National Team 2021-24: Meet Troy Walsh

Tory Walsh 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.

Listen to PSIA Alpine Team member Troy Walsh in this podcast.

Where is your home mountain?

Sunday River, Maine

What other occupations are you involved in?

Pool construction.

Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.

When I realized how long it takes to build skills. You may have heard about the theory on how it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in something? I am amazed how long that it takes, and in awe to see how many skillful people are out there.

What are your specialties as a team member?

Anything alpine.

Do you have any relevant certifications or accreditations?

Alpine Level III. Children’s Specialist 2. Licensed Maine guide.

Is there anything we missed asking?

Living in Maine you have ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. I spend my days off the hill exploring with my two black labs. To quote Muir, “Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” That’s Maine!

Who is your greatest inspiration as an instructor?

The student that is front of me. Something I learned from training my dogs: If I was trying to train a certain behavior or action and it wasn’t working, I had to modify what I was doing to in order for them to be successful.

Best part of teaching?

Learning! I believe that each time we teach we learn more about the subject and ourselves.

What’s your favorite run at your home mountain?

I always find myself gravitating towards our double black terrain, Top Gun and Shockwave are favorites. But I feel that I have the biggest impact on guests a our learning terrain, South Ridge.