PSIA-AASI Honors Award Recipients

Well-deserving PSIA-AASI members were honored during the closing night of National Academy, Rider Rally, and Telemark Academy on Friday, April 19, in Big Sky, Montana.

A fitting end to an awesome end of season event, hundreds of members from across the country—and in some cases, from around the world—came together for a week of teaching and turning.

Al Clough, clinician, examiner, and former Alaska Division board president from 2009-2018, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for his instrumental leadership in the Alaska and Northwest Division merger. Clough was motivated by serving his community when he started the conversation to combine these two divisions. His leadership and actions truly embody PSIA-AASI’s commitment to communication, collaboration and consolidation.

Scott Birrell, who works as the children’s program operation supervisor and a training supervisor at Colorado’s Beaver Creek Resort, was awarded the 3 Cs Award, which recognizes members who have demonstrated positive leadership in their snowsports school by using collaboration, communication, and cooperation with guests and peers.

Snowboard instructor Chantry Marble of Snowbasin, Utah, received the Top of the Course Award, presented to members pursuing Level III certification, and recognizes individuals who score at the highest percentile in skiing/snowboarding, teaching and technical knowledge; and who empower other candidates during the exam process.

Christian Luening of Bogus Basin, Idaho, received the Angus Graham Rising Star Award, which recognizes young standout PSIA-AASI members who have demonstrated positive leadership within the snowsports industry. This award is for members who show extraordinary promise charting a career path within the snowsport industry, members who are volunteer leaders, or who are otherwise distinguishing themselves in an exemplary fashion.

Nick McDonald and Wendy Schrupp were both honored with the Educational Excellence Award, which recognizes those exceptional few members who authored PSIA-AASI educational materials over the years. Winners of the award have added significantly to, and possibly even changed, the educational direction of PSIA-AASI.

McDonald (who was unable to attend the award presentation) has contributed to the Northwest Technical Team for over 27 years where he has served as a coach and also as the Northwest Division Education Vice President from 1994-1997. Throughout his career, McDonald’s vision of education excellence resulted in many successful programs like Immersion, Winter Blast, and the Tech Series.

Schrupp, executive editor of 32 Degrees, was nominated for the award by current and former members of the PSIA-AASI Team, as well as PSIA-AASI Board Chair Ed Younglove, who wrote, “In my role as Chair I am well aware of the contributions Wendy makes to 32 Degrees, our manuals and almost any other publication. These works are all the highest quality due in substantial part to Wendy’s editing.”

The Fall Issue of 32 Degrees will contain more information about the award recipients.

In other award and recognition news, PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan received the Excellence in Journalism award at the PSIA-AASI Western Spring Convention at Mammoth Mountain, California. At the same event, freeski icon Glen Plake earned his new title as an official PSIA examiner, eight years after first earning his Alpine Level I certification.