Reading Beyond the PSIA Manuals

The PSIA Manuals are the best source of technical understanding for ski and snowboard instructors, but just as much can be learned from a good story. I have been reading books that relate to ski instruction and relationships since I hated reading. Let me help you give reading beyond the manuals an honest chance.

I recognize my reading journey was kickstarted by injuries that convicted me to reading to fend off boredom. I have been severely injured several times in the last couple of years. I don't recommend getting hurt but I hope there is something in your life pushing you to read besides your willpower.

I started with Malcolm Gladwell, an author who tells real stories about big ideas in the modern world. I read Outliers first, then Talking to Strangers, then Blink and now I'm reading Tipping Point and David and Goliath. You can read them in any order. They are commonly found in thrift stores. If you also like to write and journal like me, check out Malcolm Gladwell's MasterClass online. If you hate reading or have a hard time picking up books, it's a good idea to start with a Gladwell and set a goal of finishing it in a week or two.

History is another great place to start reading. I like books that cover broad topics because I like to google things and buy and read referenced content as I go along. This summer I read Written in the Snows by Lowell Skoog. It's more relevant to ski school and mountain workers in the Pacific Northwest and much of it focuses on Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker history, but also covers Mt. Hood, Portland and Seattle's winter history. Thick and broad history books are great if you prefer to learn through video and podcast too. Almost everyone mentioned and discussed in these books has written or shared their stories. Who knows, if you ever ask for help on the mountain, you might even recognize a name-tag. If you need something more sensational to keep your attention span going, try books on the 10th Mountain Division — nothing gets young men reading like blood and bravery. Your preferences are yours but I do prefer when my war books are purely facts and stories and not glorified sacrifice tales.

Alpine skiing technique history and alternative teaching methods are fascinating to me. Books like Downhill Skiing by Otto Lang (a student of Hannes Schneider) and The New Cross-country Skiing by Olympic coach John Caldwell offer a comparison and contrast of new and old methods, as well as exposing some timeless methods and tips and tricks that work as well today as they did in the 50s. The 60s and 70s were great times for innovation in the ski industry, many of which are still around today — although sometimes hard to recognize. Check out the Graduated Length Method by Cliff Taylor and Direct to Parallel by Harb Ski Systems for interesting takes on beginner progression not seen anywhere else in the world.

If you have read any of my other blog posts or visited my YouTube channel, you'll know I'm a big fan of locker room banter. Having a good base of knowledge and being able to relay ideas is a sure way to get a good conversation out of anyone in the locker room. For a full book review of everything I read this summer, head over to the Instructor Grindset YouTube channel and look for the summer reading series episodes.