By Christian Green

This is the fourth story in recognition of this year’s PSIA-AASI award recipients. Members were honored last night at National Academy, in Big Sky, Montana, for their achievements as instructors, leaders, role models, and collaborators in the snowsports industry.

Since a young age, Angus Graham Rising Star Award recipient Tomás Zunino, a Level III alpine instructor, wanted to teach skiing. Undoubtedly, that goal was nurtured with the help of his dedicated parents, who drove 14 hours each winter – from the time he was 6 until he finished secondary school – for Zunino to attend ski school in the mountains of Argentina.

“I saw instructors skiing the whole day, having fun, and it was amazing for me to spend the entire day in the mountains,” Zunino said, reflecting on the time he spent skiing as a child. “Basically, I was like, ‘wow, I want to do that one day when I’m older.’”

A Smile Can Go a Long Way

Many years later, Zunino’s goal of becoming an instructor has come to fruition, here in the United States. For the past seven seasons, he’s been a children’s instructor at Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California, where he’s able to witness a new generation of skiers falling in love with the sport.

“Watching kids having fun and going down the hill with a big smile on their face, that’s what’s amazing and super special for me,” Zunino said. “In just a few hours you become their friend, and they trust you.”

For Zunino, earning that trust is often what makes the difference between a not-so-good lesson and a memorable one. “Imagine being a 6-year-old, and it’s your first time on a mountain wearing ski boots, and it’s really cold,” he expressed. “If you just show up and don’t connect with kids, they’re probably going to have a rough day. So, it’s on us to bring those tools for them so they can open up and enjoy the experience on snow.”

During the first 30 minutes of a lesson, Zunino focuses on engaging with every student to make them feel comfortable. He starts by asking their name, if they have siblings, where they live, and what their hobbies are. And then he explains why he has an accent. “I don’t ask too much about school because it’s usually not their favorite topic,” he joked.

If he’s teaching a group of 5-year-olds, for example, he might ask them to give him a high five to help break the ice. “Once they’re laughing a little bit, it opens the door for you and you can start having a blast with them,” he said.

Thanks to the success he’s had in teaching and connecting to kids, he helps train new instructors in the Children’s Ski and Ride School at Heavenly, which has become his second home. “The team and my co-workers have been amazing since my first year until now,” he said. “I’ve felt very welcomed.”

According to Robin Barnes, director of skier services at Heavenly and PSIA-AASI National Team alumni member, Zunino has become one of Heavenly’s locker room leaders. “He’s knowledgeable, patient, and relates well to our instructors who come from other countries,” she said. “Outside his official duties, he inspires and motivates others to strive to be better and to improve both their skiing and teaching.”

What Lies Ahead

Although he has a degree in economics, Zunino is most passionate about skiing and outdoor adventure. To that end, during the offseason he’s been teaching skiing in Argentina; however, last summer, he taught at Mount Hotham in Australia for the first time. “The ski school opened its doors to me in an amazing way,” he said of his time at the “Powder Capital” of Australia. “Everybody was stoked that I was there, and it was really nice to see a different culture and country. It felt like home in a different place.”

Barnes appreciates Zunino’s desire to broaden his horizons. “He always returns with fresh ideas and a deeper understanding of our global snowsports industry,” she said. “He brings thoughtfulness and discipline to every step of his journey.”

Zunino credits PSIA-AASI for setting a high standard and helping to make him more marketable, through certification, while he applied for positions in Australia. “[The association] has helped me grow as a skier and a teacher,” he said. “They’ve pushed me to improve, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

In the coming years, Zunino would like to teach in Portillo, Chile, as many Heavenly instructors have done, including Barnes and PSIA Alpine Team Technical Coach Michael Rogan, who is the director of operations there. He also aspires to try out for the National Team in the future.

In the meantime, Zunino plans to continue to develop as a person and as a skier, as well as spend more time on his other passion: mountaineering. “I live my whole day in nature, so being outside and being in the sun or in a storm is my life,” he said. “Wherever I go, I’m always going to try to push my limits a little bit further.”

His desire to be better, along with the leadership qualities he’s shown at Heavenly, are a big part of why he was recognized as this year’s Angus Graham Rising Star Award recipient. “It’s a reflection of all the hard work I’ve put in as an instructor, including the teaching skills, people skills, and technique I’ve learned during the past seven years,” he conveyed. “To be rewarded is amazing, and many people have helped me along the way.”

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The Angus Graham Rising Star Award recognizes standout members who show promise charting a career path within the snowsports industry. The award is named for Angus Graham, a beloved instructor, trainer, and mentor at Aspen Snowmass, who died in a car accident in Oregon on Aug. 25, 2017. An inspirational skier and teacher, he was a candidate at 2016 Team Selection. Learn more about the awards and how you can honor members who have made an impact on our industry.

Read about this year’s other award recipients:

3 C’s Award: Ralf Riehl

Educational Excellence Award: Dale Drennan

3 C’s Award: Grace Center do Ouro