The Fall Line: With Chaos and Co.

Great discussion with Greg Dixon, Coach of the PSIA-AASI Telemark Team, about his early years on snow and how he learned how to Telemark ski.  Interesting conversation on how different countries around the world Telemark from Greg's experiences at the past Interski.  Also some great information on some of the choices of skis and boots in the Telemark world.  Greg also challenges Alpine Team Member Mike Hafer to a wrestling match.  Can't wait for the that!

Alison joined Angelo and I for a fun and educational conversation about her journey from learning to ski to being a member of the National Junior Educator Team (JET's).   Alison was instrumental in the development of the Eastern ACE team and was the first coach of the ACE Team.  She has been a member of the Education Staff in the Eastern Region and continues to deliver outstanding inspirational education to PSIA-Members.  Alison's contributions to children's education has helped to not only improve the level of lessons children receive, but has created learning experiences for children that would not have been possible with her hard work, passion and dedication to teaching Children.

Angelo and Dave get to talk with Alpine Team Member Mike Hafer.  It was great to talk with Mike about his unusual first years on skis and how he started teaching skiing.  Great conversation on how important connecting with each student on an individual level is so important.  Mike also talks to us about how he trains for the ski season and how important it is to be aware of the time needed during the season to recover and rest.

Former PSIA Alpine Team Member Mermer Blakeslee talks with Chaos and Co. about her early years of skiing with family and her path to the Alpine Team.  Great discussion on how the love of skiing and teaching led her to help those with fear overcome and thrive on the slopes.  Mermer discusses how racing gave her a great foundation of skills and a technical understanding of skiing.  These experiences throughout her career shaped how she teaches and how she created her incredible PowerLearn program at Windham.

Dave and Angelo get to talk with Margie King Ph.D, ATC, PT, FACSM.  Margie has been inducted in both the National and Eastern Athletic Trainer Hall of Fame.  She is a PSIA Alpine Level 3 Certified Member.  We get to talk with Margie about her life work in athletic training, teaching, and skiing.  Great discussion on how to keep the body working well throughout the ski season and the entire year.

Dave and Angelo had the honor and privilege to chat with the one and only Ellen Post Foster!  Ellen is an absolute legend in the sport of skiing, from her amazing early achievements with a world class career in freestyle skiing to her two terms on the PSIA National Demo Team. For Ellen that was not enough, she has given our sport and ski teaching numerous books, articles and manuals for all of us to benefit from.  Her contribution to skiing and ski teaching is astounding, and that is why she is in the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame.

US and Canadian Ski Hall of Fame inductee and philanthropist, Wayne Wong joins Chaos and Co. to talk about his early days of hot doggin! Wayne shares how and where he started skiing and his unique way of creating tricks on skis. If you want to know how the “Wong Banger” trick developed, this is a must listen. Discussion on his involvement in the 1975 Interski and his involvement with Canadian ski instruction is awesome. There are great stories and a lot of laughs about the development and evolution of freestyle skiing.

Angelo and Dave talk with PSIA/AASI-E Alpine Ed. and Cert. Chair Chis Ericson.  Chris takes us through the process of rolling out the new National Alpine Certification Standards and where we are now.  Chris gives some great insights on what members will see and do during the "assessments".  Assessment Forms, Performance Guides, the 1-6 point scoring scale, Learning Outcomes, Learning Experiences, Assessment Activities and Assessment Criteria are all discussed and explained in the podcast

The Fall Line: With Chaos and Co. talk with Alpine Team Member Brian Smith about his early days skiing and his evolution to PSIA/AASI Alpine Team Member. Conversation ranges from stories of growing up chasing his brothers around the ski hill to how developing "People Skills" can make you a great coach. And of course there was talk of "fishing and hunting" and a whole lot of laughing.

Dave and Angelo sit down and talk with Kathy Brennan to discuss her start in skiing and her journey to becoming the CEO of PSIA/AASI-E.  Kathy discusses how her love for skiing and teaching developed and the drive to be a life long learner.  Kathy also discusses some amazing experiences she has had at two different Interski's and how those experiences will impact her as CEO.