Operations/Office Staff – PSIA-AASI Eastern

PSIA-AASI Eastern ABOUT US

Click to learn more about the teams that are leading us, and the staff that support our mission every day.

Board of Directors

Education Teams/Staff

Operations/Office Staff

Jodi Bedson

PSIA-AASI Eastern Operations Director PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Kathleen Brennan

PSIA-AASI Eastern CEO PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Resort Address Waterville Valley NH

About Me | Show Notes

Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Blandford Ski Area
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski Instructor
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	People skills developed as a snowsports instructor are vital to success no matter where your career takes you.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Golf, cycling, and gardening.
What would be your personal motto?	If a task is once begun never leave it ’til it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.

Thessaly Bullard

PSIA-AASI Eastern Payroll Manager & Member Services PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School Gore Mountain NY

About Me | Show Notes

Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Willard Mountain
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Whistler
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Anything active and outdoors – Hiking, kayaking, running and yoga.
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Sir Ernest Shackleton – His greatest success was how he handled himself in the face of failure. He showed great leadership, resourcefulness and calm in the midst of incredibly dangerous and life-threatening circumstances. Had he easily accomplished what he’d set out to do, he’d be far less famous.

Not Available

James Friedman

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Event Logistics PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Not Available

Karen Haringa

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Member Services and Communications PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Not Available

Regina Moerikofer

PSIA-AASI Eastern Member Services PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School NY

About Me | Show Notes

Keri Reid

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Education and Programs Alpine Steering Committee Chair, AASI + Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School Okemo VT

About Me | Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am bilingual, French/English
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, mountain biking, running (after my two children), good food in good company, and creating art.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Junior Ski Instructor, age 14 at Ski La Reserve in St-Donat Quebec.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Keep stepping out of your comfort zone, that’s where the growth happens.

Melissa Skinner

PSIA-AASI Eastern Education and Member Services AASI & Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School AR

Show Notes

Brian Donovan

Snowboard Examiner AASI CoordinatorAASI Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Stratton Mountain VT

Show Notes

Notes

is an interesting fact about you?	I come from a family that never skied or snowboarded. I was the black sheep and it has completely shaped my life and career.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I used to be pretty okay at playing soccer, and I can still terrorize a rec league from time-to-time.
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team member, Snowboard Instructor and Trainer, AASI Examiner, and AASI-E Advisor for Education.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Peek’n Peak Resort in Western New York State
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Full-Time Snowboard Instructor
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	The goals of your student are way more important than the milestones that you think they need to achieve (i.e. beginners don’t need to get dialed at turning in their first lesson…they need to have fun and want to come back!)
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Making the 2021 PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	To me: It’s more about the crew than the location…I’m more passionate about having the proper group of friends to ride with than worried about the place.
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Picking a mountain to work at is more about the people and the culture than anything else. Pick a mountain with a rad group of co-workers and a great community and you won’t regret it!
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Mountain biking, skateboarding, watching baseball games, live music, playing soccer, and hunting.
What would be your personal motto?	They should keep score in tee-ball games…I learned life lessons about hard work, being competitive, and how to deal with losing and setbacks as a kid from playing sports and keeping score.
Name three words that describe you.	Loves to compete!
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Tom Vickery – I learn something from that man every time I’m around him. He challenges me to continually improve. Thank you Tom!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	A cowboy…in fact, I assumed if you lived in “The West”, that it was still the wild west frontier with cowboys, saloons, and the whole works.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Represent PSIA-AASI well at InterSki 2023 in Levi, Finland.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	I’d like to be selected to the 2024 PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team.

Ed Meltzer

Adaptive Examiner Adaptive CoordinatorAdaptive Steering Committee Chair

Home Resort/School Loon MA

About Me

What is an interesting fact about you?	I have owned my own food packaging business for 36 years and recently started an exit strategy that will take a few more years.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am a professional orchestral musician and perform as the Timpanist of the Boston Philharmonic since 1986.
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Partner in a food packaging sales agency Teach at Loon Mountain and am a trainer at New England Disabled Sports. Perform with the Boston Philharmonic.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Camp Sargent in New Hampshire
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Teaching as a volunteer with New England Disabled Sports
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	I generally gain more fulfillment teaching snow sports than I give back.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Although there are many, teaching a never ever British soldier to Mono ski who lost his legs due to an IED. We spent a week together at Breckenridge Co. He was skiing pretty much everything the mountain could throw at him and went on to become a Paralympian fir the UK
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Vail in the West. Loon and Stowe in the east.
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Being a ski instructor is an amazing experience for a young person that helps develop communication/people skills in a happy winter environment.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Cycling, boating
What would be your personal motto?	Don’t be afraid to give of yourself to others. The feeling of self-fulfillment greatly out numbers the effort.
Name three words that describe you.	Fun Adventurous loyal
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Geoff Krill, our PSIA National adaptive coach. His attitude for living life and not letting the small inconveniences he faces as a person in a wheelchair impact his attitude or his ambitions.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	A fulltime professional symphony orchestra musician.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Help, through my participation as a member of the national adaptive task force, align our processes and our mission of inclusivity within PSIA
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	To still be physically and intellectually active as I am today.

