First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast

On this episode of First Chair, George Thomas chats with the crew at Eric Lipton Ski Camps at Ski Portillo Chile. The cast includes Eric Lipton, Julia Johnson, Chris Ohman, Emily Absalom, Wade Kotula, Christine Gibbons, Dean Gibbons, and Kaylin Richardson. Tune in to find out why expert skiers (even two-time Olympians) and instructors can benefit from a summer on the snow, what all experts and beginners have in common, and the biggest takeaways from a week skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn more about Eric Lipton Ski Camps at http://ericliptonskicamps.com/ Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

Want to get more involved with PSIA-AASI? Listen in as Dana Forbes, the CEO of PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain, talks about how PSIA-AASI members can get more engaged with the organization. She discusses the different volunteer opportunities open to members and how you can get started. Dana also talks about the often-under-utilized scholarship opportunities which provide $60,000 in funding annually to allow members to continue their educational pursuits in the snowsports industry. Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

Get fit, ski hard, and have fun in our latest episode of First Chair. This week, we catch up with Jennifer Lockwood after a 5 a.m. workout to learn how she prepares for the ski season through cross-training and other fitness routines. Jennifer is a certified personal trainer and Level III alpine instructor who shares some valuable advice on areas to focus on, how to stretch correctly, and how to stick with a workout routine. She also discusses what to look for in a trainer, why the ACL Strong program is perfect for early pre-season conditioning, and the keys to an effective pre-season exercise regimen. If you’re not sure how to start training for the ski season, this is the episode for you. Learn more about Jennifer in her Member Spotlight: http://www.thesnowpros.org/news/id/1237/member-spotlight-northwest-divisions-jennifer-lockwood Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

Mike Hafer is both a PSIA-AASI National Team veteran and a National Team hopeful with 26 years of ski industry experience. In this episode of First Chair, learn about Mike’s long history with the National Team, why he decided to opt-out of tryouts in 2016, and why he’s trying out again in 2020. Also listen in to gain some valuable insights into the tryout process, how to stay motivated after getting rejected from the team (twice), and why it’s so important to seek out and accept feedback. Mike also shares why his approach to skiing has changed with his age and why it is so important to seek out and accept feedback from other industry professionals. Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

On this episode of the First Chair podcast, George Thomas is joined by Eastern Team member and National Team hopeful Ben BeBenedictis. Ben is a Stowe local who is currently in Portillo, Chile where he is living the dream and teaching for six weeks with National Team members Michael Rogan and Robin Barnes. Learn about the benefits of spending the summer on snow, the ski skills he’s working on improving, and how he defines “mastery.” Learn more about Ben in his PSIA-AASI Member Spotlight: http://www.thesnowpros.org/news/id/2138/member-spotlight-eastern-divisions-ben-bebenedictis Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

This week on First Chair, George Thomas chats with Vail local and National Team hopeful Lyndsey Stevens to find out what Lyndsey is doing in the offseason to prepare for tryouts. Lyndsey discusses the importance of reading technical manuals, benefits of working on articles for 32 Degrees, and difficulties of selecting a topic for her tryout presentation. Lyndsey also talks about why passion is so important as an instructor, what she learned from previous National Team tryouts, and why her attention to detail makes her a better snowboard instructor. Learn more about Lyndsey in her PSIA-AASI Member Spotlight: http://www.thesnowpros.org/news/id/2173/member-spotlight-rocky-mountains-lyndsey-stevens Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

On today’s episode of First Chair, we’re joined by Frank Cartwright, alpine examiner for the Eastern Division and head coach of the Hunter Mountain Skiing & Freestyle Team. Frank has tried out for the National Team twice and he’s hoping that the third time’s a charm as he tests the waters again in 2020. Listen in as Frank and George Thomas discuss how National Team tryouts have changed over the years and how the divisions now have more say in the selection process. Other topics include what Frank’s learned from previous tryouts, how to pick yourself up after a bad day on the snow, and why he calls Hunter Mountain home (despite living 5+ hours away). Frank also provides insight into the preparation, comradery, and mindset needed to succeed at the highest level. Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

Every four years PSIA-AASI selects thirty qualified individuals to represent the organization as members of the National Team. PSIA-AASI Director of Education Dave Schuiling and National Team Manager Jeb Boyd sit down with First Chair to discuss the rigorous selection process for the PSIA-AASI National Team. Topics include nominations, tryouts, necessary skill sets, and how to get involved. To learn more about the National Team, visit http://www.thesnowpros.org/about/teams. Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://www.thesnowpros.org/ • https://www.facebook.com/TheSnowPros/ • https://www.instagram.com/thesnowpros/ • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

On this episode, Ron Kipp, the ski team education and development manager at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, chats with First Chair about summer alpine training on the icy indoor slopes of Germany. Learn about the difficulties of coaching on solid ice, the benefits of indoor training facilities, and more. Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://www.thesnowpros.org/ • https://www.facebook.com/TheSnowPros/ • https://www.instagram.com/thesnowpros/ • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

On this episode, repeat guest Scott Anfang introduces us to Oscar, a snowboard instructor, currently teaching year-round and reporting live from The Remarkables resort in New Zealand. Learn about his journey from Michigan, to Sierra Tahoe, to New Zealand, to Aspen, and how he’s been able to make a career of teaching snowboarding all year.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Jonathan Ballou, shares an overview about the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA), and how an ISIA Stamp and Passbook might be of interest to a certified Level III member planning a trip to enjoy the slopes in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada or South America. Also, he talks about the ISIA Card, which is the highest level of international snowsports certification and comes after the ISIA Stamp. http://www.thesnowpros.org/international

The American Association of Snowboard Instructors’ Snowboard Team Coach, Scott Anfang, shares what it’s like to serve as the training manager for the snowsports school at The Remarkables, a ski resort just 45 minutes from central Queenstown, New Zealand.

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. Meet Max Brennan, from the PSIA-AASI Intermountain division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection

First Chair catches up with Jennifer Lockwood, who shares what’s happening in the PSIA-AASI Northwest division for their summer training series. Listen in for tips on how you can keep your edge this summer to prepare for a great winter.

This summer, First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI members who are going to be invited to and participate in the 2020 PSIA-AASI National Team selection process in Breckenridge, Colorado, next April 2020. Meet Tyler Sullivan, from the PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain division. www.thesnowpros.org/teamselection