THE CENTRAL DIVISION - NATIONAL SKI PATROL

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Join us for this year’s Winter Ski Patrol Festival, formerly known as the Alpine Skill Development Workshop (ASDW). Hosted by the Central Division National Ski Patrol, this event promises to be a thrilling blend of camaraderie, skill enhancement, and winter fun. This year, we’re excited to bring the festival to two fantastic locations:
  • December 7-8, 2024 at the picturesque Wild Mountain in Minnesota
  • December 14-15, 2024 at the stunning Highlands of Harbor Springs in Michigan
Whether you’re a seasoned patroller or new to the slopes, the Winter Ski Patrol Festival offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills, network with fellow patrollers, and enjoy the exhilarating winter landscape. During the festival, you’ll have the chance to participate in a variety of workshops and training sessions tailored to your skill level. From advanced first aid to avalanche rescue techniques, our expert-led sessions are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to handle any situation on the slopes. But it’s not all work! The festival also includes plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation. Enjoy the thrill of skiing on some of the best slopes in the region, share stories with fellow patrollers around a cozy bonfire, and celebrate the season with other patrollers. We can’t wait to see you at the Winter Ski Patrol Festival. Mark your calendars, pack your gear, and get ready for an unforgettable experience on the slopes!
Session 1: New Senior OET Trainer Evaluator Certification (Successful/Unsuccessful Session)

Enrollment Category Groupings and who should attend: The participant must be a senior alpine patroller and a current OET instructor. Participants should be ready to test to become a newly certified Senior OET trainer evaluator this year. This is the first step to becoming a Senior Trainer Evaluator for your Region. The emphasis of training will be Saturday: Senior toboggan handling standards (TTW) and Sunday: Senior ski/ride standards (STW).

Note: Any prior senior alpine evaluator who did not maintain the 3-yr. re-certification status must enroll here for a new certification. 

Evaluation Factors: Successful participants will be able to demonstrate technical knowledge of senior scoring matrix (1-6) and scorecard, effective assessment (movement analysis) skills, and feedback methods. Participants will also perform toboggan and ski/ride skills at or above senior level and show their ability to demonstrate, teach, and evaluate senior candidates effectively.

Category Limit: Maximum of three (3) participants per Region or more if space allows.

Result: Participants will be identified in their feedback as one or more of the following – 1) New Senior OET Trainer Evaluator who has met the certification criteria to become an OET Senior Trainer Evaluator for their Region, or 2) unsuccessful-not approved to serve as a Senior OET Trainer Evaluator for this year.

Session 2: Senior OET Trainer Evaluator Re-Certification: Current Ski/Ride TE’s (Successful/Unsuccessful Session)

Enrollment Category Groupings and who should attend: The participant must be a senior alpine patroller who is a Senior Ski/Ride Trainer/Evaluator needing to recert this season to maintain their 3-year requirement.  The emphasis of training will be Saturday Senior toboggan handling standards (TTW) and Sunday: Senior ski/ride standards (STW).

Evaluation Factors: Successful participants will be able to demonstrate technical knowledge of senior scoring matrix (1-6) and scorecard, effective assessment (movement analysis) skills, and feedback methods. Participants will also perform toboggan and ski/ride skills at or above senior level and show their ability to demonstrate, teach, and evaluate senior candidates effectively.

Category Limit: Maximum of three (3) participants per Region or more if space allows.

Result: Participants will be identified in their feedback as one or more of the following – 1) New Senior OET Trainer Evaluator who has met the certification criteria to become an OET Senior Trainer Evaluator for their Region, or 2) unsuccessful-not approved to serve as a Senior OET Trainer Evaluator for this year.

Session 3: Senior OET Trainer Evaluator Re-Certification: Current Toboggan TE’s (Successful/Unsuccessful Session)

Enrollment Category Groupings and who should attend: The participant must be a senior alpine patroller who is a Toboggan Trainer/Evaluator needing to recert this season to maintain their 3-year requirement.  The emphasis of training will be Saturday: Senior ski/ride standards (STW) and Sunday: Senior toboggan (TTW).

Evaluation Factors: Successful participants will be able to demonstrate technical knowledge of senior scoring matrix (1-6) and scorecard, effective assessment (movement analysis) skills, and feedback methods. Participants will also perform toboggan and ski/ride skills at or above senior level and show their ability to demonstrate, teach, and evaluate senior candidates effectively.

Category Limit: Maximum of three (3) participants per Region or more if space allows.

Result: Participants will be identified in their feedback as one or more of the following – 1) New Senior OET Trainer Evaluator who has met the certification criteria to become an OET Senior Trainer Evaluator for their Region, or 2) unsuccessful-not approved to serve as a Senior OET Trainer Evaluator for this year.

Session 4: Senior OET Trainer Evaluator Re-Certification (Dual Ski/Ride/Toboggan TE’s) and Re-Certification for IT’s: (Successful/Unsuccessful Session)
Accordion Content
Session 5: Train the Trainers for Aspiring OET Instructors (Certificate of Completion)

Enrollment Category Groupings and who should attend: This session is for Alpine Patrollers who are interested in becoming OET instructors for their areas and/or Region.

Session will Provide:  Effective feedback delivery, movement analysis, technical knowledge review, teaching/building effective progressions and overall preparation for a successful Toboggan Trainer or IT candidate.

