By Peter Kray
This is the final story in recognition of this year’s PSIA-AASI award recipients. Members were honored last week at National Academy, in Big Sky, Montana, for their achievements as instructors, leaders, role models, and collaborators in the snowsports industry.
A Thought Leader and Hall of Famer
Ski instruction legend Horst Abraham, a leading voice in the benefits of experiential, student-centered teaching, has been one of the driving forces in American snowsports instruction, especially in regard to the student’s role in the learning process.
“Horst is well known throughout PSIA-AASI, and internationally, as a thought leader, and a passionate contributor to ski instruction,” said one of his nominators.
“He continues to be curious and thought-provoking, and has created a think tank group that meets bi-monthly to discuss ideas and suggestions to improve upon ski instruction in the United States. Within the group, he’s curated a group of PSIA-AASI members who blend extensive experience with nominal experience, and he asks them to consider ways in which we approach teaching snowsports. Horst challenges his peers to think with curiosity and to be guest-centric in our teaching methodology.”
In the 1970s, Abraham served as director of training and development for PSIA, and in 1983, he authored “Skiing Right,” which, at the time, was PSIA’s official instructional guide. He was inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2012. His dedication to snowsports instruction has not waivered over the years; he’s as passionate today as he was in the 1980s and will engage with any PSIA member in a robust conversation about teaching skiing.
Abraham’s induction into the Hall of Fame included the quote, “Horst Abraham is responsible for the birth of the American Teaching Method (ATM), which, with its guest-focused pedagogy, has been a game-changer in ski instruction worldwide. The ‘guest-and-skills’ centered teaching methodology has become the backbone of American ski instruction and all national ski teaching systems in the world.”
Abraham, who was unable to attend National Academy, said in a statement for American Snow, the book honoring his and many others’ contributions to American snowsports instruction, “I came to the United States to align myself with the rebel thinkers. We skied in the way that bodies should move. It was easy to ski how our bodies should move and how much freer we felt on the snow when we were on our own.”
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The Lifetime Achievement 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. Candidates have 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; and have a history of 10 years or more sustained outstanding service. Lifetime membership is awarded to recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Learn more about the awards and how you can honor members who have made an impact on our industry.
Read about this year’s other award recipients:
Distinguished Service Award: Peter Kray
Educational Excellence Award: Becky Ayers
Angus Graham Rising Star Award: Tomás Zunino
3 C’s Award: Ralf Riehl
Educational Excellence Award: Dale Drennan
3 C’s Award: Grace Center do Ouro