National Team
The PSIA-AASI National Team sets the standard for U.S. snowsports instruction and embodies the ski and snowboard experience. Representing adaptive, alpine, cross country, snowboard, and telemark disciplines, the team is responsible for promoting, supporting, and assisting with the development of PSIA-AASI education materials, programs, and activities at all levels. They also inspire, coach, and uplift the entire snowsports instruction profession. Selections for the National Team happen every four years. Hundreds try out for the opportunity to wear the patch and are selected not just for their ski/ride and teaching abilities, but also their people skills, ability to compliment a holistic “team,” and potential for positive impact on the greater PSIA-AASI community.
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Brian Donovan
Snowboard Team member
Where is your home mountain and where did you learn to slide on snow?
Mount Snow Resort, Vermont is my home mountain. I learned to slide on snow at Peek’n Peak Resort, New York.
How many years have you been an instructor?
21
What other occupations are you involved in?
I work at the resort year-round, but have spent time in the past working full-time as a whitewater raft guide and safety kayaker, as well as working as a guide and trainer at an aerial adventure park and zip line tour.
Describe a teaching experience that sticks out in your mind.
I instructed a couple who returned almost 10 years later for me to teach their son. They said the snowboard lesson had been a great experience and they wanted their son to learn so they could snowboard as a family. I realized that lessons can be potentially life-changing to our students. The experience reminds me to be 100 percent clued into the moment when working with students.
What are your specialties as a team member?
I love it all. I love skiing, snowboarding, nerding out in a tech conversation, snowboarding without talking about ANYTHING, clinics, lessons, certifications, indoor presentations… The list goes on. I get down with any of it and I love ALL of it. If it has to do with making our sports easier, more accessible, or easier to understand…sign me up. Help to write the national standards or a new technical manual? Check. Co-Host a snowboarding podcast? Yes please.
What is your favorite on-snow snack?
Jolly Ranchers or Oreo Cookies…but never both at the same time.
What is your pro tip for an instructor working their way through the certification track?
You can’t fake mileage…Get out and slide on your equipment. Get out and teach lessons. You have to practice by doing the job. That will make skills learned through certification relatable to real world AND useful in the real world.
Relevant certifications?
AASI-certified Snowboard Level III, and Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1 credentials.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I’ve entered 1 pickleball tournament in my life. I have won 1 pickleball tournament in my life. 100% baby!
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Chris Rogers
Snowboard Team member
Where is your home mountain?
Vail, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Snowboard, Freestyle, and Children’s Examiner and the Snowboard Education Committee Chair for Rocky Mountain Division. Director of WNTR, an online ski and snowboard school training platform and mountain-town consultancy. Summer Seasonal Assistant Manager, Amenities & Activities, at Colorado’s Red Sky Golf Club.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
One of my recent focuses has been on the word “control” in the fundamentals, and how that enables us to look at both increasing and decreasing performance in relationship with a specific fundamental. For example, “Control the board’s pivot through flexion/extension and rotation of the body” could be used to look at how someone is creating pivot using front or back leg steering in a skidded turn, or how someone might need to work on reducing pivot in the initiation of a turn to carve better!
What are your specialties as a team member?
I love helping others find their path in the industry. One of my specialties is using technology to support and advance what we do!
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI certified Snowboard Level III and Alpine Level I with Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1 credentials. United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association Level 200. American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education Avalanche 1.
What is your favorite on-snow snack?
Fresh baked goods at the ski area
How many years have you been an instructor?
22
Is there anything we missed asking?
Follow my adventures on Instagram: @livewntr
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Cori Lambert
Snowboard Team member
Where is your home mountain?
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
I am self-taught, and started riding on big mountain in Whitefish, MT
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
13 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Technical skills. (How to be a better skier, rider, etc., and how to teach others to be better), Teaching skills., People skills., Preparing for certification. Freestyle/freeride, Translating snowsports instructing skills to other roles/jobs (outside of snowsports industry), Mentorship, Engaging underrepresented groups in snowsports/instruction, Running special events or group programs, Training (physical, mental, summer prep, etc.)
What other work do you do?
Coach CrossFit and coach gymnastics competitive and recreational.
What is your favorite on-snow snack?
Pocket carrots, beef jerky or dried mango
How many years have you been an instructor?
15
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I taught myself to ride and in doing so I do a couple things backwards… like riding the chairlift. I’m a regular rider but I ride the chairlift goofy. 🤘🏻
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Eric Rolls
National Snowboard Team Technical Coach
Where is your home mountain?
Woodward – Park City, Utah
What other occupations are you involved in?
Director, Woodward Action Sports School
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
For me, the most impactful learning experiences are when I start out as a teacher and then become the learner during the process.
What are your specialties as a team member?
As a coach, my role is to lead the team, help team members develop, and demonstrate skills and behaviors by example.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Snowboard Level III and Alpine Level I, Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 2.What is your favorite on-snow snack?
Honey Stinger Waffle
What is your pro tip for an instructor working their way through the certification track?
Embrace the journey more than the outcome.
How many years have you been an instructor?
28
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I took my L1 Alpine, then L2 Snowboard. I have never taken the Snowboard L1 Exam
Is there anything we missed asking?
I have East Coast roots, growing up in rural Western NY. Following my passion as a snowboarding professional has provided me with amazing opportunities to snowboard in 10 different countries, on 4 continents so far. -
Jesse Yedwab
Snowboard Team member
Where is your home mountain?
Breckenridge, Colorado
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Alpine Valley / Brighton / Pine Knob, Michigan
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
9 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Technical skills. (How to be a better skier, rider, etc., and how to teach others to be better), People skills., Preparing for certification., Advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff., Safety in navigating pieces of the resort. Children’s specialist, Freestyle/freeride, Gear tech (i.e. boot fitting, equipment tuning, etc.) related to your discipline, Running special events or group programs, Training (physical, mental, summer prep, etc.), Coaching and long-term development of athletes.
