psia-aasi award winners

Help Us Honor Those Who Have Made an Impact

PSIA-AASI’s Award Program honors and calls out members’ achievements as instructors, leaders, role models, and collaborators in the industry. Know a member who is making a difference in our world and who deserves recognition and honors? Review the categories, then submit an application. Nominations due by Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m. MT. (The nomination period for the 2024-25 season has closed.)

questions? Contact us

Member Awards

The 2024-25 award nomination period has closed. Recipients will get their awards at National Academy in Big Sky, Montana, in April.

This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to support the success of PSIA-AASI and its members. Candidates:

  • Made important contributions that have added to the success of PSIA-AASI and its members on a national scale (e.g. national initiatives).
  • Displayed long-term commitment and dedication by providing educational programming and support.
  • Demonstrated positive leadership skills.
  • Fostered connections with and between members, including serving as a mentor.

Who is eligible? Members and non-members including, but not limited to, staff, vendors, and industry partners and/or influencers.

Who can make a nomination? PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, committees, regional boards, PSIA-AASI members.

  • submit a nomination

This award recognizes members who authored or helped develop educational materials or resources related to teaching snowsports or the snowsports industry. Candidates:

  • Authored or developed educational materials related to snowsports.
  • Added significantly to, and possibly even changed, the educational direction of PSIA-AASI.
  • Exhibited dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice contributing to the PSIA-AASI education system.

Who is eligible? Members who have made significant contributions to the creation of PSIA-AASI or snowsports industry education materials.

Who can make a nomination? PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, committees, regional boards, PSIA-AASI members.

  • submit a nomination

This 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. Lifetime membership will be awarded to recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award. Candidates:

  • 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.
  • Has a history of 10 years or more sustained outstanding service.

Who is eligible? Members with 10 years or more sustained outstanding service.

Who can make a nomination? PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, committees, regional boards, PSIA-AASI members.

  • submit a nomination

This award recognizes members who demonstrated positive leadership within their snowsports school or region through consistent collaboration, communication, and cooperation with peers and guests – they serve as role models for others. Candidates:

  • Consistently collaborates, communicates, and cooperates with guests, peers, school management, and other departments.
  • Demonstrate, through their behavior, the positive leadership essential to the success of their peers, schools, and resort.
  • Volunteer when positive action is needed within their school and region.
  • Is recognized as a role model.

Who is eligible? Members who work at a ski and ride school.

Who can make a nomination? Snowsports school or resort management, or peers (PSIA-AASI members and non-members).

  • submit a nomination

This award recognizes standout members who show promise charting a career path within the snowsport industry. Candidates:

  • Demonstrate positive leadership behavior within the snowsports industry.
  • Show extraordinary promise charting a career path.
  • Serve as a volunteer leader.
  • Distinguish themselves in a fashion that is truly exemplary.

Who is eligible? Standout up and coming leaders in the snowsports industry (must be a PSIA-AASI member).

Who can make a nomination? Snowsports school directors/managers, and peers.

  • submit a nomination

This award recognizes members who scored at the highest percentile in people, teaching, and skiing or snowboarding technical knowledge; and who empowered other candidates during the level II or III exam process. Candidates:

  • Scored at the highest percentile in all three categories (teaching, people, and technical) in their level II or III exams.
  • Demonstrated exemplary willingness to empower other exam candidates to achieve success during their exams.
  • Showed exceptional compassion and understanding for the needs of others.
  • Elevated peer performance for a more positive exam environment.

Who is eligible? Members who have successfully completed their level II or III certification. (Must be nominated within two seasons after they complete their exams and receive their certification.)

Who can make a nomination? Regional education staff or event managers.

  • submit a nomination (LII)
  • submit a nomination (LIII)

member recognition

Honorary Membership

Individuals recognized by the PSIA-AASI Board of Directors for their outstanding service in the snowsports industry. Nominations for Honorary Membership can be made two ways:

PSIA-AASI regions can nominate one individual per year for Honorary Membership.

  • PSIA-AASI regions set their own formal nomination process that includes at least one letter of recommendation and approval from the region’s board of directors. Additional letters of support are encouraged.
  • PSIA-AASI regions must submit nominations to the National PSIA-AASI Board of Directors by November 1 of each year.
  • The PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors will select Honorary Members at their winter board meeting.

The Awards & Recognition Committee can nominate one individual per year to Honorary Membership.

  • The committee must submit nominations to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors by November 1 of each year for final approval at the board’s winter meeting.

All nominations to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors should include:

  • All supporting documents (e.g. letters of recommendation).
  • Approval from the region board or Awards & Recognition Committee (e.g. an email or letter identifying the individual as their nomination).
submit nomination

Lifetime Membership

Members recognized by the PSIA-AASI Board of Directors for their exceptional service as a volunteer or industry leader. These members are known and respected throughout their region for their dedication and long-term contributions to PSIA-AASI and have been a member for at least 20 years (special circumstances will be considered by the regional board on a case-by-case basis).

PSIA-AASI regions can nominate members to the Lifetime Membership category.

  • PSIA-AASI regions can make one lifetime membership nomination per year to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors. (For multiple recommendations, special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
  • PSIA-AASI regions set their own formal nomination process that includes at least one letter of recommendation for each proposed lifetime member. Additional letters of support or additional documents are encouraged.
  • PSIA-AASI regions must submit their nomination to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors by December 15 of each year for approval at the winter board meeting.

Nominations from regions to the PSIA-AASI National Board of Directors should include:

  • All supporting documents (e.g. letters of recommendation).
  • Approval from the PSIA-AASI regions board (e.g. an email or letter identifying the individual as their nomination).
submit nomination

Meet Some of the Inspiring PSIA-AASI Award Winners

Angus Graham Rising Star Award Recipient Nick Nagey Strives to Connect Through Curiosity

meet nick

Support Has Been Key to Level II Top of the Course Award Recipient Liz Lozinger’s Success

Meet Liz

Mike Porter Honored with PSIA-AASI Lifetime Achievement Award

Meet Mike