Interski 2023: Jeb Boyd on Education Opportunities
Held every four years, Interski is an international event that brings together top snowsports instructors from more than 40 countries. The PSIA-AASI National Team attends to present their latest teaching techniques and get insight into new ideas to bring back home to members. The discussions that take place at the event help PSIA-AASI refine its approach to training instructors and improving the guest experience.
Here, team coach Jeb Boyd discusses the team’s preparation for Interski 2023 in Levi, Finland, March 26 through March 31 and how the event benefits members.
What are you most excited about in anticipation of Interski 2023?
I’m most excited about two things. First is the overall experience and what we can learn from it. Second is the opportunity for our new team members to participate in this international event. It’s a big deal to interact with peers from around the world, to take part in the demonstrations, and to lead sessions.
Whether on-snow or indoors, what are you presenting, and how does that complement the team presentation?
My goal is to make sure our team is ready to present. At the last Interski, the U.S. topics were widely attended, and I needed to float to split groups where needed. This time I expect the same, and I will need to work with our subject matter experts to be prepared for anything!
How has your Interski preparations impacted how you approach your clinics, lessons, and coaching?
It’s impacted things for me hugely. I spend more time skiing, with a stronger focus on experience over heavy content. I also spend more time interacting with participants and the topic at hand, allowing the participants more of an opportunity to shape the experience. I am basing my teaching and student learning more around experimentation and exploration. We ski more, we get more done, and we model what I feel any good lesson should look like.
What are you most interested in learning from the other countries and their presentations?
I’m most interested in gleaning ideas on techniques from other nations to help shape my own beliefs as well as our nation’s beliefs in how we communicate our fundamentals. I’m also interested in learning how nations integrate their technique into a truly guest centered experience to help bring clarity to our own pursuit and ability to unilaterally describe our position on this topic.
What does the Interski 2023 theme, “The Guest Experience is Everything,” mean to you and PSIA-AASI’s approach to snowsports instruction?
I feel lucky that when we learned of the theme, all we needed to do was look inward at all the wonderful things we’ve been working on. I say this as the Interski theme and our focus are completely aligned. It means that the world is focused on the overall guest experience and the impact our effort has on the overall health of the snowsports and winter recreation industry.