President’s Message – March 2024

 

It has been a remarkable winter.

I hope you were lucky enough to experience some of the snow that fell out west over the last few weeks. I certainly did, as it fell just in time to make my backcountry trip into Dezaiko Lodge a powder paradise. Skiing with Garry Almond and Glenn Lee was a real treat, but meeting Prince George nordic skiers Sue Bond and Barbara Robertson as they left the lodge was very special. It's nice to know my words are read, and apparently appreciated. Thank you, Sue and Barbara!

As I have mentioned previously, CANSI is working on a collaboration with Nordiq Canada. We are offering to help them create an instructor stream like the one we have developed over the past 50 years. CANSI has been invited to participate in the Nordiq Canada Coach Conference, from April 25 to 28, 2024, in Canmore, Alberta. If you would like to attend and represent CANSI, please get in touch with me. We are especially looking for CANSI members who hold coaching certification with Nordiq Canada. Your input and experience in both organizations would be welcome as we look for commonalities in how we teach the skiing public.

On March 16, 10 candidates will take part in the cross country Level IV instructor course at SilverStar Mountain. This is the highest level of instructor certification offered at CANSI and, for many, the culmination of years of hard work and training. I wish all the candidates the best of luck and I thank Jessica Stichelbout, John Gallagher and Michael Thomas for their efforts in conducting this course.

On April 22 and 23, several western course conductors will gather to discuss changes and upgrades to our teaching technique. This group will upgrade the videos on our website and give guidance to the technical committee (TC) as it plans its work schedule this summer. Upgrading our technique and our Teaching and Technique Guide is an ongoing process. Members of the TC are to be commended for their continued hard work.

Finally, Several CANSI members are developing a new telemark program out west this year. Larissa Pitton and Paula Steiheber have created the Tailgate Tele. They have assembled a fleet of telemark skis and boots that they plan to bring to various resorts, where they will offer free demos and an intro to telemark skiing. This reminds me of Mario Filion and the trailer of telemark equipment and programs he has brought to various ski areas in Quebec. It is an excellent initiative and I look forward to joining Larissa and Paula at Panorama on April 6 and 7. Maybe you should join us too!

Enjoy these last weeks of the season. I hope you managed to slide and teach this year.

  

Denys Lawrence

Denys Lawrence

National President
Pacific Region
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