Junior Bounous

Junior Bounous has left an indelible mark on the history of skiing in the United States through his participation in and contribution to strategic events that have developed and advanced ski technique and instruction:

1949 – The first Forest Service-sponsored certification exam in the Intermountain Ski Instructors Association (ISIA)

1952 – The first National Ski Association Certification meeting at Estes Park, Colorado

1958 – The “Alta Meeting” which was the first full meeting of the National Ski Association Ski Instructors Certification Committee held at Alta, Utah to demonstrate and discuss ski technique, methods, mechanics, and to discuss the business of running a ski business

1961 – The founding of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)

Late 1950s and early 1960s – The development of the American Ski Technique and the writing of the various editions of The Official American Ski Technique (the White Book)
Junior Bounous taught his first ski lesson in 1946 for the city of Provo, Utah. He also instructed for Brigham Young University and Timphaven (now Sundance) Ski Resort. In the spring of 1949, Junior passed his PSIA certification exam. He was coached in cross country skiing and prepared for the certification exam by Alf Engen. In the fall of 1949, he began teaching for Sverre and Alf Engen at Alta, Utah.
In 1958, he became the Ski School Director at Sugar Bowl, California. In 1967, Junior returned to Utah to direct the Timphaven Ski School. In 1971, he became the first Ski School Director at Snowbird, where he directed a staff of 200+ instructors who taught over 33,000 lessons each year.
Junior served on the original PSIA Board of Directors and also served as President of the Intermountain Ski Instructors Association (now PSIA-I).