WHERE DO YOU READ 32 DEGREES?
Last season Gary Vasseur, an Alpine Level II and Nordic Level I instructor at Alpental outside of Seattle, WA, set out on a quest for snow in the midst of an abysmal winter in the Northwest. Seventeen ski areas, five states, two countries, and one National Academy later, he had a total of 70 on-snow days under his belt for the season (only four of them were spent teaching at his local hill due to low snowfall). You can see him here taking a break to read 32 Degrees at Rusutsu Resort in Japan, which experienced a record 2014-15 snow season. He finally laid his season to rest in July after participating in summer clinics at Mt. Hood, OR. We hope you keep chasing storms with 32 Degrees in your pack, Gary!
Q Mt. Baker Ski Area, WA Q Alpental / Summit-at- Snoqualmie, WA
Q Crystal Mountain Resort, WA Q Stevens Pass, WA Q Bluewood Ski Area, WA Q Mt. Hood, OR Q Big Sky, MT Q Snowbird, UT Q Vail, CO
Q Beaver Creek, CO Q Snowmass, CO Q Aspen, CO Q Aspen Highlands, CO Q Niseiko Hirafu, Japan Q Sapporo Teine Highland, Japan
Q Kiroro, Japan
Q Rusutsu Resort, Japan (pictured)
NAME/AREA/ CERTIFICATION
MEMBER SINCE/ DIVISION
Erica Lesto Liberty
Mountain, PA
Alpine Level I, Children’s Specialist 1
2013 Eastern
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TRY SKIING OR SNOWBOARDING?
When encountering adults, I talk about the benefits of getting outside during the winter, enjoying the snow, the challenge and fun it can bring for couples, friends, or families to get off the couch and enjoy the season!
Joseph Kagan Afton Alps, MN
Alpine Level III, Children’s Specialist 2
Shannon Rucker Liberty
Mountain, PA
Alpine Level II, Children’s Specialist 1
Jerry Schildroth Santa Fe Snowsports School, New Mexico
Alpine Level II
IF THERE WAS ONE THING YOU COULD ACCOMPLISH AS AN INSTRUCTOR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
One day I want to be a clinician and teach other instructors the tricks of the trade when it comes to teaching children how to ski. I am passionate about my job and I want to share that love!
WHAT’S ONE THING AN INSTRUCTOR SHOULD NEVER DO OR BE?
Immediately teach and rely on the wedge, snow plow, or.... forbid... Pizza. I think teaching this and having the student rely on a wedge can be detrimental to their progression.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SKI RESORT OR AREA (ASIDE FROM YOUR OWN)?
Steamboat Springs, CO! By far, hands down my favorite place to ski pow! Miles of trails, hours from summit to base, good food/beer, and great people.
2012 Central
It’s an experience like no other, and the better you get, the more fun it is!
To teach anyone, anything, and anywhere.
Close-minded or exclusive
Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Vail (all in CO)
2010 Eastern
It’s the closest thing I’ve experienced to flying while on the ground.
Inspiring a new skier enough in the sport that they put the work in to get to college or the Olympics for it.
Impatient
Squaw Valley, CA
1997 Rocky
Mountain
Best fun you can have in the winter.
Making skiing easier for the mid-levels.
Negative
I love them all. The bowls in Vail, the sun in Santa Fe, the steeps in Big Sky.
For more insights from these PSIA-AASI members -- and others -- check out the “Member Spotlight” articles, posted most Fridays, at
TheSnowPros.org. Want to be in Member Spotlight? Fill out the questionnaire at tiny. cc/3gqc3x.
THESNOWPROS.ORG | 17
LOCKER ROOM TALK
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