The awards are listed below with their criteria description, over on the right, click on the title to learn more about the award find a list of who’s who of past recipients. These awards are presented to the recipients annually at the Spring Symposium Awards Banquet, honoring them for their service to snowsports and the organization.
Ken Syverson Instructor of the Year Award
This award recognizes someone who has been a member for at least 5 years, who is actively involved in teaching snowsports to the public and who demonstrates a positive role model. The individual must exceed the normal criteria for teaching excellence and must demonstrate a prolonged history of service to the public, as well as service to their school and PSIA-Northwest as evidenced by mentorship or other active involvement.
Art Audett Outstanding Service Award
Designed to honor a member who has a sustained history of distinguished service of lasting benefit to PSIA-Northwest, their ski school or the local community or have performed an exceptional act worthy of special recognition.
Jean Lyon Service to Youth Award
This award recognizes an instructor or coach who has been a member for at least 5 years and who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to excellence in teaching snowsports or coaching racing to children and youth. In keeping with the spirit that Jean brought to teaching, coaching and racing, nominations should emphasize a high level of teaching expertise, work that has enhanced children’s snowsports education and/or outreach activities that have provided opportunities for youth to experience and become lifetime participants in snowsports.
Larry Linnane Skiing Legends Award
This award recognizes those senior members in good standing who give a life long commitment to the development and/or history of snowsports including instructing, service on the board of directors, writing technical or feature articles for publications, etc.
Rookie of the Year Award
This award recognizes a member who has demonstrated superior ability, aptitude and inspiration to snowsports education in their first season as an instructor. It’s a great way to recognize a rising superstar.
Lifetime Membership Award
This award recognizes someone who has been a PSIA member for a minimum of 30 years and has demonstrated a lifetime of dedicated service to PSIA-AASI, PSIA-NW and snowsports education. Nominations for this award are brought forward by the Board of Directors for consideration at the Spring Board Meeting. Listed below are those awarded and the year they received the award:
- Steve Bratt (1996)
- Jack Burns (2013)
- Walter “Buzz” Fulton (1994)*
- Kathy Hand (2001)
- Kenneth Hand (2006)
- Doris Harlacher (1995)
- Joe Harlacher (1990)
- Ed Kane (1994)
- Chris Kastner (2008)
- Bill Lenihan (1986)
- Lou Lenihan (1990)*
- Jim Lucas (1989)*
- Joy Lucas (1986)*
- Lenore Lyle (1994)
- Nick McDonald (2013)
- Robert McDonald (2010)
- John Mohan (1996)
- Rich Nelson (1998)
- Lee Perry (1994)
- Otto Ross (1972)
- James Smith, Sr. (2017)
- Shawn Smith (2013)
- Chris Thompson (1996)
- Juris Vagners (2013)
- Al Voltz (1994)
- Jack Weigand (1994)
- Gordon West (1984)
- John Weston (2008)
- Calvin Yamamoto (2008)
*deceased