2022 Year in Review: 5 Top Podcasts

Listen to five of the most popular First Chair Podcasts from 2022. Then access the entire First Chair podcast library.

1. PSIA-AASI 60th Anniversary: Equal Opportunity for Women in Snowsports

When PSIA’s seven founders sat down to form the Professional Ski Instructors of America in May 1961 at Big Mountain in Whitefish, Montana, they had one goal: To create a standard of consistency for ski instruction that would help draw new participants to the sport from across the nation.

Now, six decades later, PSIA-AASI teaches everyone how to enjoy more than just alpine skiing; welcoming every snowsports discipline, ability, and person. Listen to this podcast as former Alpine Team members Carol Levine and Megan Bourke discuss equal opportunity for women in snowsports, one of the six most notable teaching benchmarks from the past 60 years. Learn the importance of welcoming women as athletes and instructors.

2. The Adaptive Alpine Standards

In this First Chair Podcast, hear from PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team Coach Geoff Krill and PSIA-AASI Director of Education Dave Schuiling as they talk about the new Adaptive Alpine Standards, approved in June 2022.

These standards reveal the culmination of years of collaborative work from PSIA-AASI leaders, including members of the PSIA-AASI National Team, the Education Leadership Council, and regional leaders from across the country.

3. Chris Rogers Shares an Update from Rider Rally and National Academy

In this podcast, AASI Snowboard Team member Chris Rogers shares an update about his experience leading a group at Rider Rally and National Academy (Snowboard) at Big Sky Resort in Montana. These two events offered participants a chance to ride with members of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team. Members participated in on-snow clinics, outdoor electives, indoor electives, as well as demo days where members connected with some of PSIA-AASI’s Official Suppliers.

4. Michael Rogan Returns to Deep Snow in Portillo, Chile

In this podcast, First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan. Michael was back staffing his favorite “summer job,” working as the Director of Operations in Portillo, Chile. He missed traveling to Chile the past two winters due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Here, he talks about good early snowfall at the resort, and its attraction to the World Cup skiing community. Learn more in this article.

5. Charlie Rockwell & Jani Sutherland Reflect on Receiving the PSIA-AASI Lifetime Achievement Award

In these two podcasts, First Chair catches up with Charlie Rockwell and Jani Sutherland, who were both individually honored with the PSIA-AASI Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized exceptional members who developed projects affecting the association on a national level while demonstrating devotion and self-sacrifice in their role.