UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Mark Carvlin wanted to gain a broader understanding of recreation management and develop his skills in adaptive skiing instruction for his work with individuals with physical and cognitive challenges. Now as a current student in the Penn State Professional Snowsports Education Certificate program, he is leveraging the program’s hands-on coursework in his profession as an alpine skiing instructor.
Growing up in New England, Carvlin was exposed to the winter climate at a young age, which cultivated his passion for snowsports. He began skiing as a teenager before taking a hiatus. Twenty years later, Carvlin was reintroduced to the sport — one that he now teaches to others.
Carvlin is in his sixth season as an instructor at Blue Mountain Resort in eastern Pennsylvania. He is an assistant coach for a Special Olympics team at the resort and he teaches adaptive alpine skiing in the Windham Mountain Catskill area of New York, where he works with the Adaptive Sports Foundation.
“The Penn State Professional Snowsports Education Certificate program has provided me with a deeper understanding of leisure and recreation,” Carvlin said. “As an instructor, this opens new doors for me in terms of engaging with my students or guests. This certificate has added to a greater appreciation of the sport I’m passionate about.”
Managed by the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, the Professional Snowsports Education Certificate is an online, nine-credit program that allows students to earn a Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) Level I Instructor certification in alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark skiing or cross-country skiing anywhere in the United States. The program combines online learning with hands-on, professional development at students’ local snowsports areas.
Thus far, Carvlin has delved into current issues facing the snowsports industry as well as diversity, equity and inclusion in snowsports.
Carvlin said the certificate program has taught him about the business of recreation and tourism management, including how to attract guests and create a positive guest experience so customers return. He has also learned how instructors can foster accessibility in snowsports participation, which is at the forefront of his work with adaptive skiing instruction.
“Recreation is a basic human need,” Carvlin said. “It plugs into us at our most fundamental level as human beings — our desire to get out and play and to let loose of all the structures we’re confined to in our day-to-day lives. I have a calling to enable others to enjoy that and to make recreation resources available and accessible.”
Carvlin said snowsports instructors are expected to have a mastery of technical skills, but they must also have people and teaching skills. Through those relationships, instructors must build a foundation of trust with their students — a topic that is prevalent throughout the program.
“I would strongly recommend this program to others who are interested in a career in or are passionate about snowsports and snowsports education,” Carvlin said. “The quality of the instruction is second to none. This is a fantastic credential that can advance careers in this industry. If you feel a calling in snowsports, I know no better way of building a successful career than enrolling in this certificate program.”
To learn more about Carvlin’s experience in the program, listen to the PSIA-AASI First Chair podcast where he speaks about his snowsports and Penn State learning experience.