Meet the Pros

Years in Aspen: 4

Current Role: Ski Pro, Snowmass Kids

Hometown: Sausalito, CA

How did you end up in Aspen?

I had been training for my PSIA level 3 exam for several years and a friend raved about the quality of the training staff here. When I came over to train with him, I met a coordinator who shared the school’s philosophy around autonomy and respect for individuals. I decided to apply that night.

What is your favorite part of the job?

The relationships I develop with guests. It feels great to help a family become mountain people. One day you can be helping parents introduce their kids to snow for the first time and the next thing you know you are coaching them to keep up with their teenage rippers.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Honestly, the most challenging thing is choosing to take a day off when there are so many people here wanting to shred. I am not as young as I used to be and my head wants to ski when I should be giving my legs a rest.

What skills or characteristics does someone need to be successful as a Pro?

To be truly successful, Pros need to care deeply about their guests and take ownership of the quality of their experiences. I like to be my guests’ first call when they want help choosing gear, finding the best boot fitter, or understanding how to get in shape for ski season. And when they need a restaurant recommendation, help planning next year’s vacation or a referral to a good Pro for a friend, I’m there, 365 days a year.

What makes the Ski & Snowboard School of Aspen Snowmass unique?

It is a simple list. Our Pros are without question the most skilled group I have known. The four mountains have every type of terrain one could want loaded with great snow. The Aspen Skiing Company leaders get it. They understand the challenges faced by seasonal employees, especially new ones, and go out of their way to look after people.

What is the best part of working for the Ski & Snowboard School?

Autonomy is the first word that leaps to mind. I don’t feel like a cog on a wheel or a worker on an assembly line. I am in control of my own destiny and free to find, develop and treat my client base like they belong to me. The second word is teamwork. Even though I am encouraged to “run my own business” this has not led to feeling like I’m competing with other Pros. We help make each other successful, because it feels good and makes the guest experience better.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?

Don’t hesitate for an instant. And when you arrive, don’t stress if it seems like there’s a lot to learn. Reach out to the people around you in your locker row for hints, tips and any basic info you might forget from the training week.

Years in Aspen: 20

Current Role: Snowmass Adults Lead Trainer, PSIA Examiner

Hometown: Manly, NSW, AUS

How did you end up in Aspen?

I had a ball working in Vail, Japan, Austria and Australian ski areas with great mates and great skiing however, Aspen was home to my soul mate and the best ski buddy I could ask for. Aspen has all the terrain on our four mountains that I had skied in all parts of the world and I am so grateful to call it home now.

What is your favorite part of the job?

One? Impossible. The challenge of meeting our guests and making their vacations even more memorable. The joy of sliding on snow, the wind in my face, the constant search for the best snow, the cleanest turn, and helping people (guests and Pros) enjoy their mountain experience. There isn’t just one.

Living and working in the Aspen area can be hard. How do you make it work?

For many years, I said yes to any kind of work. I had to be creative and open minded about what work I would and would not do, and constantly learn new skills to be more employable. Now that I am established, I am blessed to be able to say no occasionally.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?

Stop considering and come. Aspen is an amazing place to call home and the Ski & Snowboard School is an amazing family.

Years in Aspen: 52 years

Current Role: Ski Pro, Aspen Mountain

How did you end up in Aspen?
In college, three fraternity brothers and I raised $450 dollars to go skiing over break. We skied in Steamboat and Aspen. I liked Aspen better so after graduating I moved. I had skied less than 30 days total before becoming a Pro and lived in my car when I first got here, but it was great. I have never looked back.

What is your favorite part of the job?

The people. Our family in the Aspen Mountain locker room and across the whole school is very close. Our guests also become a part of that family. I have one family who I have been teaching for 47 years, that’s three generations I have skied with. That is something.

What skills or characteristics does someone need to be successful as a Pro?

The ability not just to work with people, but also to connect with them. As a Pro, it is important to bring your guests in to the community and introduce them to the people who exist here. I want my guests to feel like they are coming back home when they return to Aspen each season as opposed to feeling like they are coming on vacation.

What makes the Ski & Snowboard School of Aspen Snowmass unique?

Where else are you going to find people who have been in the school for 50 years? For the people who work here this becomes a career. Also, the skiing. It is the best there is.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?

This is the best ski school in the world. If you have a chance to come here and try it do it. Be prepared for it to be a life changing experience.

Years in Aspen: 6

Current Role: Snowboard Lead Trainer, AASI Examiner

Hometown: Sudburry, MA

How did you end up in Aspen?

I always wanted to be in the mountains so I moved to Steamboat Springs when I was 19 and began teaching. I worked at Steamboat for 11 years. After attending the PSIA-AASI national team tryout I decided it was time for a change. Aspen seemed like a no brainer for my career goals.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

I am going to quote Aspen Extreme, “Skiing is the easy part.” To some extent that is true. Being a strong skier/rider is helpful, but to be successful here having strong people skills is essential. Our guests want someone they can trust both personally and professionally.

