2021-24 National Team: Meet Keith Rodney
Keith Rodney is a member of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team where he will help set the standard for snowsports instruction. PSIA-AASI hand-selected the 37 team members – 8 coaches and 29 team members – for their range of skills that allow them to serve as inspirational leaders and build enthusiasm for learning and having fun skiing and riding.
Meet PSIA Telemark Team member Keith Rodney.
Where is your home mountain?
Mount Snow, Vermont
What other occupations are you involved in?
Custom cabinets, furniture, and home restoration.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
When I first started instructing, I was working with a young student who lost a ski when he fell. Watching the ski travel downhill, I noticed his boot was still attached. When I looked back at my student, he had a ski boot on one foot and a sneaker on the other. Lesson learned: Always look at my student’s gear.
What are your specialties as a team member?
Coaching high performance telemark skiing with a racing specialty. I’m also trained in children’s education. A personal focus of mine is teaching entry-level students to ignite their stoke for the sport.
Any relevant certifications?
Alpine Level III, Telemark Level III, Cross Country Level I, Snowboard Level I. Children’s Specialist 2.
What will you bring to the table as a team member?
The best thing I have to share is my passion for teaching and for sliding on snow.
Who is your greatest inspiration as an instructor?
Richard Waryasz. An instructor at Mount Snow, he has been a PSIA member for over 50 years. He comes to work in the children’s ski school ready to teach and volunteers to work with entry level students and instructors. No matter the level or quantity of students, he demonstrates an amazing passion for teaching.
Best part of teaching?
The best part of teaching is when a student realizes they can learn more skills and set new goals. The lightbulb moment.
What’s your favorite run at your home mountain?
There is a set of trees on the north face of Mount Snow that are always enjoyable to ski. Call them my secret stash. I will show you if you come take some runs.