What other work do you do?
Landscape design & build / Slopestyle and Halfpipe coaching
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Josh Smith
Snowboard Team member
Where is your home mountain?
June Mountain, CA
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
My first turns were in Southern California at Mt High. I did not take a lesson but wish I had.
What PSIA-AASI certifications do you hold?
SB3, A2, FS2, CS2, Examiner
What is your favorite on-snow snack?
That’s it Fruit bar- They slap
What is your pro tip for an instructor working their way through the certification track?
Take your time and make it fun. Practice what you learn in training with your lessons and keep asking for feedback. Not just from your trainer but also from your students and your peers.
How long have you been instructing?
14 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Technical skills. (How to be a better skier, rider, etc., and how to teach others to be better), Teaching skills., People skills., Preparing for certification., advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff. Freestyle/freeride, General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, Mentorship, Background in racing or race coaching, Training (physical, mental, summer prep, etc.)
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I play Hockey
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Lyndsey Stevens
Snowboard Team member
Where is your home mountain?
Vail, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Snowsports instructor and trainer.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
I taught a never-ever who came back week after week all season. Toward the end of the season, he asked me how he could become an instructor. It was incredible to see him go from never-ever to instructing. His dedication and excitement reminded me that we can all accomplish amazing things.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Snowboard Level III, Alpine Level I, Adaptive Snowboard Level I. Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1. United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association Level 100.
What is your favorite on-snow snack?
Bobo’s oatmeal Peanut Butter and Jelly.
What is your pro tip for an instructor working their way through the certification track?
Find peers who have similar goals and hold each other accountable. Train, study and practice together.
What are your specialties as a team member?
I travel to lead training quite often but I also enjoy leading online clinics via zoom. I truly enjoy helping instructors to reach their goals, both professional and personal. During on snow training, I work to balance information delivery with ample time for participants to explore and practice the concepts, whether were focused on teaching skills, people skills, or technical skills.
Over the past several seasons I have found that I enjoy working with instructors who are developing their movement analysis skills. Taking time to discuss concepts and practice movement analysis indoors or via zoom, after a day on snow has allowed me to connect with instructors from all over our country. As Instructors practice these skills on a regular basis, they improve their delivery, and I get to watch their confidence grow. I am always stoked to hear when someone receives a new pin or had an awesome day on the hill with students because of investment they’ve made in their own development.
When I am not leading training, I enjoy writing articles for 32 Degrees, exploring the backcountry for the Winter Roots project with my teammates, and nerding out about snowboarding with my teammate Jesse Yedwab for our Shred Talks series. Check out the videos on our instagram page @shredtalks_aasi
How many years have you been an instructor?
18
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Sometimes I stay up way too late playing video games.
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Matt Larson
Snowboard Team member
Where is your home mountain?
Big Sky, Montana
What other occupations are you involved in?
Papa and family man, critical care nurse, whitewater kayak instructor, raft guide.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Sitting on a 125cc motorcycle with the goal of learning to ride. It reminded me it’s both exciting and scary to learn a new sport.
What are your specialties as a team member?
I focus my attention on freestyle coaching, commonalities between disciplines, and creating environments to coach people skills. Trusting that my actions on the team speak for my contributions. My interests include diversity in technical snowboarding skills and seeking insight to building people to have a positive influence.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Snowboard Level III and Telemark Level I, and Snowboard Freestyle Level 3 and Children’s Specialist 2.
What is your favorite on-snow snack?
Crustless PB and Strawberry Jelly Sandwich
What is your pro tip for an instructor working their way through the certification track?
Your ability to hear constructive feedback has a high correlation with learning. Exercise humility!
How many years have you been an instructor?
28
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I DIY wrench hard.
Is there anything we missed asking?
I am goofy-footed. I prefer to spin counterclockwise. I love Lucky Charms. My middle name is Charles. I wore a helmet when driving for the first six months after receiving my driver’s license.
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Tony Macri
Snowboard Team Development Coach
Where is your home mountain?
Copper Mountain, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Chef Executive Officer and Owner of Snow Trainers LTDHow many years have you been an instructor?
28
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
I would say the first-time teaching in China. No one in my group spoke English, so the lesson had to be extra fun and engaging to keep everyone’s attention and for them to understand the exercises.
What are your specialties as a team member?
Snowboard Development Coach, I have been in involved and continue to specialize in Freestyle as the chair of the Freestyle Task Force and Co-Author of the freestyle manual as well as the snowboard certification process.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI certified Snowboard Level III and Alpine Level III with Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1 credentials. Two-Time SBINZ National Team Member (Snowboard Instructor of New Zealand)What is your favorite on-snow snack?
Beef Jerky, or dried fruit
What is your pro tip for an instructor working their way through the certification track?
MA is always the hardest element for people doing exams. So when you are teaching don’t just tell your students what they need to change but take time to explain to them the issues they are having and why it’s an issue.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I am also an examiner in New Zealand with SBINZ and I was a National Team Member there as well and at the Interski event in Argentina I was actually on both the New Zealand Team and the US Team at the same time.
Is there anything we missed asking?
I love to meet and engage with people all over the world about how we can continue to grow our sport.
Engage With the National Team
Member instructors have the opportunity to interact with the National Team at major PSIA-AASI events. Member schools and regions can bring one (or several) National Team members to their ski area, Nordic center, or snowsports event. As ambassadors for the highest echelons of the snowsports instruction profession, they educate, inspire, uplift, and influence members of our community everywhere. Their skills and passion can elevate your next event, excite and inspire your staff, or provide instruction at the highest level.
