SUMMARY: After a rigorous recertification process, U.S. Ski & Snowboard recertified the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) as a Gold Certified Podium Club. U.S. Ski & Snowboard Podium Certified Clubs engage in a continuous process of self-assessment, reflection, and ongoing improvement that enables them to stay relevant to their missions and to the athletes and families they serve. Clubs like NYSEF commit to working continuously to improve their programs, actively participating in professional development opportunities, and pursuing and maintaining certification. Gold-level certification is reserved for clubs that are leaders in sport. 

WILMINGTON, NY (January 19, 2023) – The New York Ski Educational Foundation recertified as a Gold Certified Podium Club with U.S. Ski and Snowboard this week, an honor reserved for the top 10% of ski clubs in the United States. NYSEF is the only club in New York State to reach this level of certification, a level it has maintained since the certification standard was initiated by U.S. Ski & Snowboard. This recent recertification marks the third consecutive term that NYSEF has been awarded Gold Level status.

NYSEF has demonstrated a solid leadership team that effectively provides a variety of quality programming in line with long-term athlete development principles,” said Ellen Adams, Club Development Manager with U.S. Ski and Snowboard. “The daily investment in running an outstanding organization and the extensive effort involved with the certification process itself were obvious to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club Certification team.”

The process of achieving Gold level certification as a club provides an opportunity for the National Governing Body, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, to assess a club’s current situation and determine areas of need. Gold-certified clubs possess a heightened level of accountability to maintain and build upon areas of both strength and improvement, to ensure the longevity and stability of the organization, and to help, through feedback and observation, to grow the cumulative strength of clubs throughout regions and across the country. 

As a Gold Podium Club, NYSEF shows a commitment to operating under the best principles and the implementation of best practices set by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Gold clubs are expected to engage in a continuous process of self-assessment, reflection, and ongoing improvement that enables them to stay relevant to their missions and to the athletes and families they serve. Clubs must commit by working continuously to improve their programs, actively participating in professional development opportunities, and pursuing and maintaining certification.

“This is a great honor,” said John Norton, NYSEF Executive Director. “To have such an incredible organization acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our team at NYSEF year after year is just an incredible achievement.”

ABOUT NYSEF

The New York Ski Educational Fund (NYSEF) is a non-profit dedicated to empowering young athletes to understand and reach their potential through skills development and competition in alpine, biathlon, cross country, freestyle skiing, nordic combined, ski jumping, and snowboarding. NYSEF offers professional guidance and financial support for athletes to help every young person who passes through the program understand the value of teamwork and community and their role in both. NYSEF is the largest multi-disciplinary youth snowsports organization in the United States. Recognized as a “Gold Certified Club” by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard, NYSEF is one of the organization’s original eight Gold Club members and has been a leader in snowsport education for nearly 50 years. Find more information online at NYSEF.org and on social media channels at Facebook.com/NYSEF and Instagram @NYSEFSnowsports.