New Webinars Highlight Inclusion, Leadership, and the Impact of Mentorship

Just in time for the 2024-25 ski and snowboard season, three new PSIA-AASI webinars hosted by the Snowsports Management Advisory Committee highlight just how much educational leaders can do to support the success of their new and existing instructors.

Available for free to listen to and share right here at TheSnowPros.org, each webinar focuses on best practices, proven ideas, and a wealth of roundtable discussion from working snow pros on how to support the professional growth of instructors while also creating a better experience for students.

“Each one of these webinars provides a valuable opportunity for PSIA-AASI members to listen to instructional leaders from around the country share their insight on our industry,” said PSIA-AASI National Team Coach Jeb Boyd. “It’s an invitation to align with some of the brightest minds currently in the snowsports teaching community.”

2024 Snowsports Management Advisory Committee Virtual Summit – Supporting Equity & Inclusion in Snowsports

During Interski 2023, PSIA-AASI National Team member Ann Schorling presented her master’s thesis on gender equity in snowsports. With the support of the PSIA-AASI Women’s Council for Equity and Inclusion, this session follows up on Ann’s research through data collection from snowsports schools across the country.

2024 Snowsports Management Virtual Summit – Key Leadership Principles & Strategies for Leading a Snowsports School

In this session, learn how to inspire your team, foster a positive learning atmosphere, and manage challenging situations on and off the slopes.

2024 Snowsports Management Virtual Summit – The Positive Impact Mentoring Programs Can Have on Your Snowsports School

In this session, learn how mentoring programs create opportunities for personal and professional growth, including how to navigate organizational culture, understand how to perform the job, move through a professional development pathway, and work on personal challenges.

The mentorship program webinar is especially timely for schools across the country who are welcoming new instructors. Featuring guest speakers National Ski Patrol member Anna Hermann, PSIA-AASI Eastern member Matt Lyerly, Leigh Pierini of the Women’s Council for Equity & Inclusion Mentorship Programs, and PSIA-AASI Education Development Manager Angelo Ross, the webinar dives deep into all the ways mentorship matters.

Research shows that:

  • 84 percent of Fortune 500 companies have formal mentorship programs (Forbes).
  • Retention rates were much higher for mentees (72 percent) and mentors (69 percent) than for employees who did not participate in a mentorship program (49 percent).
  • Mentors were promoted 6x more often and mentees were promoted 5x more often than those not in a mentorship program.

With a focus on the seasonal aspect of snowsports teaching, the guest speakers also provide details of how mentoring helps new hires learn the specifics of their new home hill more quickly, get tips on teaching, and perhaps most importantly, feel more a part of their new on-snow community.

Each webinar is well worth a listen, and provides a great overview of how professional instructors are identifying and creating new opportunities.

PC: Shannon Corsi