First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI Central member Louise Levy about her first #interski2023. Hear about her journey to joining PSIA-AASI and earning her Cross Country Level III certification. Louise is attending Interski to build her instructor network. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team Coach Jeb Boyd and PSIA Alpine Team member Jonathan Ballou about Day 1 of #interski2023. Learn about the event schedule that includes workshops, lectures, retro ski races, and time for networking, and how these activities support learning so the team can bring lessons back home to members. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with Interski Opening Ceremony Keynote Speaker Claus Raasted who shares his insight on the guest experience in the snowsports industry. Listen to get tips on how to build a stronger connection with your students so you can create positive and memorable learning experiences for your guests. The Interski 2023 theme is, “The Guest Experience is Everything.” Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up Interski President Eric Sheckleton about his role and #interski2023. Learn why Levi, Finland was selected as the venue for Interski 2023. Eric also chats about the event theme “The Guest Experience is Everything” and how improving the guest experience will help strengthen the industry. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team alumna Jennifer Weier and PSIA-AASI CEO Peggy Hiller about #interski2023 and how this international event improves all PSIA-AASI members’ experience. Learn what the PSIA-AASI National Team plans to share with other countries in terms of technical fundamentals. Jennifer and Peggy also chat about what the team hopes to learn and bring back from other countries that will help PSIA-AASI members on their education journey. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with Geoff Krill, PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team coach, about #interski2023, and how this international event improves all PSIA-AASI members’ experience. Learn what the PSIA-AASI National Team plans to share with other countries, in terms of technical fundamentals. Geoff also chats about what the team hopes to learn and bring back from other countries that will help PSIA-AASI members on their education journey. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with Lynne Bentley, a newly minted Level II certified PSIA-AASI member, about her education journey. Listen in to learn why Lynn’s hooked on pursuing education, including her Children’s Specialist, for the recognition to deliver an experience and a product that’s of a certain quality to her students.

First Chair catches up with Jonathan Ballou, PSIA Alpine Team member, about #interski2023, and how this international event improves all PSIA-AASI members’ experience. Learn what the PSIA-AASI National Team plans to share with other countries, in terms of technical fundamentals. Jonathan also chats about what the team hopes to learn and bring back from other countries that will help PSIA-AASI members on their education journey. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with Emily Lovett, PSIA Cross Country Team coach, about #interski2023, and how this international event improves all PSIA-AASI members’ experience. Learn what the PSIA Cross Country team plans to share with other countries, in terms of technical fundamentals. Emily also chats about what the team hopes to learn and bring back from other countries that will help PSIA-AASI members on their education journey. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, PSIA-AASI National Team head coach, about #interski2023, and how this international event improves all PSIA-AASI members’ experience. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: https://www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team members Chris Rogers, Josh Fogg, and Zoe Mavis, who share some tips on managing burnout while working as a full-time instructor. They also share suggestions on how supervisors can help their staff care for themselves during a busy lesson season.

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member, Josh Fogg, about people skills, one of the tenants of the Learning Connection framework. This framework emphasizes that great lessons rely on an instructor’s ability to offer a blend of people skills, teaching skills, and technical skills. PSIA-AASI applies the Learning Connection framework across all its snowsports teaching disciplines. The people-skill and teaching-skill fundamentals are the same, regardless of the snowsport or type of student you’re teaching, while the technical-skill fundamentals are snowsport-specific. Learn more: http://tiny.cc/NationalCertStandards

First Chair catches up with Kevin Jordan and Boomer Devlin during their drive to Taos, where they’ll participate in the PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain regional endorsements, the first step to being selected to participate in the PSIA-AASI National Team Selection process. Listen to Kevin and Boomer share their educational journey.

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI's new CEO, Peggy Hiller, a snowsports-industry leader with senior management experience in resort operations. She most recently served at Arapahoe Basin as their Vice President of Operations and Assistant General Manager. Listen to this episode, get to know Peggy and learn what she's excited about in her new role. Learn more: http://tiny.cc/meetpeggy

First Chair catches up with AASI Snowboard Team members Amy Bailey and Lyndsey Stevens about PSIA-AASI’s Women’s Virtual Summit. This virtual event is designed to help you connect with other women who share similar goals. Your registration fee of $80/member or $120/non-member includes virtual sessions that take place on three days over three weeks on Wednesdays. The first day kicks off on Wednesday, February 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. MT. Attend each day to earn four (4) continuing education units (CEUs). Learn more and register now: http://tiny.cc/8oe3vz

First Chair catches up with AASI Snowboard Team Coach, Eric Rolls, who talks about regional training he’s been leading to help education leaders learn about the updated standards and assessment approach. Listen in to learn how PSIA-AASI’s new certification standards – based on the Learning Connection Model – assure a better, more consistent assessment process for candidates and assessors. These standards help you learn how to apply the fundamentals of great skiing or snowboarding AND effective teaching so you can become a great instructor.

First Chair catches up with Curtis Herbert, about PSIA-AASI Official Supplier Slopes’ “100K Vertical Challenge,” which runs through January 2023. PSIA-AASI members can join now to win great gear and prizes from Slopes, Faction, Transpack, and The North Face. Learn how you can enjoy the post-holiday slow down, get out on the mountain, crush some vert and win a Slopes Premium Annual Pass and prizes from Faction, Transpack, and The North Face: http://tiny.cc/8043vz

First Chair catches up with AASI Team member, Matt Larson, about the return of Rider Rally to Montana’s Big Sky Resort next April. Attending this event gets you three or five days of big-mountain riding with a member of the AASI Snowboard Team AND take your game up a notch with personalized coaching and improvement. There are only six weeks to register before event prices increase by $200. Even though it’s December, spaces are already filling up, so sign up soon. Register now: https://www.thesnowpros.org/events/rider-rally/

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team member Keith Rodney, who will lead a webinar on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 6 p.m. MT on “How to Select Alpine Equipment for You and Your Students.” Listen in for what you’ll learn about select skis and boots that support your training goals. Get tips on helping your students understand how equipment helps them advance their skills. Register for this webinar now: http://tiny.cc/9pu1vz

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team Coach, Geoff Krill, about Ski Spectacular Instructor Academy that kicks off December 4 through 10 in Breckenridge, Colorado as part of the Hartford Ski Spectacular. Hosted by Move United, The Hartford Ski Spectacular is one of the nation’s largest winter sports festivals for people with disabilities, with more than 800 registered participants annually. The event is endorsed by PSIA-AASI. Examiners, clinicians, and members of the PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team will present the latest in adapted ski and snowboard teaching methods. Check out the new PSIA-AASI Adaptive Alpine Standards here: https://tinyurl.com/2fm3wrcb

First Chair catches up with Mike Ewing, a 50-year ski instructor, entrepreneur, innovator, and former president of the PSIA-AASI Northern Rocky Mountain Region. Mike chats about My Life in Winters, a new book he wrote that shares the history of U.S. snowsports through the unique perspective of a teacher. Mike, who first earned his PSIA pin in 1965, has worked in snowsports as an athlete, ski patrolman, and injury researcher, and also as a sales rep, designer, and business owner. Visit this URL for a special book discount specifically for PSIA-AASI members: http://tiny.cc/n121vz

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team members Ryan Christofferson, Matt Larson, Tony Macri, and Ben Potts to chat about a new event called Freestyle Academy, hosted by the PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain region. It’s 2, 3, or 5 days of park riding, development, and certification at Team USA's freestyle training ground: Copper Woodward Terrain Park and Halfpipe. This 5-day event can be split up to meet your goals. The first 2 days are training toward certification standards, and the last 3 days will be an FS1, FS2, and FS3 assessment. It's your choice how to attend the event! Choose clinics only (days 1-2), assessments only (days 3-5), or attend all 5 days to get the most out of this one-of-a-kind event! Freestyle Academy - Alpine Event Registration: http://tiny.cc/FSalpine Freestyle Academy - Snowboard Event Registration: http://tiny.cc/FSsnowboard All February Freestyle Specialist Assessment Offerings - http://tiny.cc/AllFS

First Chair catches up with Travis Jackson, CEO of Health Karma, one of PSIA-AASI’s newest Official Supplier. Travis chats about his connection to the ski industry and shares how you can now access special pricing and get access to affordable care, even for your pets. If you sign up for a membership by the end of this year, you’ll automatically be entered for a drawing of Atomic goggles. Learn more: https://members.thesnowpros.org/products/pro-offers

First Chair caught up with PSIA-AASI National Team Head Coach Jeb Boyd and PSIA-AASI Director of Education during Team Training 2022. Learn how the team paired their indoor meetings in Breckenridge and on-snow training at Arapahoe Basin with a continued focus on Interski 2023 presentations in Levi, Finland, the implementation of strategic alignment, scholarship opportunities, and a ONEteam approach that benefits all disciplines.

