Cross Country Academy Welcomes Wide Range of Ski Abilities
Make no mistake, PSIA Cross Country Academy 2024 is the ultimate way for experienced cross country ski instructors to kick – and glide – into the winter in West Yellowstone, Montana.
Taking place Dec. 2-4, the annual event features a snow-studded roster of former PSIA Cross Country Team coaches such as David Lawrence, Emily Lovett, and Scotty McGee, who will help attendees fine-tune their own technique while presenting training sessions and teaching plans to share with other students this season.
“We have an incredible roster of instructors and former coaches who will be at the event,” said current PSIA Cross Country Team Coach Zeke Fashingbauer. “And it’s such a great opportunity to work with them in West Yellowstone, which is an amazing place to go cross country skiing.”
Highlights Include:
- Three days of classic and skate skiing with current and former PSIA Cross Country Team members.
- Insight on innovations shaping the future of instruction.
- Opportunities to network with and learn new ways of teaching from fellow cross country professionals who share your passion for the experience.
- Personalized coaching.
One of the open secrets of Cross Country Academy, however, is how welcoming the event is to intermediate level skiers or instructors from other disciplines, providing a friendly environment to go beyond technique deep into the culture and community of free-heel traveling.
“That’s something we’re really working to embrace more each season,” said Fashingbauer. “Looking outside of our own little Nordic community to see not only what we can share, but also in terms of new technology like video and social media, what we can be learning.”
To that end, Fashingbauer and the team are in talks with some as yet unannounced special guest clinicians to attend the event who Zeke says, “Will bring in some different perspectives on teaching and instruction.”
Second-term team member Tulie Budiselich said the welcoming atmosphere and top-notch instruction at Academy have been crucial in helping her grow as a teacher and advance in the profession.
“I attended Cross Country Academy as a participant for a number of years before being asked to coach the event,” Budiselich said. “It was always a fantastic way to kickstart my season. Early season snow is magical, and that combined with full days on the trails with peers who are passionate skiers and inspiring educators is pretty electric.”
For those who’ve never attended, she summarizes Academy as: “three days of intensive high-quality coaching on snow for both personal ski improvement and the development of teaching and people skills.”
“Days are often full, with functional movement and yoga in the mornings, two on-snow sessions during the day, and evening presentations and time to connect with other instructors across the country. It’s a fantastic way to get your ski legs back and workshop new teaching skills, to push outside your comfort zone, and think outside the box. It’s continued to be an especially inspiring and invigorating way to start my season.”
That’s exactly what new Cross Country Team member Justin Arndt is looking forward to: “Exploring new topics in clinics with the membership, most of whom have never attended a clinic with me.”
He added, “I hope that we’ll be able to explore new topics from what some other clinicians might have explored with them in the past. When a group of instructors that come from various places and backgrounds get together, there’s the potential for so much learning.”
Here are the details – spaces are limited, so please act now to ensure your spot in this special event, which only takes place once a season.
Dates: Dec. 2-4, 2024
Location: West Yellowstone, Montana
Registration Cost: $525
Late Registration Cost: $625 (after Oct. 31)
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 18
Who can attend: Open to members only
Registration Closes: Nov. 18
Lodging: Information will be sent after registration.
