Decades ago PSIA lost it's way. As it became larger, it became more political. People were no longer judged and certified based upon merit alone. Let me be clear, many were certified on their ability but many more were not. They were passed and rose through the ranks on the buddy system. Not only does this have the effect of diluting the value of PSIA certification but it also fosters an environment where dissent and unique POV's are not tolerated. This culture is then reinforced by the old guard hanging on to their positions. Look at the selectors for the D-team. It's the ancients and those that agree with the ancients. This extends all the way down to the divisions where examiners hold onto their status come hell or high water. A perfect example of all this is Nolo. She clearly did not become an examiner based on her ability. She has clearly stated that she has received many plaques and awards based on all her work in her division. I contend that much of this got her the role of examiner. This is the PSIA way. Now if you were to stand up to Obi Wan and the others in the old guard who wrote all the silly crap that passes for ATS then you would have no chance at advancing. Because at some point in PSIA talent and ability take a back seat to the politics.
Of course this type of system hinders the development of new ideas and methods. It stifles creativity. This is why PSIA has been falling behind and losing members to the point where they now have yet a new membership level. Level 1 which essentially means if you pay them money they'll give you a pin.
PSIA is also important if you cant ski because they will tell you that you can. If you're part of the group, they will validate your ability.
All of this creates a bubble that PSIA and their group live in. They seem to have no awareness that the public views instructors as a joke. They have gone from being the admired masters of the mountain to being the bottom feeders. Tell some rippers that you are PSIA and they'll laugh at you. Kids today don't want ski um as instructors or to get taught by them either. They have better opportunities for work in the mountains and better coaching available
When we follow this, it is readily apparent why Epic behaves the way they do. Their ski experience is very limited. It is all in the PSIA cocoon. So they do not react well to challenge or innovation. That's why in one of the most innovative mediums in the history of man they are still stuck in PARK.
I guess that PMTS must be having an impact to generate the jealousy that comes form Epic. They must be scared that all the pin chasing and ass kissing could go down the drain.
7 comments:
Quite the opposite my freind. PMTS folk are obsessed with Epic. As seen in the amount of their posters on Epic. As there are none that post on the PMTS forum. Because God forbid if they do they will be quickly deleted. Because.... let's face it PMTS is inferior to PSIA, and ya'll are pretty scared about the whole thing.
Now thats some funny shit!
Snooze.
Got bigger, got political, got human.
Roll over.
G'night
Many technically solid amateur skiers have shared a laugh or two over some of the posted d-team video that is available. These d-team skiers are by and large beholden to the PSIA ancients and based on video can not be the best skiers in PSIA.
Since the old guard is politically unshakable, the d-team is the best chance to re-form PSIA for the 21st century. A d-team member should meet two requirements 1) s/he should be a strong teacher and 2) s/he should be the strongest skier available in PSIA subject to adequate performance in the teaching requirement.
Consider a reformed PSIA in which
1) two thirds the board and half of the national officers were required to be former d-team members.
2) the teaching qualification of d-team candidates was tested by measuring the performance of actual students after 1 week of teaching as judged by retired (cheap) former national team coaches. (no PSIA-beholden selectors)
3) the technical skiing qualifications were determined by the 4 top WC technical skiers that year (SL, GS, male and female.) The teams are cash-starved and would likely make these athletes available for 1-2 days in exchange for a few tens of k. (no PSIA-beholden selectors)
A PSIA reconstituted this way could put the hurt to PMTS in 5 years and drive it out of business in 10 years.
(failing that, give Jerry Berg total control over the selection of examiners and certification nationwide for 5 years and require all level 3 instructors to be recertified in his first 2 years or revert to level 1 cert, and all level 2 instructors to be recertified during these 5 years or revert to level 1.)
nice suggestions. but i would add that more important than lvl 2 or 3 is that the examiners need to re-qualify every 2-3 years
... and where does PMTS fit into all of this.
No where. With the hierarchy running the show, and the puppets that follow. It is sure to self implode from within. Based on the attitude, from the responses from the - so called - self proclaimed experts on the PMTS site. I dont' believe that Epic can even come close to the harshness of attitude's on that site.
So, Vocal-Skier, my guess is that you tried out to be an examiner and didn't make it...and a WOMAN did!
Talk about obsessed with Epic. I'd have to say that Vocal Skier is the leader in that malady.
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