What makes the Ski & Snowboard School of Aspen Snowmass unique?

We have one of the most highly skilled and certified teams in the US, and some of the most dedicated Pros I have ever met. I am honored to call them my teammates.

What is the best part of working for the Ski & Snowboard School?

No two days are the same, and every student is different. In short, I like the variety. It keeps me on my toes and I always learn something about how I can continue to evolve my skills and the skills of my guests.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?

If you come to Aspen with an open mind and a willingness to learn you will go far. Enjoy the ride, it’s a great career.

Years in Aspen: 17

Current Role: Ski Pro & Trainer, Snowmass Adults

Hometown: Aspen, CO

How did you end up in Aspen?

I was born here and spoiled early. My mom is an instructor so I grew up going to ski school and absolutely loved it. When I was 15, I was asked if I wanted to become an instructor. I got my PSIA level 1 certification and I was hooked. I taught through high school and college on breaks, and then when I was graduating I realized I was most passionate about teaching skiing so I moved back and was right back at it.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I go skiing every day, and get paid to do it.

What is the best part of working for the Ski & Snowboard School?

Skiing is such a huge part of my life so getting to share that with people is so cool. The moment when something clicks for a guest is such a great reward as a Ski Pro. I enjoy helping people become lifelong skiers. I also get to work with all of my best friends. There is something truly amazing about working with your friends, doing something you all love.

Living and working in the Aspen area can be hard. How do you make it work?

It’s a hustle, but the Ski & Snowboard School is a great place to get to know people and they’re always willing to share tips or resources.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?

Do It! It will be the best choice you make. Shoot, you might even end up doing it forever.

Years in Aspen: 4

Current Role: Ski Pro & Apprentice Trainer, Buttermilk

Hometown: Oxford, UK

How did you end up in Aspen?

After starting my career at Beaver Creek, CO, I spent a winter teaching at Cardrona, NZ where I met several Aspen Pros who were also chasing snow. They encouraged me to join them, and I have never looked back.

What is your favorite part of the job?

Finding fresh challenges within my role brings me great joy - from how to improve my own skiing, to developing as a teacher and trainer, and ultimately, finding new ways to grow a lifelong passion for snowsports in the people around me.

What skills or characteristics does someone need to be successful as a Pro?

Perhaps the most important attribute that defines the Pros I admire is their drive for excellence: excellence as athletes, as educators, and as communicators. I think that a focus on excellence allows them (and someday, perhaps me!) to enjoy lifelong success within the school.

What makes the Ski & Snowboard School of Aspen Snowmass unique?

Not only is the school home to many instructors chasing excellence at a world-class level, but as an organization it truly encourages and supports the growth of that culture. I’ve never come across a greater density of talented instructors in leadership and management roles who help that culture thrive, and have driven its progress.

Living and working in the Aspen area can be hard. How do you make it work?

I’ve been fortunate enough to love my work enough that it has become a lifestyle - but I’ve had to realize that sacrifices are necessary to allow me to enjoy that lifestyle. Quite honestly, I’m not sure if those personal sacrifices are for everyone, but for me, the chance to live my working life on skis is worth it.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?

To quote Aspen’s greatest instructor, T. J. Burke, “Skiing’s the easy part”. There are Pros in the school who work exclusively with guests with whom they have built relationships over many years, and their ability to ski or ride is but one (often small) piece of those relationships. If you can recognize what challenges you might face when you join us here, you’ll be well-placed to flourish and enjoy what Aspen Snowmass can offer.

Years in Aspen: 3

Current Roles: Ski Pros, Aspen Highlands

Hometown: Savannah, GA

How did you end up in Aspen?

We wanted to work for the best ski school in the world.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Every guest has very different expectations of their Pro. It is both challenging and rewarding to manage, meet, and exceed those expectations.

What skills or characteristics does someone need to be successful as a Pro?

Patience is a skill that many Pros already have, but also one that needs to continue to be developed over time.

What makes the Ski & Snowboard School of Aspen Snowmass unique?

Each Pro is expected to perform the job at the highest level. This expectation comes with a level of autonomy not found in other schools. The school provides a unique blend of support and freedom.

What is the best part of working for the Ski & Snowboard School?

The people. As a Pro here you are surrounded by the best of the best. It sounds intimidating, but these amazing co-workers are friendly, helpful, caring, and fun!

Living and working in the Aspen area can be hard. How do you make it work?

We keep our expenses as low as possible. The Ski & Snowboard School offers the best pay rates in the industry. However, the Roaring Fork Valley can be expensive. We try to keep our rent and food costs low so we can use our paychecks for fun in the offseason.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?

Just do it. From the outside, Aspen seems glitzy, and teaching with national team members and Olympians from around the world seems intimidating. But, the locals are down-to-earth and those high-level Pros are some of the kindest people you will ever meet.