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.
- Adaptive Education Team
- Alpine Education Team
- Children’s Education Team
- Cross Country Education Team
- Snowboard Education Team
- Telemark Education Team
Yuri Czmola
Adaptive Dev TeamAbout Me
A former New York native, Yuri joins PSIA as the Assistant Ski Program Director of the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. He has worked with various organizations across the nation, including Mount Snow and Vail Adaptive, teaching students and instructors from all walks of life. With a strong passion for diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity, Yuri is dedicated to championing equal participation opportunities for all individuals.
Lindsey Harris
Adaptive ExaminerAbout Me
I joke that I went to physical therapy school to become a better ski instructor but after falling in love with coaching skiing in college, I knew that teaching skiing was always going to be a part of my life. After spending 7 years coaching alpine and adaptive skiing at Liberty Mountain, I now teach for Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports and Killington Resort. I love spending time outside in the mountains so when I am not skiing, I am adventuring with my family, coaching mountain biking, or trail running with my dogs.
Jimmer Hayes
Adaptive Examiner Alpine Dev TeamAdaptive Ed Staff Coach, Adaptive Steering CommitteeNotes
| 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. |
Joe Hurley
Adaptive Clinic Leader Snowsports Management CommitteeNotes
| 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. |
Michael Ma
Adaptive Examiner, Adaptive Steering Committee Snowboard Dev TeamNotes
| 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. |
Dan McIntyre
Adaptive Clinic LeaderAbout Me
For me, coaching skiing has always been more like a way of life than a career. I love adaptive sports and I want to give back to this community. I started coaching in 1999 when I was a college sophomore. I didn’t know too much about teaching skiing then, but it felt like magic happened every time I was out on the mountain. I’ve been on snow every season since. I joined the Adaptive Education Staff in 2015 because I felt some serious love at a Level 1 exam in Sunday River circa 2003 and I have been trying to pay it forward ever since!
Ed Meltzer
Adaptive Examiner Adaptive CoordinatorAdaptive Steering Committee ChairAbout 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. |
David Micalizzi
Adaptive ExaminerAbout Me
Dave is a tenured leader at New England Disabled Sports with 20 years of experience. He’s been a coach, board member and technical director for the program. The past 10 years Dave has been an active member of the Adaptive educational staff and is a full examiner. He has been a long time entrepreneur and high tech executive working for Amazon the past 6 years. When the snow melts he breaks out the golf clubs and one of his bikes to keep busy.
Norm Staunton
Adaptive Examiner Adaptive Steering CommitteeAbout Me
Norm has spent a career in adaptive and adventure sports, including 17 seasons in various roles at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, 4 seasons at what is now NEDS at Loon, and countless other adventures. Norm has 30 years in variety of non-profit and adventure industry executive positions around Vermont and the world. He attended the Master’s Program in Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire where he focused his research on adventure with people with disabilities. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Vermont, where he focused on sustainability and nonprofit management. In his spare time, Norm is an avid skier, sailor, surfer, paddler, fisherman, and outdoor instructor. He makes his home in South Burlington where he lives with his wife, Jenn; his son (and soon to be skier) Charley; and their two Labs, Rudder and Tugboat; and spends as much time on the lakes, waterways, coast, and in the mountains as he can. Originally from Rhode Island, he now considers Vermont home and Southport, Maine, to be his home away from home. Norm is a member of the PSIA-AASI Eastern Region Adaptive Education Staff and is an Instructor Trainer Candidate in Adaptive Paddling, Advanced Communications and Kayak Touring with the American Canoe Association. Norm is an International Surfing Association trainer for Adaptive Surfing through AMP Surf and instructor certifications and adaptive accreditations in alpine, telemark, snowboard, children’s, kayaking, SUP, surfing, sailing, Stop-the-Bleed, and CPR & First Aid.
Mary Ellen Whitney
Adaptive Clinic Leader Adaptive Steering CommitteeNotes
| 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. |
Dara Aber-Ferri
Children’s Examiner Alpine Dev TeamAbout Me
Dara grew up hiking, biking and skiing with her family in the Shawangunk Mountains. She enjoys backpacking and has recently completed a through hike of Vermont’s Long Trail. She likes to work in fields where she can share her passion for the outdoors with others. Dara loves winter and to ski, preferably in the woods, and teach in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Mark Absalom
Alpine Examiner Snowsports Management CommitteeNotes
| 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. |
Mark Aiken
Children’s Examiner Alpine Dev TeamAbout Me
Mark Aiken’s growing snowsports resume includes Eastern region Alpine Development team, ACE (Advanced Children’s Educator) team, Alpine L3, FS1, Snowboard L1, Telemark L1, and XC L1. An award-winning freelance writer, Mark co-wrote Teaching Children Snowsports and contributes regularly to 32 Degrees magazine along with many other publications.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | In addition to serving as an educational staff member, Mark is a professional writer. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | The first fairway at the Burlington Country Club golf course. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | The Vermont backcountry |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Professional hockey player |
Eric Anderson
Alpine ExaminerAbout Me
I am the Snow Sports School Director and Manager of the Recirculating Whitewater Course at Wisp Resort, located in western Maryland.
I am the husband to my wife of 20 years, Amy Anderson and father of two teenage daughters Ashlynn and Ava Anderson.
Aside from snow sports, my interest and pastimes include, cycling (road, gravel, and mountain), water sports (waterskiing, stand up paddling, and swimming), running, hiking, family camping, archery, and hunting.
I also enjoy volunteering as a coach for the local NICA Team (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) and serving as a board member for the local Snow Sports Team.