Category Limit: Maximum of two (2) participants per Region or more as space allows.

Note:  Minimum qualifications to register for the group are:  Alpine Patroller status and recommendation from your local OET IT or Patrol Representative.

Session 6: Senior OET Trainer Evaluator Prep Clinic (Certification of Completion)

Who Should Attend:

  1. Region evaluators not requiring recertification this year looking to sharpen their teaching skills.
  2. Those Senior Patroller who are interested in becoming an OET Trainer/Evaluator.

 

Session Will Provide:

Focus on skiing/ride and toboggan fundamentals and benchmarks as defined by PSIA/AASI in the Alpine Technical Manual and Snowboard Technical Manual for Region snow sports trainers. This will also include Movement Analysis, Video review, and Movement Learning Activities to develop an understanding of how to teach, demonstrate, and evaluate ski/ride and toboggan at the Senior level.

Category Limit: Maximum of two (2) participants per Region or more if space allows.

Result: Participants should better understand the Senior OET program training techniques and knowledge in preparation for certification as an OET Trainer/Evaluator in the future.

Session 7: PSIA-AASI Level 1 Exam

This is a 2 day session at The Highlands only.

Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in becoming a member of PSIA (alpine, telemark) or AASI (snowboard) and trying out for Level 1 certification.  Ideal for OET instructors or anyone working with candidates/patrollers to evaluate and improve ski/ride performance.

Session Will Provide:  PSIA-AASI Level 1 is ideal for trainers wanting an increased understanding of terminology, teaching progressions, and analysis of movements for effective and efficient ski/ride performance.  Ideal for working with candidates and for improving one’s own skills.  Previous experience teaching ski/ride skills to current or candidate patrollers is desirable.  Level 1 certification is also the starting point for attaining higher levels (Level 2 or 3) certification.  Registration for the Level 1 exam and fees are handled directly with PSIA-AASI.  The exam includes required online components prior to the two days on the snow instruction and assessment.  Contact cmjsunrise@gmail.com for questions and to advise your interest.  You will be sent details on how to participate.

Category Limit: Minimum of 5

Session 8: PSIA-AASI Prep Workshop for NSP Trainers (Certification of Completion)

Who Should Attend:

Region Trainers who already have their Level I or 2 PSIA-AASI certification and are actively preparing for their Level 2 or 3 examination.

Session Will Provide:

Review of The Learning Connection as it relates to people skills, teaching skills and technical skills. Review of ski/ride fundamentals and benchmarks as defined by PSIA-AASI in the Alpine Technical Manual, Snowboard Technical Manual and Teaching Snowsports Manual.  Discussions and suggestions for assisting the participant in assessment preparation using the National Certification Standards and People Skills, Teaching skills and Technical skills performance guides.  Opportunities will be available to work on Movement Analysis and Feedback skills, teaching progressions and technical knowledge.

Category Limit:  Maximum of eight participants per session will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Minimum of two boarders or four skiers to hold sessions.  More openings if space allowed.

Session 9: MVP Program “Guide” Training (Certification of Completion)

This is a Saturday only session.  It will be held at both Wild Mountain and The Highlands

Who Should Attend: Toboggan and/or OEC instructors/trainers who are over the age of sixty and who are actively involved in teaching and training at the Region and/or Patrol level.

Session Will Provide The workshop will train attendees to be MVP Guides, so that they can activate MVP Workshops for patrollers in their Region/Patrol during the 2024/2025 season. The curriculum consists of pre-read materials, facilitated group discussion and skiing and tobogganing on-hill sessions.

Category Limit: 12 – you must register through the NSP Central Ski Patrol Festival registration form and sign the online waiver.

Session 10: Certified Clinic – Risk Management/Area Operations (Certification of Completion)

This is a Saturday only session and will be inside briefly and then on the snow.  This session will be held at both Wild Mountain and The Highlands.

Who Should Attend:  Any patroller, or industry professionals, seeking to know more about risk management and area operations.

Session Will Provide:  technical instruction, training/trainer development, and industry standards insight, led by

Division certified staff. All necessary equipment will be provided.

Category Limit:  no limit – you must register through the NSP Central Ski Patrol Festival registration form and sign the online waiver.

Session 11: Outdoor Risk Management Module (Certification of Completion)

This is a Saturday only session at Wild Mountain and will be inside.

Who Should Attend:  Any patroller, or industry professionals, seeking to know more about risk management at  the ski area.

Session Will Provide:  an overview of the ORM program and a deeper dive into “Communicating with Other Departments”, led by Division ORM instructor staff. All necessary equipment will be provided.

Category Limit:  no limit – you must register through the NSP Central Ski Patrol Festival registration form and sign the online waiver.

Session 12: Senior Trainer/Evaluator (OEC/Aid Room) Re-Certification

This is a Sunday only session at Wild Mountain and The Highlands.  It will be about 4 hours inside.

Who Should Attend:  Trainer/Evaluators for the OEC Module of the Senior Program who have not completed, trained, and/or evaluated the Aid Room Module.

Session Will Provide:  instruction for training and evaluating the OEC and Aid Room Modules of the Senior Program.

Category Limit: No limit. Registration and Online Waiver are required through the NSP Central Ski Patrol Festival.