PSIA-AASI

06/03/2026

Creating Lessons that Promote Student Retention
Stop giving them the answer. Start letting them figure it out.

What does an orange have to do with student retention? In our latest blog post, Mark Aiken explores the Pedagogy of Play and why the teaching fundamental of “Promoting play, experimentation, and exploration” is the secret to keeping guests coming back.

Drawing on research from Harvard’s Project Zero and insights from National Team member Keith Rodney, this article breaks down why the process of learning is often more valuable than the final outcome.

- The Playful Mindset: Why instructors need to be co-creators rather than just presenters.
- Co-Design: How letting students help shape the lesson builds autonomy and engagement.
- Experimentation over Explanation: Why a group discovery session beats a standard demonstration every time.
- Outcome vs. Process: Creating an environment where there is no single right way, only a better way.

Whether you're teaching your first lesson or your thousandth, learning to dim the spotlight and facilitate exploration will transform your students’ experience.

Read how to promote retention through play here: https://thesnowpros.org/2026/04/creating-lessons-that-promote-student-retention/

Student retention occurs when a learner feels empowered, finds learning meaningful, and experiences joy and delight.

06/01/2026

Don’t let pressure freeze your performance on the snow.

In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas talks with Carmela Olmo about the mindset shifts needed to perform when it matters most. Drawing from her background in ski racing and her 32 Degrees article, Carmela breaks down how to turn nerves into focus and mistakes into valuable feedback.

Key Takeaways:

- Using simple performance cues to stay present.
- Reframing failure as a tool for growth.
- How to trust your training during high-stakes assessments.
- Strategies for clear communication under stress.

Listen to First Chair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts.

What happens when pressure shows up—during a certification, a clinic, or even a lesson? In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas sits down with PSIA-AAS...

05/29/2026

Before the 90s, we were all on "straight skis." Then came the "parabolic" revolution—and 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Bill Irwin was at the center of the storm.

In a recent blog post, we dive into the career of Bill Irwin, the man who helped take Elan’s "strange-looking" SCX skis and turn them into the industry standard. From facing skeptical instructors who thought shaped skis were "cheating" to proving their power in a legendary racecourse showdown at Snowmass, Bill’s journey is the story of how modern skiing was born.

What’s inside:
- The "Q-Tip" Discovery: How Bill first found the SCX in a back room at Elan.
- The Conversion: How 200cm traditionalists were won over by 183cm shaped skis.
- The PSIA Connection: How Bill used instructor clinics to change the game.
- The Beginner Revolution: Why shaped skis transformed the "Learn-to-Ski" experience.

Bill Irwin’s work didn’t just change the gear—it made the sport more accessible and sustainable for everyone.

Read the full story of Bill Irwin and the shaped ski phenomenon here:

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Bill Irwin on the phenomenon of shaped skis and PSIA's impact in helping to introduce them to the U.S.

05/27/2026

In the Winter Issue of 32 Degrees, J. Scott McGee breaks down Adventure Cross Country (AXC)—essentially the "choose your own adventure" mode of the Nordic world. Whether you’re a tele-pro looking for a lighter setup or an alpine instructor looking to cross-train, AXC is the ultimate tool for finding some solitude in the backcountry.

We’re talking about a gear-shaping shift: ditching the stiff boots for a free-heel setup that actually lets you move. Scott walks through the technical side of it—balancing your center of mass over a gliding foot on untracked snow, mastering the herringbone on steep climbs, and survival-shifting your downhill fundamentals when the terrain gets spicy.

It’s about getting back to the "why" of what we do: finding freedom on the snow.

Swipe through for the quick-and-dirty on AXC tech and movement and catch the full article in the digital Winter Issue of 32 Degrees! https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=857559&p=98&view=issueViewer

✍️: J. Scott McGee

05/25/2026

Let’s be real: we’ve all had those days where the magic feels a little thin and the bunny hill feels a little long.

In the Winter Issue of 32 Degrees, National Team member Keith Rodney flips the script on the standard "how to make lessons fun" advice. The real question we should be asking as pros? "How can I make this lesson fun for myself?"

Joy isn't just a luxury in kids' lessons—it’s a professional competency. When we use the CAP lens through a playful mindset, we’re not just "playing games." We’re building resilience and creating a safe emotional climate where actual technical growth happens.

If you’re just going through the motions, they’ll sense it. But if you’re stoked—turning a traverse into a lava escape or a stance drill into superhero training—they’re hooked for life.

Swipe through for the CAP breakdown and why "fun" is a strategic tool in your instructor kit. Catch the full article in the digital Winter Issue of 32 Degrees! https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=857559&p=106&view=issueViewer

✍️: Keith Rodney

05/22/2026

What do your favorite teacher and a global CEO have in common?

PSIA-AASI Director of Education Dave Schuiling dives into why "People Skills" are no longer just a "nice-to-have" in snowsports—they are the core of the Learning Connection and a requirement for the future of work.

When we define behaviors like trust and adaptability, they become visible. And when they are visible, they become coachable.

Check out how the skills you use on the mountain are the same ones that will help you thrive in 2030 and beyond.

Read more: https://thesnowpros.org/2026/03/making-people-skills-visible/

Relational competencies that help instructors create meaningful learning experiences will help them thrive in a rapidly changing world.

05/20/2026

Teaching your peers in an assessment can feel forced and high-stakes—but it doesn't have to be.

PSIA Alpine Team member Katie White shares her roadmap for success in the latest issue of 32 Degrees. The secret? Treat your assessment group like your actual clients. Move away from "canned" progressions and start coaching the skiers standing in front of you.

From managing hill flow to giving high-quality, specific feedback, these tips will help you stay calm, keep the group engaged, and show the examiners exactly what great teaching looks like.

Read the full article in the digital Winter Issue of 32 Degrees: https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=857559&p=94&view=issueViewer

✍️: Katie White

05/19/2026

Ditch the "bag of tricks" and start building progressions that actually stick. ⛷️

In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas sits down with Scott McGee and Jake Crawford to discuss a smarter way to teach. They introduce the SSCA framework (Static, Simple, Complex, Applied)—a flexible approach to lesson planning that focuses on intentional movement over repetitive drills.

Key Takeaways:

Mastering the SSCA framework.
Micro vs. macro progressions.
Choosing drills based on movement, not habit.
Knowing when to simplify or increase the challenge.

🎧 Listen to First Chair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to build better ski and snowboard lessons? This episode breaks down a smarter way to create progressions that actually work for your guests.In this epis...

05/13/2026

Technical skills get us down the mountain, but emotional connection is what keeps us coming back.

In the Winter issue of 32 Degrees, PSIA-AASI National Team member Melodie Buell explores "The Space Between Skills and Connection." As instructors, it’s easy to default to "forced positivity," but true learning happens when we create an environment where students feel seen and valued—exactly as they are.

Whether you are leading an exam, a clinic, or a first-time lesson, expanding your emotional range as an instructor helps foster a deeper sense of belonging and safety for your students.

Check out the highlights in our slides and find the full 6 tips in the digital edition of the Winter Issue of 32 Degrees! https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=857559&p=92&view=issueViewer

✍️: Melodie Buell

05/11/2026

Check out the First Chair Podcast - a podcast for ski and snowboard instructors!

In this episode of First Chair, AASI Snowboard Team member Eric Rolls reveals exactly what examiners look for during assessments. Based on his 32 Degrees article, Eric breaks down the five success patterns that lead to passing scores and shares how to manage nerves when the pressure is on.

Key Takeaways:

- The 5 success patterns for certification.
- Real-time recovery from mistakes.
- Sharpening your Movement Analysis (MA).
- Why adaptability beats a rigid lesson plan.

Listen to the First Chair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Thinking about your PSIA-AASI certification? Here’s how to actually prepare—and what examiners are really looking for. In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas talks with AASI Snowboard Team me