Gregory’s 3 Top Takeaways from Telemark Academy

PSIA-AASI National Academy, Rider Rally, Adaptive Academy, and Telemark Academy welcomed 460 coaches and attendees to Big Sky, Montana last month, for the association’s largest event ever.

At National Academy several  attendees jumped at the opportunity to free-heel the area’s legendary steeps and wide groomers with PSIA Telemark Team Coach Gregory Dixon and team members Jim Shaw and Keith Rodney.

Here, Gregory shares his top takeaways from a memorable Telemark Academy:

1. As the team coach of new team members, it was great to work the event together. I admire Jim and Keith’s abilities as educators, and they’re great skiers! The participants were stoked on the training they received and can’t wait to return next year. Jim, Keith, and I all got to work together to fuel the stoke.
2. The participants really contributed to the success of this event. Then, they left the event amped and ready to go home and encourage their friends to attend next year. We love their support!
3. The Learn to Telemark elective was the most fun part of Academy. We had 23 participants and taught 11 people who have never telemarked to make solid turns. I’m pretty sure most of them are going to get their own gear. Jim added to the success of the event by driving his own fleet of demo gear all the way from Colorado. Without his equipment, this event wouldn’t have happened as rentals weren’t available.