Team Member Summer Adventures: Robin Barnes

Catch up with PSIA-AASI National Team members as they share their summer adventures and how it keeps them on their game for winter. Here’s how PSIA Alpine Team member Robin Barnes is spending her summer.

What’s been your big summer adventure and go-to summer activity? 

My big summer adventure is digging into everything that goes into preparations for the upcoming season and learning about summer operations at California’s Heavenly Mountain Resort. It’s been a blast. I’ve had to stay on my toes, and grown considerably.

I live where most people vacation, which I’m grateful for!  My go-to summer activity is mountain biking daily, and dosing in some gym workouts and hikes to keep my body and brain balanced.

How does this keep you physically and mentally engaged in the offseason?

There is something about being on a bike that is freedom. My favorite rides have traditionally been 3+ hour rides, but with my summer schedule I’ve embraced shorter, more intense rides. I’ve learned to get as much satisfaction out of my short rides by changing my mind set to push harder sooner. In the end, the shorter, intense rides will probably be better for my skiing… until I find that 3+ hour descent on skis that is.

I also traveled to South Carolina for my nephew’s wedding and spent a fantastic week playing in lakes and the ocean with my brothers and mom. I can still do the most consecutive forward rolls under water!

I’m spending a few weeks in Portillo, Chile visiting Operations Manager Michael Rogan. I’m skiing hard, catching-up with dear friends, and speaking different languages. The terrain, vistas, and vibe are special in Portillo. If you haven’t been for a summer ski trip, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It’s good to get on your skis in the summer. Making some summer turns will help you with your fluidity and confidence in the fall.

Anything else?

PSIA-AASI task forces have been full steam ahead all summer. Leadership from all regions around the country continue to contribute their time and expertise making small tweaks to the Performance Guide that supports our Learning Connection Model. We are in a good place.