First Chair: Psia-aasi Podcast

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member Ann Schorling about her work on the People Skills Fundamentals, one of the main tenants of PSIA-AASI’s Learning Connection framework. People Skills encourage an empathetic approach to students and their needs, and it promotes a relationship based on trust and respect. Ann chats about how incorporating people skills into your lessons can help you make decisions based on your student’s needs, motivations, and goals. Check out PSIA-AASI's webinars that will help you identify people/interpersonal skills as a separate, trainable, essential skillset. tiny.cc/stayhomelearn

PSIA-AASI and Volkswagen share a common passion for spending time outdoors in the winter and a focus on a sustainable future. Will Gock shares how VW provides all PSIA-AASI members and its eight divisions with access to the mountains and the outdoors in all types of weather with their vehicles that have 4Motion All-Wheel Drive. You and your household members are eligible to receive a special Partner Program pricing: http://tiny.cc/VWPartnerProgram

PSIA-AASI’s Educational Excellence Award program recognizes those exceptional few members who authored PSIA-AASI educational materials over the years and have added significantly to, and possibly even changed, the educational direction of PSIA-AASI. The Awards and Recognition Committee recently named Lane Clegg as the recipient of this award. Lane talks about the what it means to him to receive this award and all the instructors who have inspired him along the way. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/news

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Teach Coach Michael Rogan about the PSIA Alpine Team training event that was held at Snowbasin earlier this season. Hear from Michael and Paul Guimond from Atomic on why it was important for the PSIA Alpine team to demo Super G skis and compare that experience to their skiing experience on slalom skis.

First Chair catches up with PSIA Cross Country Team Coach Emily Lovett. With only one term under her belt, Lovett has established her expertise, and she is now a leader within the cross country community. She understands not only the sport, but also the business side of cross country skiing. Her familiarity with encouraging participation will be a valuable asset as PSIA-AASI continues to provide more support for the cross country discipline.

PSIA-AASI’s Distinguished Service Award program recognizes those who’ve made important contributions that have added to PSIA-AASI’s success by providing educational programming support and demonstrating positive leadership skills. The Awards and Recognition Committee recently named Dee Byrne as the recipient of this award. Dee talks about what it means to her to receive this award and how her students and serving others has inspired her along the way. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/news

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member Jennifer Simpson Weier, who moonlights in her off-season as an emergency room nurse. Jennifer shares her experience about ending her ski season early at Aspen and making the transition to working as a frontline ER provider in Minnesota. PSIA-AASI sends a special shout out to Jennifer and all the frontline healthcare workers today on #nursesday and every day for the important role they play in society. Check out Muffy Ritz's story about her first-hand COVID-19 experience: http://tiny.cc/muffyritz

First Chair catches up with Katie Feucht about new online learning opportunities that are available to all PSIA-AASI members. Check out how Northwest has set up and structured their digital learning opportunities and how you can hop in and continue your online learning this month on courses such as Alpine, Snowboard, and Telemark Remote Movement Analysis. Visit: www.psia-nw.org/events View more PSIA-AASI online courses: http://tiny.cc/stayhomelearn

First Chair catches up with Muffy Ritz, former U.S. Ski Team member and top-notch athlete, about her first-hand experience with COVID-19. She talks about her experience when she first became sick on March 17, to her worst day on Day 15 which included her experiencing an earthquake, to where she is now, at Day 39 for what she’s feeling now during her recovery process. Take a listen to her experience, her symptoms, what her tests revealed and her thoughts on the virus.

PSIA-AASI’s Educational Excellence Award program recognizes those exceptional few members who authored PSIA-AASI educational materials over the years and have added significantly to, and possibly even changed, the educational direction of PSIA-AASI. The Awards and Recognition Committee recently named Kim Seevers as the recipient of this award. Kim talks about the what it means to her to receive this award and all the instructors who have inspired her along the way. Learn more: www.thesnowpros.org/news

Connecting via Zoom, First Chair catches up with Henrik Lampert and Daniel Dancer from PSIA-AASI Official Supplier Faction Skis. The team chats about how COVID-19 has impacted their manufacturing, and how they're working to manage expectations for next season. Get the inside scoop on their supply chain and what that means for ski instructors interested in flat-tail skis. Check out special members-only pricing at www.thesnowpros.org/proforms.

A strange end to our season cancelled in-person education events. However, all PSIA-AASI Divisions did a quick 180 to use technology platforms to provide all PSIA-AASI members with new courses and events so the entire instructor community could continue to learn online during these unusual times. PSIA-AASI Central Division members and leaders Joel Kruger and Ron Shepard and AASI National Snowboard Team member Chris Rogers chat about the quick pivot. Take a course: http://tiny.cc/stayhomelearn

Meet Erin Connors and Ciarra Delisle from Windham Mountain. Erin helped introduce Ciarra to Windham Mountain’s Junior Instructor Program and Ciarra shares her experience about why it’s fun to work as an instructor. Learn how you can use PSIA-AASI’s Junior Instructor Program to jump start your training program for next season. www.thesnowpros.org/junior-instructor

PSIA-AASI’s Lifetime Achievement Award program recognizes exceptional members who have designed and implemented programs, projects and procedures affecting the association on a national level. PSIA-AASI’s Awards and Recognition Committee recently named Stephen Over and Mark Dorsey as the recipient of this award. Stephen and Mark talk about the meaning of the award to them and all the instructors who have inspired them along the way. Nominate a colleague: www.thesnowpros.org/awardsandrecognition

Over the years, several myths about snowboarding have taken root, including that kids need to learn to ski before they ride, that snowboard gear is too big for younger children, and that the first day on the slopes is too hard. Chloe Elliot, Burton’s B2C global resorts coordinator, busts those myths and talks about how Burton is committed to getting families out riding together and that means making gear and programs that work for even the smallest of riders. Watch videos: http://tiny.cc/mythvids

PSIA-AASI National Team members Matt Boyd, Heidi Ettlinger, Brenna Kelleher and Chris Rogers share their story about their last resort run of this season. Get the scoop too on what’s happening across the country related to how you can keep up with your digital learning while you stay at home these days. http://tiny.cc/stayhomelearn

Meet Dan Hogan from Windham Mountain who talks about how he implemented PSIA-AASI’s Junior Instructor Program to further develop his current program at his school. He shares what participants learned by going through this program and how he got parents involved too. Take a listen for some fresh ideas on how you can jump start your training program for next season. https://www.thesnowpros.org/junior-instructor

Doug Kechijian, co-author of PSIA-AASI’s Fitness for Skiing and Snowboarding book, shares guidance for an indoor fitness training regimen you can do now that will promote improved movement and body longevity for you and all snowsports instructors. Remember, there’s no time like the present to get started on a fitness regime. As Warren Miller said, “If you don’t start now, you will be one year older when you do.” Get your free digital fitness book here: https://www.thesnowpros.org/education/digitalmanuals

Chris Hargrave helps you learn about the history of summer skiing and riding at the Palmer Snowfield on Mount Hood, and how it’s become a summertime mecca for freestyle training. Listen for how you too can become a part of Timberline’s summertime coaching legacy.

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member Ryan Christofferson about how you can make the most of your early season ending. Here are some ideas for things to do now to keep your spirits up AND tackle some indoor study sessions. While you're at it, watch Ryan’s indoor presentation from the comfort of your couch: http://tiny.cc/RyanC