Not Available

Mickey Stone

Telemark + Cross Country + Children’s Examiner Nordic CoordinatorNordic Steering Committee Chair

Todd Ainsworth

Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering CommitteeSnowboard Teams Coach

Home Resort/School Vail, CO VT

About Me | Show Notes

Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Perisher Blue, Australia

Not Available

Amy Bailey

Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering Committee

Brian Donovan

Snowboard Examiner AASI CoordinatorAASI Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Stratton Mountain VT

Show Notes

Notes

is an interesting fact about you?	I come from a family that never skied or snowboarded. I was the black sheep and it has completely shaped my life and career.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I used to be pretty okay at playing soccer, and I can still terrorize a rec league from time-to-time.
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team member, Snowboard Instructor and Trainer, AASI Examiner, and AASI-E Advisor for Education.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Peek’n Peak Resort in Western New York State
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Full-Time Snowboard Instructor
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	The goals of your student are way more important than the milestones that you think they need to achieve (i.e. beginners don’t need to get dialed at turning in their first lesson…they need to have fun and want to come back!)
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Making the 2021 PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	To me: It’s more about the crew than the location…I’m more passionate about having the proper group of friends to ride with than worried about the place.
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Picking a mountain to work at is more about the people and the culture than anything else. Pick a mountain with a rad group of co-workers and a great community and you won’t regret it!
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Mountain biking, skateboarding, watching baseball games, live music, playing soccer, and hunting.
What would be your personal motto?	They should keep score in tee-ball games…I learned life lessons about hard work, being competitive, and how to deal with losing and setbacks as a kid from playing sports and keeping score.
Name three words that describe you.	Loves to compete!
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Tom Vickery – I learn something from that man every time I’m around him. He challenges me to continually improve. Thank you Tom!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	A cowboy…in fact, I assumed if you lived in “The West”, that it was still the wild west frontier with cowboys, saloons, and the whole works.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Represent PSIA-AASI well at InterSki 2023 in Levi, Finland.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	I’d like to be selected to the 2024 PSIA-AASI Snowboard National Team.

Terry Duffield

Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Stratton VT

About Me | Show Notes

Greg Fatigate

Snowboard + Children’s Examiner Snowboard Examiner CoachSnowsports Management Committee

Home Resort/School Smugglers’ Notch Resort VT

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I had a stage acting stint in college, and I’m very accurate throwing a snowball
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	Ametuer karaoke performer, snow cat operator, hobby homesteader
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Independent business owner: Rabbit tracks trail works. Training manager, Smugglers Notch Resort
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Woodbury ski area, Woodbury Ct
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Instructor, Mohawk Mtn Ct
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Meet people physically and mentally where they are at
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	AASI National team tryouts, 2016 & 2021
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Where ever I am
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Making this a career is possible, but also tricky. It’s worth it
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, gardening,
What would be your personal motto?	Send it
Name three words that describe you.	Ask. Someone. Else
Who is someone you admire, and why?	My Wife Shawna. She can teach anyone
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	Baseball player
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Continue to learn
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	Continue to learn

Bonnie Kolber

Snowboard + Children’s Examiner AASI + Alpine Steering CommitteeACE Team Coach

Show Notes

Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	Most people don’t know I make giant puppets and masks for pageants and parades. I used to be a stilt-dancer for the Bread and Puppet Theater!
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Outside the snowsports industry, I have a homestead and keep goats, chickens, and honeybees. I also have a gardening business and run summer arts and outdoor adventure camps for children around northern Vermont. Within the snowsports industry – I am a Snowboard Instructor and Staff Trainer at both Stowe & Jay Peak. I am also an AASI Examiner and the Coach of the ACE Team.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	I was 22 when I learned to snowboard at Sugarbush the first winter I moved to Vermont. I grew up in Miami and went to college outside of Chicago so never had an opportunity before that! It was the year of the big Ice Storm in Vermont. I was working as a cocktail waitress so I got free lessons and $1 rentals, and I remember the instructor telling me if I could learn in these conditions I’d be able to ride anything. At the time I didn’t know what he meant, but in retrospect I recall being able to see the grass through the “snow”. Bulletproof was the word of the season.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	One of my favorite memories is teaching the kid of a ski racer family to snowboard; they literally dropped him off by the scruff of his neck and said “he’s all yours.” After years of fun in the snow, reading maps, making tracks in the woods and digging ourselves out of deep powder together, they told me he’s a different kid than before he started snowboarding, so much kinder and happier. That’s my favorite thing, not just teaching a sport, but sharing a way to make life more enjoyable.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Pretty much anywhere with some pitch on a powder day!
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Apprentice yourself to the people who inspire you. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are and are not capable of. Pursue your dreams. Be patient. Stay humble.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	paddleboarding, hiking, gardening, reading, mountain biking
Name three words that describe you.	Creative Fun Perceptive
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	When I was a child, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I knew I wanted to be happy. I also knew I loved teaching. I feel very lucky to have been able to follow my heart and find a wonderful career teaching snowsports!