Notes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Angel Fire Resort New Mexico at age 5 |
|---|---|
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Ski Instructor at age 16 |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Money isn’t everything : ) |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Sooo many great times. I can’t chose a Favorite |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Anywhere the ground is white and the skies are blue |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Spend time with individuals that are better at there jobs than you. Watch, listen, learn, and apply |
| What would be your personal motto? | Make yourself uncomfortable at least once a day. Do hard things. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Adventurous, Active, and Reserved |
Terrence Barbour
Alpine ExaminerNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Skiing is my primary passion and mountain biking is next. I love motocross but it’s very risky and expensive |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I’m a builder, mechanic, and a Mr Fix- it. I always try to fix things before I buy something new |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’m a builder in the Spring, Summer, Fall Winter I’m a passionate skier, trainer, Examiner |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Powder Mill Park Pittsford NY |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Ski instructor at Greek Peak International Ski School |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Be passionate be sincere be caring be patient Keep yourself healthy |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Snowbird Utah late April |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Better skiing/riding and teaching is a lifelong journey where you can constantly grow and learn with the right attitude |
| What would be your personal motto? | Be kind be helpful |
| Name three words that describe you. | Determined Adventurous Helpful |
Erik Barnes
Alpine Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeNotes
| 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. |
Mermer Blakeslee
Alpine ExaminerNotes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I’m a fanatical ornamental gardener. I write fiction (novels, short stories) and poetry. |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Windham Mountain, NY, my home mountain, which was called in 1960, Cave Mountain. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | That learning is more rewarding than knowing. |
| What would be your personal motto? | “Let the beauty you love be what you do.” Rumi |
Brandon Bock
Alpine Dev Team NextCore Action CommitteeNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Grew up in southwest PA, got bit by the ski instruction bug while attending University of Pittsburgh, got my L3 while working at a small mountain standing (generously) at 460′ of vert before moving to VT in pursuit of this ski thing! |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I work as the Lead Alpine Trainer for Okemo where I get to organize the Okemo Tech Talk webinar series and help develop educational content year-round. Outside of the ski world, I work as a Software Engineer. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My parents backyard at 18 months old before eventually graduating to the beginner slopes at Seven Springs, PA. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I started working as a ski instructor at Hidden Valley Resort (PA) in 2013 before eventually becoming the children’s supervisor in my second season. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Learning to appreciate the journey and the pursuit of just getting a little better each day. While goals may guide the journey, stressing about achieving those grand outcomes can be overwhelming. Focusing your energy into the micro-steps you can take each day will not only ultimately help you achieve those outcomes, but can help give you purpose to your day. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Anywhere there’s something white (I’ll even settle for off-white) to slide on! I spend a lot of time at Killington when I’m away from Okemo but I’ve been becoming increasingly fond of Big Sky. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | The difference between those who achieve high-reaching goals and those who do not is often not a matter of natural talent or having the confidence to do so. The difference comes down to who is brave enough to keep putting one foot in front of the other while putting themselves out there in spite of not having those qualities. Almost all of us have that voice of doubt in the back of our minds. Keep marching forward. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mountain biking, climbing, hiking, camping, and continuing to nerd out about skiing all summer long. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Anyone who puts in the work to get better, no matter where they currently are on their journey. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Video game developer/designer. |
Jeb Boyd
Alpine Examiner EmeritusAbout Me
Jeb is an Alpine Examiner in the Eastern Division and currently serving as the National Team Head Coach. He has served in many roles within the Eastern Division including Steering Committee, Examiner Coach and Education Staff Trainer. He is eager to share his expertise with our membership, helping them succeed to achieve growth in the snowsports industry.
Kathleen Brennan
PSIA-AASI Eastern CEO PSIA-AASI Eastern OfficeAbout Me
In October 2021 I stepped into my dream job as CEO of PSIA-AASI Eastern Region. The culmination of a life-long passion for snowsports, an early career in financial services and consulting, and a later career in seasonal business, this job was tailormade for me, and I’m loving every minute of it. I hope to connect with you as I travel around to understand how we may better serve our membership.
