Inspiring Passion....
by Linda Cowan, NW Tech Team, DCL, Trainer/Directore Lyon Ski School

My ski teaching journey began when I started working for the Bellevue Ski School, Snoqualmie Pass in 1988....(Thank you Ed Kane!) As I think about the Turning Points in my career...all of them share one very essential equation. The people. All of the people I’m about to share with you are selfless, giving, passionate people. These are people in our industry that carry such a love for our sport that you can’t help be infected with their passion.

May Race Camp, Mt. Bachelor.....WOW! THAT was too much fun!! Dave McBarron and Dave Lyon gave us amazing tools to apply to each run through the gates..(despite our obvious lack of ability!)..tactics like being sure to look ahead a gate or two along with technical tips like remembering the value of balancing over the outside ski were key. I remember thinking to myself…how can running gates be THIS MUCH FUN? Beyond the gates....is a passion. Dave McBarron and Dave Lyon are two very inspirational coaches who share their humor and their love for both skiing and racing with all of us.

Another example was a Symposium weekend at Mt. Bachelor where we spent almost one ENTIRE day playing with the many facets of the Wedge Christie. It was AWESOME! We then took the movements that originated from the wedge christie and applied them back to our own skiing....a golden clinic for sure...and thanks to a certain Mr. Chris-’tie’ Thompson….his PASSIONATE love for the technical wonder of skiing and the serious responsibility that each one of has every time we step in front of a group of students was amazing. What an incredibly blessing that day was for all of us. Thank you, Mr. T.

My last and most dearest example of passion comes from Miss Karin Harjo. Karin has seen me through every major milestone in my professional ski teaching career. She was in attendance when I received my Level III pin, when I became a DCL, and finally when I made the Tech Team. Each of those events has an incredibly lasting memory. I was honored to be in attendance when Karin became a Level I instructor, but the just as honored when, Karin joined us as a new member of the PSIA-NW Tech Team. Congratulations Karin! Karin’s love for skiing, teaching, technical knowledge and life itself are so infectious that I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without her friendship and passion in my life. God bless and thank you, Karin.

Every time I’m given the privilege of working with others....I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to not only inspire others but to be inspired and learn from the new people meet…just like the people whom shared their passion with me….each one of us has a passion for skiing and for life. We all love watching our students work so hard to ‘get it’....and nothing can beat the camaraderie of a powder run with great friends...regardless of our motives....each of us share a passion for skiing that goes beyond words....who will YOU inspire and share your passion with next season?

Editor’s Note: Linda Cowan currently resides and shares her passion as the Training Director and as a Race Coach for Lyon Ski School, Stevens Pass, while also being a passionate PSIA-NW Tech Team Member. Inspiring Passion....