Not Available

Thomas Morsch

Snowboard Examiner

Not Available

Daniel Munn

Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering Committee

Keri Reid

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Education and Programs Alpine Steering Committee Chair, AASI + Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School Okemo VT

About Me | Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am bilingual, French/English
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, mountain biking, running (after my two children), good food in good company, and creating art.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Junior Ski Instructor, age 14 at Ski La Reserve in St-Donat Quebec.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Keep stepping out of your comfort zone, that’s where the growth happens.

Not Available

Geoff Romero

AASI Steering Committee, At-Large

Melissa Skinner

PSIA-AASI Eastern Education and Member Services AASI & Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School AR

Show Notes

Not Available

Jimmer Hayes

Adaptive Examiner Alpine Dev TeamAdaptive Ed Staff Coach, Adaptive Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Gore Mountain NY

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I love summer as much as winter.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Gore Mountain
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski Instructor (volunteer)
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	When candidates do well and I am able to hand them their hard-earned, certification pin!
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Aspen Highlands
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Diversify your skill set and do not be afraid to take chances.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Fishing, Boating, Kayaking, Snorkeling, SCUBA Diving, being on or in the water with my family
What would be your personal motto?	You will never know if you do not try.
Name three words that describe you.	Passionate Loyal Kind
Who is someone you admire, and why?	My Father. He (and my Mother) taught me the value of family and shared his love of skiing with my Mother, brother and myself.

Not Available

Geoffrey Krill

Adaptive Examiner Adaptive Steering Committee

Not Available

Michael Ma

Adaptive Examiner Adaptive Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Mount Snow VT/NY

Show Notes

What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	When I am not working on snow, I am probably working with startups as either and advisor or an investor. Much like snowsports, I love teaching in any form when it drives growth. There’s no place to see that like working with a startup.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	My job as a clinician is to try and make everyone right. I’ve taken that to my off-snow career, and it’s paid dividends.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	First place: Watching my son get his Level 1 at Stowe last year and our long talks in both preparing as well as debriefing. Second place: Awarding Level 1 pins to some adaptive athletes I had coached years earlier at Ski Spectacular. Third pace: Making National Team in 2021.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Mount Snow has been and always will be my heart, but I took at trip to Thompson’s Pass in Alaska for a week of incredible riding.
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Empathy is the most important skill you bring as an instructor.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	I want to help make the snowsports world look a little bit more like the America that I live in everyday. We have so much work to do here to make our sport more accessible, diverse and equitable, so all can enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

Ed Meltzer

Adaptive Examiner Adaptive CoordinatorAdaptive Steering Committee Chair

Home Resort/School Loon MA

About Me

What is an interesting fact about you?	I have owned my own food packaging business for 36 years and recently started an exit strategy that will take a few more years.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am a professional orchestral musician and perform as the Timpanist of the Boston Philharmonic since 1986.
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Partner in a food packaging sales agency Teach at Loon Mountain and am a trainer at New England Disabled Sports. Perform with the Boston Philharmonic.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Camp Sargent in New Hampshire
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Teaching as a volunteer with New England Disabled Sports
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	I generally gain more fulfillment teaching snow sports than I give back.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Although there are many, teaching a never ever British soldier to Mono ski who lost his legs due to an IED. We spent a week together at Breckenridge Co. He was skiing pretty much everything the mountain could throw at him and went on to become a Paralympian fir the UK
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Vail in the West. Loon and Stowe in the east.
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Being a ski instructor is an amazing experience for a young person that helps develop communication/people skills in a happy winter environment.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Cycling, boating
What would be your personal motto?	Don’t be afraid to give of yourself to others. The feeling of self-fulfillment greatly out numbers the effort.
Name three words that describe you.	Fun Adventurous loyal
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Geoff Krill, our PSIA National adaptive coach. His attitude for living life and not letting the small inconveniences he faces as a person in a wheelchair impact his attitude or his ambitions.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	A fulltime professional symphony orchestra musician.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Help, through my participation as a member of the national adaptive task force, align our processes and our mission of inclusivity within PSIA
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	To still be physically and intellectually active as I am today.

