First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast

Meet Dan Hogan from Windham Mountain who talks about how he implemented PSIA-AASI’s Junior Instructor Program to further develop his current program at his school. He shares what participants learned by going through this program and how he got parents involved too. Take a listen for some fresh ideas on how you can jump start your training program for next season. https://www.thesnowpros.org/junio...

Doug Kechijian, co-author of PSIA-AASI’s Fitness for Skiing and Snowboarding book, shares guidance for an indoor fitness training regimen you can do now that will promote improved movement and body longevity for you and all snowsports instructors. Remember, there’s no time like the present to get started on a fitness regime. As Warren Miller said, “If you don’t start now, you will be one year olde...

Chris Hargrave helps you learn about the history of summer skiing and riding at the Palmer Snowfield on Mount Hood, and how it’s become a summertime mecca for freestyle training. Listen for how you too can become a part of Timberline’s summertime coaching legacy.

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member Ryan Christofferson about how you can make the most of your early season ending. Here are some ideas for things to do now to keep your spirits up AND tackle some indoor study sessions. While you're at it, watch Ryan’s indoor presentation from the comfort of your couch: http://tiny.cc/RyanC

The REI Co-op crew teamed up with PSIA-AASI National Team members Amy Gan, Greg Rhodes and Robin Barnes last December to create a comprehensive catalog of “learn to” cross country, ski and snowboard videos that you and your students can watch on YouTube, or that you can post on your own social media accounts to share the love of snowsports. This link takes you to those videos: http://tiny.cc/REIVi...

First Chair catches up with Hestra’s Marketing Manager Drew Eakins about the company’s decision to donate 38,000 pairs of gloves to Colorado first responders last week. During this time of so many changes, let’s keep backing each other in our industry, and if you’re able to, take advantage of your PSIA-AASI member specific-pricing on spring and summer products on the Pro Offers page and help suppo...

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ed Younglove, about why it’s so important for all of us to stay connected to our snowsports community these days. Ed also chats about what the PSIA-AASI leadership is doing to focus on the needs of PSIA-AASI members across the country to help them get through this experience and into the next season. Be sure to stay connecte...

PSIA-AASI National Team Head Coach Jeb Boyd and Director of Education Dave Schuiling talk about the plan and path forward from the postponement of the 2020 National Team Selection. Hear their feedback about next steps and how the selection will kick off in just over a year from now, on April 18, 2021. Stay connected with the #snowpros community and watch education presentations: www.thesnowpros.or...

First Chair catches up with Karen Downing, Annette Lang, JoAnn Larsen and Maggie Loring to discuss their key takeaways from the Women’s Summit, held March 1 – 3 at Snowbird, Utah. Karen, Annette and JoAnn also discuss working as instructors at the Boston Mills and Brandywine Ski area. Hear their take on how they plan to incorporate lessons learned from this event into next season, such as using a...

Nate Gardner chatted with First Chair twice this month. In the first interview, he shares his excitement about participating in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team Selection event, that was scheduled for April 2020 and now postponed until next season. In the second interview, Nate shares how he’s going to continue to train for Team Selection and how he’s home schooling his two children. Follow PSIA-A...

First Chair catches up with Stacey Gerrish during Day 7 of her stay-at-home lockdown. Stacey talks about a message she shared with Beaver Creek Ski and Snowboard school instructors last week and reflects about how she’s found a silver lining during these interesting times. Listen to how she's been expressing her gratitude in a variety of ways. Please follow PSIA-AASI social media channels to reach...

First Chair catches up with some folks who help PSIA-AASI with some internal administrative operations, such as contract photographer Linda Guerette and communications specialist, Katrina Brinkerhoff. Get the skinny on some of the people working behind-the-PSIA-AASI scenes!

First Chair catches up with Stacey Gerrish to get the scoop about the fundamentals of teaching children and how you can help them determine their goals. Take a listen to get some tips and trick to teach kids from Stacey, then check out PSIA-AASI’s free e-learning course “Introduction to Working With Children.” https://lms.thesnowpros.org/product/introduction-to-working-with-children/

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team members Stephen Helfenbein and Brenna Kelleher about the benefits of summer skiing and how visiting other countries in the off season can help you keep your year-round edge. Be sure to check out PSIA-AASI’s new Fitness for Skiing and Snowboard resource too! Access your free digital edition: https://www.thesnowpros.org/education/digitalmanuals

First Chair catches up with Geoff Krill and Josh Spoelstra from the PSIA Adaptive Team to talk about what it’s like for them as they enter a tryout year for the team. Also, learn more about some of the most impactful events in the last 12 months of professional snowsports instruction. Read more: https://www.thesnowpros.org/news/id/2468/2019-year-in-review-top-stories-in-adaptive-instruction

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team Manger Jeb Boyd who talks about the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team Selection process and how ti helps PSIA-AASI select the nation’s best instructors to represent the association at the highest level. As a result, the team will embody these three attributes outlined by the Teams Taskforce: lifelong learners, inspirational educators, and inspirationa...

First Chair catches up with Pete Allison about PSIA-AASI’s Learning Connection Model, which emphasizes an equal focus on people skills (which tie into the culture of snowsports), technical skills (which are at the core of good technique), and the teaching skills (which strengthen the student’s connection to snowsports).

First Chair catches up with Kristi Prochazka and Ryan Christofferson from the PSIA-AASI Western Division to chat about ways that PSIA-AASI members can get involved in the division and in the industry. Volunteering is a great way to become involved in your snowsports community. The best way to volunteer for the Western Division is to run for a position on its board of directors. If you have the qua...

First Chair catches up with Greg Dixon and Grant Bishop to discuss the top highlight from the PSIA Telemark Team over the past few years. Learn how the biggest highlight for this term was the trip to Interski in Pamporovo.

First Chair catches up with Emily Lovett, current PSIA Cross Country team member. Meet Emily and learn how her teaching background started when she started teaching cross country skiing at the Steamboat Ski Touring Center in 1995. Did you know that an October 2016 Outside magazine article ranked nordic skiing the world’s toughest outdoor sport? Meet Emily and then check out these videos to get sta...

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team members Matt Boyd and Ann Schorling who recently led one-day seminars as part of the National Ski Areas Association Winter Conferences. Each seminar focused on providing training for snowsports managers about the Learning Connection Model. This is a tool that is helping directors ensure their snowsports school teams have the teaching and people skills n...

PSIA-AASI National Team Alumni member David Oliver chats with First Chair about what it means to be a Level I, Level II and Level III PSIA-AASI certified member. Listen to D.O. share more insight about each certification level and what it means, both from an instructor standpoint and as a student taking a lesson from an instructor that has this certification. Watch these videos to learn more: http...

First Chair catches up with a group of instructors from Eldora, Colorado, who just passed their PSIA Level I alpine exam. Listen to their stories and get the scoop on their journey and why they wanted to learn more and create some lifelong adventures through education. Learn more about PSIA-AASI certification and education opportunities: https://www.thesnowpros.org/education/certification

PSIA-AASI National Team Member Brenna Kelleher teams up with PSIA-AASI Level III instructors Glen Plake and A.J. Oliver for a segment in this season's Warren Miller film "Timeless," presented by Volkswagen. Brenna shares her story about performance anxiety that comes with representing instructors and PSIA-AASI members on the big screen. Listen to her experience, and then check out "Timeless" when...

The Outdoor Retailer Snow Show took place in January at the Colorado Convention Center, with dozens of PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers showing off next year’s skis, snowboards, and accessories to retailers and snowsports instructors. First Chair catches up with Scott, Booster Strap, POC, Leki and more. Listen in for some of the top news that they wanted to introduce for instructors, and their student...