First Chair catches up with PSIA-AASI National Team Coach, Jeb Boyd. Jeb chats about the importance of lifelong learning and how continuing reading is beneficial to yourself. Jeb also shares how PSIA-AASI is working to improve the member and guest experience using this ideal. Jeb mentions how Interski is keeping education in the snowsports industry strong. People skills are one of the pillars of PSIA-AASI's education methods. 

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7.21.23: Lifelong Learning With Jeb Boyd, Head Coach of the PSIA-AASI National Team

AASI Snowboard Team member Brian Donovan joins us again for Part 2 of The Good, The Great and the Let’s Maybe Not Try That Again. In this episode, George and Brian chat about things that are going to help make your lessons more fun, more engaging and help you further your certifications. Brian talks about how instructors are very good at describing the “what” in a lesson. Do this to fix that. Sometimes the student needs the “how” and the “when” to be thoroughly described as well. They then go into assessment and certification tricks and how you can work towards bettering yourself during assessments. Treating and exam you may be conquering the same way you’d conquer teaching a lesson, is a good way to ease your mind. Tune in for much more and learn more at thesnowpros.org.   

EPISODE 736 | The Good, The Great, and the Let’s Maybe Not Try That Again | Part 2

On this feature episode, we’re chatting with Interski President and former AASI Snowboard Team member Eric Sheckleton. You’ll also hear from Pete Allison, a regular guest on First Chair Podcast and Pete Kray, the Lead Writer for PSIA-AASI. This group is chatting about Interski, what it is, what it means and how we’re preparing for the return of Interski to the US! Interski has not been in the US since it came to Aspen in 1968. Similar to the PSIA-AASI National Team, other countries have skiers and riders who represent the best instructors and coaches from their country. Every four years, Interski travels to a new country where members from 32-36 separate countries come together to share, network and grow the sport and the education around snowsports. The last Interski in 2023 was in Levi, Finland. Tune in for much more and learn more at thesnowpros.org.

EPISODE 732 | All Things INTERSKI 2027 in Vail, Colorado

Sometimes stories come across your feed that just hit you right in the feels. That’s what happened with Ben Nilsson when we asked “How do you use your snowsports education training in other areas of your life.” Ben responded and mentioned he had been in a horrific accident on the mountain leaving him with a long road to recovery. Ben mentioned how the training he got from PSIA-AASI and the way he learned to teach students was exactly what he used to get himself better and to a point where he is back on the mountain and planning on attending clinics this season. We’re so thankful for members who are constantly working to better themselves by employing resources found through PSIA-AASI. Listen to this pod to hear a heartfelt story on recovery and inspiration. Tune in for much more and learn more at thesnowpros.org.

EPISODE 733 | Turning a Major Setback into a Major Improvement in Your Life

One of the biggest opportunities that stems from the PSIA-AASI resources is the professional development opportunity. Join podcast host George Thomas and guest Pete Allison chat through ways to organize your goals. Between local, regional and national events, on top of trainings and lessons – there are plenty of options around to help you professionally develop. Pro development doesn’t have to be just one thing, it could be as simple as taking care of yourself and allowing yourself the time to decompress. It could be just reading an article a week on a special topic or hanging with friends. The difference comes into play when you make the decision to choose yourself. Tune in for much more and learn more at thesnowpros.org.

EPISODE 735 | A Dive into Professional Development

Penn State University and PSIA-AASI have had a solid relationship for years. One of the big results of this partnership is a new course designed to allow you to easily earn college credit online while working towards your level 1 certification in any discipline. This course (RPTM 215) is truly revolutionary as it provides a breadth of education outside of snowsports instruction as well as material directly correlated to PSIA-AASI standards. Sign up for this course before the holidays to ensure you get a spot! On this episode, you’ll learn about the course and what it takes to complete it. Tune in for much more and learn more at thesnowpros.org.

EPISODE 734 | How to Earn College Credits While Getting Your Level 1 Instructor Certification

Geoff Krill, the PSIA Adaptive Team coach, joins us from Breckenridge, Colorado where the Hartford Ski Spectacular Adaptive event just wrapped up. Geoff talks about the ski instructor academy where National Team members and Education Staff from regions around the country came to learn, explore and connect with others. The point that was hit home much of the week, is that good adaptive teaching is just good teaching. You don’t need to teach to the equipment, teach to the person. Learn more about Move United and teaching adaptive winter sports. Tune in for much more and learn more at thesnowpros.org.

EPISODE 737 | The Hartford Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, CO

Eric Rolls, the Technical Coach for the AASI Snowboard Team joins us this week to talk about the 25th anniversary of Rider Rally – one of the largest snowboarders-only events in the country! Rider Rally 2025 will be held April 21-25 at Copper Mountain in Colorado. The first Rider Rally event happened in the winter of 1999/2000 and 25 years later, we’re bringing back the independence and radness of Rider Rally. There is a lot of history about this event and how it came to be. Listen in to hear Eric talk about this history and what to expect from the upcoming event. Interested in registering? Do it soon, prices go up on February 1. Learn more about Rider Rally by tuning in and going to thesnowpros.org under the events tab.

EPISODE 738 | Rider Rally 2025 – Bringing Back Snowboard Radness for the 25th Anniversary

Join us for a chat with George, Pete and Mark about the Penn State instructor training program. Mark works as an instructor in the Eastern Region and learned about the PSU program in 2023. Since then, he has successfully completed the course and shared his thoughts on the process. TL;DR, the program was easy,and efficient, provided many “ah-ha" moments and connected the dots between instruction and leisure seamlessly. The program is completely online done through the PSU World Campus making access to the course very easy. Mark goes on to explain his drive to complete this course and what he plans on doing next. Learn more about the PSU certification program by tuning in and at thesnowpros.org under the events tab.

EPISODE 739 | Mark Carvlin Reviews the PSU Certification Program

The First Chair Podcast brings you inspirational stories and educational tips from the country's best ski, snowboard, Nordic, and adaptive instructors. 

More than 34,000 individuals belong to PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors), making it the world’s largest organization dedicated to snowsports. We are lifelong learners committed to changing lives through great experiences on snow. 

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YouTube: @thesnowpros

7.21.23: Lifelong Learning With Jeb Boyd, Head Coach of the PSIA-AASI National Team

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast