the ski pro institute
Elevating Ski Instruction Beyond Certification
The Ski Pro Institute offers a 'zero ceiling' approach to professional growth and development. We believe in a journey that extends far beyond the horizon of standard ski instruction. The goal is to equip ski professionals with advanced techniques and innovative teaching strategies, building a culture of lifelong learning and continuous improvement.
Whether it's exploring biomechanics, delving into psychological aspects of learning, gaining a better understanding of how to support diverse learners, or harnessing the power of technology in teaching, The Ski Pro Institute offers PSIC members unique opportunities for education and skill development beyond the certification pathway.
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The Ski Pro Institute programming is available with a PSIC membership.
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deliberate practice - December 11
Topic: The Science of Expertise and Expert Performance — Including Expert Teaching
Presenter: Dr. Ed Cambridge BKin, DC, PhD
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)
This session explores how experts are developed through deliberate practice. We’ll examine the research on meaningful improvement, the structure of high-value practice, and how this applies directly to skiing, movement, coaching, and teaching. Expect clear, evidence-based strategies you can bring immediately into your own development and lesson environments.
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Ed is an award winning researcher, international lecturer and teacher, and sought after clinical expert in spine and hip biomechanics. As a member of the PSIC leadership team, view Ed's full bio here. ​
movement principles - january 8
Topic: Understanding the Principles That Govern Human Movement and Their Application to Skiing
Presenter: Dr. Ed Cambridge BKin, DC, PhD
When: Thursday, January 8, 2026 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)
Unlock the science behind great skiing. This webinar introduces the four PSIC Movement Principles—Dynamic Balance, Regional Interdependence, Conservation of Energy, and Proximal Stiffness with Distal Athleticism. These evidence-informed concepts explain how the body really works on snow and how movement choices influence performance, balance, efficiency, and control.
Instructors will learn a clear, purpose-based framework that strengthens their technical understanding and improves decision-making in the Technical Blueprint. Whether you’re teaching beginners or training experts, these principles help you analyze skiing more effectively and guide students toward better, safer, more enjoyable outcomes on snow.
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Ed is an award winning researcher, international lecturer and teacher, and sought after clinical expert in spine and hip biomechanics. As a member of the PSIC leadership team, view Ed's full bio here.
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avoiding burnout - january 22
Topic: Fit-2-Ski Series — Episode 2: The Physical and Mental Stress of Seasonal Work & Management Strategies
Presenter: Dr. Ed Cambridge BKin, DC, PhD / Alecia Williams BKin / Dr. Melanie Abbott-Cambridge, BA, DC, MSc-PEDs
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)
Seasonal work brings unique physical and emotional pressures. This session examines the realities of burnout in the ski industry and provides practical strategies to support wellbeing and resilience throughout the season. You’ll learn evidence-informed tools for managing fatigue, maintaining motivation, and sustaining performance.
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Alecia has always been drawn to outdoor adventure. Elite ski racing, competitive trail running, rock climbing, mountain biking…she loves getting outside and interacting with our world! With WILDR Fitness, Alecia combines her love for adventure with a research-based approach to fitness training called the Adventure Ready Model.
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Ed is an award winning researcher, international lecturer and teacher, and sought after clinical expert in spine and hip biomechanics. As a member of the PSIC leadership team, view Ed's full bio here.
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adaptive expertise - february 5
Topic: Why is the Ongoing Assessment is a Superior Approach
Presenter: Dr. Ed Cambridge BKin, DC, PhD
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)
This session explores the concept of adaptive expertise—the ability to respond skillfully and creatively to new, uncertain, or changing situations. We’ll examine why traditional testing models often fall short, and why ongoing assessment provides a more accurate, meaningful, and development-focused measure of instructor growth. Through the lens of educational science and PSIC’s evolving methodology, we’ll highlight how continuous assessment supports deeper learning, better self-awareness, and stronger long-term performance for both instructors and their learners.
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Ed is an award winning researcher, international lecturer and teacher, and sought after clinical expert in spine and hip biomechanics. As a member of the PSIC leadership team, view Ed's full bio here.
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ACL Injuries in Females - february 19
Topic: What You Need to Know About ACL Injuries and Why Females Need to Tune In
Presenter: Dr. Ed Cambridge BKin, DC, PhD
When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)
Female skiers experience ACL injuries at disproportionately higher rates. This session breaks down the biomechanical, neuromuscular, hormonal, and technique-related contributors—and provides actionable strategies to identify risk factors and build resilient, adaptive movement patterns and preventative exercise training.
Ed is an award winning researcher, international lecturer and teacher, and sought after clinical expert in spine and hip biomechanics. As a member of the PSIC leadership team, view Ed's full bio here.