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. |
Dara Aber-Ferri
Children’s Examiner Alpine Dev TeamAbout Me
Dara grew up hiking, biking and skiing with her family in the Shawangunk Mountains. She enjoys backpacking and has recently completed a through hike of Vermont’s Long Trail. She likes to work in fields where she can share her passion for the outdoors with others. Dara loves winter and to ski, preferably in the woods, and teach in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Mark Aiken
Children’s Examiner Alpine Dev TeamAbout Me
Mark Aiken’s growing snowsports resume includes Eastern region Alpine Development team, ACE (Advanced Children’s Educator) team, Alpine L3, FS1, Snowboard L1, Telemark L1, and XC L1. An award-winning freelance writer, Mark co-wrote Teaching Children Snowsports and contributes regularly to 32 Degrees magazine along with many other publications.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | In addition to serving as an educational staff member, Mark is a professional writer. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | The first fairway at the Burlington Country Club golf course. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | The Vermont backcountry |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Professional hockey player |
Tina Buckley
Children’s Examiner Alpine ExaminerEducation Committee MemberNotes
| 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 |
MaryLu Cianciolo
Children’s Dev TeamAbout Me
I have been a member of PSIA-AASI for 30 years. I previously worked at Wilmot Mt. in Wisconsin where I held the position of assistant childrens director, U10 race coach and trainer for both the childrens and adult ski school. Most recently I have been the director at Chicago Snow Studio, an indoor dry slope. I was honored to be part of the PSIA-AASI Central Education staff from 2011-2024 focusing on providing the best childrens education to the membership. I have been on the PSIA-AASI National Children’s Taskforce since 2016 and as the current co- chair working on committees to create the current Children standards and the supporting materials for evaluations and the membership.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I have skied 82 different areas in the US, 6 in Canada, two in Chile, one is Bulgaria, France and Finland. I work to add a few every season. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I can winterize my RV by myself in less than 30 minutes. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Immigration Lawyer – Yes I can help you get that 90 day fiancé, but do mostly business immigration. Franchise Business owner of Great Clips Hair Salons |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Through Snowstar Ski Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin when I was 10. I checked a book out of the library and taught myself the basics before my first lesson. I guess that foreshadowed that I would own an indoor dry slope. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Instructor and adult race coach at Wilmot Mountain Wisconsin. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | All of us come from different backgrounds, but we can have civil conversations with anyone on lifts because we all share the love of snowsports. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | I organized a snowsports trip for my daughters synchronized skating team after the last competition. At the end of the day, one of the dads came to me crying. He was one of those beer league, 60 day a season skiers. He always imagined how he and his daughter could ski together on weekends and trips, but his daughter at that time 10 or 11 had a few lessons but did not take to the sport. On this day she was able to spend time with her teammates and it clicked how great this sport can be and asked him when they go go again. He was the happiest dad. I will always remember this day. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Whiteface, but Levi Finland at the 2023 Interski was the best snow I ever skied. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Have a day job that is flexible enough to allow you to have this career. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Camping Going to auto races |
| What would be your personal motto? | Skiing fixes everything |
| Name three words that describe you. | Tenacious, diplomatic, applauder |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Dolly Parton. No celebrity has gone from poverty to do more first by creating the Pigeon Forge vacation area to create jobs for her community and now with youth programs to help youth nationwide. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Lawyer |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Transition from being a helicopter mom to an empty nester without tears |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Visit and slide at 100 more resorts. |
Benjamin Craig
Children’s ExaminerNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I grew up in Ohio and I’ve coached 3 different sports at the college level. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I can wiggle my lips/nose like a rabbit. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’m a staff trainer at Catamount in MA/NY, & Magic in Vermont. Outside of snowsports, I’m a sales manager working for MGM at the MassMutual Convention Center & Arena in Springfield Massachusetts. I focus primarily on sporting events such as boxing, curling (yes that curling from the Olympics), cheerleading, dance, mma, volleyball, basketball etc. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Brandywine, Ohio |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Instructor at Alpine Valley, Ohio |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | This is supposed to be fun, remember this isn’t curing cancer so make sure it’s fun for you and your guests. We are getting the opportunity to do something most people in the snowsports industry or any industry would love to be able to do, so have fun with it. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | I have 2, getting to be on the chair alone with my kids when they first when up the chairlift, the excitement was awesome. The other was the look on my dad’s face when I surprised him with a new pair of skis, he didn’t really know what to do when the kid who he was buying toys for all my life turned the tables on him. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | The place I’m at the day, I really just love being on the hill. I do have particular love for Dartmouth Skiway, Mt Snow, and Alpine Valley (OH). |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | If you love this and really want to make a career in snowsports, treat yourself and the job like a professional. Get the certifications, stay late for the tech talks with the trainers (trust me we love to talk with new instructors), go home early from the social stuff and get on the hill early in the morning on your day off. Go to as many training sessions as you can, be the one at lineup ready to work! Don’t give up because it’s hard and know you may have to move to keep moving forward (I moved from Ohio to Vermont). Most of all keep the passion, and have fun. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I love coaching my son’s little league baseball, watching my daughter run cross country, racing sailboats and golfing. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Loyal, Passionate, Kind |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Keith Rodney, he is so passionate, and has worked so incredibly hard for so long with so many setbacks to make the Tele National Team. His passion for the sport is undeniable and I can’t even venture to count the hours we have spent in tech talks over the years. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | My mom found this recently from a stack of old school papers while cleaning out the basement and I’m told it was Businessman, skier, football player for the Cleveland Browns. |
Maureen Drummey
Children’s Examiner Alpine ExaminerNotes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | I learned how to ski on a small bump in Northern New Jersey called Craigmeur Ski Area. It was just up the street and we skied every day after school. |
|---|---|
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job in the snowsports industry was as a ski instructor. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in my snowsports career is to have fun and enjoy the great outdoors. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My favorite memory from my career so far was teaching 5 women and every single one was from a different country. We had so much fun doing silly activities that enhanced their skills teaching them how to ski and enjoy the mountain. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | My favorite place to ski is Snowbird, Utah. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Career advice I would give to a younger person working in snowsports, is enjoy what you do and share your passion with others. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | When I am not on the snow, I enjoy boating with my friends and family, paddleboarding and hiking with my dogs. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | When I was a child, I wanted to be a marine biologist. |
Greg Fatigate
Snowboard + Children’s Examiner Snowboard Examiner CoachSnowsports Management CommitteeNotes
| 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 |
Jenni Hogan
Alpine Dev Team Children’s Development TeamNotes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am the Windham Mountain Kids Manager and I am lucky enough to work year round at Windham Mountain Club. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | I learned to to ski and and teach skiing at Otis Ridge in Otis, MA. It is a fantastic tiny ski area and a great place to learn. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I love being outside all year round. In the summer I love to hike and paddle board. When I ready to take a break, I bake and read. |
Bonnie Kolber
Snowboard + Children’s Examiner AASI + Alpine Steering CommitteeACE Team CoachNotes
| 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 CoachAbout Me
This will be my 37th winter in the snowsports industry and I’ve been a member since 1988. I still love to share this passion with others. It has taken me all over the world and after hundreds of thousands of turns, I am still seeking that perfect one!
