In this episode, I sit down with Phil Smith, founder of Snoworks and one of the most forward-thinking ski coaches in the game.

Phil shares a powerful shift in perspective around speed control — moving away from rigid technical cues and instead focusing on the concept of snow displacement. This insight alone can change the way you think about skiing steeps, bumps, and variable snow.

We also dive into what it really means to become a versatile all-mountain skier. Phil talks about skiing “open,” embracing the mountain, and moving beyond the narrow lens of measured technique. His philosophy is refreshing, especially for skiers who want to break out of the on-piste mindset and truly explore.

Whether you’re a coach, instructor, or passionate skier, you’ll walk away from this episode with new ideas to experiment with next time you’re on snow.

Enjoyed this discussion? Check out www.bigpictureskiing.com and join the thousands of other skiers improving their skiing like never before.

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Find out more about what’s coming in next year’s ski boot designs! Tom Gellie chats with boot fitter Brent Amsbury about the trends and innovations he’s noticing. And it’s more than just adding another BOA adjustment to ski boots.

Stay tuned later in the episode for Brent’s tips on boot cuffs. He and Tom both emphasize how crucial it is to get the cuff to fit your lower leg properly.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the extensive library of podcast episodes on the Big Picture Skiing Podcast. You can listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0lgVxParu1F2dJVGrE5Leg) or Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-picture-skiing-podcast/id969434674)

Thanks,

Tom

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This episode is for all the ski coaches and instructors out there, because let’s be honest—we all get a huge thrill from seeing our students progress and improve. With that goal in mind, I invited two experts on the topic of task-based learning to help us refine our teaching techniques. John Shedden and Richard Barbour share some incredible wisdom, built on years of experience teaching skiers and coaching others to do the same.

If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll definitely want to check out the Locked in Shed Podcast with Richard Barbour interviewing John Shedden. It’s packed with more insights for ski coaches.

Find it on Spotify here:

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/369NT9JdpmCcFIvju9J6mp

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/locked-in-shed-ski-coaching-podcast/id1518316563

For ski coaches—and keen skiers—looking to solve their skiing challenges, check out my online learning platform, Big Picture Skiing.

I’ve created a massive library of videos covering everything from improving your mogul skiing to follow-along body prep workouts, and even setting up your ski boots properly. I share everything I’ve learned over the years striving to become the best skier I can be, along with insights I’ve picked up from the industry’s smartest minds.

Special offer for podcast listeners: Get 25% off any membership using the code PODCAST. Plus, you can try out the platform free for 7 days to see if it’s right for you.

👉 https://bigpictureskiing.com/

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In this episode of the Big Picture Skiing Podcast, three Carv team members – Charlie, lead data scientist; Alex, head of marketing; and John, head of product – reveal how Carv is transforming skiing with real-time feedback technology. From its beginnings as a pressure-sensing insole, Carv has evolved into a powerful device that attaches to ski boots, now able to deliver precise, terrain-specific feedback across groomers, moguls, and powder. Join us as we uncover the technical breakthroughs that made this possible, from sensor fusion to machine learning, and hear each guest’s unique perspective on how Carv’s innovations bring skiers at all levels closer to mastering their craft. Whether you’re a recreational skier or chasing high performance, Carv is reshaping the way we learn and improve on the slopes – making skiing a continuous journey of discovery.

👀 Checkout CARV https://getcarv.com/

⛷️ Become a student of Tom Gellie’s through the Big Picture Skiing learning platform. Podcast listeners can use code PODCAST to take 25% off a membership! There is a 7 day free trial to let you find out if its for you.

https://bigpictureskiing.com/

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In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and former Australian demo team member, Demelza Clay, to dive into the often-overlooked topic of inside leg mechanics during carve turns at high edge angles. Demelza shares her recovery journey from an ACL injury, explaining how it forced her to relearn movement patterns and ultimately ski better than ever.

We explore how her skiing mechanics shifted post-rehab, particularly the "whipping" sensation she felt in high-edge turns. Video analysis revealed a stance wider than her hips, sparking adjustments in her balance and stability. This led to valuable insights into how the relationship between the inside knee and hip can impact performance.

We challenge conventional skiing norms and discuss how experimenting with technique can lead to breakthroughs. The episode wraps with practical drills like crab walks and "in-rigger" exercises to help listeners refine their inside leg movements and improve their overall skiing performance.

