Henniker, NH, December 11, 2012 — Pats Peak, New Hampshire’s premier snowsports destination, announces Snowsports School Director, Bertie Holland, as the 2012 recipient of the prestigious Einar Aas Award for Excellence in Snowsports School Management awarded by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Eastern Division.

The Einar Aas Award is presented to a Snowsports School Director in the Eastern Division as a tribute to Einar Aas and to honor his memory. Einar was an outstanding Snowsports School Director; his dedication to his students, his school, the PSIA organization (both divisionally and nationally) and the snowsports industry is legendary. This award recognizes a Snowsports School Director for achieving and maintaining the highest standards in snowsports school management as nominated and selected by his/her peers.

Bertie received the award at the 2012 Snowsports School Management Seminar Banquet held on December 4, 2012 at Mount Snow, VT. Bertie has been a member of the Pats Peak Snowsports School for 32 years. In 1981 Bertie became a part-time ski instructor; in 1983 she became a member of PSIA; in 1986 she started teaching full-time and supervising; and in 1989 she became the Snowsports School Director. The “After School Learn to Ski and Ride Program” has grown from 2,000 to more than 8,000 students under her direction. It is estimated that over 5,000 people have worked under Bertie over her time at Pats Peak. She has been a mentor for many. She has been a strong promoter of education and certification of PSIA/AASI for her staff. Her staff includes over a dozen Level III, several dozen Level II and a large amount of Level I PSIA/AASI certifications. Congratulations to Bertie for being selected for this award.

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About PSIA/AASI – Eastern Division:
With more than 11,000 members, the Eastern Division of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA-E) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) is the largest of the nine divisions that make up the American Snowsports Education Association (ASEA, the national umbrella organizations of PSIA and AASI). Members live and work in seven regions up and down the East Coast, teaching for more than 250 snowsports schools.

They have more than 200 Educational Staff members who conduct clinics and exams for other members. They provide training and education as well as certification opportunities for their members. They offer three levels of certification in alpine, snowboarding, nordic and adaptive teaching. More information is available at http://www.psia-e.org.

More about PATS PEAK:
This is the 50th consecutive ski and snowboard season under the Patenaude family ownership. PATS PEAK has 23 well-groomed trails for all abilities, 7 gladed areas, 3 terrain parks, a snowtubing park, 10 high-capacity lifts, 100 percent snowmaking and some of the most challenging skiing in Southern New Hampshire.

PATS PEAK has a Learn to Ski and Ride Program for more than 8,000 kids from over 100 local schools and a Weekend Learn to Ski and Ride Program for adults and children, on either Saturday or Sunday for seven consecutive weeks. There are more than 70 Adult/Corporate Racing teams in the Adult/Corporate Racing League. Many adults participate in the weekday Adult Ski & Snowboard Clinics, with half-day instruction, for all ability levels. PATS PEAK has 100% of its trails and slopes lit for night skiing/riding and is one of the state’s most accessible learn-to-ski-and-snowboard mountains, with three separate beginner areas.

During the “Other Season of Pats Peak”, Pats Peak Banquet Center is the perfect location for wedding receptions, parties, company meetings, company outings, or any social gathering!

PATS PEAK is located in Henniker, NH, just twenty minutes from Concord, forty minutes from Manchester, and ninety minutes from Boston. The latest information, snow conditions, photos and events are available at www.patspeak.com or call 1-888-PATS PEAK (1-888-728-7732).

PATS PEAK can be reached:
· By telephone at 603-428-3245
· By fax at 603-428-7821
· 24-hour snow conditions at 1-888-PATS-PEAK (728-7732)
· Online at www.patspeak.com

In the photo: Pats Peak Snowsports Director, Bertie Holland, holding Einar Aas Award for Excellence in Snowsports School Management awarded by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Eastern Division.