Kerri Petrillose
Children’s ExaminerNotes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I work for Ford Motor Company, where I currently support the Dealer Wholesale Parts business Nationally. Within the snowsports industry, I am a Snowboard Staff trainer and teach a lot of privates to our smallest clients. |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | I learned to ski and snowboard at Greek Peak in Central New York. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I started as a Junior snowboard instructor at the Children’s Center at Greek Peak Mountain Resort but before to that I volunteered in their Adaptive center supporting our Mono and Bi-Ski clients |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Perseverance…not everything you are trying or attempting to learn will come easy or be successful on the first try. Failure is not a reason to stop trying to succeed. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My favorite memories all circle around the joy of the “ah-ha” moments of seeing a client finally piece things together; seeing the excitement of achievement. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | No one knows when you forget something, miss a step, or mess something up. Just keep moving forward and don’t stress. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | When I’m not on snow I fill my time with family, reading, and working on homemade vegan treats. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Headstrong, Motivated, Unique |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | When I was little I wanted to be a Teacher, to the extent that I played “school” with my little brother and assigned him “homework” from my leftover school workbooks much to his chagrin. |
James Polinchok
Alpine Examiner Children’s ExaminerAbout Me
Always seeking life’s next evolution…Life-long ski teacher and coach…Former head coach of the Penn State Ski Team…Currently the owner of/and Human Movement Specialist at Nittany Custom Fitness LLC…An Outdoor enthusiast, Dog Dad, and Fitness aficionado.
Keith Rodney
Telemark + Alpine + Children’s Examiner Nordic Steering Committee + TM CoachTelemark National Team memberNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I believe the best way to focus training is on becoming YOUR best self. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am firstly a telemark instructor, then a children’s instructor and lastly an alpine instructor. I would say that I am passionate about all of them. So really, I am an instructor who slides in many worlds. Off Season I build cabinets, furniture and do home restorations. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My first experience on snow is with the Nashoba Valley ski/ride area back in 1978 i believe. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job was with the Sugarbush resort on volunteer patrol in 1989. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My best memory to date is of Interski 2023 Levi Finland. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Best place to ski is with friend and family anywhere they want to play. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Get out and train as often as you can. The more education you have the better skilled you will be at your job and the more fund you can have even when working. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I send a lot of time on my SUP both for fun and relaxation and for competition. When I am not on my board paddling I work on staying as fit as possible by Biking (both road, mountain), in-line skating, Running, to name a few. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Keep moving forward! Never give up, you never know if the next time you will be successful. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I am hoping to make my second term on the PSIA-AASI National Team. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Continue with the National Team as long as I’m able. Become the discipline coach at the local or national level for PSIA-AASI. |
Angelo Ross
Alpine + Children’s Examiner Alpine Steering CommitteeEducation Committee ChairAbout Me
| Angelo Ross is an Alpine Examiner and Advanced Children’s Educator. He serves as Education Chair for the Eastern Region, and is a member of the Eastern Alpine Steering Committee and the National People Skills Task Force. Angelo grew up skiing at Seven Springs, PA, and is presently Snowsports Technical Director for Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain Resorts. He is also a member of the National Ski Patrol. |
Tim Shannon
Children’s Examiner Snowboard ExaminerNotes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Avid Surfer, Mountain Biker, and Stand Up Paddleboarder, and apparently pretty good with computer software systems. |
|---|---|
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Senior Manager of Snowsports and Youth Programs at the Hermitage Club, Part Time Raft with Zoar Outdoor, Trails Advocacy and Management Organization Volunteer with SoVTA. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Jack Frost Mtn, PA |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Instructor at Jack Frost, PA |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Learning occurs during your highest highs and your lowest lows, and sometimes the feed back you need most hurts to hear. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Rider Rally 2017, a late season snowstorm in April really intensified the excitement. I’ll never forget hiking to the top of A-Basin in the howling wind. National Team member Brennan Metzler lead the charge dropping in off the peak into a powder-filled chute. This trip was my first time out west since becoming an instructor and I was on a line that I only ever dreamt of riding. Sweetening the pot was getting to watch a group of friends, new and old, and from near and far absolutely rip some of the most amazing lines of my lifetime. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Anywhere there’s trees, rollers, steeps, or something funky to jib. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Explore, find people that have a similar passion as you, and don’t take for granted the terrain you have at home. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Don’t just do, seek to understand how and why. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | In elementary school I wanted to be a professional baseball player. A 0.0 batting average in middle school paints the picture for how that was going to turn out. I then set my goals on being a professional Snowboarder. Turns out, I don’t love the heat of competition. |
Mark Lacek
Telemark Examiner Cross Country ExaminerNotes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am a carpenter. I enjoy whitewater rafting. Recently, I have become interested in rustic furniture building. |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My Dad was on Ski Patrol at Royal Mountain in the Adirondacks, so my Mom, brother and sister Nd I spent a lot of time there. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Cross country ski instructor at Garnet Hill Lodge in the Adirondacks. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | If you find what you are doing to be enjoyable, those around you will be more likely to enjoy themselves too. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | These days, hiking and rowing. |
Hal Westwood
Cross Country ExaminerAbout Me
As a long time member of the Eastern Nordic Team Hal enjoys and teaches all forms of free heel skiing. In 2013 and 2015 Hal went with members of the eastern telemark team to Snowbird in Utah for Intertele linking up with telemark instructors from across the globe. In the spring of 2019 he traveled with team members Dale Rodgers, Randy French, and Mickey Stone to Norway for a six day hut to hut tour in the mountains of Trollheimen. Hal holds a masters degree in education and served as a public school teacher at the elementary level for twenty-seven years. As a member of the National Cross Country Task Force Hal works with PSIA staff from across the country helping to build a unified product for our membership. He currently teaches cross country at Notchview in Windsor and telemark at Berkshire East in Charlemont Massachusetts.
