Pajarito Mountain General Manager Tom Long, center, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Professional Ski Instructor Association/American Association of Snowboard Instructors. Also pictured is Rick Hinckley, Pajarito Mountain SnowSports School Manager. Photo Courtesy Pajarito Mountain
PAJARITO MOUNTAIN NEWS
Professional Ski Instructor Association/American Association of Snowboard Instructors 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 worked as the Ski School Director at Sandia Peak Ski Area and later as the Sandia Peak general manager before joining Pajarito Mountain in 2004 as general manager.
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.
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.”
About Pajarito Mountain Ski Area
Located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and 30 minutes northwest of Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area offers 41 trails, 6 lifts and two terrain parks, all located on 751 acres on the eastern edge of the Jemez Mountains. Known for its spectacular views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Valles Caldera National Preserve, the ski area was founded and developed in the late 1950s by the Los Alamos Ski Club. The fall line and bump runs are heralded as some of the best in the state, and the mountain offers a ski school, restaurant, and ski rental facility. During the summer season, Pajarito Mountain is home to an extensive mountain biking trail system with lift served access and normally hosts several New Mexico Brewers Festivals throughout the summer. Pajarito is the closest resort to the Albuquerque metro area. For more information, visit www.Pajarito.ski.