Snowboard Team
Where is your home mountain?
Breckenridge, CO
Who are your PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers?
Burton, Anon, Swany
What other occupations are you involved in?
Training manager at Coronet Peak in New Zealand.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
I remember the first time I experienced what felt like true ownership and freedom in my decisions. I was 9 and snowboarding with my older brother at a small ski resort in Colorado called Ski Cooper. Halfway down a run we stopped, and I noticed a pile of snow pushed up against a tree. I looked at my brother and said “Mike!!! Can I hit that jump?” He looked at me like I was ridiculous for even asking him. He said, “Of course you can, you can do whatever you want.” That quote stuck with me, and for the first time I felt like had real to create my own experience. Snowboarding (and my brother) gave me that gift.
I think about that lesson all the time when I'm teaching or training people. Snowboarding is whatever you want it to be. It's an opportunity to let people create their own experiences and set their own boundaries. I try help people make snowboarding theirs.
Certifications
PSIA-AASI: Snowboard Level III, Children's Specialist 2
Where is your home mountain?
Mount Snow Resort, VT
Who are your PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers?
Burton, Anon, Hestra, Patagonia
What other occupations are you involved in?
Summer camp supervisor at Mount Snow
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
My Favorite part of teaching is when that light bulb moment happens with a student and they finally feel what they’ve been working towards. Whether its recognizing the sensation they need to land a new trick or feeling their edge grip for the first time. Those moments keep people wanting more, and keep me stoked to find more ways for that to happen.
Certifications:
PSIA-AASI: Snowboard Level III, Children's Specialist 2, Freestyle 1
Where is your home mountain?
Copper Mountain, CO
Who are your PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers?
Burton, Anon, Swany/Hudsen gloves, Phunkshunwear, Patagonia
What other occupations are you involved in?
Owner and Director of Snow Trainers Inc.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
My top teaching experience is the simple experience that we have everyday with our guests when we show them opportunities to challenge and evolve ones personal skills allowing them to achieve their goals. One of the best learning experiences would have to be the times I have went to Interski and were able to learn from associates from all over the world.
Specialties
Trainer, coach, and Examiner. I helped to create and now run the Rocky Mountain Trainer Certification for the Rocky Mountain division. I also do the same for SBINZ (Snowboard Instruction New Zealand) during the summers in New Zealand. I am also involved in the Freestyle certification process both in the Rocky Mountain division and in New Zealand. Co-author of the Freestyle Technical Manual.
Certifications
- PSIA-AASI: Snowboard Level III, Children's Specialist 2, Freestyle Specialist 1, AASI-RM Certification/Freestyle Examiner, Committee Member/Freestyle Committee Chair
- NZSIA/SBINZ National Team member and Freestyle/Certification Examiner
Where is your home mountain?
Breckenridge, CO via Snow Creek, MO
Who are your PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers?
Rossignol Snowboards, Burton boots, Anon Optics, Hestra gloves, Patagonia Outerwear
What other occupations are you involved in?
Adventure education, photojournalism, youth development
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
A couple of elite big mountain athletes I coach recently experienced technical breakthroughs. Being thanked by teenage boys for "actually helping them improve" was a pretty empowering experience - these kids already rip and yet they are still seeking progression, and in some way I was able to support it. Proud coach, for sure!
Specialties
Thrives when working with trainers and instructors developing education/teaching skills, directs a competitive big mountain snowboard program, coaches freestyle at Woodward Copper, works with Children's Education Training Teams
Certifications
Snowboard Level III, Alpine Level I, Children's Specialist 2, Freestyle Specialist 2
Where is your home mountain?
Vail, CO
Who are your PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers?
Burton Snowboards, Anon Optics, Hestra Gloves
What other occupations are you involved in?
Manager of Training, Vail Ski & Snowboard School,
AASI Rocky Mountain Committee Chair
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
In 2002 I was on a snowboard magazine review of Steamboat and we were set up with a private guide who would later become a PSIA-AASI Snowboard Team Member. It was a strong group of riders, and none of us were looking for instruction. However, over the course of 4 days, everyone in the group came away a better rider - all without instruction or special coaching. this learn through play format left me wanting to learn how to do that, and led me into the career of a lifetime!
Certifications
- PSIA-AASI: Snowboard Level III, Children's Specialist 2, Freestyle Specialist 1
- AIARE Level 1
- USASA Level 200
Where is your home mountain?
Park City Mountain, UT
Who are your PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers?
Never
Summer Snowboards, Burton boots and bindings, Anon goggles and helmets, Hestra
gloves, Patagonia outerwear, Point Zero Compression, DPS Skis
What other occupations are you involved in?
Training Manager at Park City Mountain
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
I learned
early in my teaching career that no two lessons will ever be the same. When I
learned how to present information to the individual learner in a group lesson
setting it improved my teaching success. The connections I made with students
created more satisfaction for them and myself.
Specialties
Multi-discipline train the trainer, new trainer development, freestyle coaching, team building facilitation, leadership training, multi-discipline indoor presentations, national certification standards, training program development and consulting, improvisation clinics.
Certifications
- PSIA-AASI: Snowboard Level III, Alpine Level I, Children's Specialist 2, Freestyle Specialist 2, Rocky Mountain Trainer
- USSA Level 300 Coach