First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with PSIA-AASI Lead Writer Pete Kray for EPISODE 700!! We have an unbelievable bank of amazing podcasts that are all about snowsports instruction. Pete and George are old pals so this conversation is fun and insightful. Pete talks about his time at National Academy and what it's like being in Big Sky for the event. Pete has many books out and is the main writer for thesnowpros.org and 32 Degrees magazine. George asks Pete what keeps him so intertwined with this industry and what keeps him going.

PSIA-AASI First Chair podcast Host George Thomas catches up with PSIA-AASI CEO Peggy Hiller and Board Chair Eliza Kuntz! George, Eliza and Peggy chat about National Academy and how the week has been going and what to expect with Team Selection week. George questions Peggy on the member survey that went out and how it is interacting face-to-face with the members at this event. George asks Eliza about gender equity in this industry and how she feels being a woman leader here. Listen in to hear more. Peggy talks about a new launch of the Education Foundation and the high points of this season.

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member Jonathan Ballou from Big Sky, MT. George and Jonothan talk briefly about the podcast and its history. Episode 700 is coming up! Jonathan has been on the National Team for 3 terms and is retiring as a team member this year. Jonathan talks about his time on the team and what's next in his journey throughout this podcast. Learn more about Jonathon and the National Team by heading to thesnowpros.org.

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas chats with Vanessa Mann, the General Secretary of IASESS (International Association of Science in Snowsports) and the Project Manager for Interski International. The IAESS bridges the gap between theory and practice. IEASS is the pillar organization of Interski International and connects snowsports to education. Vanessa and George talk about what has to happen between now and 2027 when Interski comes back to the US for the first time since 1965. They also chat about what is happening in Big Sky, Montana as National Academy wraps up and Team Selection week begins. Vanessa teaches high school in Germany and also teaches snowsports as well with her affiliation with the university. To learn more about National Team Selection or National Academy, visit thesnowpros.org.

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with Scott Behrens, a first-time participant of Adaptive Academy. Scott shares moments about his time at academy and how it's living up to what he expected. Scott mentions how he got into adaptive snowsports and what led him into snowsports instruction. George and Scott continue to chat about his journey in instruction and how he earned funds from the Sodergren Fund to get to Adaptive Academy and what he hopes to get from the rest of academy. For more information about Adaptive Academy on thesnowspros.com.

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast host George Thomas catches up with first-time participant of Adaptive Academy Josephine Cormier on her experience so far. Josephine came to Adaptive Academy by way of getting the Nancy Oakes Hall Scholarship this year. Josephine works at Achieve Tahoe, a fully adaptive program out of California. George and Josephine talk about what the experience has been like so far, what the highlights are and what's to come. Tune in for more on Josephine and Achieve Tahoe and all things Adaptive Academy. For more on academy, head to thesnowpros.org.