First Chair: Psia-aasi Podcast

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

First Chair catches up with the PSIA Cross Country Team Coach, Emily Lovett, about what's next for the Cross Country team. Emily calls Lake Catamount Touring Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado home.

First Chair catches up with the PSIA Alpine National Team coach, Michael Rogan, and the Alpine Assistant and Development Coach, Matt Boyd. Listen in to learn what's next for the team.

First Chair catches up with Jeff Boliba, vice president of sport & participation at Burton Global. Burton Snowboards recently honored the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) with the brand’s first ever Breaking Down Barriers Award during the NSAA Winter Conference and Tradeshow Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Learn more about this award: http://tiny.cc/burtonaward

First Chair catches up with Eric Rolls, who serves as the AASI Snowboard Coach for the PSIA-AASI National Team. Eric talks about how he’s been integral in the development of PSIA-AASI’s Learning Connection Model, and how he’s going to continue to serve the organization as his leadership capabilities expand with coaching experience for future seasons to come.

First Chair catches up with Kevin Olivera, who teaches at Whitetail Mountain Resort, on what it was like for him to decide after 10 years of teaching to decide to pursue his Alpine Level I certification. Listen it to hear Kevin’s key takeaways from his assessment experience, including learning, camaraderie and fun.

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan and Andy Hare, Nordica’s special events and marketing coordinator. Learn how for more than 30 years, Michael has been a leading voice in snowsports instruction, helping instructors and students improve how they teach and turn. Through his long affiliation with PSIA-AASI Official Supplier Nordica, Michael has influenced the way instructors ski by helping the brand with research and design. Learn more: http://tiny.cc/rogannordica

First Chair catches up with Obed Marrder and Chase Wagstaff, co-founders of Sno-Go, which is a PSIA-AASI Official Supplier. Learn how Sno-Go is helping to grow the snowsports industry and how its introducing new and experienced snowsports enthusiasts to sliding on snow by using similar mechanics to standing on or riding a bike – an activity that people are already familiar with – so people can have a successful first day on the mountain. Then, check out this free e-learning course that will help you learn more so you can introduce new and experienced snowsports enthusiasts to this new way to slide on snow. https://lms.thesnowpros.org/

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, head coach for the PSIA-AASI National Team about Team Selection that happens this April 2021. Learn what all the candidates are doing this month for Team Selection in terms of their indoor presentations and what they are presenting on to the selectors in terms of current initiatives and events. Team Selection helps PSIA-AASI to select the nation’s best instructors to represent the organization at its highest education level. Team members set the standard for U.S. snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. Meet the current PSIA-AASI National Team: www.thesnowpros.org/who-we-are/teams/

First Chair catches up with Todd Ainsworth and a group of successful AASI Level I snowboard instructors who share their firsthand story. Listen in to hear their excitement about their journey and what they learned throughout this process to meet their certification goals. Congrats to all!

First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team Head Coach Jeb Boyd about what’s happening with National Team 2021 selection this month. Jeb also shares some advice you can use to prep for your assessments and exams. For example, over preparing, being engaged and using skills from the Learning Connection Model can help you achieve your goals this season. The National Team Selection 2021 process outcome will build a team that best represents the Learning Connection Model, as highlighted in the Teaching Snowsports Manual.

First Chair catches up with AASI Snowboard Team member, Chris Rogers, and Nabil Rahman, from Spot Insurance. PSIA-AASI’s newest Official Supplier offers PSIA-AASI members instructor-specific injury insurance. For just $50, individual instructors can secure up to $20,000 in coverage if they become injured skiing or snowboarding. Spot is also partnering with ski resorts and ski schools across the United States and can offer you single-day injury coverage for your ski school and for your resort customers for as low as $5 per day at checkout. Log in to the Pro Offers page to see how to take advantage of this offer. https://members.thesnowpros.org/products/pro-offers

Leigh Perini chats about why you should make plans to attend the Women’s Virtual Summit, Sunday, Feb. 28, and Monday, March 1, 2021, featuring a kickoff keynote with Women’s Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Julie Foudy. This event virtually brings together women from across PSIA-AASI divisions, different disciplines, and professional snowsports associations for online learning and networking Attend the kickoff keynote and you’ll also be entered to win an official USA Women’s Soccer jersey, courtesy of PSIA-AASI Official Supplier Volkswagen. Learn more and register now: https://www.thesnowpros.org/events/womens-summit/

First Chair catches up with Jeb Boyd, head coach for the PSIA-AASI National Team about Team Selection that happens this April 2021. This event will help PSIA-AASI to select the nation’s best instructors to represent the organization at its highest education level. Team members are responsible for promoting, supporting, and assisting with the development of PSIA-AASI education materials, programs, and activities at all levels. They set the standard for U.S. snowsports instruction and embody the ski and snowboard experience. Meet the current PSIA-AASI National Team: https://www.thesnowpros.org/who-we-are/teams/

First Chair catches up with Tim Kenney, education and events manager for the PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain division about what it’s been like to create and host education and events this season. Tune in to get the scoop about what type of training is available to you from across the country. Use this calendar to find an event or webinar near you: https://www.thesnowpros.org/events/event-calendar/