National Team 2021-24: Meet Chris Rogers
Chris Rogers 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 this podcast with AASI Snowboard Team member Chris Rogers.
Where is your home mountain?
Vail, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Snowboard, freestyle, and children’s examiner and the Snowboard Education Committee Chair for Rocky Mountain Division. Director of WNTR, an online ski and snowboard school training platform and mountain-town consultancy. Summer Seasonal Assistant Manager, Amenities & Activities at Colorado’s Red Sky Golf Club.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
One of my recent focuses has been on the word “control” in the fundamentals, and how that enables us to look at both increasing and decreasing performance in relationship with a specific fundamental. For example, “Control the board’s pivot through flexion/extension and rotation of the body,” could be used to look at how someone is creating pivot using front or back leg steering in a skidded turn, or how someone might need to work on reducing pivot in the initiation of a turn to carve better.
What are your specialties as a team member?
Multi-discipline indoor presentations, trainer development, e-learning design, social media management, leadership training and development, meeting facilitation, certification standards, training program development and consulting, improvisation clinics, web design, photo and video work.
Any relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI certified Snowboard Level III and Alpine Level I with Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1 credentials. United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) Level 200. American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education Avalanche (AIARE) 1.
Where can we find you on social media?
Follow my adventures on Instagram: @livewntr
Who is your greatest inspiration as an instructor?
Every student who decides they want to learn to ski or snowboard, and every instructor who has embraced the concept of lifelong learning and continues to better their skiing/riding, teaching, and people skills through training and certification. I find a lot of my inspiration in seeing students and trainees alike discover new skills and movements and achieving goals.
Best part of teaching?
Meeting instructors and guests from all over the world and getting to share my love of skiing and snowboarding with them.
What’s your favorite run at your home mountain?
Come ride Vail, Colorado with me and find out.