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what PSIA Alpine Team member Matt Boyd has been doing this summer. Read more about Matt’s summer adventures: http://tiny.cc/5650vz

First Chair catches up with Jason Badgley, CEO at Phunkshun Wear, about the launch of the “Design Your Winter” wearable art collaboration contest created just for PSIA-AASI members. The winning designs will be printed on Phunkshun Wear apparel and sold in a limited-release batch to all PSIA-AASI members. And the winners will also get paid! Read about the prizes AND learn how to submit your art: http://tiny.cc/iy00vz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what AASI Snowboard Team member Brian Donovan has been doing this summer. Read more about Brian’s summer adventures: http://tiny.cc/8muzuz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what PSIA Adaptive Team member Mike Ma has been doing this summer. Read more about Mike’s summer adventures: http://tiny.cc/qmtzuz

PSIA Adaptive Team Coach Geoff Krill, and PSIA-AASI Director of Education, Dave Schuiling, talk about the new adaptive alpine standards, approved in June 2022. These standards reveal the culmination of years of collaborative work from PSIA-AASI leaders, including members of the PSIA-AASI National Team, the Education Leadership Council, and regional leaders from across the country. On Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. MT, you can attend a free webinar and join PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team Coach Geoff Krill to discuss how these new standards will benefit instructors. Register now: http://tiny.cc/w39zuz View the standards: http://tiny.cc/b49zuz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what PSIA Alpine Team member Brian Smith has been doing this summer. Read more about Brian's summer adventures: http://tiny.cc/1vqyuz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what PSIA Alpine Team member Brenna Kelleher has been doing this summer. Read more about Brenna’s summer adventures: http://tiny.cc/jnoyuz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what AASI Snowboard Team Coach Eric Rolls has been doing this summer (hint: running the rivers.) Read more about Eric’s summer adventures: http://tiny.cc/mhcuuz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what PSIA Alpine Team member Zoe Mavis has been doing this summer (hint: river guiding.) Read more about Zoe’s summer adventures: http://tiny.cc/7icuuz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what PSIA Cross Country Team Coach Emily Lovett has been doing this summer (hint: cycling in Italy.) Stay active this summer with these outdoor and online education opportunities: http://tiny.cc/9owtuz

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s what PSIA Alpine Team member Kevin Jordan has been doing this summer (hint: mountain biking.) Learn about PSIA-AASI’s partnership with PMBIA: http://tiny.cc/PMBIA

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan, who is back staffing his favorite “summer job,” working as the Director of Operations in Portillo, Chile. Rogan missed traveling to South America for the past two winters in Chile due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Here, he talks about good early snowfall at the resort, its attraction to the World Cup skiing community, and why instructors can keep their skills sharp this summer by seeking international education opportunities. Learn more: http://tiny.cc/ak9tuz

First Chair catches up with former PSIA Alpine Team Coach Mike Porter who pays tribute to the mastery of Ron LeMaster. Ron served as an icon in the industry as an author, innovator, and consummate professional – whether on snow coaching athletes or shooting photos and videos of the best the sport of skiing produced. He was honored posthumously with PSIA-AASI’s Educational Excellence Award. Nominators for Ron’s recognition included current PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan; U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame member and Alpine Team alumna Ellen Post Foster; and presenters Carol Levine (former Alpine Team member), Mike Porter, and Ron Kipp (PSIA examiner, ski coach, and sport scientist). Watch the 2022 PSIA-AASI Awards & Recognition Ceremony: http://tiny.cc/lcnsuz Learn More About Ron: http://tiny.cc/ocnsuz Read Ron’s Fall 32 Degrees Article: http://tiny.cc/qcnsuz

First Chair catches up with Charlie Rockwell, who was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes exceptional members who developed projects affecting the association on a national level while demonstrating devotion and self-sacrifice serving in their role. Charlie designed and implemented programs, projects, and procedures affecting the association on a national level and exhibited dedication serving in his national leadership positions. Congrats, Charlie! Watch the 2022 PSIA-AASI Awards & Recognition Ceremony: http://tiny.cc/lcnsuz

