windham mountain women of winter scholarship

PSIA-AASI is committed to inclusion and helping everyone advance in the snowsports industry.

PSIA-AASI values lifelong adventures through education for all. To live our values, inclusion must be inherent in our culture; demonstrated through our Learning Connection model and by our respect and support for each other, our students, and all whose lives can be enriched through snowsports. PSIA-AASI recognizes that opportunity, representation, acceptance, and access are not always distributed equitably throughout our organization or the snowsports industry as a whole. Whether intentional or not, the impact of exclusion is real.

We promote strategies and best practices to ensure educational opportunities are available to everyone, and to meaningfully diversify representation at all leadership levels. We promote actions to empower women and other historically underrepresented groups, to retain them in the industry, and to enhance their professional development. We believe these actions also strengthen PSIA-AASI’s culture and, as an education organization for ski and snowboard instructors, we can and will do more to educate on the topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our sphere of influence.

opportunities for instructors

There are many ways you can engage right now. See below to take advantage of the programs and resources PSIA-AASI has established.

National Scholarships for Women, BIPOC, Veterans, Adaptive Certification, and Others

PSIA-AASI offers scholarships specifically for our women members to advance their skills and seek leadership roles in the industry; for BIPOC women to pursue opportunities to teach snowsports; for members to purse adaptive certification; and for veterans to enter the snowsports instruction workforce. Regions also offer a variety of targeted scholarships.

scholarships

Mentorship for Women

The PSIA-AASI survey of female-identifying members in 2020 found that 41% of respondents did not have a mentor and want one. The Women’s Council created resources to help you understand the importance of women-specific mentorship programs and how to get one started.

understanding mentorship for women women’s mentorship starter kit

Annual Women’s Summit: All Disciplines!

The Women’s Summit is an annual gathering hosted by one of our regions. Learn from and ski/ride with the best of our educators, PSIA-AASI National Team members, and women leaders in the snowsports industry (such as ski area CEOs) as you explore your potential for higher achievement through communication, connection, and gear-related coaching.

event info

Women’s Council for Equity and Inclusion

The mission of the Women’s Council for Equity and Inclusion is to invest in women through educational programming, women’s events, financial support and mentoring at the local, regional and national levels. It also acts as the visionary steering group for creating opportunities for women in leadership in PSIA-AASI and the greater snowsports industry. This group is actively working with schools and instructors to collect data, develop resources and programs, and guide and inform PSIA-AASI efforts. Find additional research and educational opportunities on this page.

get involved

Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group

The Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group advises PSIA-AASI operational leadership on equity and inclusion matters. They develop and promote strategies and best practices to educate on the topics of age, ability, disability, ethnic origin and nationality, racial, religious, social, sexual, and gender diversity. The group also strives to empower the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) community; and other marginalized groups by providing and creating education opportunities for them to engage with peers and advance their snowsports education. Their ultimate goal is to provide the betterment of PSIA-AASI’s culture through all facets of PSIA-AASI’s education efforts so that everyone is provided with an inclusive educational and professional experience through snowsports.

get involved

Coaching HER™

PSIA-AASI partner Coaching HER is a research-backed resource that helps sport coaches of girls challenge the status quo and the taken-for-granted assumptions of what it means to coach girls. They are helping coaches minimize gender inequalities and to coach differently. Coaching HER tackles central and unaddressed issues which negatively impact girls’ and women’s performance, self-perceptions, sport choices, and experiences: coaches’ unconscious gender biases and stereotypes. Learn more about why this work is so important and take advantage of their resources.

Coaching her’s educational resources are available online for free!
learn more

What Makes Coaching HER Unique?

Coaching HER™ was developed with leading experts within a novel, collaborative academic-industry partnership. Coaching HER™ was rigorously tested and resulted in eight academic papers that underpin the rigor and prove its efficacy. Research with coaches provides proof that Coaching HER™ reduces coaches’ gender biased beliefs. The research showed that coaches who completed Foundational Modules of Coaching HER™ exhibited lower levels of gender essentialism and stereotypes compared to coaches who did not complete Coaching HER™.

The Body Confident Sport program, three modules that upskill coaches to recognize and tackle body image and promote body confidence in athletes, is also rigorously tested. Coaches who completed the Body Confident Coaching curriculum showed increased self-efficacy with body image, decreased fat-phobia, and decreased levels of gender bias. Athletes who completed the Body Confident Athletes curriculum exhibited improvements in body image and sport enjoyment.

How Does Coaching HER Make a Difference For Girls?

Coaches are a primary influence in a girl’s sports journey. They are one of the most important factors in why girls stay in, or drop out of, sports. Girls need coaches to create welcoming and safe environments to help them thrive.

Coaches are often powerful transmitters of gender beliefs and norms. These gendered beliefs of sport coaches are rarely questioned and uncritically accepted as the norm. Yet these same gendered beliefs are factors in shaping girls’ negative self-perceptions and sport experiences. However, coaches are often unaware, untrained, undertrained, or lacking in the confidence to address gender stereotypes, gender identities, ways to support girls, and girls’ unique needs in relation to sport.

Gender-responsive coach education, like Coaching HER™, can help coaches develop the awareness, skills, and tools necessary to confront their own gender biases and traditional gender ideologies. Coaching HER empowers and educates coaches through online modules demonstrating how to coach in a way that is inclusive and supports body confidence in athletes.

The Coaching HER™ modules and materials include:

  • Evidence-Based Content: Engage with materials curated to support effective coaching strategies for girls.
  • Personal Reflections: Encourage growth and development through guided reflection exercises.
  • Key Takeaways: Downloadable documents summarizing key points from each module.
  • Actionable Items: Implement practical strategies designed to empower and enable positive change in coaching practices.
  • Real-World Scenarios: Apply learning in interactive scenarios to foster practical coaching skills.
  • Research-Backed Materials: All content has been pilot tested and shown to reduce coach gender bias and stereotypes, helping to keep girls engaged in sport.

Additional Resources to Learn and Engage

[From Coaching HER.] Understanding our biases is crucial because biases, whether conscious or unconscious, can significantly influence our decisions, behaviors, and interactions with others. When we are unaware of our biases, we may unintentionally treat people unfairly, make assumptions based on stereotypes, or overlook important perspectives.

In a coaching context, biases can affect how we evaluate athletes, the opportunities we offer them, and how we communicate with them, potentially leading to unequal treatment and a lack of inclusivity. As a coach, it’s essential to provide all athletes with equal opportunities to succeed.

By recognizing and understanding our biases, we can take steps to minimize their impact, make more objective and fair decisions, and create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This self-awareness allows us to challenge our assumptions, seek diverse viewpoints, and approach situations with greater empathy and understanding. Recognizing and addressing these biases is key to fostering a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where girls can thrive and reach their full potential. Some common signs of gender bias in coaching may include:

  • Lower Expectations: Setting lower performance or effort expectations for female athletes compared to male athletes.
  • Limited Opportunities: Giving girls fewer chances to take on critical roles, such as leading the team or participating in key plays.
  • Vague Feedback: Providing less detailed, constructive feedback to girls, or offering more generic praise rather than skill-specific guidance.
  • Relying on Stereotypes: Making decisions based on gender norms, such as assuming girls are less competitive or driven than boys.
  • Resource Allocation: Prioritizing attention, resources, and support for boys’ teams over girls’ teams.
  • Overlooking Individual Needs: Disregarding or undervaluing the unique interests, aspirations, or needs expressed by female athletes.
  • Focusing on Appearance: Placing undue emphasis on girls’ physical appearance rather than their skills, effort, and athletic performance.

By being aware of these signs, coaches can take proactive steps to ensure their coaching practices are equitable and supportive. Engaging in gender equity training, seeking feedback from athletes, and regularly reflecting on coaching methods can help build a more inclusive environment where all athletes have the chance to excel.

[From Coaching HER] Minimizing the influence of bias in coaching requires intentional reflection and a commitment to fair and inclusive practices. Here are strategies to help reduce bias in your decision-making:

  • Reflect on Your Biases: Regularly examine your own assumptions, biases, and stereotypes. Acknowledge that everyone has biases, and take responsibility for identifying and addressing them.
  • Commit to Ongoing Education: Engage in continuous learning about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Understanding the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of your athletes helps you recognize and challenge bias in your coaching.
  • Use Objective Criteria: Set clear, merit-based criteria for evaluating performance. Ensure all athletes are assessed fairly, focusing on their skills and effort rather than personal assumptions or biases.
  • Involve Others in Decision-Making: Collaborate with trusted colleagues or assistant coaches to provide diverse perspectives and challenge potential biases. Having more voices involved helps create a more balanced, inclusive decision-making process.
  • Pause and Reflect Before Decisions: Before making decisions, take a moment to ask yourself if unconscious biases might be influencing your choices. Consider whether you would make the same decision if the athlete had a different identity or background.
  • Encourage Feedback from Athletes: Create a culture where athletes feel comfortable sharing feedback and their experiences. Listening to their perspectives helps you build a more inclusive and supportive team environment that values fairness and diversity.

To continue learning how to coach girls more effectively and deepen your understanding of unconscious biases, visit CoachingHER.com.

Below you will find resources from some of our snowsports industry partners.

In January 2020, PSIA-AASI partnered with Colorado-based research firm RRC Associates to send a 23-question survey to the association’s 9,200+ female members. The first comprehensive survey specifically designed to examine women’s experiences within PSIA-AASI and the greater snowsports industry, it received a 45% response rate and, in addition to specific data points, included 5,372 open comments from respondents. Upon assessing the survey data and conducting a series of in-person focus groups to gather more input, PSIA-AASI’s Women’s Initiative Task Force (WIT) identified six key findings that provide an opportunity to inform and share recommendations with stakeholders within and outside the association. This report presents those key findings.

Watch: Gender Equity in Snowsports Instruction

PSIA Alpine Team member Ann Schorling took center stage at Interski 2023 to present her keynote address, Increasing Gender Equity in Snowsports Instruction. She shared the findings of the study she completed at Big Sky Resort and how it connects to other research on gender, sport, and leadership throughout the world. Worldwide, women account for less than 40 percent of all skier visits, and that number has changed little in the past 20 years. This powerful presentation offers perspective from and about your fellow snowsports instructors and the guests we serve.