Geoff Krill
Adaptive Team Coach
Where is your home mountain?
Loon Mountain, New Hampshire
What other occupations are you involved in?
Resiliency specialist and motivational/public speaker, chief facilitator of fun at Eastern Adaptive Sports, adaptive examiner for the PSIA-AASI Eastern Division, training manager for the Loon Ski and Snowboard School.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
I always go back to my first time learning to Mono ski after my injury. I was a skier before, and I was not prepared to learn from the beginning all over again. The experience taught me learning is hard, and that without the right direction and input the learner might struggle and fail. My career as an instructor is based on that learning moment. The first turn is the most important turn to make successfully – after that it’s all fun!
What are your specialties as a team member?
My ability to bridge the gap between the adaptive sliding sports. I am passionate about adaptive sports and always willing to contribute and help innovate so the sports can progress.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Adaptive Level III and Adaptive Snowboard Level I certifications, and Children’s Specialist 1 credential.
Is there anything we missed asking?
Adaptive sports are a defining contributor to my life both personally and professionally. My passion and drive to bring success to others through quality instruction and opportunities is what drives me every day, and will continue to drive me.
Melodie Buell
Where is your home mountain?
Oregon Adaptive Sports and Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Mt. Ashland, Oregon
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
12 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., Advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff. Gear tech (i.e. boot fitting, equipment tuning, etc.) related to your discipline, General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, mentorship, background in racing or race coaching, running special events or group programs, training (physical, mental, summer prep, etc.), adaptive and other discipline cross over, or benefits to both.
What other work do you do?
Fulltime, year-round Education and Training Manager for Oregon Adaptive Sports. I focus on mountain biking, including aMTB, cycling, and paddling in the summer.
Ryan Latham
Where is your home mountain?
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Spicy Run, Ohio (now defunct)
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
20 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., Adaptive Topics, combining adaptive concepts for alpine and snowboard schools. Children’s specialist, General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, Translating snowsports instructing skills to other roles / jobs (outside of snowsports industry), Mentorship
What other work do you do?
Raft guide on the Roaring Fork, Arkansas, and Colorado rivers. Mountain bike coach.