First Chair catches up with Katherine Hayes Rodriguez, who was recently honored with the Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to support the success of PSIA-AASI and its members. Katherine’s long-term commitment and dedication to adaptive snowsports has provided educational programing and support to national initiatives. Since serving as one of the original examiners in the initial 1985 adaptive exam and writing the first PSIA-AASI adaptive manual, she has continued to demonstrate positive leadership skills and foster connections with and between members, including serving as a mentor. Congrats, Katherine! Watch the 2022 PSIA-AASI Awards & Recognition Ceremony: http://tiny.cc/lcnsuz

First Chair catches up with Horst Abraham and PSIA Alpine Team member, Josh Fogg, about OPTIMAL Leaning, (Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning) theory of motor learning (Wulf & Lewthwaite, 2016). This is a theory that explains the well-established effects of motivational (enhanced expectancies, autonomy support) and attentional (external focus) factors on performance and learning. Learn how this has practical implications for teaching and coaching your students.

First Chair catches up with Stevie Lund, who in 2019 received the Angus Graham Rising Star Award, an award that recognizes standout members who show promise charting a career path within the snowsport industry. Stevie demonstrates positive leadership behavior within the industry, serves as a volunteer leader, and distinguishes herself in an exemplary fashion. Congrats, Stevie! Watch the 2022 PSIA-AASI Awards & Recognition Ceremony: http://tiny.cc/lcnsuz

First Chair catches up with Dylan Ault, who in 2021 received the Angus Graham Rising Star Award, an award that recognizes standout members who show promise in charting a career path within the snowsport industry. Dylan demonstrates positive leadership behavior within his ski and ride school, serves as a volunteer leader, and distinguishes himself in an exemplary fashion. Congrats, Dylan!

First Chair catches up with Jani Sutherland, who was recently recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes exceptional members who developed and implemented programs, projects, and procedures affecting the association on a national level while demonstrating dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice serving in their role. Jani exhibited dedication while designing and implementing children’s programs to improve the learning experience for children and help them become lifelong participants of skiing or snowboarding. Congrats, Jani! Watch the 2022 PSIA-AASI Awards & Recognition Ceremony: http://tiny.cc/lcnsuz

First Chair caught up with AASI Snowboard Team member, Chris Rogers this month about his experience in his pursuit of his Level II alpine certification this season. Listen to Chris share his story and why learning more about another discipline, other than his primary discipline, has helped his growth as an instructor.

AASI Snowboard Team member, Chris Rogers shared an update about his experience leading a group at Rider Rally and National Academy (Snowboard)at Big Sky Resort in Montana last month. These two events offered participants a chance to ride with members of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team. Members participated in on-snow clinics, outdoor elective, indoor electives, as well as demo days where members connected with some of PSIA-AASI’s Official Suppliers. Chris also shares his experience about his pursuit of his Level II alpine certification this season!

PSIA Alpine Team member, Zoe Mavis, shared an update from Big Sky Resort in Montana about her experience leading a group at National Academy. This week-long event offers participants a chance to ski or ride with members of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team. Members participate in on-snow clinics, outdoor elective, indoor electives, as well as demo days where members can connect with some of PSIA-AASI’s Official Suppliers.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Mike Hafer, shared an update from Big Sky Resort in Montana about his experience leading a group at National Academy. This week-long event offers participants a chance to ski or ride with members of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team. Members participate in on-snow clinics, outdoor elective, indoor electives, as well as demo days where members can connect with some of PSIA-AASI’s Official Suppliers.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Kevin Jordan, shares an update from Big Sky Resort in Montana about his experience leading a group at National Academy. This week-long event offers participants a chance to ski or ride with members of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team. Members participate in on-snow clinics, outdoor elective, indoor electives, as well as demo days where members can connect with some of PSIA-AASI’s Official Suppliers.

First Chair speaks with PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team Coach Geoff Krill who recently completed a tryout for the PSIA-AASI Eastern division staff Adaptive Team. Geoff explains why he decided to take a cross-discipline approach for this adaptive event and why he asked AASI Snowboard Team member Brian Donovan to join him to be a selector. Listen to Geoff and Brian share their story about how their work together on this event, supports the PSIA-AASI’s National Team “ONEteam” concept that encourages collaboration through learning and growth across all snowsports disciplines.

First Chair catches up with AASI Snowboard Team member Brian Donovan about his riding, teaching, and personal goals for his season, including enhancing his people skills such as verbal communication and building relationships. Brian shares how he focuses on having fun to help him achieve his goals. Learn from his insight and find takeaways for your own approach. Read more about Brian’s goals here: http://tiny.cc/BriansGoals