Keri Reid

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Education and Programs Alpine Steering Committee Chair, AASI + Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School Okemo VT

About Me | Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am bilingual, French/English
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, mountain biking, running (after my two children), good food in good company, and creating art.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Junior Ski Instructor, age 14 at Ski La Reserve in St-Donat Quebec.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Keep stepping out of your comfort zone, that’s where the growth happens.

Melissa Skinner

PSIA-AASI Eastern Education and Member Services AASI & Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School AR

Show Notes

Norm Staunton

Adaptive Examiner Adaptive Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Sugarbush VT

About Me

Mary Ellen Whitney

Adaptive Clinic Leader Adaptive Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Jiminy Peak, MA NY

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I love adventure travel and have visited over 40 countries around the world, and 46 US states.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I play the flute and sing in a band.
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	I am the Founder and CEO of STRIDE Adaptive Sports, an organization that educates and provides recreation and sports for people with different abilities since 1985.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Heidelburg Ski Area, PA – 1974
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski instructor – Camelback PA 1980 – 83.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Every lesson is adaptive! Literally ANYONE can ski.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Being a clinician for the National Adaptive Academy
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Aspen Highlands or Alta Utah
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Get a job in the industry in order to afford your habit!
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Yoga, fitness, international travel, biking and sailing.
What would be your personal motto?	Be kind to yourself and others.
Name three words that describe you.	Achiever; Fun; Active
Who is someone you admire, and why?	My husband – intelligent; kind and giving.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	An Adaptive Physical Education Teacher – and I fulfilled that dream!
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Finish building the STRIDE Adaptive Community Center and Gym headquarters in NY.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	Transition of leadership for STRIDE, so I can retire.

Erik Barnes

Alpine Examiner Alpine Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Ragged Mountain Resort NH

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I started my career as a frontline Ski Instructor and worked my way up to become a General Manager
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Perseverance, goals we set are not always obtained instantly. Things take time, commitment and effort. If we always remember we are in a learning environment whether leading a project or participant in it. Our goals will be achieved.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	It was my first experience within PSIA at ProJam. Five days on snow, skiing with a clinician that was all about skiing. The information shared was pointed and minimal, but the time skiing was infinite.

Not Available

David Capron

Telemark + Alpine Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine Dev Team Coach

Christopher Ericson

Alpine Examiner Alpine Certification Committee ChairAlpine Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Belleayre NY

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	At one point or another, all of my children have been Snowsports Instructors and at one time, we had three generations of instructors at Belleayre at the same time.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I plan for disasters, literally.
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	I am the Director of Training and Instructor for Belleayre Mountain, work as a Trainer for SNOW Operating coaching staff on Terrain Based Learning and work for the Westchester County Department of Health year-round as a Deputy Commissioner.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	As a child, first experiences sliding on the snow were at Fahnestock Ski Area, which is right off the Taconic State Parkway. About 200 vertical feet.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Teaching SkiWee at Belleayre Mountain in 1987.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Active listening to your client and reading their body language. The lesson is not about you.
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Show people how to have fun in the winter playground and to feel safe.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Fishing, hiking, spending time with the family

Peter Howard

Alpine Examiner Eastern Board Chair/PresidentAlpine Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Sugarloaf ME

About Me | Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	Musician
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski instructor/snow maker
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Zermatt
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Ocean sailing on multihulls
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Winston Churchill

Bonnie Kolber

Snowboard + Children’s Examiner AASI + Alpine Steering CommitteeACE Team Coach

Show Notes

Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	Most people don’t know I make giant puppets and masks for pageants and parades. I used to be a stilt-dancer for the Bread and Puppet Theater!
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Outside the snowsports industry, I have a homestead and keep goats, chickens, and honeybees. I also have a gardening business and run summer arts and outdoor adventure camps for children around northern Vermont. Within the snowsports industry – I am a Snowboard Instructor and Staff Trainer at both Stowe & Jay Peak. I am also an AASI Examiner and the Coach of the ACE Team.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	I was 22 when I learned to snowboard at Sugarbush the first winter I moved to Vermont. I grew up in Miami and went to college outside of Chicago so never had an opportunity before that! It was the year of the big Ice Storm in Vermont. I was working as a cocktail waitress so I got free lessons and $1 rentals, and I remember the instructor telling me if I could learn in these conditions I’d be able to ride anything. At the time I didn’t know what he meant, but in retrospect I recall being able to see the grass through the “snow”. Bulletproof was the word of the season.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	One of my favorite memories is teaching the kid of a ski racer family to snowboard; they literally dropped him off by the scruff of his neck and said “he’s all yours.” After years of fun in the snow, reading maps, making tracks in the woods and digging ourselves out of deep powder together, they told me he’s a different kid than before he started snowboarding, so much kinder and happier. That’s my favorite thing, not just teaching a sport, but sharing a way to make life more enjoyable.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Pretty much anywhere with some pitch on a powder day!
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Apprentice yourself to the people who inspire you. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are and are not capable of. Pursue your dreams. Be patient. Stay humble.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	paddleboarding, hiking, gardening, reading, mountain biking
Name three words that describe you.	Creative Fun Perceptive
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	When I was a child, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I knew I wanted to be happy. I also knew I loved teaching. I feel very lucky to have been able to follow my heart and find a wonderful career teaching snowsports!

