In this episode of First Chair, PSIA-AASI CEO Jeffrey Lifgren and Board Chair John May sit down with host George Thomas to share their perspectives on leadership, priorities, and the future of the organization.

John reflects on his journey from teaching at Mount Hood to serving as Board Chair, highlighting the experiences that shaped his career and his passion for supporting instructors. Jeff outlines the National Board’s strategic priorities for the year ahead: stabilizing IT systems, supporting regions and members as valued clients, and driving decision-making with reliable data.

Together, they discuss how the organization is shifting toward stronger collaboration with regions, recognizing them as the experts in delivering on-snow education and guest experiences. They also talk about the importance of community and self-development, the evolving role of member schools, and how new communication and survey efforts will help bring the entire membership along on this journey.

Tune in for an inside look at how PSIA-AASI leadership is laying the groundwork today to deliver a stronger, more connected member experience in the seasons ahead.

First Chair connects with National Team members Katie White and Kevin Jordan as they join us from Portillo, Chile. They talk about why late-season training camps are such a powerful way to get extra time on snow, sharpen technique, and build momentum heading into winter. Katie explains how Portillo’s highly qualified ski school and affordable lesson options make it a hidden gem for certification prep, while Kevin shares how his camp balances skill development with the unique energy of training alongside world-class athletes.

Beyond on-snow opportunities, they offer practical advice for anyone who can’t make the trip — from intentional gym workouts and visualization drills to building study groups, reviewing manuals, and keeping your skiing mindset sharp in the fall. The conversation also looks ahead to the coming season, team training, and the excitement of the U.S. hosting Interski 2027 for the first time in decades.

First Chair connects with PSIA-AASI Team member Kevin Jordan to explore what it means to train in the Southern Hemisphere during the North American summer. Kevin dives into the story behind launching Condor Camps in Portillo, Chile, and why the Andes are such a unique classroom for instructors. He shares how South America offers everything from steep terrain and historic ski racing culture to opportunities for members to prep for certification, shake off the rust, and get a jumpstart on the upcoming season. Hear Kevin’s take on building the camp, the international community it’s drawing, and why skiing in September can be the perfect way to carry momentum into winter at home.

First Chair catches up with Aspen Snowmass instructor and PSIA-AASI National Team member Kevin Jordan to talk about the growing crossover between skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. Kevin shares how summer bike instruction builds camaraderie among instructors, sharpens teaching skills for winter, and opens doors to new certification opportunities like PMBIA, BICP, and GSMBC. Learn how terrain reading, rider positioning, and effective communication on a bike can translate directly to better lessons on snow — and why mountain biking might be your next great teaching adventure.

Ask ChatGPT

In this episode of the First Chair Podcast, George Thomas chats with Grace Center Du Oro, recipient of the PSIA-AASI Three Cs Award for communication, collaboration, and cooperation. Grace shares her journey from weekend warrior at Hoodoo to becoming the resort’s new Ski and Ride School Director. She reflects on building community, the value of mentorship, and how showing up authentically creates connection on and off the hill. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about finding your stoke, embracing imposter syndrome, and why Hoodoo's “island of misfit toys” is something truly special. Learn more about PSIA-AASIs Awards and Recognition program at thesnowpros.org.

In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas catches up with Dale Drennan, recipient of PSIA-AASI’s Educational Excellence Award. Dale shares her journey from learning to ski in the Poconos in 1957 to becoming a lifelong educator across multiple disciplines—from English to swimming to Nordic and telemark skiing.

Tune in to hear Dale’s reflections on what educational excellence really means, how to connect with reluctant learners, and how teaching has evolved over the decades. You’ll also get to hear the story behind her now-famous pencil analogy from National Academy, plus her advice to new instructors on staying inspired in the face of challenges.

In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas talks with SkyTechSport co-founder Alex Golunov and account manager Connor Bishop about how their cutting-edge ski and snowboard simulator is helping people train smarter—anytime, anywhere. Learn how the simulator replicates g-forces, edge angles, and pressure points to support both high-performance athletes and brand-new skiers.

Alex shares how SkyTechSport evolved from a college project into a global training tool now used by the U.S. Ski Team, while Connor explains how PSIA-AASI instructors are integrating it into lessons and even launching their own indoor ski studios. The team also explores how the simulator aids in rehabilitation, offers real-time feedback, and includes immersive runs like the Streif and Cortina d'Ampezzo to keep training dynamic and fun.

👉 To learn more, visit thesnowpros.org.

In the final episode of this three-part series, host George Thomas is joined by Dr. Josh Pighetti and PSIA-AASI National Team members Matt Larson and Zoe Mavis for a deep dive into the Five Elements of Inspirational Instruction: Technical Expertise, Instructional Communication, Masterful Teaching, Professional Character, and a Student-Centered Approach.

To hear more on Josh's keynote from National Academy 2024: copy and paste this link -https://www.youtube.com/live/dv3pdRhGimI.

Together, they explore how inspirational instructors blend strong technical skills with empathy, creativity, and adaptability to meet students where they are. Zoe and Matt share real-world stories about modifying their delivery while staying true to themselves and how those small shifts lead to stronger student relationships and more meaningful learning moments. They also talk about building shared language, navigating tricky dynamics (like parent involvement), and helping students feel like they truly belong in the snowsports community.

Whether you're a first-year instructor or a seasoned trainer, this conversation offers thoughtful insights, practical tools, and plenty of inspiration for connecting more deeply with your students — and with the sport you love. Learn more about this research and the collaboration between Pennsylvania State University and PSIA-AASI by heading to thesnowpros.org.

In Episode 756 of the First Chair Podcast, George Thomas continues the conversation with Dr. Josh Pighetti to explore the remaining three of the Five Elements of Inspirational Instruction: Masterful Teaching, Personal and Professional Character, and the Student-Centered Approach. These principles—rooted in Josh’s doctoral research—offer actionable strategies to create meaningful, engaging lessons that put students at the heart of the learning experience.

This conversation is part of PSIA-AASI’s ongoing partnership with Penn State University, which supports instructors through access to online snowsports courses, certification-aligned academic programs, and advanced degrees. Leaders like Josh are helping shape a more inspired and research-driven future for snowsports education.

Catch up on Part 1 if you missed it, and visit thesnowpros.org to learn more about this exciting collaboration.

In Episode 755 of the First Chair Podcast, George Thomas talks with Dr. Josh Pighetti about the first two of the Five Elements of Inspirational Instruction: Technical Expertise and Instructional Communication. These insights come from Josh’s doctoral research and offer practical tools for creating more impactful, student-centered lessons have powerful implications for instructors at all levels.

This work is part of a growing collaboration between PSIA-AASI and Penn State University, aimed at expanding access to online snowsports courses, certification pathways, and academic programs — from undergraduate degrees to master’s and Ph.D. studies. Researchers like Josh and emerging leaders like Sierra are helping shape the future of snowsports education.

Listen to the next episode to continue the dive into Inspirational Instruction. To learn more about this collaboration, head to thesnowpros.org.