Eliza Kuntz
Chair of the Board
What inspired you to become an instructor?
I grew up skiing a very small area and by high school was becoming bored on the short runs. I figured teaching looked fun and would provide structure to my days at the hill.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
Learn from others and don’t be afraid to try something different.
What’s your favorite member benefit?
The friends I have made within the organization!
Areas you have taught at:
Camden Snow Bowl, ME; Greek Peak, NY; Red Lodge Mountain, MT
Neil Bussiere
Vice Chair and Western Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
The desire to improve as a skier and to meet people.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
Keep striving to improve your teaching and always maintain a positive outlook.
What’s your favorite member benefit?
Clinics and social functions
Areas you have taught at:
Mt. High Resort, CA
John May
Treasurer and Northwest Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
To improve my skiing.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
Remind your trainers that inspiration beats technical perfection.
What’s your favorite member benefit?
Pro Offers and training opportunities at clinics.
Areas you have taught at:
Mt. Hood Meadows, OR; Mt. Hood Timberline, OR; Vail, CO; Beaver Creek, CO; Crystal Mountain, WA
Eric Jordan
Secretary and Eastern Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
I was in a seasonal program at my local mountain when I saw how much fun my coaches had working with our team. It inspired me to share my love of the sport with others, just like they did for me.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
Find some great mentors at your area, and soak up all their knowledge and passion.
What’s your favorite member benefit?
Pro Deals from PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers and educational materials.
Areas you have taught at:
Elk Mountain, PA and heading to Sugarbush, VT for the 2021-22 season.
Steve Faller 
Central Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
A friend told me that Sunburst, a local Milwaukee hill, was looking for instructors and since I loved skiing so much, I should consider teaching. What a great idea. Until then, I had never realized how rewarding it would be to meet new people and share the joy of skiing with them.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
Be bold and ask for guidance. There are so many unbelievable trainers, team members, examiners, and leaders that sometimes it can be intimidating to ask them questions or for help. Be reassured they want to help you as much as you want to learn.
What’s your favorite member benefit?
When I became an instructor, I hoped to meet people to ski and ride with. Having met so many new friends through PSIA to slide with has been the most amazing benefit of all. The Pro discounts aren’t too shabby either.
Areas you have taught at:
I’ve taught at Sunburst and currently teach at Little Switzerland, both near Milwaukee.
Christian Luening
Northern Intermountain Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
I grew up taking lessons at the Beaver Creek Ski School and loved all of my instructors, especially Christie and Thumper! Later in life, I decided to try my hand sharing similar experiences with others. I’m so grateful to pass on the stoke for sliding on snow!
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
The Certification Standards and Learning Connection Model are phenomenal guides to acquiring technical, teaching, and people skills. I approach lessons with the “Goldilocks Method,” connecting my student with the learning environment, with others, and with practicing and applying technical skills. I like to play with these elements until the lesson is “just right.” What’s just right? It’s what is needed to achieve an objective or goal clearly outlined by the national standard’s Performance Guides!
What’s your favorite member benefit?
My favorite benefit is access to great resources for learning, like manuals, webinars, videos, and on and on!
Areas you have taught at:
- Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area (Boise, ID)
- Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation (Boise, ID)
- Snowmass Kids, 7-17 (Snowmass, CO)
Robin May
Rocky Mountain Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
My father was a professional ski instructor, race club president, and industry guy in Canada. I became a certified member of CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructor Association) in 1974 as a high school student. I was riding the chair with my dad at Mt. Seymour in North Vancouver when I saw Wayne Wong toss a really floaty helicopter on the loop jump — I thought he was the coolest guy I’d ever seen. My dad told me he was a CSIA 4 and a member of the Canadian Demo Team. I signed up for my exam the next day.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
Teaching is at the core of what we do as human beings. It is a primal requirement to pass on our knowledge, skill, and talent. The first experience with your first teacher is life-changing.
Areas you have taught at:
I have taught or coached at Mt. Seymour, BC; Whistler Blackcomb, BC; Manning Park, BC; Panorama, BC; El Colorado, Chile; Portillo, Chile; Red River, NM; and Taos, NM. I have been the ski school director at Mt. High, CO; Eldora, CO; and Angel Fire, NM full-time since 1978.
Rich McLaughlin
Intermountain Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
Seeing the joy in peoples faces as they learn a new sport.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
If you have a challenging day, just remember you’re doing what you love.
What’s your favorite member benefit?
All of them. Member events, continuing education opportunities, and Pro Deals.
Areas you have taught at:
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
Shelby Rogala
Northern Rocky Mountain Board Director
What inspired you to become an instructor?
I was lucky enough to participate in the All Mountain program at my local mountain. The passion, excitement, and sense of community around sliding on snow was contagious, so I joined the team when I reached High School.
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a new instructor?
Find your voice as a teacher – be willing to challenge yourself to improve as much as you challenge your students.
What’s your favorite member benefit?
Access to training, learning, growing, and connecting with all of YOU!
Areas you have taught at:
Bridger Bowl, Great Divide, Lost Trail Ski Area, and Yellowstone Club, MT; Aspen Highlands, CO; Ski Portillo, Chile