Sue Kramer

Alpine + Children’s Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine Examiner Coach

Home Resort/School Bromley Outing Club VT

About Me

Keri Reid

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Education and Programs Alpine Steering Committee Chair, AASI + Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School Okemo VT

About Me | Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am bilingual, French/English
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, mountain biking, running (after my two children), good food in good company, and creating art.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Junior Ski Instructor, age 14 at Ski La Reserve in St-Donat Quebec.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Keep stepping out of your comfort zone, that’s where the growth happens.

Angelo Ross

Alpine + Children’s Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeEducation Committee Chair

Home Resort/School Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain PA

About Me

Robert Shostek

Alpine Examiner Alpine Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Elk Mountain PA

About Me

Troy Walsh

Alpine Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine ATP Coach

Home Resort/School Sunday River ME

Show Notes

What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Parking lot attendant and lift operator, at Lost Valley. Auburn Maine.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	A day in Australia, we skied in the morning then went fishing in the afternoon. Skiing, kangaroos and big brook trout!
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Snowbird is a special place. I also really enjoyed the times I visited Austria.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Most anything outside. Hunting, fishing hanging out with my dogs.

Not Available

Joan Heaton

Area Rep Coordinator

Tina Buckley

Children’s Examiner Alpine ExaminerEducation Committee Member

Home Resort/School Blue Mountain PA

Show Notes

What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Training Supervisor (Ski) in Winter, Adventure Park and Team Building Supervisor in Summer at Blue, Trainer for Snow Operating all year round. PSIA/AASI ACE and Development Team, PSIA/AASI Education committee member
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany at the age of 3
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski Instructor at a local Ski School in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. After going through an intense ITC in German, my first lesson was a semi-private beginner lesson for two Irish men, taught in English.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Learning never stops and if it does not challenge you, it will not change you.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Making the Development Team last season, alongside my fellow ACE’s Mark and Maureen. It is so much sweeter when you walk that road together.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Biking, Paddle Boarding, swimming and hiking with my dog.
What would be your personal motto?	Give every day the chance to become your best one!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	I wanted to become a Highschool teacher for English and Phys Ed.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Continue what I started last season and work towards becoming an examiner

Chris Dayton

Alpine Examiner Education Committee Member

About Me

Not Available

Dick Fox

Brian McVicker

Alpine Examiner Education Committee Member

Home Resort/School Liberty Mountain PA

About Me | Show Notes

Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	Helped Build the largest flying trapeze school in the nation and worked in that industry teaching and training for over 20 years.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am a live load aerial rigger. (Safely and accurately helping aerial artists to hang from different spaces and structures) I play a mean air guitar
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Handyman, repair, construction. Business Coach. Personal Trainer. Rigging inspector for Aerial Arts facilities.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Mt Baker in Washington state. 1980.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski School Sign Dork, and Children’s instructor.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	You never know who’s watching or who you may inspire, so act accordingly.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Getting to ski the continental divide, by the light of the full moon, in the trees from midnight to 5am, in a foot of fresh snow with 8 of my fellow instructors one of which was my little brother.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Copper Mountain Colorado
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Stay involved with PSIA and continue as long as you can. Being a ski instructor is the best job on the planet, and the longer that you do it, the more you realize, just how amazing life can be. The friends you make and the people you help are endless.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, Mt. Biking, fly fishing, photography and kayaking.
What would be your personal motto?	Be Kind and enjoy the journey, for it IS the destination.
Name three words that describe you.	Dedicated, Solutionist, Goofy.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	Astronaut or storm chaser.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Finish writing a book
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	Find the next path for me to leave the world better than I found it.

