Central Event Policies & Procedures

***Please note — it is likely that operating procedures will shift as the pandemic situation changes throughout the season.  Please read each event individual description carefully and watch your email for regular updates if registered for an event.

PSIA-AASI CENTRAL MEMBER COVID POLICY, 2021-2022

PSIA-AASI Central is excited to return to on-snow events for 2021-2022. It is our ambition to stay safe, to serve as a responsible image for the skiing and riding community, and to be the reason we continue to be able to “have a season”. For the 2021-2022 season, Members should be aware of the following rules and protocols surrounding Covid-19 for in-Person Events.

1.       Members who experience Covid-19 Symptoms or have tested positive  (without subsequent negative test) should not attend an event. Cancellations due to suspected Covid-19 symptoms will be refunded as a member credit good for the remainder of the season. All members are encouraged to maintain familiarity with on-line offerings to ensure CEU’s are current. 

2.       Unvaccinated members must wear a mask when closely interacting with their group, when indoors and/or State, County, or Resort guidelines mandate mask wearing. Vaccinated members are strongly encouraged to wear a mask regardless of requirements, and must observe protocols as stated in 3. below.  PSIA-AASI education staff does not currently request proof of vaccination of members–this is an honor-system approach.  Members who have concerns about risk of exposure should contact the office.
   

3.       Host resorts may have differing policies regarding mask wearing, vaccinations, lift riding protocols, lift lines, dining, restroom access, and myriad other touchpoints. Participants should come prepared to show their vaccination card to resort personnel if required, and to wear a mask. Participants are reminded that Federal, State, County, and Resort protocols must be observed, and any violation including misrepresentation will be considered a violation of the PSIA-AASI Code-of-Conduct. 

4.       When a mask must be worn, it must be a 2-layer (or more) design, worn properly over the nose and mouth. For the safety and consideration of others, this policy is non-negotiable, and repeated failure to comply may result in expulsion from the event without refund. 

5.       PSIA-AASI Central Education Staff and Independent Contractors (e.g. National Team Members) provide proof of vaccination at the opening of the season OR are subject to strict protocols regarding testing, contactless teaching, distancing, and mask wearing. PSIA-AASI Central will not share individual staff vaccination status other than to cite the above requirements. PSIA-AASI Policy is to prioritize vaccinated employees in making assignments. 

6.       In a situation in which an event is subject to unexpected circumstances (e.g. rain, extreme cold, lift hold or other delays) on the day of the event, such that both participants and education staff are present, State, Local and resort ordinances and rules permit indoor gathering, and space is sufficient to gather at 50% of room capacity or less, Vaccinated and Masked Education Staff members, and Masked Participants may opt to transition their event (non-exam) to a Professional Development Seminar (PDS) indoors- following State, County, and Resort mandates. Members may opt out of this alternative and receive an event credit. 

7.       Members who wish to maintain their Continuing Education, yet feel at-risk in person may opt to take on-line events with no restrictions (regarding on-line versus in person CEU’s) enforced. 

This policy is subject to change in accordance with ongoing laws and guidelines.  

For more information on Navigating Snowsports Instruction during COVID, check out this resource from PSIA-AASI National: https://www.thesnowpros.org/education/covid-19-updates/

Historically, members have been limited in the number of online courses they could take for continuing education relative to on-snow courses. In light of COVID-19, the constraints we face, and both the range and quality of virtual offerings, this limitation will not be enforced. Members are encouraged to pursue on-line education opportunities across all divisions and disciplines. Webinars are posted on the PSIA-C.org and TheSnowpros.org websites, and updated regularly. 

Standard/Hybrid Educational Clinics and Certification Exams will also incorporate more online learning, to continue to provide adequate instruction and feedback time in support of more limited face-to-face interaction.
Online learning will allow our members to benefit from exposure to a wider range of education staff, along with individualized instruction and feedback.

CEUs are still required (12 CEUS minimum over the course of 2 years.) Because of the pandemic, many members are in need of CEU courses to fulfill their annual requirement, which places an additional burden on our education staff and events in the 2021-2022 season. In an effort to relieve this potential bottleneck, PSIA-AASI Central will not enforce a limit of on-line courses employed to achieve continuing education for the 2021-2022 season. You may achieve all required CEUs through online courses this season, and you are allowed to take webinars through any division.

For more information on Navigating Snowsports Instruction during a pandemic, check out this resource from PSIA-AASI National: https://www.thesnowpros.org/education/covid-19-updates/

You may take a PSIA-AASI  education event in any division and Central Division will honor the education credits you earn.  Please note that this is true of any official, sanctioned PSIA-AASI education event, and you are responsible for meeting any event prerequisites imposed by National or the other Division. Education Credits received for this event will be added by the hosting division or National.

You must contact the PSIA AASI Central Division office prior to taking a Certification Exam or Certificate-Based Specialist Program in another division.  The divisions require approval from your home division before they will let you register.  It is especially important that you check the prerequisites of the division in which you plan to take the exam, as you must fulfill all of their requirements.  This may include prep clinics, written or online exams, testing in various modules at different times, and so on.

Under certain circumstances, the Central Division will approve education credits for an event sponsored by organizations other than PSIA-AASI and its divisions:

• Credit for non-ASEA events will be authorized only once every four years.
• If approved, one-day events will provide education credit for the current season. Events of a two-day or longer duration will provide education credit for the current season and the following season.
• The training must be an official formal education program offered to the public by an education organization such as a college, association, or company that normally provides training courses. Examples include USSCA coach’s clinics, ski racing camps, sports training education classes, Interski events, and group leadership training courses. Education programs from a specific organization will be authorized only once – for example, if you submit for credit for the USS 100, you cannot later submit for USSCA 200 or any other level.
• Informal and/or private training such as conventional ski lessons and ski school clinics are not eligible for credit, even if the group leader is highly qualified – a certification examiner, D-Team member, etc.

In order for you to be eligible for credit for a Non-ASEA Central division event, you must complete the on-line application form below at least 4 weeks before the start of the event. Please note that the application must receive approval before a credit can be granted. Applications received during the peak season may take longer to be addressed so please ensure all required information is attached to the application.

Non-ASEA Education Credit Application Form