It all started many years ago, perhaps on some golf course, or hill, or in a field where people got together with wooden sticks and boards to enjoy the winter and the snow. Some of these people had learned how to slide along safely and were anxious to help others to do the same. They came to be called ski instructors. The word got around, more people came, and the sport of skiing emerged.

We really haven’t come far from there. Oh yes, we don’t have to foot-pack the slopes now, a fleet of machines does it. We don’t have to climb up the hill to come down; we have high-speed chairs, heated gondolas and 135 person trams to whiz us to the summit in minutes. Fancy equipment and clothing keep our skis and boards on our feet and our bodies warm. But when we get right down to it, the feelings of enjoyment, excitement, freedom, and accomplishment haven’t changed, nor our love of skiing or our desire to share the joy with others.

Bill Hornbeck, founder and Executive Director of the Amateur Ski Instructors Association, started his ski-teaching career by becoming a Qualified Amateur Ski Instructor (QASI) with the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association (USEASA) (also PSIA’s birthplace) in 1965. He then became involved with activities of the QASI committee, and when a friend gave up the chair, Bill took over the running of the committee. Then in 1975, Bill was also certified by PSIA.

By 1980, due to philosophical and political changes within USEASA, it became apparent that it was time for QASI to become an independent organization. The QASI committee broke away from USEASA and formed the Amateur Ski Instructors Association. Bill was elected president and served in that position until the end of the day, when the newly formed Board of Directors named him as Executive Director, the position he has held ever since.

Under Bill’s caring direction and watchful eye, ASIA has grown steadily, and has certified over 4000 Amateur Instructors. Programs have expanded and diversified from the original certifying event and snowboard and nordic certifications have been added. The emphasis is still the same, however - to develop skiers and riders who will enhance the safety and enjoyment of the sport for everyone, through uniform, quality instruction, affordable dues, and a diversity of programs.

ASIA is a group of people who get great enjoyment and satisfaction in seeing a smiling face after that first successful glide down the bunny slope or cruise down a trail. At first ASIA certification is a chance to show off what we can do or have just learned. Great for the ego, but then as we gain greater insight into teaching and sharing, we lose self importance and begin to focus on our student’s real needs - learning to enjoy the mountain environment as much as we do. ASIA then, becomes the catalyst for unique skiing and learning opportunities. It is true that the teacher is twice learned. We continually improve our skiing and riding by teaching and helping others.