Todd Ainsworth
Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering CommitteeSnowboard Teams CoachAbout Me
I began teaching in Australia in 2005 and have taught in West Virginia, Vermont, Colorado, New Mexico and New Zealand since then. In the off season I spend my time as a commercial driver and traveling the world for fun. In my spare time during the season you can find me at any resort that has good steep pitch or a halfpipe. I’ll happily take a lap with anyone you just have to find me.
Notes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Perisher Blue, Australia |
|---|
Tony Bailey
Snowboard Examiner AASI Steering CommitteeNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I was a roadie for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones from 1996 to 2003. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I can hold my breath for 4 minutes. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I manage the bike park at Stratton in the summer and manage the non-competitive alpine seasonal programs in the winter. I also volunteer with the local high school as a mountain bike coach. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Snowboard Instructor at Plattekill on a really part-time basis during my senior year of college. I convinced my advisor to give me college credit for teaching and I got paid.
It was my first year as a full-time snowboard instructor at Bromley after I graduated college that really hooked me and I’ve been full-time in the industry ever since. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I had a stint as a professional hockey player in the early 90’s. I got a pretty bad injury and hung up the skates, went to law school, and put all my time and energy into winning cases. At one point I got in some trouble with the law and was given court-ordered community service where I had to coach a recreational peewee hockey team. I thought it was me who would be helping these kids but it turned out that they ended up helping me. We went from a ragtag group of misfits to winning the championship over the course of one season. We all learned how to fly together. |
| What would be your personal motto? | “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott |
Ian Boyle
Snowboard ExaminerNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I have lived in winter for more months of my life than any other season. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I sing and play guitar |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Downhill Bike Coach Roofing |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Mountain Creek, Vernon NJ |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Jr Instructor |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Patience is a Virtue |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Playing music, biking, socializing |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | An astronaut |
Toby Burrows
Snowboard ExaminerNotes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Skier Services Training Manager at Mount Snow during the winter and Lead Camp Counselor at Mount Snow Outdoor Exploration Camp during the summer. |
|---|---|
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Friends Backyard-thanks for the concussion Hazelet. The first resort I ever went to was Peekn’ Peak. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Part time Snowboard Instructor |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Knowledge comes with experience. Listen carefully and Learn from someone else’s experiences. It will help you get there faster. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Too many to pick just one: Friends making National Team, Friends making Ed Staff, students hitting their goals, many more to come. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Whatever trail my wife is on. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Take yourself seriously, but not too seriously. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Being Dad. Riding bikes, BMX and mtb. Skateboarding poorly. Following my kids through the woods on adventures. |
| What would be your personal motto? | When you forget the words, just sing louder!!! |
| Name three words that describe you. | Live, Love, Laugh. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Mark Marino- one of the friendliest, most genuine people I have ever met. Helped me at every step along my journey. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | BMX photographer. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I make a list of goals every season. Some are tricks some are clinic related. My goal is to hit those goals. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Shred the mountain with my wife and children. |
Shaun Cattanach
Snowboard ExaminerNotes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Winter Park, CO |
|---|---|
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Teaching snowboarding at Purgatory, CO |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Patience. Teaching people something new, especially back when the equipment was questionable forced me to be patient. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | One of them is training the first wave of snowboard instructors in China. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Japan, closely followed by interior British Columbia. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Do it for the passion because this career will not make you wealthy. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mountain biking and golf. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | J Randy Price. He was my first mentor in the industry and showed me what could be possible. |
Brian Donovan
Snowboard Examiner AASI CoordinatorAASI Steering CommitteeNotes
| 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 CommitteeAbout Me
I have been snowboarding since 1985 and snowskating since 1994. I have been part of PSIA-AASI since 1990 and on Staff since 1996. I have been part of snowboard education since its onset and have helped grow the sport for over 37 years.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Still hold the snowboard speed record at Hunter Mtn. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Too many to count |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Run a beverage business in NYC year round. Coach in a seasonal kids program Mtn. Riders at Stratton Mtn. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Hunter Mtn. in the 70’s |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Snowboard instructor at Hunter Mtn. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | You never know who is behind you until they are in front of you! |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Gore Mtn. Level 2-3. IYKYK |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | White Water BC, Baldface or Jackson Hole |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Enjoy all the people this sport will allow you to meet as they will allow you to have a great life. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Spending time with my kids in all water sports, hiking an mtn. biking. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Craig Kelly for being the pro that inspired me to ride and then showing us all that the back country is all that matters. Terje Haackenson for being to cool to go the Olympics and snow skating as hard as any human being can. Not to mention Terje was Craig Kelly’s padwan learner. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I want to be able to take my 6 & 9 year old out in back country. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | To have my kids guide me in the back country. |
Greg Fatigate
Snowboard + Children’s Examiner Snowboard Examiner CoachSnowsports Management CommitteeNotes
| 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 |
Ted Fleischer
Snowboard Examiner EmeritusNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | My kids and I have built an 800ft rope-tow serviced terrain park in our backyard. 40+ features including 16ft wall-ride and 20ft boat jib. Fully lighted for night riding and equipped with speakers for music. It has become the local Varsity HS Snowboard Team practice venue. |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Brevity. …ask anyone. 😉 |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Special Events Manager at Jay Peak resort. In addition to all on-snow events and weekly activities, I’m tasked with contracting artists and running all of our music series’ including Apres, Winter Ballroom concerts, and our 3000 seat Amphitheater. |
Joseph Forte
Snowboard Dev TeamNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I’ve traveled to all of the lower 48 states. |
|---|---|
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I play Ukulele and Guitar |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | In the Winter I am the Director of the Learning Center and in the Summer I am the Adventure Sports Director at Blue Mountain Resort.
