Ski's 100 Top Instructors
Instruction
Want to sharpen your skills? Introduce your wife, your kids, your friends oryour parents to the sport you love? Gain confidence on new terrain or in challenging snow? Book a lesson with one of the instructors on the list that follows. Theseteaching pros have impressed their clients, their ski-school directors and, finally,our panel of expert judges. Now let them impress you.
PSIA demo team
The instructors named to the Professional Ski Instructors of America’s Demo Team are the best of the best. To earn the honor, an instructor must both ski and teach flawlessly.
Deb Armstrong
Taos Ski Valley, N.M. 866-968-7386, ext. 1355
Jeb Boyd
Loon Mountain, N.H. 800-229-5666
Andy Docken
Aspen Mountain, Colo. 877-282-7736
Kurt Fehrenbach
Aspen Mountain, Colo. 877-282-7736
Chris Fellows
North American Ski Training Center, Multiple locations 530-582-4772
Katie Fry
Aspen Mountain, Colo. 877-282-7736
Megan Harvey
Aspen Mountain, Colo. 877-282-7736
Nicholas Herrin
Big Sky, Mont. 406-995-5743
Chris Kastner
Crystal Mountain, Wash. 360-663-3030
Dave Lyon
Stevens Pass, Wash. 425-482-3183
Bobby Murphy
Telluride, Colo.800-801-4832
Doug Pierini
Sierra-at-Tahoe, Calif.530-659-7453, ext. 270
Michael Rogan
Heavenly, Calif.775-586-4400
Rob Sogard
Snowbird, Utah801-933-2170
Nelson Wingard
Crystal Mountain, Wash.360-663-3030[NEXT “All-Mountain”]All-Mountain
The instructors below can teach you to handle a wide range of snow and terrain conditions—freeing you to ski the entire mountain with confidence.
Andy Adams
Kirkwood, Calif.209-258-7245
Dave Ayers
Beaver Creek, Colo.970-845-5300
Miguel Bilbao
Bogus Basin, Idaho208-332-5340
Armin Bischofberger
Stratton, Vt.800-787-2886
Wes Cohen
Copper Mountain, Colo.866-416-9875
Jessica Copp
Durango Mountain Resort, Colo.800-525-0892
David Corrow
Sugarloaf/USA, Maine207-237-6924
Bill Cunningham
Cannon Mountain, N.H.603-823-8800
Patty Elliott
Ski Ward, Mass.508-845-1797
Glen Findholt
Smugglers’ Notch, Vt.800-451-8752
Ed Gill
Stowe, Vt.800-253-4754
Charlie Howard
Vail, Colo. (Lionshead)800-475-4543
John King
Holiday Valley, N.Y.716-699-2345, ext. 4424
Brad Kreager
Tamarack, Idaho208-325-1030
Gates Lloyd
Breckenridge, Colo.800-576-2754
Rick Lyons
Mount Hood Meadows, Ore.503-337-2222, ext. 229
Lil Pearson
The Balsams, N.H.603-255-3952
Franz Penistan
Snowbird, Utah801-933-2170
Kjell Petersen
Big Mountain, Mont.406-862-2909
Dan Ray
Squaw Valley, Calif.530-581-7263
Brian Righter
Deer Valley, Utah435-645-6648
J.T. Thompson
Winter Park, Colo.800-972-7529
Emily Underkoffler
Mammoth Mountain, Calif.800-626-6684
Troy Walsh
Sunday River, Maine207-824-5080
Steve Woodward
The Canyons, Utah435-615-3449
Richard Wulz
Vail, Colo. (Vail Village)800-475-4543[NEXT “Kids”] Kids
Teaching kids to ski takes a blend of patience, creativity and encouragement—plus a well-developed sense of fun. These instructors turn out enthusiastic new skiers bythe chairload.
Stacey Bengston
Big Mountain, Mont.406-862-2909
John Bruckner
Cannon Mountain, N.H.603-823-8800
Bryan Corbellini
Vail, Colo. (Golden Peak)970-476-3239
Amy Deneen
Silver Mountain, Idaho208-783-1506
Nicki DiMario
Ski Ward, Mass.508-845-1797
Judi Dixon
Ski Sundown, Conn.860-379-7669
Mike Eyers
Sierra-at-Tahoe, Calif.530-659-7453, ext. 270
Phil Haigh
Copper Mountain, Col866-416-9875
Dino Haak
Summit at Snoqualmie, Wash.425-434-6700
Chris Kimble
Telluride, Colo.800-801-4832
Eric Linton
Vail, Colo. (Lionshead)800-475-4543
Ed Martin
Park City, Utah800-222-7275
Roxanne McClure
Mount Hood Meadows, Ore.503-337-2222, ext. 229
Ailen Mezquida
Stratton, Vt.800-787-2886
Patti Olsen
Deer Valley, Utah435-645-6648
Ed Totten
Bogus Basin, Idaho208-332-5340
David Winn
Breckenridge, Colo.800-576-2754[NEXT “Women & Groups”] Women
Guidance from a female instructor can help some women develop confidence and overcome fears in a supportive environment.
