First Chair: Psia-aasi Podcast

The new PSIA-AASI National Team will set the standard for snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. In April 2021, PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches chosen last season and 29 team members selected spring 2021 – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding. Meet PSIA Cross Country Team member, Tulie Budiselich, who hails from Methow Valley, Washington. Learn more about Tulie: http://tiny.cc/meettulie

The new PSIA-AASI National Team will set the standard for snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. In April 2021, PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches chosen last season and 29 team members selected spring 2021 – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding. Meet AASI Snowboard Team member, Lyndsey Stevens, who hails from Vail, Colorado. Learn more about Lyndsey: http://tiny.cc/meetlyndsey

The new PSIA-AASI National Team will set the standard for snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. In April 2021, PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches chosen last season and 29 team members selected spring 2021 – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding. Meet PSIA Alpine Team member Zoe Mavis who hails from Big Sky, Montana.

The new PSIA-AASI National Team will set the standard for snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. In April 2021, PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches chosen last season and 29 team members selected spring 2021 – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding. Meet PSIA Alpine Team member Jonathan Ballou who hails from Aspen Snowmass, Colorado.

First Chair catches up with Jill Chumbley, a member of PSIA-AASI’s Education Leadership Council (ELC). The ELC serves PSIA-AASI educational directives and acts as the conduit between all discipline task forces and association leadership to drive consistency in all educational initiatives. Jill talks about why it’s good to challenge yourself to pursue additional education so you can remain relevant and gain information to help your students.

First Chair catches up with Michael Rogan, PSIA Alpine Team coach, about the reopening of Ski Portillo in Chile this summer. Take a listen to get the scoop about the effect that the pandemic is having across the world and what the ski and ride season may look like in South America.

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, head coach for the PSIA-AASI National Team, and Dave Schuiling, PSIA-AASI director of education. PSIA-AASI leaders from across the country gathered in Colorado this week for the Board of Directors meeting. The association’s Strategic Alignment Initiative and how the new certification standards will support consistency were a key part of the board’s conversation. Jeb and Dave discuss how this project will bring greater transparency and consistency to PSIA-AASI’s education and certification processes, and the new certification standards will help the association work towards this goal. Read more: http://tiny.cc/mqqytz

The new PSIA-AASI National Team will set the standard for snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. In April 2021, PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches chosen last season and 29 team members selected spring 2021 – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding. Meet PSIA Alpine Team member Kevin Jordan who hails from Aspen Snowmass, Colorado. Learn more about Kevin: http://tiny.cc/meetkevin

First Chair catches up with Tom Long, who was recently recognized with the Distinguished Service Award, which honors those who’ve made important contributions that have added to the success of PSIA-AASI. Tom is a PSIA-AASI Lifetime Member and New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame Inductee, helped PSIA develop the three-tiered certification approach; making attaining a PSIA-AASI certification more accessible to newer instructors and helping more members attain their first level of certification. His inclusive approach to snowsports extended beyond certification levels – he welcomed snowboarding and adaptive disciplines into the association and helped educators in these disciplines develop their own set of certification standards. Congrats, Tom!

The new PSIA-AASI National Team will set the standard for snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. In April 2021, PSIA-AASI selected the 37 team members for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding. Meet AASI Snowboard Team member Brian Donovan who hails from Mount Snow Resort, Vermont. Learn more about Brian: http://tiny.cc/meetBrian

Christina Bruno is a member of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team where she will help set the standard for snowsports instruction. PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches chosen last season and 29 team members selected in April 2021 – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding. Meet PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team member Christina who hails from Steamboat Resort, Colorado. Learn more about Christina: http://tiny.cc/meetchristina

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 skills to overcome their fears. Her non-fiction book about the psychology of skiing and teaching, A Conversation with Fear (2012) helped many snowsports enthusiasts take their skills to the next level. She also supported PSIA-AASI educational products including Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors. Congrats, Mermer!

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 spring conditions. Eliza also shares the direction of where PSIA-AASI is headed now and into the future.

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 edition, the Alpine Children’s Teaching Handbook, and the Snowboard Teaching Handbook. In total, Stacey helped author or review seven PSIA-AASI educational products. Congrats, Stacey!

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 for five years, two terms as Chair of the Presidents Council, and most recently three terms as the Chair of the National Board of Directors. His dedication and devotion to the association helped build PSIA-AASI’s current organizational structure based around governance to best serve members. Congrats, Ed!

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 to support members educational experiences.

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 a message to all candidates. He says that regardless of who makes the team, everyone at selection has a lot to offer to PSIA-AASI.

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 vlog highlights: https://www.youtube.com/VolkswagenUSANews PSIA-AASI members can take advantage of member-specific pricing on Volkswagen at https://members.thesnowpros.org/products/pro-offers

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 results to learn who makes the new National Team this Thursday, April 22 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAPONhtqmq0

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=mAPONhtqmq0