Thomas Mulligan

Snowboard Examiner Education Committee Member

Home Resort/School Sugarbush, Bolton, Okemo VT

Show Notes

Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	That I enjoy working!
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I can play the tuba
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	In both winter and summer I am a carpenter, along being an instructor and trainer. In the summer I will raft guide a few weekends during the summer.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Behind my elementary school was where I first got to try snowboarding with my friends. Our Focus was hitting a jump we built ourselves.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	My first job was volunteering and being an instructors apprentice. My first paying job in the snowsports industry was a tubing attendant pushing people down the hill.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	My most valuable lesson learned is to stick with it and keep trying. Whether it happened to be a lesson that didn’t go well or being unsuccessful at a certification or try out.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	My favorite memory is the multiple adventures at the end of the work day with friends whether it was a session, multiple laps or getting lost in the woods.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Sugarbush or somewhere with transition features
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Keep it fun! It will keep it enjoyable and good things will come out of it
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	When I am not on snow, I enjoy working and building stuff, Mountain biking occasionally, whitewater kayaking and rafting.
What would be your personal motto?	Work smart work harder
Name three words that describe you.	funny, easy going, nerd
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Mr Brian Donovan, he was a great roommate, super fun, and funny. The amount of work he can do and still have a lot of fun is inspiring and impressive.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	I wanted to be a firefighter and drive the trucks.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Get to Snowboard in a few more states, try cross country skiing, and tele. Get confidence on a mountain bike and skateboard
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	Snowboard in the Midwest, Buy another House, Snowboard in all the eastern division states.

Jay Nation

Telemark Examiner Education Committee MemberNordic Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Winter Park, CO and 7 Springs PA

About Me

Not Available

Danielle Needle

Snowboard Examiner Education Committee Member

Keri Reid

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Education and Programs Alpine Steering Committee Chair, AASI + Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School Okemo VT

About Me | Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am bilingual, French/English
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, mountain biking, running (after my two children), good food in good company, and creating art.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Junior Ski Instructor, age 14 at Ski La Reserve in St-Donat Quebec.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Keep stepping out of your comfort zone, that’s where the growth happens.

Angelo Ross

Alpine + Children’s Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeEducation Committee Chair

Home Resort/School Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain PA

About Me

Ali Spaulding

Alpine Examiner Education Committee Member

Show Notes

If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	What you think will be one year teaching snow sports, will actually turn into a lifetime.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, boating.
Name three words that describe you.	I’m known for my laugh, having fun and 99% of the time I have a smile on my face.

Mickey Sullivan

Alpine Examiner Education Committee Member

Home Resort/School Hunt Hollow NY

About Me | Show Notes

Not Available

Austin Young

Adaptive + Alpine Examiner Education Committee Member

Not Available

Emily Absalom

Not Available

Jason Baron

NextCore Action Committee

Not Available

James Billingslea

NextCore Action Committee

Not Available

Hazza Block

NextCore Action Committee

Not Available

Brandon Bock

NextCore Action Committee

Not Available

Tom Buchok

NextCore Action Committee

Stephen Gover

Eastern Board Secretary NextCore Action Committee

Home Resort/School Okemo Mountain Resort PA

Show Notes

Not Available

Troy Maby

NextCore Action Committee

Not Available

Finbarr O’Connor

NextCore Action Committee

Shannon Rucker

Eastern Board Treasurer & Audit/Investment Chair NextCore Action Committee

Home Resort/School Liberty/Mount Snow PA/VT

About Me

Not Available

Max Tiffen

NextCore Action Committee

Stephanie Zimmers

NextCore Action Committee

Show Notes

Karen Dalury

Telemark Examiner Nordic Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Killington VT

Show Notes

Not Available

Mike Innes

Cross Country Examiner + Coach Nordic Steering Committee

Jay Nation

Telemark Examiner Education Committee MemberNordic Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Winter Park, CO and 7 Springs PA

About Me

Shawn Riggle

Telemark Examiner Nordic Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Timberline Mountain WV

About Me | Show Notes

Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	As a child, I learned to cross-country and alpine ski in Minnesota.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	My first job was a ski instructor at Timberline Mountain in 1990.

Keith Rodney

Telemark + Alpine + Children’s Examiner Nordic Steering Committee + TM CoachTelemark National Team member

Home Resort/School Mount Snow VT

Show Notes

Not Available

Mickey Stone

Telemark + Cross Country + Children’s Examiner Nordic CoordinatorNordic Steering Committee Chair

Hal Westwood

Cross Country Examiner Nordic Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Notchview MA

About Me

Kathleen Brennan

PSIA-AASI Eastern CEO PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Resort Address Waterville Valley NH

About Me | Show Notes

Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Blandford Ski Area
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski Instructor
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	People skills developed as a snowsports instructor are vital to success no matter where your career takes you.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Golf, cycling, and gardening.
What would be your personal motto?	If a task is once begun never leave it ’til it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.

Not Available

Evonne Cho

Philanthropy Committee

Not Available

Deborah Collins

Philanthropy Committee

Not Available

Howard Foltz

Philanthropy Committee

Not Available

Nicole Gakidkis

Philanthropy Committee

Not Available

Elizabeth Limerick

Philanthropy Committee Chair

Not Available

Caroline Linz

Philanthropy Committee

Not Available

Joel Richards

Philanthropy Committee

Not Available

Sherman White

Philanthropy Committee

Jodi Bedson

PSIA-AASI Eastern Operations Director PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Kathleen Brennan

PSIA-AASI Eastern CEO PSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Resort Address Waterville Valley NH

About Me | Show Notes

Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Blandford Ski Area
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Ski Instructor
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	People skills developed as a snowsports instructor are vital to success no matter where your career takes you.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Golf, cycling, and gardening.
What would be your personal motto?	If a task is once begun never leave it ’til it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.

