I. New ISIA webpage is online
The new ISIA homepage went live at Christmas. We invite you to visit www.isia.ski.
Beyond its new, modern design, the website has been conceived to be the central digital platform for the ISIA community: a single point of reference for professionals, member associations and aspiring members, ski instructors, and anyone seeking information about ISIA and the pathway to becoming a professional snowsport instructor within an ISIA member organisation.
The next development steps include:
- Direct management of news and updates by member nations
- An ISIA chatbot dedicated to frequently asked questions
- A dedicated ISIA ski ticket information page, to find out about offers for ISIA instructors
The website is a living and evolving project, designed to foster greater integration, efficiency and collaboration. Member nations are warmly invited to contribute by submitting news, content and high-quality images that ISIA is authorised to use, in order to further enrich the platform.
For feedback, contributions or image submissions, please contact the ISIA Office.
II. ISIA Professional Benefits Initiative
We’re excited to announce the launch of a new working group focused on expanding professional benefits and recognition for ISIA-qualified instructors worldwide. The working group is led by FNASI President Nelli Heiskanen.
Our colleagues in Finland have demonstrated what’s possible: through strategic partnerships with ski resorts, ISIA cardholders and stamp holders now receive up to 50% discounts or free lift passes at numerous resorts. This achievement not only provides tangible value to qualified instructors but also elevates the recognition and prestige of ISIA credentials.
We’re forming a working group to explore how we can replicate and expand these successes across other countries and regions. This initiative is about more than discounts—it’s about strengthening the ISIA brand, demonstrating the value of our highest training standards, and ensuring our qualified professionals receive the recognition they deserve.
We’re seeking:
- Association leaders and key representatives interested in pursuing similar partnerships in their regions
- Ideas and strategies for approaching resorts and industry partners
- Collaborative approaches to enhance ISIA’s visibility and value proposition
You are warmly invited to join the working group! Please contact hallitus@hiihdonopettajat.fi
Together, we can build a framework that benefits ISIA instructors globally while reinforcing the prestige and value of ISIA certification!
III. ISIA revision of the statutes
The ISIA Board is currently working on a revision of the ISIA-Statutes, based on the feedback and proposals received from Member Associations.
The main topics of the revision have already been presented at the most recent General Assemblies. The proposed amendments are now being further refined to ensure clarity and full compliance with Swiss law. For this purpose, a Swiss lawyer has been appointed to review the draft prepared by the Presidium and to provide legal guidance.
Next steps:
- The draft revised Statutes will be sent in a separate Email to the Member Associations for review.
- Review and feedback from ISIA members by the end of February.
- Online meetings for discussion of the changes in March.
Please note that any amendments to the ISIA Statutes require approval by a two-thirds majority at the Assembly of the Delegates.
IV. ISIA Assembly 2026
We are pleased to announce that the next Delegates’ Meeting will be held in San Marino.
The Snowsports Academy San Marino is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has applied to host the Delegates’ Meeting from 22 to 24 May 2026.
During this process, the Swiss lawyer consulted by ISIA confirmed that, under Swiss law applicable to associations such as ISIA, Virtual or hybrid meetings are not possible. There is no explicit legal basis for this.
In order to improve cost efficiency and sustainability the ISIA board is investigating the possibility of holding the extraordinary assembly for the amendment of the statutes and the ordinary meeting directly after one another in San Marino.
Further details and the official invitation will be circulated in due course.
V. Interski Survey for changing statutes
The ISIA Board has circulated to ISIA members a draft response to the INTERSKI survey, together with explanatory notes. An online meeting to discuss this draft with the members was held on 9 December.
As some ISIA members are not direct members of INTERSKI, they are not entitled to respond to the survey directly in their own capacity. For ISIA and for professional instructors, it is therefore important to present a strong, coordinated and consistent position.
Attached you will find the INTERSKI survey as well as the ISIA Board’s draft, which was discussed in detail during the meeting on 9 December.
Members are invited to use the ISIA draft as a reference or as a basis for their response, should they agree with its content, and to submit their replies both to ISIA and directly to INTERSKI.
VI. PSIE seeking recognition through European Delegated Regulation
There is no new information from the Commission in Brussels. PSIE has approached the Presidency, asking to review the position submitted to the European Union. The Presidency does not see a reason to review such position, since it is the one expressed by the Members, unless the majority of the Assembly is asking to go in different way.
VII. UN Nations project
The working group established by ISIA with Interski, IAESS and BRS UN on environmental issues and plastic waste management in the mountains is continuing working. Our BRS partners have been able to raise resources that will be financing the development of an Action Plan and Support Continued Joint Cooperation on Plastic Waste in Snowsport Education. The ToR (Terms of Reference) to select a consultant are now in preparation phase, and might be released to those ISIA Members interested in getting involved directly.
BRS is also suggesting a presence of the group at the Mountain Partnership (hosted by FAO) annual meeting in Andorra from 26–28 March, the working group has presented (through BRS) a request for a side event, dedicated to the topic Mobilizing for Plastic-Free Mountains and Glaciers.
VIII. ISIA Digital Card tools
We remind you that the ISIA Digital Card is now ready to be delivered to all the Instructors of those Member Nations that will require the service. If you want the ISIA Digital Card to be delivered to your Members, please do not hesitate to contact the office asking for that.
At the moment the service is going through the app Cardu. In future, the Digital Card is going to be fully integrated in the ISIA digital platform, based on the ISIA Database and ISIA website.
IX. ISIA Pins and Badges order
- Metal pin big size ≈37x29mm 6.- Eur each
- Metal pin small size ≈25x20mm 5.- Eur each
- Soft badge unique size ≈80×63 4.- Eur each
Orders can be placed only through the National Associations, individual instructors cannot order directly from ISIA.
Please do not hesitate to contact us in case you need any further information, on the topics above or other subjects.
We thank you and wish you a great continuation of the season.
Dr. Vittorio Caffi Dr. Valentin Kiedaisch
President Vicepresident Europe