Pam Gould
Waterville Valley, N.H.603-236-8311
Debs Herne
Sierra-at-Tahoe, Calif.530-659-7453, ext. 270
Carole Hill
Summit at Snoqualmie, Wash.425-434-6700
Malin Johnsdotter
Vail, Colo. (Vail Village)800-475-4543
Lyn Junor
Squaw Valley, Calif.530-581-7263
Lynda Parker
Winter Park, Colo.800-972-7529
Gale Plunket
Greek Peak, N.Y.607-835-6111
Kristi Robertson
Stowe, Vt.800-253-4754
Lucia Wing
Stratton, Vt.800-787-2886
Groups
Group lessons can foster camaraderie and provide examples of what (and what not) to do on-piste. The specialists below provide outstanding personalized attention in groups.
Paul Berzatzy
Mad River Glen, Vt.802-496-3551, ext. 125
Leigh Clark
Mad River Glen, Vt.802-496-3551, ext. 125
Jeff Cordell
Mount Hood Meadows, Ore.503-337-2222, ext. 229
Neil Leach
Smugglers’ Notch, Vt.800-451-8752
Karl Poplawski
Stowe, Vt.800-253-4754
Mark Sperling
Whiteface, N.Y.518-946-2223
Chris Wilson
Vail, Colo. (Lionshead)800-475-4543[NEXT “Specalities”]Bumps
Bumps are one of skiing’s long-standing joys—and challenges. The instructors below will have you blazing your own zipper line before you know it.
Dan Beck
Crested Butte, Colo.800-444-9236
Patrick Deneen
Silver Mountain, Idaho208-783-1506
Dan DiPiro
Cannon Mountain, N.H.603-823-8800
Gale Jaeck
Park City, Utah800-222-7275
Gunnar Moberg
Vail, Colo. (Vail Village)800-475-4543
Link Neimark
Big Mountain, Mont.406-862-2909
Powder
Mastering the deep requires specific skills. The instructors below will prepare you for the adventures only powder can provide.
Greg Kelley
Vail, Colo. (Golden Peak)800-475-4543
Jim Moore
Squaw Valley, Calif.530-581-7263
Gary Paolino
Mammoth Mountain, Calif.800-626-6684
New School
It takes an expert to navigate the new school, from twin-tips to big- air. The instructors below will launch your learning curve—in the terrain park and beyond.
Jeremy Graves
Park City, Utah800-222-7275
Jed Haupt
Copper Mountain, Colo.866-416-9875
Racing
Fast and furious are the end results, but the finesse of racing requires assiduous attention to detail. Find expert help with the instructors below.
Matt Erickson
Sunday River, Maine207-824-5080
Jim Okie
Ski Sundown, Conn.860-379-7669
Dolly schaub
Crested Butte, Colo.800-444-9236
Adaptive
Advances in technical aids and specialized instruction have opened the world of skiing to those who live with disabilities. The instructors below have the skills, patience and understanding to unlock the slopes.
Nikola Nemcanin
Vail, Colo. (Golden Peak)800-475-4543
Bruce Roemmich
Steamboat, Colo.800-299-5017[NEXT “MultiDiscipline & Judges”]MultiDiscipline
No need for a specialist if your goal is to be Lord of the Boards. These instructors can hone all of your snowsports skills—whether they involve alpine, telemarking, two planks or one.
Frances Ackerman
Angel Fire, N.M.800-633-7463
Patti Banks
Breckenridge, Colo.800-576-2754
Adam Dimond
Snowbird, Utah801-933-2170
Heather Fielding
The Canyons, Utah435-615-3449
Freddy Grossniklaus
Deer Valley, Utah435-645-6648
Aaron Herne
Kirkwood, Calif.209-258-7245
Yuji Matsuyama
Bogus Basin, Idaho208-332-5340
Alan Ormondroyd
Sugarloaf/USA, Maine207-237-6924
Cabot Thomas
Mammoth Mountain, Calif.800-626-6684
Pat Wild
Crested Butte, Colo.800-444-9236
Judges
John Armstrong
President of PSIA and VP of Human Resources at Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
Stu Campbell
SKI’s Instruction Director, former VP of SkierServices at Heavenly, Calif.
Victor Gerdin
former PSIA Alpine Demonstration Team Member.
