Ski Instructors
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 Kemp Dowdy
A good day in the mountains is better than any other day anywhere else.
Kemp's qualifications include:
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PSIA-W Board of Directors
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Voted a Top 100 Ski Instructor by SKI Mag, 2002
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Western Regional Demo-Team
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PSIA-W Technical Team Examiner and Clinician
- PSIA Level 3
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PSIA Children’s Specialist 2
- CSCF Race Coach Level 2
- Freestyle Accredited
Kemp's Tip:
Having fun and finding rhythm will help develop your turn shape. Singing your favorite song or counting throughout your turn will remind you about letting the pressure through the turn develop instead of blowing out of every turn.
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 Emma Haines
Emma grew up in England and learn to ski and snowboard all over Europe, spending 3 winters working and playing in the French Alps, and the last two years teaching skiing in Canada. She is a trained high school teacher, and is happy to have swapped the classroom for soaking up the sunshine in her new Californian playground. Teaching Ladies Clinics, private or group lessons, kids or adults, complete beginners or coaching the next generation of Rippers. Emma is happiest anywhere and everywhere on the hill passing on her passion for skiing.
Emma's qualifications include:
Emma's Tip:
Skiing is an active sport! Improve your performance by training sessions before you ski, including core strength exercises, and remember to warm down afterwards.
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 Kevin Mitchell
Kevin is the Ski and Snowboard School Director at Sierra. He is a guide and trainer with the North American Ski Training Center and a former member of the Professional Ski Instructors Association’s elite Alpine Demonstration Team.
Kevin's qualifications include:
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Level 3 PSIA
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Level 3 AASI
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Level 1 Nordic
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PSIA Children’s Accreditation
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PSIA Park and Pipe Accreditation
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CSIA Freeride Accreditation
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Avalanche Certification
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PSIA Alpine Team Alumni
Kevin's Tip:
Always control your speed through the shape of your turn.
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 Mike Penney
I first skied in Austria 30 years ago and have been skiing around the world ever since. California, however, is my favorite place to ski and teach. Six years ago, I gained my first certification through the New Zealand system. Since then I have achieved full certification here in California.
Mike's Qualifications include:
- PSIA Level III
- NZSIA Level I
- Certified Gym Instructor
- Level I Football Instructor
Mike's Tip:
Stand your natural height when skiing. Too often we crouch or bend our joints so much that it affects our ability to move our legs and feet. Standing taller allows more mobility of movement where it matters most.
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 Pam Warman
Known as the "Sister of Blessed Acceleration", Pam's strengths include Sports Psychology and Equipment Understanding. Pam's disciplines include skiing, cross-country, snowshoeing and tubing.
Pam's Qualifications include:
- PSIA Level 2
- Coach and Ski Technician for the US SKI Team (6 Years)
- Voted TOP 100 Ski Instructor of America, 1998
- 300+ Hours of Private Request Lessons 2007-08 (Heavenly, Vail Resorts)
- National Equestrian Champion, Chile
- The only female in the history of the sport to ever tune skis at the World Cup Level.
Pam's Tip:
Experience different mountains, learn your hot spots in town and personalize your ski lesson.
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 Sean Warman
In addition to being a ski instructor Sean is also Sierra's new Competition Services Manager. Sean has 30 seasons of experience working in ski education and coaching.
Sean's Tip:
Use your feet! Your feet are the connection to your skis and are where the fine tuning is done. The feet should tip the skis to their edge to start the turn. This should be the first action to engage the skis.
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Snowboard Instructors
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 Evan Carter
Hi my name is Evan Carter or "Aussie Evan". I have been teaching snowboarding and skiing for 10 seasons. I really enjoy teaching all abilities and ages from first turns to shredding the park or powder. I love teaching snowboarding and skiing to get the whole family ripping. Book a private for an hour or six, and get ready to rock-n-roll!!!
Evan's qualifications include:
- ASSI Level 2
- ASSI Freestyle Specialist
- APSI Children's Certificate
- APSI Level 1
Evan's Tip:
Remember that Smart Style and the Alpine Responsibility Code to stay safe on the hill. Remember to always come with an open mind when learning for the first time.
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 Graciela Cook “Taty”
I was born in Argentina in 1976, in an area where snow was nonexistent. Since my first experience with snow, I have traveled around the world spending 5 seasons in Europe and 5 seasons in South America teaching snowboarding and skiing to all ages from kids to adults. I am in my second season with Sierra at Tahoe. Teaching has been rewarding and I make it a priority for all of my students to have a fun and memorable experience.
Taty’s qualifications include:
Taty's Tip:
Enjoy your day and have fun. Ride, ride, ride!!!!
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 James Strawser
If you are a seasoned rider looking to make a few adjustments, learn some new tricks, find some new terrain, or it's your first time on the snow, take your game to the next level! James's specialties include powder, trees, steeps, cliffs, backcountry, park riding, jumping, rails and boxes.
James's Qualifications include:
- AASI Level 3
- Freestyle Level 2
- Avalanche Level 2
- First Aid/CPR
James's Tip:
It's not how you fall off the horse, it's how you pick up your boot straps and get back on the horse.
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 Jim Green
Born and raised in the UK. I've been riding for 16 years in Europe, New Zealand and the USA. My specialities include park, pipe, powder, beginners to advanced. No matter what level, I can improve your riding and increase your knowledge and love of the sport.
Jim's Qualifications include:
- Level III
- Freestyle I
- Avalanche Awareness
Jim's Tip:
Increase your 'pop' off jumps by sucking your legs up. This will give you extra style and added distance.
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 Nancy Ng
I first started teaching at Sierra in December 1998 when I moved to Tahoe “for the winter”- I haven’t left! I got my Level 1, 2 and 3 certifications in my first 3 seasons teaching. Sierra is my home, I love to teach here on the best bunny hill anywhere, in the pipe, in the parks, in the powder or on any other part of the mountain!
Nancy's Trick Tip: Frontside 360 in the pipe
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Get comfortable going at least to the lip of the pipe for the whole length of the pipe.
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Practice frontside 180s on a groomed run, starting from a toeside carve, landing in a switch toeside carve.
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If it’s available, practice those same 180s up a banked wall off a groomed run, going up the wall and then landing switch coming back down.
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Take it to the pipe, going up the frontside wall, spinning the board around, and landing switch on the wall coming back across the pipe.
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