Few sports have such a diverse number of organizational bodies to foster and maintain the development of the sport and related industry. Distinctly autonomous groups have been formed to administer the various aspects of alpine and cross country skiing, instruction, coaching, ski area operation, disabled skiing, racing, safety, and the equipment wholesale and retail industries.While each group answers specific needs, the entire ski/snowboard industry long ago recognized their common need for the on-going promotion of the sport. It was felt that it would be most effective if one central body was responsible for the implementation of generic promotions and marketing of our sport on the ski / snowboard industry's behalf, rather than have many different groups duplicating efforts. more... See more text