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off season training - april 23
Topic: Fit-2-Ski Series — Episode 3: Optimizing Off-Season Training to Enhance In-Season Performance
Presenter: Dr. Ed Cambridge BKin, DC, PhD / Alecia Williams BKin
When: Thursday, April 23, 2026 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)
Think you know what “ski fitness” means? Think again. This session challenges the most common off-season training myths — including why endlessly grinding on a road bike might be one of the least effective ways to prepare for ski season.
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We’ll break down what actually builds a stronger, faster, more resilient skier: the movement patterns, strength qualities, and conditioning strategies that directly transfer to better performance and reduced injury risk on snow. If you want next season to feel easier, faster, and more fun — it starts by training smarter, not just harder.
Alecia has always been drawn to outdoor adventure. Elite ski racing, competitive trail running, rock climbing, mountain biking…she loves getting outside and interacting with our world! With WILDR Fitness, Alecia combines her love for adventure with a research-based approach to fitness training called the Adventure Ready Model.
Ed is an award winning researcher, international lecturer and teacher, and sought after clinical expert in spine and hip biomechanics. As a member of the PSIC leadership team, view Ed's full bio here.
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A LOOK INTO SELKIRK COLLEGE'S SROAM PROGRAM
Interview with Jeff Marks and Emily Lockwood
It's a wonderfully elaborate combination of skills, expertise and passion that makes the ski industry tick, and Selkirk College's Ski Resort Operations and Management (SROAM) Program offers the tools and training you need to start a career! We had a chance to sit down with PSIC member and SROAM program participant Emily Lockwood to hear about her experience so far. Get a deeper look into what the program entails through this video interview with Emily.
Pre-season Training: Fit-2-Ski
Presenters: Dr. Ed Cambridge BKin, DC, PhD & Adventure Fitness Expert Alecia Williams BKin
When: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Where: Online (Zoom)
Join Alecia & Ed for this "Fit to Ski" webinar which will explore the foundational science behind ski fitness and offer practical training examples tailored to help you prepare for the upcoming ski season. Learn key strategies to enhance your strength, stability, and dynamic balance on the slopes, while also focusing on injury prevention and improved performance. Get ready to maximize your time on the mountain with confidence!
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Alecia has always been drawn to outdoor adventure. Elite ski racing, competitive trail running, rock climbing, mountain biking…she loves getting outside and interacting with our world! With WILDR Fitness, Alecia combines her love for adventure with a research-based approach to fitness training called the Adventure Ready Model.
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Ed is an award winning researcher, international lecturer and teacher, and sought after clinical expert in spine and hip biomechanics. As a member of the PSIC leadership team, view Ed's full bio here.
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PSIC White Paper:
Mountain Experiences are more than “a good time”
by Ed Cambridge BKIN, DC, PhD & PSIC Leadership
Discover how mountain experiences offer more than just adventure in our latest whitepaper. Explore the profound intellectual, emotional, and physical benefits that come from engaging with mountainous environments. From boosting cognitive function to fostering personal growth, mountain activities can transform both your well-being and your connection to nature. Dive into this comprehensive analysis to understand why mountain experiences are essential for holistic well-being and how they contribute to a deeper, lifelong passion for the outdoors.
webinar: the imperfect advocate - pow canada climate advocacy
Presenter: Dr. Nat Knowles
When: Monday, April 22, 2024 (Earth Day!) 5:30m PST
Where: Online
The PSIC and POW Canada have a shared belief that our love of adventure in nature demands our participation in the fight to save and protect it. As a leader in the ski industry, how can you play a part in protecting our mountains and the places we love, and what are the most important things to focus on? Hint: It's all about progress not perfection.
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Dr. Nat Knowles is a climate scientist, wilderness conservationist, and outdoor athlete. Her research focuses on mitigating climate change, managing its inevitable impacts, and using outdoor recreation and tourism for sustainable socio-economic development. She completed a Master of Science on these topics at the University of Oxford and has now also completed her PhD from the University of Waterloo. She was named 2020 UN Young Champion of the Earth Finalist and is a Explorers Club Rolex grant holder. While currently an avid backcountry adventurer, as a former alpine ski racer she won two NCAA National Championships with the University of Denver, and represented Canada at the World Junior Championships and the World University Games.
women in the ski instructing world,
specifically big mountain
- a Think Piece by Harriet Parnis
Harriet hails from the surrounds of London and began instructing at Whistler Blackcomb after graduating with a BSc in Psychology in 2008. She continues to work with all ages and abilities in addition to running staff training for "steeps" ski and teach development. With her experience, Harriet's been a great asset on the PSIC team putting together the new Big Mountain Pathway. Harriet hopes to evoke thought and discussion around the role women play in the ski instructing world.
Webinar: positive psychology
Presenter: Derek Tate
When: Thursday, January 25, 2024 3pm PST
Where: ZOOM
Derek is an author, coach and teacher. He has been teaching skiing for over 38 years and during that time has worked with all ages and abilities. Derek has a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and will be sharing how Positive Psychology can help you as a ski instructor and your life in general.