I also work for Snow Operating as a trainer and consultant. I am a Dev Team member for AASI. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Shawnee Mountain, PA. Learned to ski at 4 years old, and then rode my first snowboard there around the age of 10 |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Blue Mountain: Scanning lift tickets at the entrance to the slopes |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | If you work hard enough, you can achieve anything, even things you once felt were impossible. It’s amazing how empowering this simple lesson can be. Watching my students and my teammates unlock their true potential is so rewarding. It’s what keeps me coaching, year after year. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | That moment when you see your student smile, and you know you’ve changed their life forever. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Smuggler’s Notch, VT |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Don’t stress over decisions and details. Just keep doing what you love and working hard and it’ll all work out in the end. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Adventure Motorcycling, Traveling |
| What would be your personal motto? | Wether you believe you can, or you believe you can’t, you’re right! |
| Name three words that describe you. | Determined, Passionate, Optimistic |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Tom Vickery, for his ability to break down complex concepts into simple parts |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | My goal is to introduce my newborn daughter to the amazing natural world and outdoor community around us. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | To go skiing, snowboarding, and biking with my daughter! |
Steven Franklin
Snowboard ExaminerAbout Me
I’m a freestyle aficionado who calls Northern VT home. When I’m not on the hill you can find me sinking putts on the golf course or building snowboards at Burton’s Craig Kelly Prototype Facility. Its not easy being steezy, just remember; less fashion, more slashin!
KC Gandee
Snowboard ExaminerNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I served on the AASI National Team 2004-2008 and then was not selected at the 2008 tryout. While this shook me to the core at first, it lead to my current career path which has allowed me to coach some great kids and help them accomplish their dreams of making the US Snowboard Team. |
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| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’m the snowboard program and ski cross program director at Gould Academy, near Sunday River Maine. I also work as a US Snowboard Coach Developer (like our examiners) and as a US SBX Development Group coach for the US Team at World Cup competitions as well as coach special projects like Project Gold invitational camps for the US Team. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | I’d give a younger person the advice I’m constantly trying to follow: approach situations with more curiosity than confidence. Listen to understand rather than listening to win. |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Tom Vickery and Ted Fleischer are absolute legends and I try to be my own version of them each day.
Holly Andersen and Amy Bailey have found ways to rise above the patriarchy and I admire the hell out of that. |
Shannon Belt
Telemark Examiner Nordic Steering CommitteeNotes
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | At 14 years old I started teaching skiing at West Mountain in Queensbury, NY. This year will mark 30 years teaching skiing |
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| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Never judge a skier by their outfit! You never know someones ability until you see them slide! |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Any where with good snow, good friends or family, which always leads to lots of laughter |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Enjoy every single Lesson. this may be your 100th time teaching an activity, this could be your students first! |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Bikes, surf, and kids….. there are always kids in the picture! |
| What would be your personal motto? | Maintain and healthy disregard for the impossible |
| Name three words that describe you. | Smiles, laughter, patience |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Still be able to ski faster then my son! |
Kurt Byrnes
Telemark ExaminerAbout Me
Kurt calls Pittsburgh home and is teacher and staff trainer at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Early in his ski instructor journey, Kurt was fortunate enough to be mentored by several accomplished ski professionals who greatly supported him and nurtured both his skiing and teaching skills. Kurt strives to pay it forward by enthusiastically sharing his knowledge and passion for skiing with his students and fellow instructors. (And anyone else who will listen!)
Kurt is also the treasurer and coordinator of the Appalachian Telemark Association (ATA). In addition to organizing their annual “Telepalooza” festival, he teaches at their weekly Tele-Tuesday and monthly clinics..
Matt Charles
Telemark ExaminerAbout Me
| Matt is on the Telemark Education Staff. He is a Level 3 Alpine skier & a CS2. You can find him skiing the trees at Plattekill, Gore, Killington, and wherever the snow is good. |
Notes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | Geologist |
|---|---|
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Be patient, be kind, root for everyone. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Get there before your lessons start to ski, keep skiing after your lessons are over. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Golf, Mountain biking |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Finally make the National Team |
Karen Dalury
Telemark Examiner Nordic Steering CommitteeNotes
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I am an accomplished SUP instructor and racer. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I teach fitness, yoga and pilates. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Blandford MA |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Full time instructor at Vail CO 1976. |
Bruce Hennessey
Telemark ExaminerAbout Me
Bruce Hennessey was working as an educator and wilderness guide before creating Maple Wind Farm in Huntington, VT in 1999 with his partner, Beth Whiting. A pasture-based diversified livestock operation, the farm produces 100% grass-fed beef, pasture-raised non-GMO pork, broiler chickens, eggs and turkeys. The farm also operates a certified organic, small USDA inspected meat processing enterprise that slaughters poultry and processes pork for area farms as well as their own. Maple Wind’s mission is to promote the health and welfare of our community, through providing the highest quality pasture-raised products, through regenerating soil and water resources. Bruce is the COO of MWF and is a past president of both the Vermont Grass Farmers Association (VGFA), and the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA). A former climbing and ski guide in the Tetons of Wyoming, Bruce continues to lead groups into backcountry areas throughout North America.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | For several winters I was a dogsled guide on Togwotee Pass in Western Wyoming. I was the first, and as far as I know, the only, musher to have their dogs and sled arrive into Brooks Lake Lodge without clients or musher aboard! |
| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I originally went to college for music as a French Horn and voice major. As a classically trained vocalist, I have performed in music theater and opera productions. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | My partner Beth and I run Maple Wind Farm in Richmond, VT which is a pasture-based diversified livestock operation producing pasture-raised eggs, chicken, pork and turkey, and 100% grass fed beef. We also have a small USDA meat processing plant on farm. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | At the Powdermilk Park rope tow near Rochester, NY! |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | I was a junior instructor at Bristol Mountain, NY in 1978. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | I have learned that looking at movements, tactics and teaching styles from a “right vs. wrong” mindset is much less effective than focusing on strengths of clients/instructors and building effectiveness through those strengths. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | 9 day wilderness-based Advanced Backcountry Accreditation in the Tetons. Spectacular group, conditions and deep learning. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Teton backcountry |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Focus on improving your people and teaching skills, and treat exams as personal improvement opportunities rather than stressful performance tests. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Mtn Biking, Hiking, Rock/Ice/Mountain Climbing. |
| What would be your personal motto? | All problems are people problems. Focus on relationships and community for success. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Kind, Respectful, Enthusiastic |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Keith Rodney. Through many years of failing to attain certain levels (in multiple disciplines), he stuck with the process and constantly improved to reach the telemark national team. Despite many setbacks he kept a positive approach and just improved every day and every season. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | Astronaut |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Explore at least 3 new backcountry zones. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Retire and spend a ski season off piste in the Alps. |
Mark Lacek
Telemark Examiner Cross Country ExaminerNotes
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am a carpenter. I enjoy whitewater rafting. Recently, I have become interested in rustic furniture building. |
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| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My Dad was on Ski Patrol at Royal Mountain in the Adirondacks, so my Mom, brother and sister Nd I spent a lot of time there. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Cross country ski instructor at Garnet Hill Lodge in the Adirondacks. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | If you find what you are doing to be enjoyable, those around you will be more likely to enjoy themselves too. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | These days, hiking and rowing. |
Jay Nation
Telemark Examiner Education Committee MemberNordic Steering CommitteeAbout Me
With his passion for skiing (and an eye for professional perks), Jay Nation began instructing at 7 Springs Mountain Resort in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania in the 90s. From that humble beginning he has become an instructor and alpine trainer for 7 Springs and Winter Park, CO as well as a telemark examiner for PSIA Eastern.
Jay comes from a small town called Hickory, 20 odd miles southwest of Pittsburgh. He attended Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA where, in blue jeans on a fraternity trip to 7 Springs, he launched his skiing career.
He is President of the Appalachian Telemark Association and conducts monthly clinics for the membership. He also offers telemark clinics on “Tele Tuesday” for instructors (and visiting alpine examiners) throughout the season. Through Jay’s expanded network, he has been able to bring National Team and Divisional telemark leadership to Telepalooza, an annual telemark festival held each January at 7 Springs.
Jay can be found teaching and conducting telemark events mainly in the southern part of the division (although on rare occasions he shows up in the north) through February. From March until the snow melts, you can find him teaching and skiing at Winter Park.
Gregory Paquin
Telemark ExaminerNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Performance coach for British Canoeing International in sea kayaking.
I also still do some civil engineering heavy civil estimating in New England. |
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| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I do run a sea kayaking company where I coach sea kayakers to become better rough water performers and expedition paddlers.
I enjoy coaching performers in adventure sports whether it be Sea Kayaking or Telemark skiing. A lot of the same coaching tools apply in both. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I run the Telemark skiing program at Bromley Mountain in Peru Vt for the last 12 years. I’ll continue to do this. Additionally, I have been working on the Telemark education staff. Now Examiner “A”. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Taking a telemark instructors course with Dick Hall of North American Telemark Organization, NATO. Early 2000’s. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Teaching Telemark Skiing with NATO at Mad River Glen. NATO Telemark Festivals |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Be passionate about what you do, keep on learning, and enjoy the ride doing it. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | PSIA’s off-piste Telemark workshop weekends at Stowe, Mount Mansfield. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | The steeps and trees at MRG. MRG is a great Telemark ski community vibe. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Sea kayaking and mountain biking. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Known for his calm and patient manner, Greg has a way of challenging people to do things they didn’t think they could do. |
| Name three words that describe you. | Calm, patient, thoughtful coach. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Learn the switch from 75MM to NTN telemark gear. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Become examiner Telemark |
Shawn Riggle
Telemark ExaminerAbout Me
Shawn Riggle began teaching at Timberline Mountain, West Virginia, in 1991 and became a PSIA-AASI Telemark member in 1996. Shawn was elevated to Telemark Division Clinic Leader in 2015 and Telemark Developmental Team in 2018. As a part-time instructor for over 30 years, Shawn enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors, his passion for skiing, and his enthusiasm for coaching.
Recent notables include coordinating and teaching at an annual three-day PSIA-AASI event held in Canaan Valley, WV. For nearly two decades, Shawn has taught clinics at the annual Telepalooza festival hosted by the Appalachian Telemark Association (ATA) in south-western Pennsylvania. He loves promoting World Telemark Day (WTD) through clinics and social events at Timberline Mountain. In 2022, Timberline Mountain had over 30 people participate in WTD. At Timberline, Shawn conducts group and private lessons in both Alpine and Telemark. Throughout the season he is called upon to provide in-house clinics for instructors in teaching, movement analysis, skiing improvement, and technical skills.
Thanks in part to Shawn’s first mentor, Bob Schaff, his passion for skiing quickly grew into a life-long pursuit. For over the past 30 years and throughout the season, Shawn and his supportive family of wife, Cindy, and three sons can be seen racing to catch first chair prior to lineup. Shawn is excited about the future of PSIA-AASI and is looking forward to sharing his love, passion, and enthusiasm for skiing.
