Education Task Force Highlight: Stewart Chumbley

The Education Task Force Highlight Series spotlights education leaders working to create new Certification Standards, education resources, and communication strategies that will benefit all members.

In this highlight, we sit down with Telemark Task Force member Stewart Chumbley.

What task force are you on?

Telemark task force.

What’s your current snowsports job title?

Montana’s Big Sky Resort ski instructor and guide. PSIA Northern Rocky Mountain Telemark Coach.

Share a brief bio of your professional snowsports instruction history.

I started teaching skiing in California after I graduated from college. After spending a few years in Tahoe I relocated to Montana and never left. I am on the Northern Rocky Mountain Education Children’s and Telemark staff.

What are the task force’s main goals and how are you working to accomplish them?

Establish learning outcomes and assessment criteria as a foundation for new Certification Standards. Establish consistency in the standards across divisions. Collaborate with telemark leaders across the country.

How will this benefit members?

The consistency will allow members to understand the standard and how to obtain certification. I hope it will allow telemark candidates to be able to train and be evaluated in different divisions.

Why is it important to you to be involved/work for the benefit of other members?

I think this helps the discipline of telemark continue on for future skiers. Telemark is a small discipline and it’s important to have a consistent message for members. I hope this work paves the way for the next generation of telemark education staff and PSIA-AASI members.

What’s the fun factor?

The fun factor is training staff to the new lingo and process some over video conferences and hopefully on snow.

Best part of being an instructor?

Sharing the mountain experiences with friends, new and old.