snowsports school operations–and how can we use that information to make better decisions? David Byrd from NSAA will explore lesson participation trends, and common operational risk factors, including unseated passengers, lift load/unload incidents, and lesson dynamics. This session connects industry insights with the realities on the hill, helping leaders identify exposures, strengthen practices, and support safer operations for guests and staff.

Snowsports School Leaders Roundtable

This session offers a collaborative space to reflect, connect, and look ahead. Together, we’ll highlight key takeaways from the seminar, exchange insights on emerging trends in snowsports management, and explore strategies for bringing the Learning Connection Model to life within your schools. This roundtable is your chance to share experiences, ask questions, and leave with practical ideas to carry forward–ensuring that the culture of snowsports continues to thrive long after the seminar concludes.

Alpine Beginner & Intermediate Movement Analysis

Step onto the snow for an immersive session focused on building your staff’s ability to deliver powerful, student-centered learning experiences in the Green & Blue Zones. Through guided practice, we’ll explore effective ways to design activities that lead to real performance outcomes while sharpening observation skills with movement analysis. This session will also highlight how to recognize movement patterns, make timely activity adjustments, and keep lessons flowing based on the needs of the students in front of you.

Inside the Teaching & People Module

This session provides a deeper look at the Teaching & People module for Alpine and Snowboard Level II and III certifications. Participants will explore the assessment format, performance expectations, and assessment criteria while discussing strategies for effectively supporting candidates throughout their development. Bring your questions and leave with greater confidence in mentoring your teams.

Teaching Outside the Box

Every instructor has natural preferences for how they learn and communicate–but our students may learn differently. Explore tools for recognizing your own tendencies and expanding the ways you present information, facilitate experiences, and connect with learners. Drawing from familiar learning theories such as Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, Multiple Intelligences, and VAK, this session will help you experiment with communication strategies that reach a broader range of students and better adapt to their changing needs.

Inside the Alpine Level I

This session provides a deeper look at the Alpine Level I certification. Participants will explore the assessment format, performance expectations, and assessment criteria while discussing strategies for effectively supporting candidates throughout their development. Bring your questions and leave with greater confidence in mentoring your teams.

Tools & Tactics for Inclusive Lessons

Discover practical, easy-to-use tools and creative teaching strategies for supporting students with different learning and movement needs in any lesson. Through realistic teaching scenarios, participants will explore individual student needs, consider different approaches, and experiment with simple, adaptive-friendly equipment such as tip retention devices, sliders, handlebar boards, hula hoops and long poles. This interactive, hands-on session focuses on accessible equipment and adaptable strategies that can help instructors create more individualized learning experiences, support student success, and expand their school’s ability to welcome a wider range of learners.

Planning Purposeful Professional Development Pathways with Your Staff

As with our students on snow, one size does not fit all when it comes to professional development for instructors. This session examines PSIA-AASI curriculum components–from the Learning Connection Model and published resources to on-snow events–as both operational tools and enrichment opportunities for creating purposeful, customized development pathways. Explore how these resources can be used to address the needs and interests of individual instructors, cohorts within your staff, and your staff as a whole.

Safety, Operations & Risk Management

What can current industry trends tell us about risk in snowsports school operations–and how can we use that information to make better decisions? David Byrd from NSAA will explore lesson participation trends, and common operational risk factors, including unseated passengers, lift load/unload incidents, and lesson dynamics. This session connects industry insights with the realities on the hill, helping leaders identify exposures, strengthen practices, and support safer operations for guests and staff.

Ski with the Eastern Region Education Staff

Join members of the PSIA Education Staff for an open, personalized session focused on your skiing goals. Whether you’re looking to refine your technique, engage in deeper technical discussions, or follow up on insights from earlier sessions, this is your time. Come ready to log some early-season mileage, ask questions, and set the tone for a successful season ahead.

Ride with the Eastern Region Education Staff

Ride with members of the AASI Education Staff in a session designed to support your personal goals. Focus on your own riding, explore technical concepts in depth, or build on what you’ve learned in the three previous sessions. Come ready to rack up early-season mileage and engage in the conversations that will set you up for success all season long.

XC Teaching Strategies for Children

Explore practical strategies for creating engaging, age-appropriate cross country lessons for children. Through on-snow activities, discussion, and shared ideas, participants will practice using play, exploration, and experimentation to build skills while adapting activities, communication, pacing, and terrain to meet the needs of young learners.

XC Teaching Strategies for Children

Explore practical strategies for creating engaging, age-appropriate cross country lessons for children. Through on-snow activities, discussion, and shared ideas, participants will practice using play, exploration, and experimentation to build skills while adapting activities, communication, pacing, and terrain to meet the needs of young learners.