🎦 Videos mentioned in the podcast on the Big Picture Skiing App/Website

Podcast listeners can claim a 25% off coupon on any membership to Big Picture Skiing:

- The Pistol Squat in Your Ski Turns https://bigpictureskiing.com/programs/the-pistol-squat-ski

- Rolling The Inside Knee https://bigpictureskiing.com/programs/rolltheknees

- Activation Of The Inside Foot https://bigpictureskiing.com/programs/insidefootactivation

Join a Big Picture Skiing Camp with Demelza and Tom https://bigpictureskiing.com/pages/skicamps

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In this episode, I sit down with veteran boot fitter and former ski shop owner Lou Rosenfeld to dive into the art of customizing ski boots for the perfect fit. With years of experience, Lou shares expert insights on how the right boot adjustments can significantly enhance your skiing experience.

We debunk common misconceptions, like opting for larger boots to relieve pressure points, and explore why starting with a snug fit is key. Lou discusses essential modifications for bunions, toe length discrepancies, and heel spurs, showing how professional adjustments can boost both comfort and performance.

From reshaping the forefoot to solving calf issues, Lou explains how custom fitting can transform high-performance boots for any skier. This episode is packed with tips on achieving the perfect ski boot setup for a comfortable day on the slopes.

A big thanks to Ski West, Calgary for letting us use their Big Press for the video examples. https://www.skiwest.ca

Want to see the recording where Lou shows the modifications? Checkout the YouTube version of the podcast here https://youtu.be/VCz5NyVUqKg?si=xJbLnItXdQG7asMx

⭐️ Links:

-Contact Lou about buying a press or any questions: [email protected]

-IAESS https://iaess.org

-Big Picture Skiing Merchandise https://big-picture-skiing.myshopify.com

-Big Picture Skiing Boot Fit Guide https://bigpictureskiing.com/pages/bps-boot-guide

• ⛷️ 25% off coupon code! Want to Join the most comprehensive ski improvement platform for skiing? Big Picture Skiing? Tom curates all videos to make the learning experience as good as him coaching you in person, but at a fraction of the cost! Improve all types of ski turns making you a master of the whole mountain. And podcast listeners can claim 25% off ANY membership plan using code PODCAST making the annual deal great value and a fraction of the cost of a private lesson. Plus you can utilise the strength and mobility videos in the pre season period and off season to stay mobile and strong.

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In this episode, I speak with Christian Haas, Fischer's product manager, about the complexities of ski design and construction. We explore how material combinations, thickness, and profile shape define a ski's performance, with differences between racing and rental skis. Christian discusses the Fischer RC4 CT ski (a favorite of mine), highlighting its advanced construction for stability and edge grip. We also delve into bending lines and their impact on stiffness and ski responsiveness.

Christian emphasizes the companies open mind attitude and passion for innovation. You will hear first hand about Fischer's noise technology, designed to reduce vibrations for smoother skiing at the end of the episode.

About Big Picture Skiing and Tom Gellie:

Big Picture Skiing is about sharing insights from experts in the ski industry. Helping skiers discover the missing pieces to what will help them realise their best skiing. I share these insights through a free Podcast, YouTube Channel and for those wanting to dive deeper, a video library membership containing hundreds of tutorials and lessons that solve your skiing problems. If you enjoyed this episode of the podcast please consider subscribing to help us continue to talk with other interesting guests. Or take a look at the continually growing Big Picture Skiing website https://bigpictureskiing.com/

I can offer podcast listeners 25% off any subscription using the code PODCAST at checkout.

“Big Picture Skiing offers a vast and varied video library that is on the one hand so comprehensive in its breadth and depth of information, but on the other surprisingly easy to learn from and retain given Tom and teams exceptional teaching style and well curated videos. I’ve been a member of the community for a couple of years, and have seen such drastic improvements not only in my own skiiing, but in my fundamental understanding of technique, equipment and tactics in any given terrain. For those who want to improve, have a thirst for knowledge, and quite simply for those who enjoy watching brilliant skiing demonstrations, I can’t recommend Big Picture Skiing highly enough.” Andy, New Zealand

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In this episode, I chat with Sasha Rearick, former World Cup coach of the US ski team and head coach at Apex 2100. We explore Sasha’s innovative ecological approach to ski coaching, focusing on how athletes adapt their techniques based on environmental constraints. Sasha shares insights on regional skiing styles, the importance of separating movements like "counter" and "anticipation," and the value of embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. This conversation is packed with valuable lessons for both skiers and coaches looking to refine their techniques.

