by Vailsteve » Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:37 am
for what it is worth, my thoughts on why PSIA remains the dominant teaching and certifying organization is much simpler: it was simply the first.
Back in the earlier days of when recreational skiing really began to take off here in the states (later 60's thru the 70's), the vail ski school became internationally recognized for its approach to teaching. Early instructors and ski school directors here at vail were imported from Austria...the "Austrian method" dominated here for years, Many of the teaching progressions that were taught were eventually codified into the PSIA handbooks. I believe Vail introduce the GLM method act in the early 70's.
And in fairness to PSIA, it did (does?) serve a purpose of "standardizing" a learning progression for beginners -- wedge and all. Please don't get started on the PSIA versus PMTS controversy. HH has fought the battle for decades now. We all know which one is better, but that is irrelevant to most ski resorts today.
Now, a significant reason for (PSIA or whatever) certification requirement is legal liability. In our over-credentialed society, pieces of paper mean more than actual skiing--or teaching-- ability. Heck, even our volunteer mountain host/ambassadors have been put under the auspices of the National Ski Patrol to help shield Vail Resorts from potential liability.
HH was and is a maverick, and in today's legal and social environment, mavericks cannot be allowed to disrupt the status quo. Too much money at stake. Unfortunately, this means the PSIA /CISA/AISA/et all certification and teaching model will continue to dominate at the large ski resorts.
But, I will say again, there is surprising number of PMTS adherents out there...Reilly O'Glasheon (sp??) from Australia being the latest. Great skiing, like cream, rises to the top.
Vailsteve.