First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast

First Chair catches up with Mermer Blakeslee, who was recently recognized with the Education Excellence Award, which honors those exceptional few members who've authored PSIA-AASI educational materials. She is dedicated instructor who inspired many to be better skiers and teachers and Mermer is committed to destigmatizing fear by showing that fear is not a weakness, and that students can use skill...

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI’s Board of Directors Chair, Eliza Kuntz, about what it was like for the National Academies and Rider Rally events to make a successful return to Breckenridge, Colorado. One year after all national on-snow learning events were postponed due to COVID-19, more than 260 attendees were able to carve, teach, and clinic together again in a mix of both sunny and snowy...

First Chair catches up with Stacey Gerrish, who was recently recognized with the Education Excellence Award, which honors those exceptional few members who've authored PSIA-AASI educational materials. Her dedication to education landed her squarely in the development of several PSIA-AASI publications, including Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors, the Children’s Instruction Manual, 2nd editio...

First Chair catches up with Ed Younglove, who was recently recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ed's patience and commitment to continuity has helped form the long-term vision of PSIA-AASI. Meet Ed and hear his story about his PSIA-AASI journey and what he’s learned along the way. Ed was elected to the Northwest board in 1995, he’s served as President on the Northwest Board of Directors...

PISA-AASI National Team Coach Jeb Boyd talks about how team selection candidates need to dig deep to show everything they bring to the table to help serve the association. He shares selection is a high-pressure situation – and selectors are looking for skiers and riders who can cut through the pressure to lead the best clinics in the country. Lean about how Team Selection will build the best team...

Hear from Jonathan Ballou who shares that Team Selection is more like a job interview than a certification exam, and that candidates competing for the same job together builds a bond that translates to members, schools, and divisions. He also gives tips for managing stress. Jeb Boyd, who recently posted a list of the alpine and snowboard candidates advancing to the next round of selection, shares...

First Chair catches up with Dustin Krause, the e-mobility director for Volkswagen of America. Learn what it was like for him to complete a 6,700-mile-plus trip across the U.S. with the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 EV. Starting in New York City, his small team crossed the States on a predominantly southern route, wrapping up the drive on schedule in 18 days in Sacramento, California. Check out his...

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, Ron Kipp and Eric Rolls about Day 2 of the on-snow portion of Team Selection 2021 at Breckenridge, Colorado. Listen in to get the scoop from these education leaders about what’s happening behind the scenes with this event. There are more than 70 top snowsports instructors vying for a spot on the PSIA-AASI National Team this week. Plan to tune into the live res...

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, PSIA-AASI National Team Head Coach, about the on-snow portion of Team Selection 2021 that kicks off at Breckenridge, Colorado today. There are more than 70 top snowsports instructors vying for a spot on the PSIA-AASI National Team. Plan to tune into the live results for who make the team this Thursday, April 22 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAPON...

First Chair catches up with the PSIA Cross Country Team Coach, Emily Lovett, about what's next for the Cross Country team. Emily calls Lake Catamount Touring Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado home.

First Chair catches up with the PSIA Alpine National Team coach, Michael Rogan, and the Alpine Assistant and Development Coach, Matt Boyd. Listen in to learn what's next for the team.

First Chair catches up with Jeff Boliba, vice president of sport & participation at Burton Global. Burton Snowboards recently honored the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) with the brand’s first ever Breaking Down Barriers Award during the NSAA Winter Conference and Tradeshow Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Learn more about this award: http://tiny.cc/burtonaward

First Chair catches up with Eric Rolls, who serves as the AASI Snowboard Coach for the PSIA-AASI National Team. Eric talks about how he’s been integral in the development of PSIA-AASI’s Learning Connection Model, and how he’s going to continue to serve the organization as his leadership capabilities expand with coaching experience for future seasons to come.

First Chair catches up with Kevin Olivera, who teaches at Whitetail Mountain Resort, on what it was like for him to decide after 10 years of teaching to decide to pursue his Alpine Level I certification. Listen it to hear Kevin’s key takeaways from his assessment experience, including learning, camaraderie and fun.

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan and Andy Hare, Nordica’s special events and marketing coordinator. Learn how for more than 30 years, Michael has been a leading voice in snowsports instruction, helping instructors and students improve how they teach and turn. Through his long affiliation with PSIA-AASI Official Supplier Nordica, Michael has influenced the way instru...

First Chair catches up with Obed Marrder and Chase Wagstaff, co-founders of Sno-Go, which is a PSIA-AASI Official Supplier. Learn how Sno-Go is helping to grow the snowsports industry and how its introducing new and experienced snowsports enthusiasts to sliding on snow by using similar mechanics to standing on or riding a bike – an activity that people are already familiar with – so people can hav...

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, head coach for the PSIA-AASI National Team about Team Selection that happens this April 2021. Learn what all the candidates are doing this month for Team Selection in terms of their indoor presentations and what they are presenting on to the selectors in terms of current initiatives and events. Team Selection helps PSIA-AASI to select the nation’s best instruc...

First Chair catches up with Todd Ainsworth and a group of successful AASI Level I snowboard instructors who share their firsthand story. Listen in to hear their excitement about their journey and what they learned throughout this process to meet their certification goals. Congrats to all!

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team Head Coach Jeb Boyd about what’s happening with National Team 2021 selection this month. Jeb also shares some advice you can use to prep for your assessments and exams. For example, over preparing, being engaged and using skills from the Learning Connection Model can help you achieve your goals this season. The National Team Selection 2021 proces...

First Chair catches up with AASI Snowboard Team member, Chris Rogers, and Nabil Rahman, from Spot Insurance. PSIA-AASI’s newest Official Supplier offers PSIA-AASI members instructor-specific injury insurance. For just $50, individual instructors can secure up to $20,000 in coverage if they become injured skiing or snowboarding. Spot is also partnering with ski resorts and ski schools across the Un...

Leigh Perini chats about why you should make plans to attend the Women’s Virtual Summit, Sunday, Feb. 28, and Monday, March 1, 2021, featuring a kickoff keynote with Women’s Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Julie Foudy. This event virtually brings together women from across PSIA-AASI divisions, different disciplines, and professional snowsports associations for online learning and networking Attend th...

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, head coach for the PSIA-AASI National Team about Team Selection that happens this April 2021. This event will help PSIA-AASI to select the nation’s best instructors to represent the organization at its highest education level. Team members are responsible for promoting, supporting, and assisting with the development of PSIA-AASI education materials, programs,...

First Chair catches up with Tim Kenney, education and events manager for the PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain division about what it’s been like to create and host education and events this season. Tune in to get the scoop about what type of training is available to you from across the country. Use this calendar to find an event or webinar near you: https://www.thesnowpros.org/events/event-calendar/

PSIA-AASI National Team Head Coach, Jeb Boyd, and PSIA-AASI Director of Education, Dave Schuiling chat about why you should register now for Adaptive Academy, Cross Country Academy, National Academy, Rider Rally, and Telemark Academy, scheduled for Breckenridge, Colorado, the week of April 12. Hurry! Registration rates increase $100 after February 12. Register now: https://www.thesnowpros.org/even...

First Chair catches up with Francis Do about what it’s been like this season to lead assessments and instructors chat and share their stories after this post-Level I assessment. Francis chats about how well-prepared everyone has been this season because there’s so much information that’s now online.