2021-24 National Team: Meet Christina Bruno
Christina Bruno is a member of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team where she will help set the standard for snowsports instruction. PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches chosen last season and 29 team members selected spring 2021 – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding.
Listen to this podcast interview with PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team member Christina.
Where is your home mountain?
Steamboat Resort, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Intermountain and Rocky Mountain Adaptive Snowboard Examiner
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
During an Adaptive Snowboard Level I exam I reconnected with a former student who is now an instructor. They shared that learning to snowboard taught them how to overcome challenges, and they decided to start instructing so they can further share the love and healing abilities of our sport.
What are your specialties in regards to your role as a Team member?
Adaptive ski and snowboard instruction across all disciplines. I’m a competitive freeride snowboarder who loves coaching and teaching children. I also enjoy split boarding, mountaineering, and exploring the backcountry.
Any other relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI-certified Adaptive Snowboard Level III, Snowboard Level II, Adaptive Level I, Alpine Level I. Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1 credentials. New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA) Adaptive Examiner and Coaches Accreditation. Avalanche Level 2. Wilderness First Responder.
Where have you traveled instructing?
From the PyeongChang, South Korea Paralympics to running a snowsports school in New Zealand, teaching snowsports has taken me all over the world.
Who is your greatest inspiration as an instructor?
When I was adult school manager at Taos Ski Valley, I found the greatest inspiration from my staff who were die-hard skiers and snowboarders. Even though some were creeping up there in age, and might have skied better than they walked, they loved the mountain and worked and played 6-7 days a week. They could all out ski or ride me and created an amazing work/ski/ride culture. Many of the staff had worked there 30-50 years and embodied true mountain spirit and snowsports passion. They continue to inspire me.
Best part of teaching?
The connection I make with my students as they learn to slide on snow is the best part of teaching. Fostering life-long snowsports enthusiasts is rewarding and a wonderful way to share my love for the mountain environment. Getting to see students overcome challenges, learn new skills, and ski or snowboard with their family and friends continues to feed my love of teaching.
What’s your favorite run at your home mountain?
I’ve had many home mountains in my career and still my favorite place to snowboard is Taos Ski Valley. Hiking up the ridge to West Basin and playing in all the steep, technical chutes is my favorite in-bounds location at any resort.
