First Chair: Psia-aasi Podcast

First Chair meets Scott Valitchka, Nordic Mountain’s snow school trainer. Scott’s school received one of PSIA-AASI’s small school scholarships. He shared that the funds helped bring education to their team members who might never be able to invest in such education and training. Listen to the story of how Nordic Mountain’s seven new level I instructors will pay this investment forward by connecting with and teaching clients and guests in the coming ski seasons. Learn more about this scholarship opportunity: https://thesnowpros.org/education/scholarships/small-snowsports-school-scholarships/

First Chair podcast host George Thomas catches up with PSIA-AASI CEO Peggy Hiller, who's been meeting with regional PSIA-AASI Board of Directors members this month to learn about their interests and discuss ways to find alignment. Peggy also shares why June is a great month to reset your educational and training goals for the next season and how PSIA-AASI can help support you in your pursuit of those goals. Also, remember that June 30 is the deadline to renew your membership. Follow this link to renew today: members.thesnowpros.org/

Eliza Kuntz, Chair of PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, interviews George Thomas in this special First Chair podcast. George serves as the voice and host of this First Chair podcast. He’s also a PSIA-AASI member and begins his upcoming adventure ride with Race Across America (RAAM) on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. This event will challenge George, and all the ultra-cyclist participants, to test and push their physical and mental limits. RAAM kicks off in Oceanside, under one of the longest piers in California. Then it spans over 3,000 miles, climbs 175,000 feet, crosses 12 states, and finishes at City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland, the east coast sailing mecca. Tune in, learn more about George’s upcoming journey, and listen to him share his story. Learn more about RAAM at raceacrossamerica.org.

[*Sponsored Content Podcast] First Chair catches up with Daniel Demschar, CEO of Snofolio, a training management system that gives skiers an on-slope performance training portfolio. Daniel talks about his history as a ski racer and how he started working with Snofolio. Learn more about how this all-inclusive system helps snowsports schools and their instructors enhance customer service and lesson progressions. Snofolio partners directly with resorts and ski and ride schools to set up the system and digital report cards. Learn more about Snofolio: https://snofolio.com/ *Learn more about sponsoring a First Chair podcast: http://tiny.cc/3hn7vz

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI CEO Peggy Hiller about what’s been happening at your association. First up, renew your membership this month to maintain access to all your membership benefits. When you do, you can shop Pro Offers to snag deals on your spring and summer gear, keep access to education resources to pick up CEUs this summer, and more. Peggy also shares what’s been happening with the organization's education alignment, highlights from the PSIA-AASI member survey, and what she’s looking forward to this summer. Follow this link to renew your membership today: https://members.thesnowpros.org/

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI member Suzy Chase-Motzkin about her 3-part webinar series on Mondays, June 5, June 12, and June 26 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. MT. With this new webinar series, you’ll learn how to create a more mindful presence to enhance the way you slide and instruct. This series is broken into three parts: Communication, Performance, and Practical Applications. You’ll earn three CEUs when you attend over three weeks throughout June. Register now: http://tiny.cc/nj97vz

First Chair catches up with Bobby Ali, from Cardo Communication Systems, about their wireless, hands-free intercom systems that allow you and your students to communicate in real-time with a crystal-clear connection. He explains how instructors can use the Cardo Systems hands-free PACKTALK Outdoor to provide instant feedback to students or other instructors while skiing or riding down the slopes. PSIA-AASI members can access the Pro Offers page to get member-specific pricing on PSIA-AASI Official Supplier Cardo’s PACKTALK Outdoor wireless hands-free intercom. Visit: https://members.thesnowpros.org/products/pro-offers

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team members Jonathan Ballou and Mike Hafer, as well as Tanya Milelli about their participation in the recent PSIA-AASI Western Spring Convention and Western assessment. Listen in to learn more about how education leaders from different regions can now assess to the same standards and outcomes.

First Chair catches up with Fern Stewart who recently received the Angus Graham Rising Star Award, an award recognizing standout members who show promise charting a career path within the snowsport industry. Fern said of the award, “I cannot begin to express how honored I am to receive this award, for it means that I get to ski in Angus Graham’s name for the rest of my life. I will bring his smile, enthusiasm, and love for the sport with me wherever I go and share it with whomever I meet.” Congrats, Fern!

First Chair catches up with Riley Shepard who recently received the Angus Graham Rising Star Award, an award recognizing standout members who show promise charting a career path within the snowsport industry. Riley demonstrates positive leadership behavior within the industry, serves as a volunteer leader, and distinguishes himself in an exemplary fashion. Congrats, Riley!

First Chair catches up with Walt Coiner, who was recently recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes exceptional members who developed and implemented programs, projects, and procedures affecting the association on a national level while demonstrating dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice serving in their role. Congrats, Walt!

First Chair catches up with Pete Allison who is attending Interski with the British Association of Snowsports Instructors and the International Association for Education and Science in Snowsports. Pete shares updates on the projects he’s working on to improve the guest experience and make learning to ski and ride as easy as possible for everyone. He also shares highlights from the event. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

In this podcast, PSIA Telemark Team Coach Gregory Dixon shares what the telemark team presented at Interski 2023. Listen to learn what takeaways he plans to bring back home. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

Listen to PSIA Alpine Team member Mike Hafer as he shares highlights from Interski 2023. He chats about what it’s like to participate in a synchronized skiing demo run and his approach to teaching clinics to an international audience. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI Intermountain member Serenity Eyre and her sister Chelsea Evans. Hear about the event from the perspective of members of the PSIA-AASI Delegation. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member Kevin Jordan. Kevin shares how he’s recording event highlights and takeaways. He also chats people skills. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI Eastern Chief Executive Officer Kathy Brennan. She chats about how the event theme, “The Guest Experience is Everything,” is setting the stage to attract more guests to snowsports and encourage them to return to the sport. Kathy also shares how PSIA-AASI is working to improve the member and guest experience. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with Educational Excellence Award recipient and former PSIA Alpine Team Coach Mike Porter. Listen to learn about the history of Interski and the countries attending to get a big picture understanding of the event. Mike also shares PSIA-AASI’s history with Interski and how the event helps support members. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

Listen to this podcast to meet Cecelia Bäckström, who traveled to Interski with the Swedish delegates and demonstration team. A snowboard instructor, Cecelia trains other ski and ride schools how to train other instructors. She hopes to join the Swedish Demonstration Team for Interski 2027. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros

First Chair catches up with Steve & Verity Davis-Raiss about #interski2023. Listen to hear the Australian couple’s takeaways from the event’s adaptive presentations. Held every four years, the Interski Congress brings instructors together worldwide to share educational innovations and top teaching techniques. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/events/interski/ Follow: #interski2023 @thesnowpros #snowpros