Maggie Loring
PSIA manual author and PSIA-I Examiner at Snowbird, Utah
November 2005[NEXT “Bump Tip”]
Bump Tip Take charge “Don’t wait for the bump to flex your legs for you. Instead, initiate the absorption yourself. Actively flex your ankles, knees and hips (but not your back) to absorb the bump with your legs smoothly and quickly. As you pass over the bump and enter the trough, extend your legs and drive your ski tips back down onto the snow. The faster you return your tips to the snow, the more you’ll control your speed. This will keep the bumps from throwing you off balance.” -Dan DiPiro, Cannon Mountain, N.H., 603-823-8800
Bump Tip Do the tailhop “Avoid the back seat in bumps by learning to tailhop. A tailhop is a hop-turn in which your ski tips stay in contact with the snow as your skis’ tails are displaced. Linked, these turns resemble a windshield-wiper action with your tails. The key is to drive your hips forward toward the balls of your feet as your ankles are extending. Try these turns at the tops of moguls—you’ll find you go down the back side in balance while maintaining ski-snow contact, and you’ll be ready to take on the next bump.” -Miguel Bilbao, Bogus Basin, Idaho, 208-332-5340
Bump Tip Turn on top “When picking out a line to maneuver through the bumps, start your turn on top of each bump. Turning on top of the mogul and skiing across the trough will free your tips and tails and allow you to pivot at the start of your turn. That way, you decide where to turn instead of letting the moguls push you around, which happens all too often. Also, make it a goal to keep your ski tips on the snow at all times. This moves your body to the skis’ center and puts you in a balanced stance.” -Nicholas Herrin, PSIA Demo Team, Big Sky, Mont., 406-995-5743
Bump Tip Mind your P’s and D’s “The idea: linked turns through a bump field. The reality: a few hurried turns, followed by a drastic move to stop. The solution: Imagine a line from the top of a bump to the flat spot at the bottom. Now ski a round turn from the top. If you finished your turn teetering on the middle point of the bump, you turned too fast, making a P shape. If you finish at the bottom, with better tactics and timing, you’ll make a D.” -Gates Lloyd, Breckenridge, Colo., 800-576-2754or one.
Frances Ackerman
Angel Fire, N.M.800-633-7463
Patti Banks
Breckenridge, Colo.800-576-2754
Adam Dimond
Snowbird, Utah801-933-2170
Heather Fielding
The Canyons, Utah435-615-3449
Freddy Grossniklaus
Deer Valley, Utah435-645-6648
Aaron Herne
Kirkwood, Calif.209-258-7245
Yuji Matsuyama
Bogus Basin, Idaho208-332-5340
Alan Ormondroyd
Sugarloaf/USA, Maine207-237-6924
Cabot Thomas
Mammoth Mountain, Calif.800-626-6684
Pat Wild
Crested Butte, Colo.800-444-9236
Judges
John Armstrong
President of PSIA and VP of Human Resources at Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
Stu Campbell
SKI’s Instruction Director, former VP of SkierServices at Heavenly, Calif.
Victor Gerdin
former PSIA Alpine Demonstration Team Member.
Maggie Loring
PSIA manual author and PSIA-I Examiner at Snowbird, Utah
November 2005[NEXT “Bump Tip”]
Bump Tip Take charge “Don’t wait for the bump to flex your legs for you. Instead, initiate the absorption yourself. Actively flex your ankles, knees and hips (but not your back) to absorb the bump with your legs smoothly and quickly. As you pass over the bump and enter the trough, extend your legs and drive your ski tips back down onto the snow. The faster you return your tips to the snow, the more you’ll control your speed. This will keep the bumps from throwing you off balance.” -Dan DiPiro, Cannon Mountain, N.H., 603-823-8800
Bump Tip Do the tailhop “Avoid the back seat in bumps by learning to tailhop. A tailhop is a hop-turn in which your ski tips stay in contact with the snow as your skis’ tails are displaced. Linked, these turns resemble a windshield-wiper action with your tails. The key is to drive your hips forward toward the balls of your feet as your ankles are extending. Try these turns at the tops of moguls—you’ll find you go down the back side in balance while maintaining ski-snow contact, and you’ll be ready to take on the next bump.” -Miguel Bilbao, Bogus Basin, Idaho, 208-332-5340
Bump Tip Turn on top “When picking out a line to maneuver through the bumps, start your turn on top of each bump. Turning on top of the mogul and skiing across the trough will free your tips and tails and allow you to pivot at the start of your turn. That way, you decide where to turn instead of letting the moguls push you around, which happens all too often. Also, make it a goal to keep your ski tips on the snow at all times. This moves your body to the skis’ center and puts you in a balanced stance.” -Nicholas Herrin, PSIA Demo Team, Big Sky, Mont., 406-995-5743
Bump Tip Mind your P’s and D’s “The idea: linked turns through a bump field. The reality: a few hurried turns, followed by a drastic move to stop. The solution: Imagine a line from the top of a bump to the flat spot at the bottom. Now ski a round turn from the top. If you finished your turn teetering on the middle point of the bump, you turned too fast, making a P shape. If you finish at the bottom, with better tactics and timing, you’ll make a D.” -Gates Lloyd, Breckenridge, Colo., 800-576-2754