Not Available

Alan Kinney

Scholarship Committee

Not Available

Stephen McGrath

Scholarship Committee

Not Available

Rebecca Shiffman

Scholarship Committee

Emily Spiker

Scholarship Committee Eastern Board Member

Home Resort/School Whitetail Resort VA

About Me

Not Available

Alexandra Wallace

Not Available

Melanie Werenczak

Mark Absalom

Alpine Examiner Snowsports Management Committee

Home Resort/School Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mtn. PA

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I was lucky enough to run my first Ski School when I was just 20 years old as a senior in College. It was my internship!
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I have had the pleasure of running five ski schools in Pennsylvania in my career.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Timber Hill PA– Two T Bars and a Poma lift!
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	There’s always room to improve, both skiing and teaching.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	There are too many. However, I knew I was hooked when one spring day we stopped on the side of a winding trail to take in the scenery and enjoy some delicious wine and cheese with my fellow instructors.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Tennis, Golf, Sailing, Swimming, Pickle ball, travel, playing any sport with my family and friends.
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Mike Porter. Met him at a National Academy when it went to Austria. He took a bunch of ragtag skiers and introduced us to the true meaning of off-piste! He made everyone better in the group and made it look easy.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Get FS1certified.

Not Available

Ross Boisvert

Eastern Board Past Chair Snowsports Management Committee

Joey Carey

Alpine Examiner Snowsports Management Committee

Home Resort/School Sugarbush VT

About Me | Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I went viral on tiktok with 1m views talking about Gnar.
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	I work at the resort full time. Outside of skiing, I’m involved in the regional outdoor recreation development for the Mad River Valley, active master planning for our bike park at the resort, and collaborating with supporting departments link rentals and mountain operations to improve our winter product experience.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	I started skiing as a baby with my parents at Pats Peak. I started teaching there when I turned 15.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Humility and people skills are more important than hot feet.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Too many favorites to list –
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Snowbird
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	The wise man considers 90% of the journey half way.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Mountain Biking Sailing Hiking Camping Doggo time
What would be your personal motto?	One more run.
Name three words that describe you.	Really good time
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	A Ski School Director

Not Available

Lisa Dutto

Snowsports Management Committee

Greg Fatigate

Snowboard + Children’s Examiner Snowboard Examiner CoachSnowsports Management Committee

Home Resort/School Smugglers’ Notch Resort VT

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I had a stage acting stint in college, and I’m very accurate throwing a snowball
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	Ametuer karaoke performer, snow cat operator, hobby homesteader
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Independent business owner: Rabbit tracks trail works. Training manager, Smugglers Notch Resort
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Woodbury ski area, Woodbury Ct
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Instructor, Mohawk Mtn Ct
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Meet people physically and mentally where they are at
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	AASI National team tryouts, 2016 & 2021
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Where ever I am
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Making this a career is possible, but also tricky. It’s worth it
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, gardening,
What would be your personal motto?	Send it
Name three words that describe you.	Ask. Someone. Else
Who is someone you admire, and why?	My Wife Shawna. She can teach anyone
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	Baseball player
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Continue to learn
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	Continue to learn

Not Available

Dan Hogan

Snowsports Management Committee

Joe Hurley

Adaptive Clinic Leader Snowsports Management Committee

Home Resort/School Mount Snow VT

Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I was a master tech working on automobiles for 28 years. I held masters in Chrysler, Ford, Chevy Old’s, VW as well as ASE
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	The first place that I skied was a little place called Prospect Mount just our side of my town.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	I volunteered at an adaptive program at Ascutney Mountain.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned is to always be ready to learn from your experiences and adapt your teaching style to any lesson that you do.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	Working with some of the veterans that have given so much of themselves. Seeing them accomplish the beginner terrain.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Any place that has snow and where ever I am.
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Never stop learning. Keep adding to the tool box of tricks and let your inner child come out when teaching.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	I enjoy cycling, golf, camping
What would be your personal motto?	That there are no Limits to what I can accomplish
Who is someone you admire, and why?	Kathy Chandler for all that she has done for the Adaptive community.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	I hope to finish up my level three alpine and continue on track to become an examiner.
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	To be able to continue sharing some knowledge hope to bring new people into the sport.

