Professional Ski Instructor Association Honors Tom Long, General Manager of Pajarito Mountain
With Distinguished Service Award
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – The PSIA/AASI (Professional Ski Instructor Association/American Association of Snowboard Instructor) recently presented Tom Long, General Manager of Pajarito Mountain, with the Distinguished Service Award for his many contributions to ski teaching. Long recently attended a ceremony in Breckenridge, Colorado to receive his award.
Long has been working in the ski industry since 1966, and has had a significant impact on the development of ski curriculum across the nation. His accomplishments include helping develop the PSIA/AASI three-tiered ski and snowboard instructor certification program across the country. He grew the program from just two levels, Associate Certified and Full Certified to a more inclusive program. The PSIA/AASI certification levels are now Level I Certification, Level II Certification and Level III Certification. In addition, Long has served as National Certification Chairperson, PSIA Board Member, President of PSIA/Rocky Mountain Division, Rocky Mountain Chief Examiner, and has worked for 32 years as an Examiner for Rocky Mountain and many national certification exams. Long is also a Lifetime Member of PSIA and was inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame in 2009. For more information on Long’s biography, click here.
According to the PSIA website,“This award recognizes those who’ve made important contributions that have added to the success of PSIA-AASI. These candidates have displayed long-term commitment and dedication by providing educational programming support, or by contributing to group and/or PSIA-AASI National Team efforts that involve important national initiatives. Other examples of distinguished service may include demonstrating positive leadership skills, fostering connections with and between members, or having a willingness to mentor peers – both young and experienced. Members and non-members, including staff, vendors and industry partners, are eligible to receive this award.”
