First Chair: Psia-aasi Podcast

Recorded during Interski 2019, listen to PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan and PSIA-AASI members (part of the USA delegation) share their thoughts during the opening day which kicked off under blue skies on the slopes of Pamporovo, Bulgaria. More than 500 attendees from around the world coming together to share ideas about how they can have a personal impact on growing snowsports in a changing market. thesnowpros.org/events/interski #Interski2019

Recorded during Interski 2019, listen to AASI Snowboard Team member Eric Rolls present USA’s people skills during this on-snow clinic. Learn how using interpersonal skills, such as trust, communication, self-awareness and social awareness, can help ensure a strong future for snowsports instructors. #Interski2019 thesnowpros.org/events/interski

First Chair catches up with Drew Eakins, marketing director for Hestra. Did you know that some of their original customers were lumberjacks who needed a highly durable and warm glove? Seeing that skiers (and then, snowboarders) could benefit from the same quality, Hestra released its first ski glove in 1941. Today, Hestra manufactures gloves and mitts to suit all #snowpros needs. Shop at http://www.thesnowpros.org/shop/catalog/apparel

Ever have the wrong skis for powder? Not a fan of high-speed carved turns in big bumps? Great skiers can make both things look easy because they have great touch. PSIA Alpine Team member, Ann Schorling, discusses how you can apply the fifth item on PSIA’s Alpine Skiing Fundamentals, that’s in the new Teaching Snowsports Manual, and become a better skier. http://tiny.cc/fifthfundamental

Cross Country Team Coach David Lawrence and team members Emily Lovett and Greg Rhodes chat with First Chair about the cross country presence at Interski 2019 and what it was like to run an on-snow workshop on Wednesday, March 20. #Interski2019

PSIA Alpine Team member and Freestyle Specialist, Ryan Christofferson, shares his experience teaching local Bulgarian children how to ski during Interski Ski School. This daily Interski event brings snowsports community together to help grow the sport with each lesson taught. #Interski2019

PSIA-AASI Director of Education Dave Schuiling chats about the importance of Interski 2019 for all members. He shares news about his recent appointment as a board member of IVSS (International Association Snowsports at Schools and Universities), one of the organizations that is meeting at Interski. #Interski2019

PSIA Alpine Team Coach, Michael Rogan, reports from Pamporovo, Bulgaria, about what the PSIA-AASI Team is doing to share the USA's Learning Connection with the other countries at Interski. #Interski2019

Interski 2019 kicked off on Sunday, March 17 in Pamporovo, Bulgaria. First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI Team Manager Jeb Boyd, who shares what’s happening each day at Interski and what attendees are learning from each other country’s teaching methodologies. #Interski2019

Interski 2019 kicked off on Sunday, March 17 in Pamporovo, Bulgaria. Hear firsthand recaps from Ed Younglove, Eric Sheckleton and Mike Porter as they greet the USA delegation. Learn about different teaching approaches the delegates will see from each country and the international education impact PSIA-AASI is having on the world stage. #Interski2019

Reporting live from Pamporovo, Bulgaria and Interski 2019, AASI Snowboard Team member Chris Rogers, shares what it was like to get ready for the opening ceremonies including the first day demo run. Learn how the AASI Team members partnered with Burton to give two local Bulgarian schools a Burton PE Riglet presentation and built a riglet park at the top of the mountain. #Interski2019

The Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show is a trade show that brings together all outdoor and snowsports industries will be together under one roof. First Chair sat down for one-on-one conversations with some of PSIA-AASI’s Official Suppliers, to get a first look at new gear. http://tiny.cc/snowshow2019

Meet Christine Woods, a first-year part-time instructor. She shares her experience about working as a ski instructor. Learn what the job interview was like, how she learned the jargon (wedge christie), what it’s like teaching the first class, and how she’s now getting requests for repeat lessons. http://www.thesnowpros.org/jobontheslopes

AASI Snowboard Team member, Amy Gan, shares some tips on how you can ride through tree runs, which can be some of the best runs on the mountain and great spots to find fresh powder. Learn how to work on your flow and technique and find a rhythm, and help your students learn to snowboard in the trees. http://tiny.cc/snowboardtrees

PSIA Alpine Team Coach, Michael Rogan, shares some tips on you can improve your teaching and skiing in the bumps. Learn how to master the moguls and help your students smooth and polish their technique. http://tiny.cc/skibumps

Giri Watts shares how snowboarding in the trees can be a moving meditation. Listen for some tips on how you can use the power of visualization to help you with your riding through the trees. Check out page 26 in the Winter 32 Degrees for more tips. www.thesnowpros.org/32degrees

PSIA Alpine team member, Dusty Dyar, shares some tips on how you can ski the steeps better. He also shares tips on how you can teach the steeps better. With some practice, you and your students, will get the hang of balancing, turning and choosing a line.

First Chair catches up with Jenn Metz who talks about how you can best serve your students by being open to always learning and improving your skiing. Learn how you can teach skills, not drills, to your students and why it’s important to provide an experimental learning experience.

First Chair catches up with Kristin Buchholz, who shares what it was like for her to go through her Level III alpine certification experience. If you’re thinking about going for the gold and pursuing your Level III certification or wondering what the experience is like, check out Kristin’s story.

Resort guests, Kim Brandenburg and Amy Wildgrube, share their reasoning as to why they both decided to pursue taking lessons as adult skiers to improve their skills. Listen to their positive experience taking lessons and how you can incorporate guest service skills into your lesson or at your school.