Notes
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | As a child, I learned to cross-country and alpine ski in Minnesota. |
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| 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 memberNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I believe the best way to focus training is on becoming YOUR best self. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I am firstly a telemark instructor, then a children’s instructor and lastly an alpine instructor. I would say that I am passionate about all of them. So really, I am an instructor who slides in many worlds. Off Season I build cabinets, furniture and do home restorations. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | My first experience on snow is with the Nashoba Valley ski/ride area back in 1978 i believe. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | My first job was with the Sugarbush resort on volunteer patrol in 1989. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | My best memory to date is of Interski 2023 Levi Finland. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Best place to ski is with friend and family anywhere they want to play. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Get out and train as often as you can. The more education you have the better skilled you will be at your job and the more fund you can have even when working. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | I send a lot of time on my SUP both for fun and relaxation and for competition. When I am not on my board paddling I work on staying as fit as possible by Biking (both road, mountain), in-line skating, Running, to name a few. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Keep moving forward! Never give up, you never know if the next time you will be successful. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | I am hoping to make my second term on the PSIA-AASI National Team. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | Continue with the National Team as long as I’m able. Become the discipline coach at the local or national level for PSIA-AASI. |
Christopher Roundy
Telemark ExaminerAbout Me
I’ve been teaching snowsports for 20 years, am certified in 3 disciplines of sliding downhill, spend my summers swimming/biking/running, and play lawyer on the weekdays.
Notes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | Recently completed a 50 mile trail run, at night. |
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| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | Really good a falling off my mountain bike. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I work as a supervisor at Gunstock during the season and work as an attorney during the week. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Abenaki Ski Area, Wolfeboro, NH |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Teaching school groups. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | It’s way more about what you do than what you say. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Teaching a multiweek group using only non-verbal communication. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Kirkwood |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Train, train, train. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Biking, running, swimming, SUP, and hiking. |
| What would be your personal motto? | When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. |
| Name three words that describe you. | interested, open, and adaptable. |
Donald Sensenig
Telemark ExaminerNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | In the 90’s, Skiing Magazine published an article where they poled ski schools across the country to find the “Top 100 Ski Instructors”. I made the list representing Solitude Ski Resort. |
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| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | I’m a Construction Manager for a private preserve residential community. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | Snow Bowl ski area, New Jersey |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Junior ski instructor |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | Teach people what they want, not what you think they need and know the difference. |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | For me it’s not about a specific memory as much as it is about memories. I have too many to just single out, but I would say that I still get the most enjoyment from when a student gets the “ah ha” moment, the connection and change in performance. |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Jackson Hole, Wyoming |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Develop all your skills equally meaning try not to just focus on one part rather focus on the whole IE Skiing, Teaching and Understanding. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Fly fishing, golf & cycling |
Adele Wellman
Telemark ExaminerNotes
| What is an interesting fact about you? | I discovered a new species of firefly (the synchronous firefly) in New York State. Insects are super cool! |
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| Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? | I know how to repair rust on cars and enjoy learning how to fix things around the house. |
| What jobs do you do – within and outside the snowsports industry, both winter & summer? | During the winter, I teach all levels and ages of skier and rider. I also teach telemark to whoever is interested, or even if they are not. I am a team leader and a staff trainer. I also am on the Telemark Dev Team. In the summer, I work t the largest state park in NY, Allegany. 100 square miles! I’m in charge of the environmental education department. My crew and I get to teach people about bears, butterflies, trees and how we all interconnect. We connect people with nature every day. |
| Where is the first place you participated in snowsports? | I was a professional sledder as a kid, then tried xc skiing as a senior in high school. I didn’t start skiing until I was 21. I learned on artificial turf in Gatlinburg, TN I was hooked after that! I got on the ski school staff there, moved to Snowshoe after a few years, then to Holiday Valley in NY and finally HoliMont since 2001. |
| What was your first job in the snowsports industry? | Lifty at Ober Gatlinburg, TN. I got to meet ski instructors and patrollers who eventually taught me to ski. |
| What is a valuable lesson you learned in your snowsports career? | When it comes down to the exam day, it’s just you in your boots. You need to do the work, the studying, the training. Seek out the people who will help you become better. It can be anyone across the disciplines, a racer or just someone who has been teaching forever. Then DO THE WORK! |
| What is your favorite memory from your snowsports career so far? | Hike and ski adventures with my friends from one ski area to another. We usually skied back in the dark. Sometimes on the super cold nights, the snowflakes glistened like diamonds in the dark sky. Magical! |
| Where is your favorite place to ski or ride? | Any time I am on snow is my favorite. It really doesn’t matter where I am. |
| If you could give a younger person snowsports/career advice, what would it be? | Just do it, decide, then seek out positive people as coaches and go after it. DO the WORK. |
| What activities do you enjoy, when you’re not out on the snow? | Travel to fun places to mountain bike and see beautiful scenery. |
| What would be your personal motto? | Love what you do, the rest will come. |
| Name three words that describe you. | enthusiastic, determined, squirrel-like (if that is really a word) |
| Who is someone you admire, and why? | Anyone who has overcome some type of adversity. I respect them for things they may have gone through that I am not sure I could handle. I admire their guts and determination to not give up. |
| When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? | UPS driver, they drive a cool truck with no doors and get to wear shorts or a park ranger. Taking people on hikes to smell trees seemed like an amazing job. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next year? | Make skiing the bumps look smooth (with a capital “OO”) and feel more at ease in the trees. |
| What goal would you like to accomplish in the next five years? | I would like to learn to surf. As for skiing, increase my skills to become part of the Telemark Education Staff. |



