Meet the Pros
Jay Palace
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.
Pete Van Deventer
Years in Aspen: 12
Current Role: Aspen Highlands Private Lesson Coordinator, PSIA Examiner
Hometown: Underhill, VT
How did you end up in Aspen?
I was working summers as a mountain guide and was pretty nomadic in the winters, bouncing to different regions to ski and balancing that with guiding internationally. My partner and I landed in Aspen for a summer because of an art residency job for her. We fell in love. It was clear to us that we had landed in a place and community that would be home for us.
What makes the Ski & Snowboard School of Aspen Snowmass unique?
The pride and passion that every Pro in our school exhibits in their role is inspiring. Sliding on snow is not just a sport or activity, but a central pillar of our lives. That passion and joy for the sport, for introducing people to it, and for helping others excel is infectious. Our guests recognize it, and come back year after year because of it. That passion leads to pride - we are proud of the professionals that we are, of our ability to instruct and coach, of our knowledge of the sport and the mountain, and we have pride in the legacy that we continue to carry forward.
What is the best part of working for the Ski & Snowboard School?
There are so many things that keep me coming back and anchored to the school. The people that I work with are a wildly inspiring team that push each other to be better every single day. Many of the guests I have worked with over the years have become life-long friends. The mountains that we get to slide on are some of the best anywhere. I’ve skied around the world, but Aspen Snowmass has become home because it is unlike anywhere else.
What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?
Do your research and talk to Pros who are here or were here in the past. Instructing is an amazing career, and it is even more rewarding to do it for a company that treats you as a professional and supports your passion. If you’re thinking about it, take the leap and do it. It will be a move that you won’t forget. Living in any mountain town in Colorado is not without its challenges, but the mountains, the team we work and slide with, and the guests we meet will make it a move that inspires the rest of your life, whether that is here or elsewhere.
Ted Mahon
Years in Aspen: 30
Current Role: Aspen Mountain Pro
Hometown: Rockville Centre, NY
How did you end up in Aspen?
I headed to Colorado with a buddy and a plan to spend a ski season somewhere, but we didn’t know where. We pulled into Aspen and found ourselves at the J Bar. Before long, we had been offered suggestions for housing and a fun job up on the mountain at a restaurant called Bonnies. By the end of the night, the decision was made to spend the winter in Aspen.
What makes the Aspen Snowmass Ski and Snowboard School unique?
I’m continually inspired by the passion and commitment to skiing and teaching that the team I work with always displays. I don’t know that another ski school exists with so many dedicated, career-minded skier pros.
What is the best part of working for the Ski and Snowboard School?
It’s pretty special to be able to do a sport you love for work and have the opportunity to do it at one of the premiere ski resorts in the world. If you’re looking for a job that brings a smile to your face day-in-day-out, this might be it.
What advice would you give someone considering a career or a season with the Ski and Snowboard School?
If a job with the school interests you, make it happen. It was a life-changing experience for me, and it could be for you as well.
Emilie Tait-Jamieson
Years in Aspen: 11
Current Role: Aspen Mountain Pro & Trainer
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
How did you end up in Aspen?
Stephanie Brown and Jonathan Ballou were my NZSIA level 3 pre-course examiners. I was looking to spend a season somewhere in the US and they suggested Aspen. I had heard a little bit about it but didn't know how life-changing their advice would be.
What makes the Aspen Snowmass Ski and Snowboard School unique? The level of autonomy and support you receive from the whole school, including leadership, trainers, and Pros is truly unique. It encourages both professional and personal growth.
What is the best part of working for the Ski and Snowboard School?
The endless opportunities for learning and development. Whether you are starting out or an experienced instructor, you can be a lifelong learner here.
What advice would you give someone considering a career or a season with the Ski and Snowboard School?
My advice is simple - Do it. The experiences and skills you will gain are unparalleled, and I have yet to meet someone who has regretted coming here.
Chloe Merry
Current Role: Ski Pro & Trainer, Aspen Mountain
Hometown: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
How did you end up in Aspen?
At the eleventh hour of an O Visa application for another Colorado ski resort they backed out of supporting my application. The ski industry is small and when Aspen Snowmass found out I got a call from Katie Ertl offering me a job and a new home. It was the best thing to have ever happened.
What is the best part of working for the Ski and Snowboard School?
Aspen Snowmass empowers you to be your best and share your passion for snow sports. They celebrate the individual, support diversity to better serve our guests, and are striving for excellence in all that we do. I also have to say that for me personally getting to ski everyday with the outstanding Pros and guests, and sharing the stoke of skiing is deeply fulfilling. The Aspen Mountain team is a part of my family and I am blessed to get to ski everyday with my amazing guests.
What makes the Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School unique?
The school contains a diverse and truly world class group of Pros who collaborate to support and grow the future of skiing and ski teaching. What is especially unique is the huge contingent of rad ladies working at the highest levels. It is unlike anywhere else.
What advice would you give someone who is considering a career or a season with the Ski & Snowboard School?
I have worked at many resorts all over the world and coached internationally. Aspen Snowmass immediately felt like home. I was recognized and supported for my skill set, and allowed the freedom to set up my own ski business and schedule within the supportive structure of the Ski & Snowboard School. There is endless potential for any snow sports professional to continue to grow and thrive here.
Nathalie Nevins
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.