Fall Instructor Training (For Instructors, Examiners, and School Directors)

The season is right around the corner, and fall instructor trainings are more than just a chance to reunite with friends and get back on snow. In this first episode of a three-part series, George Thomas sits down with PSIA-AASI Education and Development Manager  Angelo Ross to explore how you can show up with the right mindset and get the most out of these essential preseason sessions.

From the excitement of reconnecting with peers to the challenge of avoiding “habit mode,” George and Angelo dive into why setting clear intentions matters—for your own growth and for creating the best possible guest experience. They highlight how open-mindedness keeps us learning, why training is about more than social catch-ups, and how concepts like observation vs. inference, note-taking, and questioning strategies can transform both teaching and learning.

Angelo also shares insight into examiner training updates, including the new Co-Examiner Connection Guide and why fairness, consistency, and collaboration are at the core of this season’s focus. Even if you’re not on Ed Staff, you’ll discover practical takeaways—from refining your teaching fundamentals to recognizing breakthrough moments on snow—that will help you start the season stronger and stay inspired all winter long.

Tune in and get ready to shift your perspective: fall instructor training isn’t just a requirement—it’s your launchpad to becoming a better instructor and delivering an unforgettable guest experience.

Kick Off the Season with Purpose: Why Fall Instructor Training Matters - PART 1

In the second episode of our three-part series on fall instructor training, host George Thomas is joined by PSIA-AASI National Team member Peter Novom to talk about why investing in your returning instructors is critical for both staff culture and guest experiences.

Peter shares insights from his 25+ years of teaching—why no two lessons are ever the same, how to keep curiosity alive year after year, and why approaching training with an open mind transforms it from a “requirement” into a growth opportunity.

From constraints-based learning examples to the importance of feedback culture, George and Peter explore how return instructor training can:

- Motivate and energize your most experienced staff.
- Turn routine lessons into creative, engaging experiences.
- Set seasonal teaching goals that keep instructors growing.
- Strengthen longevity, curiosity, and commitment within your school.

Whether you’re a manager designing training or an instructor showing up for it, this episode will help you see fall training as more than a refresher—it’s an investment in long-term success, for you and for your guests.

Curiosity, Culture,  and Commitment:  Why Fall Instructor  Training Matters – PART 2

In part three of our Return Instructor Training mini-series, host George Thomas chats with Lyndsay Ward, PSIA-AASI Central Region Education and Certification Manager, about how to bring fresh energy and purpose to the start of every season. Lindsay draws on her journey from small-town instructor to trainer, ski school director, and regional leader to share a powerful perspective: return training isn’t a box to check—it’s a chance to reconnect, retool, and reignite your passion for teaching.

She breaks down how management can turn pre-season meetings into celebrations of community, creativity, and culture—and how instructors can transform routine refreshers into opportunities for growth. From the importance of safety and communication to sparking curiosity and lifelong learning, Lindsay reminds us that returning to snow is more than just repeating old steps—it’s rediscovering the joy that brought us here in the first place.

Whether you’re leading the training or lacing up your boots to attend, this episode will inspire you to flip the script and see preseason prep as the launchpad for your best winter yet.

Flip the Script and Reignite the Joy: Why Fall Instructor Training Matters – Part 3

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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Curiosity, Culture, and Commitment: Why Fall Instructor Training Matters – PART 2

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast