First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast

Want to get more involved with PSIA-AASI? Listen in as Dana Forbes, the CEO of PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain, talks about how PSIA-AASI members can get more engaged with the organization. She discusses the different volunteer opportunities open to members and how you can get started. Dana also talks about the often-under-utilized scholarship opportunities which provide $60,000 in funding annually to al...

Get fit, ski hard, and have fun in our latest episode of First Chair. This week, we catch up with Jennifer Lockwood after a 5 a.m. workout to learn how she prepares for the ski season through cross-training and other fitness routines. Jennifer is a certified personal trainer and Level III alpine instructor who shares some valuable advice on areas to focus on, how to stretch correctly, and how to s...

Mike Hafer is both a PSIA-AASI National Team veteran and a National Team hopeful with 26 years of ski industry experience. In this episode of First Chair, learn about Mike’s long history with the National Team, why he decided to opt-out of tryouts in 2016, and why he’s trying out again in 2020. Also listen in to gain some valuable insights into the tryout process, how to stay motivated after getti...

On this episode of the First Chair podcast, George Thomas is joined by Eastern Team member and National Team hopeful Ben BeBenedictis. Ben is a Stowe local who is currently in Portillo, Chile where he is living the dream and teaching for six weeks with National Team members Michael Rogan and Robin Barnes. Learn about the benefits of spending the summer on snow, the ski skills he’s working on impro...

This week on First Chair, George Thomas chats with Vail local and National Team hopeful Lyndsey Stevens to find out what Lyndsey is doing in the offseason to prepare for tryouts. Lyndsey discusses the importance of reading technical manuals, benefits of working on articles for 32 Degrees, and difficulties of selecting a topic for her tryout presentation. Lyndsey also talks about why passion is so...

On today’s episode of First Chair, we’re joined by Frank Cartwright, alpine examiner for the Eastern Division and head coach of the Hunter Mountain Skiing & Freestyle Team. Frank has tried out for the National Team twice and he’s hoping that the third time’s a charm as he tests the waters again in 2020. Listen in as Frank and George Thomas discuss how National Team tryouts have changed over the ye...

Every four years PSIA-AASI selects thirty qualified individuals to represent the organization as members of the National Team. PSIA-AASI Director of Education Dave Schuiling and National Team Manager Jeb Boyd sit down with First Chair to discuss the rigorous selection process for the PSIA-AASI National Team. Topics include nominations, tryouts, necessary skill sets, and how to get involved. To lea...

On this episode, Ron Kipp, the ski team education and development manager at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, chats with First Chair about summer alpine training on the icy indoor slopes of Germany. Learn about the difficulties of coaching on solid ice, the benefits of indoor training facilities, and more. Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://www.thesnowpros.org/ • https://www.facebook.com/TheSnowPros/ • https...

On this episode, repeat guest Scott Anfang introduces us to Oscar, a snowboard instructor, currently teaching year-round and reporting live from The Remarkables resort in New Zealand. Learn about his journey from Michigan, to Sierra Tahoe, to New Zealand, to Aspen, and how he’s been able to make a career of teaching snowboarding all year.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Jonathan Ballou, shares an overview about the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA), and how an ISIA Stamp and Passbook might be of interest to a certified Level III member planning a trip to enjoy the slopes in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada or South America. Also, he talks about the ISIA Card, which is the highest level of international snowsports cert...

The American Association of Snowboard Instructors’ Snowboard Team Coach, Scott Anfang, shares what it’s like to serve as the training manager for the snowsports school at The Remarkables, a ski resort just 45 minutes from central Queenstown, New Zealand.

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. Meet Max Brennan, from the PSIA-AASI Intermountain division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection

First Chair catches up with Jennifer Lockwood, who shares what’s happening in the PSIA-AASI Northwest division for their summer training series. Listen in for tips on how you can keep your edge this summer to prepare for a great winter.

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. Meet Tyler Sullivan, from the PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. Meet Greg Fatigate, from the PSIA-AASI Eastern division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection

First Chair chats with PSIA Alpine Team member Matt Boyd about controlling chaos when skiing on different or steeper terrain. Learn why paying attention to what's happening when you ski in between the edges is important, when your skis are flat or just starting to edge. Thanks to KEEN for sponsoring this podcast. PSIA-AASI members receive special Pro Offer pricing on KEEN’s gear. Visit thesnowpros...

First Chair chats with PSIA Alpine Team member Stephen Helfenbein for part 1 in this series on why it’s important to always improve. Learn how you can build up your training during this summer so that your muscles will be ready for the winter. KEEN sponsored this podcast. PSIA-AASI members receive special Pro Offer pricing on KEEN’s gear. Visit thesnowpros.org/shop and log in.

First Chair chats with PSIA Alpine Team member Brenna Kelleher about why getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing something new and challenging on and off the slopes can help you have fun and become a better skier. Thanks to KEEN for sponsoring this podcast. PSIA-AASI members receive special Pro Offer pricing on KEEN’s gear. Visit thesnowpros.org/shop and log in.

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. First up, meet Katie White, from the PSIA-AASI Northern Rocky Mountain division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. First up, meet Asa Fountain, from the PSIA-AASI Western division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. First up, meet Charles Roy, from the PSIA-AASI Eastern division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection

First Chair catches up with Chris Canales, a snowboarder and a fine dining executive chef in a small mountain town. Learn about his story and why helping to create memories is such an important part of his approach for providing guest service.

Meet Tracy Buchanan, a PSIA-certified Level III alpine instructor and a NSP certified ski patroller. Learn how many of the skills learned from both the PSIA and NSP certification process have helped Tracy transfer skills to each of her roles. For example being a ski instructor has helped her become more proficient at movement analysis and she uses those skills as a patroller.

First Chair Podcast host, George Thomas, catches the first chair with Dave Gregory to learn more about Spring Symposium, a multi-divisional event held at Sun Valley, Idaho. Get the scoop on why five PSIA-AASI Divisions decided to join forces to host this end-of-the-season education celebration, so members can meet and learn from educators in other divisions.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Eric Lipton, talks about how great skiers use touch to get a better feel for what’s happening on the snow because they focus on what’s happening inside their boots. Learn how you can apply balance, footwork and coordination, and strength exercises to help you become a better skier.