PSIA-AASI’s Award Program recognizes its members’ achievements as instructors, leaders, and collaborators in the industry. Know a member who deserves recognition and honors? Review the award categories, then submit an application. Or, email to learn more. Never underestimate the power of a gift!
Awards (Nominations due by Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m. MT*)
- Distinguished Service Award
- Educational Excellence Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- 3 C’s Award
- Angus Graham Rising Star Award
- Top of the Course Award
Recognition
*Please note that this is a new deadline compared to previous years.
Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to support the success of PSIA-AASI and its members. See past award recipients.
Candidates:
- Made important contributions that have added to the success of PSIA-AASI and its members on a national scale (e.g. national initiatives).
- Displayed long-term commitment and dedication by providing educational programming and support.
- Demonstrated positive leadership skills.
- Fostered connections with and between members, including serving as a mentor.
Who is eligible? Members and non-members including, but not limited to, staff, vendors, and industry partners and/or influencers.
Who can make a nomination? PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, committees, regional boards, PSIA-AASI members.
Deadline: November 30 at 11:59 Mountain Time.
Educational Excellence Award
This award recognizes members who authored or helped develop educational materials or resources related to teaching snowsports or the snowsports industry. See past award recipients.
Candidates:
- Authored or developed educational materials related to snowsports.
- Added significantly to, and possibly even changed, the educational direction of PSIA-AASI.
- Exhibited dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice contributing to the PSIA-AASI education system.
Who is eligible? Members who have made significant contributions to the creation of PSIA-AASI or snowsports industry education materials.
Who can make a nomination? The PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, committees, regional boards, PSIA-AASI members.
Deadline: November 30 at 11:59 Mountain Time.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes exceptional members who developed and implemented programs, projects, and procedures affecting the association on a national level while demonstrating dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice serving in their role. Lifetime membership will be awarded to recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award. See past award recipients.
Candidates:
- Designed and implemented programs, projects, and procedures affecting the association on a national level.
- Exhibited dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice serving in national level leadership positions.
- Has a history of 10 years or more sustained outstanding service.
Who is eligible? Members with 10 years or more sustained outstanding service.
Who can make a nomination? The PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, committees, regional boards, or PSIA-AASI members.
Deadline: November 30 at 11:59 Mountain Time.
The 3 C’s Award – Collaboration, Communication, Cooperation
This award recognizes members who demonstrated positive leadership within their snowsport school or region through consistent collaboration, communication, and cooperation with peers and guests – they serve as role models for others. See past award recipients.
Candidates:
- Consistently collaborates, communicates, and cooperates with guests, peers, school management, and other departments.
- Demonstrate, through their behavior, the positive leadership essential to the success of their peers, schools, and resort.
- Volunteer when positive action is needed within their school and region.
- Is recognized as a role model.
Who is eligible? Members who work at a ski and ride school.
Who can make a nomination? Snowsports school or resort management, or peers (PSIA-AASI members and non-members).
Deadline: November 30 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.
Angus Graham Rising Star Award
This award recognizes standout members who show promise charting a career path within the snowsport industry. See past award recipients.
Candidates:
- Demonstrate positive leadership behavior within the snowsports industry.
- Show extraordinary promise charting a career path.
- Serve as a volunteer leader.
- Distinguish themselves in a fashion that is truly exemplary.
Who is eligible? Standout up and coming leaders in the snowsports industry (must be a PSIA-AASI member).
Who can make a nomination? Snowsports school directors/managers, and peers.
Deadline:November 30 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.
The award is named for Angus Graham, a beloved instructor, trainer, and mentor at Aspen Snowmass, who died in a car accident in Oregon on August 25, 2017. An inspirational skier and teacher, he was a candidate at the 2016 Team Selection, and featured in this PSIA-AASI Member Spotlight in September 2016.
Top of the Course Award
(Level II and Level III)
This award recognizes members who scored at the highest percentile in people, teaching, and skiing or snowboarding technical knowledge; and who empowered other candidates during the level II or III exam process. See past award recipients.
Candidates:
- Scored at the highest percentile in all three categories (teaching, people, and technical) in their level II or III exams.
- Demonstrated exemplary willingness to empower other exam candidates to achieve success during their exams.
- Showed exceptional compassion and understanding for the needs of others.
- Elevated peer performance for a more positive exam environment.
Who is eligible? Members who have successfully completed their level II or III certification. (Must be nominated within two seasons after they complete their exams and receive their certification.)
Who can make a nomination? Regional education staff or event managers.
Deadline: November 30 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.
Recognition
Honorary Membership
Individuals recognized by the PSIA-AASI Board of Directors for their outstanding service in the snowsports industry.
Nomination Process
Nominations for Honorary Membership can be made two ways:
PSIA-AASI regions can nominate one individual per year for Honorary Membership.
- PSIA-AASI regions set their own formal nomination process that includes at least one letter of recommendation and approval from the region’s board of directors. Additional letters of support are encouraged.
- PSIA-AASI regions must submit nominations to the National PSIA-AASI Board of Directors by November 1 of each year.
- The PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors will select Honorary Members at their winter board meeting.
The Awards & Recognition Committee can nominate one individual per year to Honorary Membership.
- The committee must submit nominations to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors by November 1 of each year for final approval at the board’s winter meeting.
All nominations to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors should include:
- All supporting documents (e.g. letters of recommendation).
- Approval from the region board or Awards & Recognition Committee (e.g. an email or letter identifying the individual as their nomination).
Lifetime Membership
Members recognized by the PSIA-AASI Board of Directors for their exceptional service as a volunteer or industry leader. These members are known and respected throughout their region for their dedication and long-term contributions to PSIA-AASI and have been a member for at least 20 years (special circumstances will be considered by the regional board on a case-by-case basis).
Nomination Process
PSIA-AASI regions can nominate members to the Lifetime Membership category.
- PSIA-AASI regions can make one lifetime membership nomination per year to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors. (For multiple recommendations, special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
- PSIA-AASI regions set their own formal nomination process that includes at least one letter of recommendation for each proposed lifetime member. Additional letters of support or additional documents are encouraged.
- PSIA-AASI regions must submit their nomination to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors by December 15 of each year for approval at the winter board meeting.
Nominations from regions to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors should include:
- All supporting documents (e.g. letters of recommendation).
- Approval from the PSIA-AASI regions board (e.g. an email or letter identifying the individual as their nomination).