Keri Reid

PSIA-AASI Eastern Director of Education and Programs Alpine Steering Committee Chair, AASI + Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School Okemo VT

About Me | Show Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	I am bilingual, French/English
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Hiking, mountain biking, running (after my two children), good food in good company, and creating art.
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Junior Ski Instructor, age 14 at Ski La Reserve in St-Donat Quebec.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Keep stepping out of your comfort zone, that’s where the growth happens.

Gail Setlock

Alpine Examiner Snowsports Management Committee Chair

Home Resort/School Gore Mountain NY

About Me

Melissa Skinner

PSIA-AASI Eastern Education and Member Services AASI & Adaptive Steering Committee, Ex-OfficioPSIA-AASI Eastern Office

Home Resort/School AR

Show Notes

Not Available

Michael Yocum

Snowsports Management Committee

Todd Ainsworth

Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering CommitteeSnowboard Teams Coach

Home Resort/School Vail, CO VT

About Me | Show Notes

Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Perisher Blue, Australia

Not Available

David Capron

Telemark + Alpine Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine Dev Team Coach

Greg Fatigate

Snowboard + Children’s Examiner Snowboard Examiner CoachSnowsports Management Committee

Home Resort/School Smugglers’ Notch Resort VT

Show Notes

What is an interesting fact about you?	I had a stage acting stint in college, and I’m very accurate throwing a snowball
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	Ametuer karaoke performer, snow cat operator, hobby homesteader
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Independent business owner: Rabbit tracks trail works. Training manager, Smugglers Notch Resort
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	Woodbury ski area, Woodbury Ct
What was your first job in the snowsports industry?	Instructor, Mohawk Mtn Ct
What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career?	Meet people physically and mentally where they are at
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	AASI National team tryouts, 2016 & 2021
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Where ever I am
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Making this a career is possible, but also tricky. It’s worth it
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, gardening,
What would be your personal motto?	Send it
Name three words that describe you.	Ask. Someone. Else
Who is someone you admire, and why?	My Wife Shawna. She can teach anyone
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	Baseball player
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year?	Continue to learn
What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years?	Continue to learn

Not Available

Jimmer Hayes

Adaptive Examiner Alpine Dev TeamAdaptive Ed Staff Coach, Adaptive Steering Committee

Home Resort/School Gore Mountain NY

Show Notes

Not Available

Mike Innes

Cross Country Examiner + Coach Nordic Steering Committee

Bonnie Kolber

Snowboard + Children’s Examiner AASI + Alpine Steering CommitteeACE Team Coach

Show Notes

Notes

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?	Most people don’t know I make giant puppets and masks for pageants and parades. I used to be a stilt-dancer for the Bread and Puppet Theater!
What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer?	Outside the snowsports industry, I have a homestead and keep goats, chickens, and honeybees. I also have a gardening business and run summer arts and outdoor adventure camps for children around northern Vermont. Within the snowsports industry – I am a Snowboard Instructor and Staff Trainer at both Stowe & Jay Peak. I am also an AASI Examiner and the Coach of the ACE Team.
Where is the first place you participated in snowsports?	I was 22 when I learned to snowboard at Sugarbush the first winter I moved to Vermont. I grew up in Miami and went to college outside of Chicago so never had an opportunity before that! It was the year of the big Ice Storm in Vermont. I was working as a cocktail waitress so I got free lessons and $1 rentals, and I remember the instructor telling me if I could learn in these conditions I’d be able to ride anything. At the time I didn’t know what he meant, but in retrospect I recall being able to see the grass through the “snow”. Bulletproof was the word of the season.
What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far?	One of my favorite memories is teaching the kid of a ski racer family to snowboard; they literally dropped him off by the scruff of his neck and said “he’s all yours.” After years of fun in the snow, reading maps, making tracks in the woods and digging ourselves out of deep powder together, they told me he’s a different kid than before he started snowboarding, so much kinder and happier. That’s my favorite thing, not just teaching a sport, but sharing a way to make life more enjoyable.
Where is your favorite place to ski or ride?	Pretty much anywhere with some pitch on a powder day!
If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be?	Apprentice yourself to the people who inspire you. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are and are not capable of. Pursue your dreams. Be patient. Stay humble.
What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow?	paddleboarding, hiking, gardening, reading, mountain biking
Name three words that describe you.	Creative Fun Perceptive
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?	When I was a child, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I knew I wanted to be happy. I also knew I loved teaching. I feel very lucky to have been able to follow my heart and find a wonderful career teaching snowsports!

Sue Kramer

Alpine + Children’s Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine Examiner Coach

Home Resort/School Bromley Outing Club VT

About Me

Keith Rodney

Telemark + Alpine + Children’s Examiner Nordic Steering Committee + TM CoachTelemark National Team member

Home Resort/School Mount Snow VT

Show Notes

Troy Walsh

Alpine Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeAlpine ATP Coach

Home Resort/School Sunday River ME

Show Notes