We discuss a drill Sasha likes to use called “Evers” Drill named after Andy Evers. This is a link to an Instagram video of that drill performed by AJ Ginnis https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8kpKbfoTIH/?igsh=MXczdTNnZDM3cXkweQ==

CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 introduction

00:02:11 What is the ecological approach to learning?

00:11:15 Degrees of freedom

00:18:15 Constraints and tasks for learning

00:28:11 The importance of mistakes in learning

00:31:35 Overcoming embarrassment

00:37:39 Upper and lower body separation

00:43:24 “Evers” Drill

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In this episode, my good friend Demelza Clay takes over the hosting duties to dive into my background and experiences. We kick things off by talking about my shift from ski instructing to studying body movement, inspired by a session with Claudia. This led me to explore structural integration therapy, which I started sharing with ski instructors, and it was amazing to see their movements and performance improve.

We also chat about how I started sharing content online through videos and how that has evolved over the years. Our conversation touches on the impact of timing and unique educational experiences, like my time at a Steiner school, on shaping our views in the ski industry. It's all about giving you a deeper understanding of how I blend skiing and bodywork.

Reflecting on my journey of seeking out-of-the-box learning experiences, we talk about the importance of following your curiosity and exploring different teaching methods. I share how I draw inspiration from various sources and stress the value of collaboration and continuous learning to refine my coaching techniques. Plus, I talk about my plans to create more focused instructional videos and improve my mogul skiing skills, with conversations with industry experts and launching this podcast being key parts of that.

We also discuss starting the podcast to share ideas, even though the audio quality was pretty rough at first. It's been a great way to broaden my understanding of the ski industry and appreciate diverse viewpoints. I emphasize the importance of goodwill when approaching others and how the podcast helps spread valuable information. Balancing free content with the need to generate income is a big topic, and I draw inspiration from industry leaders like Carve and those pushing technological boundaries in skiing. We even consider the idea of introducing beginner mogul runs and obstacle courses at resorts to enrich skiing experiences, encouraging skiers to embrace all aspects of skiing with intention and a focus on improvement.

Further into the discussion, we explore the benefits of skiing in varied conditions and how it can boost your skills. Mastering diverse techniques like moguls and bumps can really elevate your overall skiing. We stress the importance of ongoing learning and adaptation in skiing, trusting your body, and exploring resources like books and studies on body movement. Topics like footbeds, boot setups, and pattern recognition in skiing highlight the value of a holistic approach to skiing and making informed decisions to optimize performance.

00:00:00 Flipping the Chairs

00:01:09 A Break from Skiing

00:35:31 Shortening Video Content

00:38:35 Mogul Skiing Motivation

00:41:56 Starting the Podcast

00:51:42 The Power of Podcasts and Sharing Ideas

00:55:16 Enhancing Coaching with Technology

01:01:40 The Evolution of Online Ski Classes

01:02:37 The Importance of Mogul Skiing

01:06:19 Maximizing Skiing Enjoyment on Any Day

01:09:52 Using Legs as Shock Absorbers

01:14:10 Uncovering Hidden Insights in Skiing

01:16:06 Trusting Your Body in Skiing

01:17:27 The Importance of Ski Boot Setup

01:19:13 Recognizing Patterns in Skiing

• Want a session with Claudia Sorenson the lady who changed my life with Structural Integration: https://www.claudiasorensen.com/

• Like the Skiing Skeleton cap Tom is wearing? You can get your own here: https://big-picture-skiing.myshopify.com/

• Want access to the biggest library of ski technique videos designed to make you a better skier, click here: https://bigpictureskiing.com/

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Meet Joe Dunn a former ski racer and coach turned Ski Dad and Instructor at Deer Valley Ski resort. In this podcast we learn how Joe made more progress by “watching what the best skiers did” instead of just listening to what people “told him to do”. There are some great insights into high end carving that you may not hear elsewhere and Joe shares these through his own experiences on the slopes.

For aspiring skiers and ski racers there are some great technical takeaways you can try when next on snow.

For the ski instructors and coaches there are a few important lessons around language and the words we use when coaching.

Joe and I hope you find this chat ignites a fire of curiosity around your skiing and the way you coach skiing.

You can checkout Joe’s YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/@skidadtv

Like the Skiing Skeleton cap Tom is wearing? You can get your own here: https://big-picture-skiing.myshopify.com/

Want access to the biggest library of ski technique videos designed to make you a better skier, click here: https://bigpictureskiing.com/

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