Merck Ski Association

As MSA's ASIA Representative, it is my job to promote ASIA to our club's members. But even if that wasn't my job, I'd still be promoting it. Joining ASIA was probably the best move I ever made (next to joining MSA, of course!) with regard to skiing. I had reached a certain level in my skiing and all the lessons in the world weren't making me any better. Until I took an ASIA program.

Do you know the instructors who teach you during the Monday night lesson program? All ASIA-certified instructors. Do you want to be able to ski like them? Try an ASIA course. ASIA teaches skiing from the inside out. You start with the basics. You know, from the point where you first put on a pair of skis and start falling all over your own feet? From there you learn the how's and, more importantly WHY's, of doing everything from gliding stops to wedge turns to parallel turns to skiing moguls to almost anything you want to know. It is this inside out method that has made me a better skier, and it will make YOU a better skier too.

Each time I take an ASIA course, even if it is one I've taken before (such as Skiing Improvement), I learn more and I get better. Even if you are not interested in teaching, it is worth taking the Level I Certification program. Learning not only the technical but also the anatomical reasons behind every move you make on skis, and how to teach them to somebody else, is definitely the best way to improve your own skiing! Another benefit - attending a weekend-long ASIA program is a BLAST!!!

The excerpts below are modified slightly from the ASIA website. For more information, please feel free to contact me at 610-689-5677or lynnski@ptd.net or to check out the website at www.asiaski.com.

What is ASIA?

The Amateur Ski Instructors Association (ASIA) is a local, non-profit organization formed in 1980 and run by its membership, is the direct outgrowth of the former Qualified Amateur Ski Instructors program of the Eastern Division of the United States Ski Association. Membership is open to anyone interested in promoting or participating in the sport of skiing, both individually or through clubs and organizations.

Learn To Be A Ski Instructor or Learn To Ski Like One

Do you wish you could glide down the hill or through the moguls like the instructors you see while riding the lift? Do you wonder what secret gift or talent makes it so easy for them? Does learning to ski like the pros seem unattainable to you? The fact is, you can become a better skier by learning and applying certain basic skiing skills. You can learn about these skills by joining the Amateur Ski Instructors Association, and taking one of its many ski instruction programs. Some people participate in ASIA programs to learn how to teach others in a structured ski club or school instruction program. Others take programs to learn how to give support to friends or family members who are learning to ski. Still others join for the camaraderie and exciting learning opportunities our programs provide.

To become a member of ASIA, download and fill out a membership application at www.asiaski.com, and mail it to the office with your dues of $25.00. To take a program, check the schedule for an event near you. Download and fill out the program application, mail it to the program coordinator listed on the ASIA schedule with your check for the program fee, and start looking forward to the ski season when you learn to ski like the pros!

ASIA Programs For Everyone

ASIA's mission is to provide you with programs which help you attain your skiing and teaching goals. As an organization, Asia started out years ago running entry level ski instructor certification events. As they grew, the needs of the members grew also. They have taken steps to accommodate these needs by adding some new and exciting programs for your interest and enjoyment.

In today’s environment we are all looking hard for value, price, performance, quality and long term enjoyment. ASIA's programs offer this to you in an organized professional manner. The following programs are open to all ASIA members who are parallel skiers comfortable skiing easier groomed black diamond terrain or higher. All clinic groups are divided according to skill development level.

(A note here – I noticed that they have not listed the Shaped Ski Clinic. This course teaches you how to get the most out of your shaped skis and it is offered at Montage Mountain in January.)

Level I Certification

This program is for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to improve their personal skiing or learn to teach beginning skiing to others. Students receive four days of training in three areas: personal skiing skills development, learning basic teaching skills, and learning to demonstrate skiing to others. We teach you "how to" teach others to ski, and how to explain and demonstrate required manoeuvres as a ski teacher. An on snow evaluation is given on the forth day to determine if you have learned what was presented and are qualified to help others learn to ski safely.

Skiing Improvement

This program is aimed at improving your personal skiing skills, and is offered at every event on our schedule. It is a great way to find out about ASIA and its benefits, while tuning up your turns in an environment of fun and safety.

Mogul Introduction

This two day program gets you off the corduroy and acquainted with mogul skiing. Moguls skied are on intermediate terrain and progressions provide a fun, slow, easy approach to learning bump skiing. Short radius turning skills are helpful, and will be developed and refined in this clinic. It’s lots of fun and a great ski experience.

For Women Only

This two day program provides a supportive, exciting learning environment staffed with top PSIA female role models who will address the unique technical, physiological, and equipment needs of women, while developing their personal skiing skills. Get out and enjoy skiing with other women!

For Seniors Only

This two day program provides a supportive learning environment geared to intermediate to high level skiers who prefer a pace and focus suitable to the unique physiological needs of elder skiers.

In addition, the following programs are offered for refresher credit to our Certified members.

Level II Certification

This program is for Level I Certified skiers with one or more years of teaching experience who want to improve their personal skiing or learn to teach students from the wedge turn stage to open track parallel. Skiing, teaching, and demo skills are further refined, while the technical, and mechanical aspects of skiing are also explored more fully. The skiing improvement portion is the refinement of the skills required at this level to ski comfortably on a variety of terrain and snow conditions. A one day on snow evaluation is held on the sixth day to determine if candidates have acquired the skills to help students move toward the parallel phase of skiing.

Advanced Skiing and Teaching

This program is meant to take the advanced group as far as they can go: speed, velocity, steeps, bumps, and powder. It will work on progressions which refine higher level skiing and teaching skills. There is no limit to the excitement in this clinic!

Methodology

If you are interested in analyzing skier problems and developing exercise lines to fix them, then you have picked the right course. This program is meant to expand your knowledge of ski teaching. You can learn about teaching styles, learning styles, class handling, appropriate feedback, and creative problem solving.

Mogul Improvement

This clinic covers two days of working on approaches to skiing better on steeper pitches and in varying snow conditions. This program will help you capture the thrill of skiing bumps to the fullest.

Snowboard Certification

Similar in focus to Alpine certification, this program is for intermediate to advanced riders who want to improve their personal riding while learning to teach beginning snowboarding to others. Students receive four days of training in three areas: personal riding skills development, learning basic teaching skills, and learning to demonstrate snowboarding to others. Candidates must be able to link turns in control on groomed blue to easy black diamond terrain. An on snow evaluation is given on the forth day to determine if you have acquired the skills to help teach beginners to ride safely.

Snowboard Improvement

This program offers two days of personal riding skills development, taught by some of the top PSIA snowboard teachers in the East. Candidates must be able link turns in control on groomed blue to easy black terrain.

Our programs are one of the best buys in skiing today. Think about it. ASIA programs offer two full days of instruction by some of the top PSIA teaching professionals available in the East, for less than the cost of a two hour private lesson. Come ski with ASIA!

Local Coordinator:

Les Bucher, 42 Bragg Rd., Schwenksville, PA 19473, 610-287-8067

To see this years A.S.I.A. Schedule, Click Here.

Schedule of Fees:

Individual Membership: $25.00
Family Membership: $50.00 first two members, $10.00 each additional

Certification Fees: Level 1 (4) days: $160.00*, Level 2 (6) days: $240.00*

Program Fees: Regular (2) days: $80.00*

*Lift tickets and manuals are additional. These items are paid for the morning of registration for the event and are generally offered at a discount for the program in which you are participating.


