PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member Jonathan Ballou from Big Sky, MT. George and Jonothan talk briefly about the podcast and its history. Episode 700 is coming up! Jonathan has been on the National Team for 3 terms and is retiring as a team member this year. Jonathan talks about his time on the team and what's next in his journey throughout this podcast. Learn more about Jonathon and the National Team by heading to thesnowpros.org.

Episode 698: National Academy 2024 wit Alpine Team member Jonathan Ballou

PSIA-AASI First Chair podcast Host George Thomas catches up with PSIA-AASI CEO Peggy Hiller and Board Chair Eliza Kuntz! George, Eliza and Peggy chat about National Academy and how the week has been going and what to expect with Team Selection week. George questions Peggy on the member survey that went out and how it is interacting face-to-face with the members at this event. George asks Eliza about gender equity in this industry and how she feels being a woman leader here. Listen in to hear more. Peggy talks about a new launch of the Education Foundation and the high points of this season.

Episode 699 2024 National Academy With Eliza Kuntz And Peggy Hiller Mixdown

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with PSIA-AASI Lead Writer Pete Kray for EPISODE 700!! We have an unbelievable bank of amazing podcasts that are all about snowsports instruction. Pete and George are old pals so this conversation is fun and insightful. Pete talks about his time at National Academy and what it's like being in Big Sky for the event. Pete has many books out and is the main writer for thesnowpros.org and 32 Degrees magazine. George asks Pete what keeps him so intertwined with this industry and what keeps him going.

Episode 700! National Academy 2024 With Pete Kray

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with Jonathon Ballou about what it's like being on the other side of the selection process. Jonathon has been a part of 5 selections. 1 unsuccessful bid for the team, 3 as a new or returning team member and now 1 as a selector for the new National Team. Jonathon talks about the selection process and his point of view as a selector. Hear about some nitty-gritty details about the selection process. Learn more about the National Team by heading to thesnowpros.org.

Episode 701: 2024-28 National Team Selections With First-Time Selector Jonathan Ballou

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with Melodie Buell, a newly selected member of the 2024-28 PSIA-AASI National Team. George and Melodie talk about the journey of trying out for the team and the obstacles that presented themselves along the way. Melodie was named a new member of the PSIA National Adaptive Team in Big Sky at the recent selection event that took place. A notable takeaway from the process that Melodie mentioned was the importance of mindset and adapting to what you're dealt and how that goes a long way in persevering. George asks about the feelings of actually going through the selection process and what some of the tasks were that needed to be done. Tune in to hear more about the selection process and the emotions that come from making the team. For more, head to thesnowpros.org.

Episode 702: Meet [New] National Team Member Melodie Buell

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with National Team member Chris Rogers. Chris was just selected for his third term on the PSIA-AASI National Snowboard Team. Hear why Chris decided to re-tryout for the team and what his entire career on the team has looked like. George talks to Chris about some of the exciting things coming up and how that played a role in Chris's decision to go for a third team. They also talk about some of the more difficult tasks that stood out during the selection process. To learn more about the National Team and the entire process, visit thesnowpros.org.

Episode 703: Chris Rogers | 2024-28 National Team Member

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with National Team member Kevin Jordan. Kevin was just re-selected as a member of the Alpine Team this past April in Big Sky, MT. George and Thomas chat about the nerves re-trying out for the National Team brings and what brought on the most anxiety in the process. Kevin tried out for the team three times before he was eventually selected in 2021. He talks about how this experience has given him a bit more insight into the process and what to expect. With that, Kevin mentions that there are always still unknowns in every selection. George questions Kevin and what was the hardest and the most rewarding task he had to do during selection week. George and Kevin chat about future plans and Interski 2027 in Vail, CO. Learn more about snowsports education and the National Team by heading to thesnowpros.org.

Episode 704: 2024 Team Selections With Kevin Jordan

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas introduces us to Brian Donovan, a second-term PSIA-AASI National Team snowboard member based in Vermont. Brian is driven by possibilities and opportunities, and is inspired by the immense talent of the Team. His preparation was all about connecting the work done on-snow with members to the educational foundations that back up our materials.

Episode 705: 2024 Team Selections With Brian Donovan

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. 

Connect with us to learn more: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesnowpros 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesnowpros 
YouTube: @thesnowpros

Episode 703: Chris Rogers | 2024-28 National Team Member

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast

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