Awards and Recognition

The Distinguished Service Award honors individuals who have made notable contributions to the success of PSIA-AASI Central and its members, with a focus on commitment, leadership, and mentorship. 

Candidates should:

• Demonstrate impactful contributions on a regional scale. 
• Enhance educational programming. 
• Have dedication to fostering connections within the community. 

Eligibility:

• Open to both members and non-members, including staff, vendors, and industry partners. 

Nominations: 

• Nominations can be made by the PSIA-AASI Central Board of Directors, various committees, regional boards, and any PSIA-AASI members.

This award celebrates the exceptional dedication and lasting impact of individuals who elevate the snowsports community through service, leadership, and a passion for connection.

The PSIA-AASI Central Member School of the Year Award recognizes a Member School that shows exceptional efforts in pursuing professionalism within PSIA-AASI Central and the snowsport industry. This award honors Schools that demonstrate commitment to education, furthering instructor personal and professional development on and off the snow, and becoming influential members of PSIA-AASI Central.

Member Schools should:

• Exhibit positive leadership behavior within the snowsports industry.
• Demonstrate extraordinary promise in charting a successful career path.
• Serve as volunteer leaders, contributing their time and efforts to the community.
• Distinguish themselves in a manner that is truly exemplary, setting a standard for others.

Eligibility:

• Open to standout PSIA-AASI Member Schools in the snowsports industry.

Nominations:

• Nominations can be made by resort management, educational staff, or peers within the industry.

This award celebrates schools who are making a difference in the snowsports community and encourages their continued growth and development in the industry.

The Instructor of the Year recognizes standout PSIA-AASI Central members who show exceptional promise in pursuing a path within the snowsport industry. This award honors those who demonstrate potential and commitment to becoming influential leaders in the field.

Candidates should:

• Exhibit positive leadership behavior within the snowsports industry.
• Demonstrate extraordinary promise in charting a successful career path.
• Serve as volunteer leaders, contributing their time and efforts to the community.
• Distinguish themselves in a truly exemplary manner, setting a standard for others.

Eligibility:

• Open to standout up-and-coming leaders in the snowsports industry, provided they are PSIA-AASI members.

Nominations:

• Nominations can be made by snowsports school directors and managers, as well as peers within the industry.

This award celebrates the new generation of leaders who are making a difference in the snowsports community and encourages their continued growth and development in the industry.

The Educational Excellence Award honors PSIA-AASI Central members who have made significant contributions to the development of educational materials or resources related to teaching snowsports. 

Candidates should: 

• Have authored or helped create impactful educational content, significantly influencing the direction of PSIA-AASI’s educational initiatives. 
• Have attributes that include dedication and a commitment to enhancing the PSIA-AASI education system, often through self-sacrificing efforts.

Eligibility:

• Open to PSIA-AASI members who have made substantial contributions to PSIA-AASI Central or the broader snowsports education landscape. 

Nominations: 

• Nominations can be submitted by the PSIA-AASI Central Board of Directors, various committees, regional boards, and any PSIA-AASI members.

This award celebrates individuals whose passion and dedication have advanced snowsports education through the creation of impactful resources that inspire, inform, and elevate the teaching community.

PSIA-AASI Central Lifetime Membership is an esteemed recognition granted by the PSIA-AASI Central Board of Directors to members who have provided exceptional service as volunteers or leaders within the snowsports industry. Recipients of this honor are recognized and respected throughout their region for their unwavering dedication and long-term contributions to PSIA-AASI Central. 

Candidates should:

• Be a member in good standing with a minimum of 20 years of membership, although special circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Awards and Recognition Committee.
• Exhibit positive leadership behavior within the snowsports industry.
• Serve as volunteer leaders, contributing their time and efforts to the community.
• Distinguish themselves in a truly exemplary manner, setting a standard for others.

Eligibility:

• Open to influential PSIA-AASI Central members in the snowsports industry whose contributions over a life-time significantly impact the community and uphold the values of the organization.

Nominations:

• Nominations can be made by member school directors and managers, as well as peers within the industry.
• Nominations must include at least one letter of recommendation.
• Additional letters of support or other relevant documents are strongly encouraged to enhance the nomination. 

This award celebrates a lifetime of exceptional service, honoring individuals whose enduring dedication, leadership, and impact have shaped and strengthened the PSIA-AASI Central community and the snowsports industry at large.

PSIA-AASI Central Honorary Membership is a prestigious recognition granted by the PSIA-AASI Central Board of Directors to individuals who have shown outstanding service in the snowsports industry. This award honors non-members whose contributions significantly impact the community and uphold the values of the organization.

Candidates should:

• Exhibit positive leadership behavior within the snowsports industry.
• Serve as volunteer leaders, contributing their time and efforts to the community.
• Distinguish themselves in a truly exemplary manner, setting a standard for others.

Eligibility:

• Open to standout up-and-coming individuals whose contributions significantly impact the snowsports community and uphold the values of the organization.

Nominations (due Sept. 30):

• Nominations can be made by member school directors and managers, as well as peers within the industry.
• Nominations must include at least one letter of recommendation.
• Additional letters of support are highly encouraged to bolster the nomination. 

This award celebrates exemplary individuals outside the organization whose leadership, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact on the snowsports community.

Established in 2025 in honor of Central Education Staff Jay Soule. 
To recognize future Education Staff Members who embody Jay’s qualities of empathy, encouragement, and inspiration. We were privileged to share news of this award with Jay before his passing.

Most Valuable Player of the Year, Central Education Staff

The education staff member who has displayed initiative and dedication in their first year on education staff.