		GET INVOLVED WITH ASIA by Lynn Chichester, former MSA ASIA Representative
		As MSA's ASIA Representative, it is my job to promote ASIA to our club's members. But even if that wasn't my job, I'd still be promoting it. Joining ASIA was probably the best move I ever made (next to joining MSA, of course!) with regard to skiing. I had reached a certain level in my skiing and all the lessons in the world weren't making me any better. Until I took an ASIA program. Do you know the instructors who teach you during the Monday night lesson program? All ASIA-certified instructors. Do you want to be able to ski like them? Try an ASIA course. ASIA teaches skiing from the inside out. You start with the basics. You know, from the point where you first put on a pair of skis and start falling all over your own feet? From there you learn the how's and, more importantly WHY's, of doing everything from gliding stops to wedge turns to parallel turns to skiing moguls to almost anything you want to know. It is this inside out method that has made me a better skier, and it will make YOU a better skier too. Each time I take an ASIA course, even if it is one I've taken before (such as Skiing Improvement), I learn more and I get better. Even if you are not interested in teaching, it is worth taking the Level I Certification program. Learning not only the technical but also the anatomical reasons behind every move you make on skis, and how to teach them to somebody else, is definitely the best way to improve your own skiing! Another benefit - attending a weekend-long ASIA program is a BLAST!!! The excerpts below are modified slightly from the ASIA website. For more information, please feel free to contact me at 610-689-5677or lynnski@ptd.net or to check out the website at www.asiaski.com. What is ASIA? The Amateur Ski Instructors Association (ASIA) is a local, non-profit organization formed in 1980 and run by its membership, is the direct outgrowth of the former Qualified Amateur Ski Instructors program of the Eastern Division of the United States Ski Association. Membership is open to anyone interested in promoting or participating in the sport of skiing, both individually or through clubs and organizations. Learn To Be A Ski Instructor or Learn To Ski Like One Do you wish you could glide down the hill or through the moguls like the instructors you see while riding the lift? Do you wonder what secret gift or talent makes it so easy for them? Does learning to ski like the pros seem unattainable to you? The fact is, you can become a better skier by learning and applying certain basic skiing skills. You can learn about these skills by joining the Amateur Ski Instructors Association, and taking one of its many ski instruction programs. Some people participate in ASIA programs to learn how to teach others in a structured ski club or school instruction program. Others take programs to learn how to give support to friends or family members who are learning to ski. Still others join for the camaraderie and exciting learning opportunities our programs provide. To become a member of ASIA, download and fill out a membership application at www.asiaski.com, and mail it to the office with your dues of $25.00. To take a program, check the schedule for an event near you. Download and fill out the program application, mail it to the program coordinator listed on the ASIA schedule with your check for the program fee, and start looking forward to the ski season when you learn to ski like the pros! ASIA Programs For Everyone ASIA's mission is to provide you with programs which help you attain your skiing and teaching goals. As an organization, Asia started out years ago running entry level ski instructor certification events. As they grew, the needs of the members grew also. They have taken steps to accommodate these needs by adding some new and exciting programs for your interest and enjoyment. In today’s environment we are all looking hard for value, price, performance, quality and long term enjoyment. ASIA's programs offer this to you in an organized professional manner. The following programs are open to all ASIA members who are parallel skiers comfortable skiing easier groomed black diamond terrain or higher. All clinic groups are divided according to skill development level. (A note here – I noticed that they have not listed the Shaped Ski Clinic. This course teaches you how to get the most out of your shaped skis and it is offered at Montage Mountain in January.) Level I Certification This program is for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to improve their personal skiing or learn to teach beginning skiing to others. Students receive four days of training in three areas: personal skiing skills development, learning basic teaching skills, and learning to demonstrate skiing to others. We teach you "how to" teach others to ski, and how to explain and demonstrate required manoeuvres as a ski teacher. An on snow evaluation is given on the forth day to determine if you have learned what was presented and are qualified to help others learn to ski safely. Skiing Improvement This program is aimed at improving your personal skiing skills, and is offered at every event on our schedule. It is a great way to find out about ASIA and its benefits, while tuning up your turns in an environment of fun and safety. Mogul Introduction This two day program gets you off the corduroy and acquainted with mogul skiing. Moguls skied are on intermediate terrain and progressions provide a fun, slow, easy approach to learning bump skiing. Short radius turning skills are helpful, and will be developed and refined in this clinic. It’s lots of fun and a great ski experience. For Women Only This two day program provides a supportive, exciting learning environment staffed with top PSIA female role models who will address the unique technical, physiological, and equipment needs of women, while developing their personal skiing skills. Get out and enjoy skiing with other women! For Seniors Only This two day program provides a supportive learning environment geared to intermediate to high level skiers who prefer a pace and focus suitable to the unique physiological needs of elder skiers. In addition, the following programs are offered for refresher credit to our Certified members. Level II Certification This program is for Level I Certified skiers with one or more years of teaching experience who want to improve their personal skiing or learn to teach students from the wedge turn stage to open track parallel. Skiing, teaching, and demo skills are further refined, while the technical, and mechanical aspects of skiing are also explored more fully. The skiing improvement portion is the refinement of the skills required at this level to ski comfortably on a variety of terrain and snow conditions. A one day on snow evaluation is held on the sixth day to determine if candidates have acquired the skills to help students move toward the parallel phase of skiing. Advanced Skiing and Teaching This program is meant to take the advanced group as far as they can go: speed, velocity, steeps, bumps, and powder. It will work on progressions which refine higher level skiing and teaching skills. There is no limit to the excitement in this clinic! Methodology If you are interested in analyzing skier problems and developing exercise lines to fix them, then you have picked the right course. This program is meant to expand your knowledge of ski teaching. You can learn about teaching styles, learning styles, class handling, appropriate feedback, and creative problem solving. Mogul Improvement This clinic covers two days of working on approaches to skiing better on steeper pitches and in varying snow conditions. This program will help you capture the thrill of skiing bumps to the fullest. Snowboard Certification Similar in focus to Alpine certification, this program is for intermediate to advanced riders who want to improve their personal riding while learning to teach beginning snowboarding to others. Students receive four days of training in three areas: personal riding skills development, learning basic teaching skills, and learning to demonstrate snowboarding to others. Candidates must be able to link turns in control on groomed blue to easy black diamond terrain. An on snow evaluation is given on the forth day to determine if you have acquired the skills to help teach beginners to ride safely. Snowboard Improvement This program offers two days of personal riding skills development, taught by some of the top PSIA snowboard teachers in the East. Candidates must be able link turns in control on groomed blue to easy black terrain. Our programs are one of the best buys in skiing today. Think about it. ASIA programs offer two full days of instruction by some of the top PSIA teaching professionals available in the East, for less than the cost of a two hour private lesson. Come ski with ASIA! Local Coordinator: Les Bucher, 42 Bragg Rd., Schwenksville, PA 19473, 610-287-8067 To see this years A.S.I.A. Schedule, Click Here. Schedule of Fees: Individual Membership: $25.00 Family Membership: $50.00 first two members, $10.00 each additional Certification Fees: Level 1 (4) days: $160.00, Level 2 (6) days: $240.00 Program Fees: Regular (2) days: $80.00* *Lift tickets and manuals are additional. These items are paid for the morning of registration for the event and are generally offered at a discount for the program in which you are participating.