The Northern Intermountain Member Linkage Committee features members to highlight notable initiatives and dedication across the Division. Shining light on the members’ support and service in the PSIA-AASI Northern Intermountain Community brings us better together as unified voice.
PSIA-AASI Northern Intermountain Featured Members
Thank you for sharing your fondest memories!
Martina Vala: Featured Member, Spring 22
Meet Martina:
Austrian born, skiing was in her blood; learning how-to cross-country ski first at three years old. She started teaching skiing as a 16-year-old at Big Mountain, Montana. While in college, she taught full-time in the winters at Crystal Mountain, WA, where she completed her Alpine Levels 1, 2, and 3 Certification.
Martina took a 12-year hiatus from the snowsports industry, teaching English and Creative Writing in public and private schools. She landed in Sun Valley in 2014, where she resumed her career as a snowsports educator. Currently, Martina is an Alpine and Children’s Specialist educator and examiner in two regions, Northern Intermountain and Intermountain.
Martina’s Profile:
- Member since 1992
- Certified A3, CS2, SB1, FS1, DECL, CECL
- Education: English and Education
- NI Newsletter Chair/Interim Children’s Chair
- Her father, Christian Vala, was the first Atomic rep in the Northwest
- Summer Job—Garden center staff member at Webb Nursery
- Passions/hobbies—Riding and training horses, running, cooking
Sheryl Whiting: Featured Member, Spring 2022
Meet Sheryl:
I began my career teaching at Pomerelle Mountain Resort in 1978, and I received my Alpine Level 2 certification a few years later. I’m sure I have taught thousands of people to ski, including children as young as three years and adults as young as 80 years. My goal has always been for my client, ages 3 or 80, to finish their lesson loving the sport of skiing as much as I do.
I invite anyone in our Northern Intermountain Division to come to Pomerelle and take a run with me!
See you on the slopes,
Sheryl Whiting
Meet Jim Stevens. His 41 years in the corporate world of Oil & Gas Exploration give him a unique problem-solving perspective.
Jim was recently asked to take on chairing the Linkage Committee. One of his goals for the 2021-2022 season is PSIA-AASI Awareness. Jim is overwhelmed by his friends and neighbors asking him if he is “Ski Patrolling” again this year. One of the Linkage Committee’s initiatives is to feature Northern Intermountain PSIA-AASI Instructor’s, get insight into their lessons, teaching styles, love of the sport, and listen to their stories.
Jim’s Profile:
- Member Since 2017
- 6 years teaching at Pomerelle
- Certified A1
- Age 73
- NI Board Member
- Chair – Linkage Committee
- NI Finance Committee Member
- Retired Oil & Gas Exploration Geophysicist
- President of his Homeowners Association
