Ray Gilmore - PSIA & USSA Ski Coach

06/09/2026

Sunday - June 7, 2026
Days Until National Team Tryouts - 668 +/-
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Training - YOGA!

I am not as limber as I once was, but I am working on it.

I started doing yoga in the summer of 2024, to improve my pop ups on a surfboard. I kept smashing my toes while trying to stand up, and the coaches I was working with suggested yoga to help me clear that foot and pop up smoother.

Well, it worked....

And, it improved my skiing in the process.

I certainly do not do it enough, and I should do it at least once daily, with all of the surgeries I have had; but you have to start somewhere.

So, how many of you incorporate Yoga, stretching and flexibility into your off-season training?

Learning Connection Model Focus -

Technical Skills.... there are a few common barriers to mastering effective movement patterns that I see on the hill. Those barriers can be Fear, Equipment Set-up, and your Range of Motion. If you can't flex like a world cup skier on a yoga mat, how do you expect to do it in motion, down a mountain, on a sheet of snow and ice?

HINT: You can't.

If you want to get your hip to the snow at the apex of the turn, than start by moving your hip to the floor on your yoga mat.

Lessons Learned - I am out of practice, and Yoga is a lot more physical than anyone ever thinks. I need to make time for this every day.

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❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️

05/24/2026

What a long strange trip the last 8-years have been, from this pic on the heels a Maintain/"Did Not Attain" at my L3 Creating Teaching module..... now.... L3, ACE, Dev & Eastern Team.

What a long strange trip it has been.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18GvPcmisQ/

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) released its preliminary Kottke National End of Season Survey earlier this month at the NSAA Convention and Tradeshow.
Take a look at some of the initial stats that might be of interest to PSIA-AASI members: http://bit.ly/2KpQmlL

05/02/2026

Saturday - May 2, 2026
Days Until National Team Tryouts - 700 +/-
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Training - I am going to call this past week "Market Research".

One of Snowsports biggest competitors for market share is theme parks.

Skiing has become so expensive, that families can choose between a week in Orlando, or a week in a ski town..... so, why do people choose an Orlando Theme Park, over a Ski Town Snowsports adventure?

In my opinion, it has to do with effort vs. reward.

Theme parks are Type 1 Fun (easy fun). These parks are enjoyable throughout, requiring minimal skill; you can show up, pay the money and have a good time sitting down on a roller-coaster of 4D ride. It doesn’t require any athleticism, or physical conditioning. Walk, sit, enjoy, stand, walk, sit, enjoy, repeat.

Snowsports are Type 2 fun (hard fun). Snowsports are challenging, and at times the weather and amount of work required to learn our sport, can make it miserable in the beginning but rewarding later. Type 3 fun, is not fun at all, though it makes for a good story.... and some days, snowsports fall into this category as well.

So, given the choice, when the costs are equivalent, which option makes more sense.... Easy Fun, or Hard Fun?

What can we as SnowPros, do to make the first time experience easier? More enjoyable? More fun?

I have some ideas, but what are yours?

Learning Connection Model Focus - "People Skills"

There was a significant difference between the three parks we sampled this past week.....

- SeaWorld, the handlers & keepers were kind, helpful, patient, and open to questions and conversations with the guests. The ride operators, and line attendants.... not so much. That made a strong impression. In the snowsports world, every employee from the parking lot, to the top of the lift has to be welcoming and helpful. Meet every guest with a smile.

- Universal Studios, the setting was unbelievable (the same for Disney). This allows the guests to escape, they are not escaping danger, they are escaping monotony....guests are instantly transported to an imaginary world. In the ski world, we trudge from an icy, muddy, slippery parking lot, to lodges of varying quality. Some base areas have full villages, others are sparse and rustic. There is a vast difference between ski resorts and theme parks. So, how do we transport our winter guests to a different reality? Do we blast music in the base areas? Do we have activities in the base areas for the guests? What about games, music performances and other activities to enjoy between sessions on snow? Most of our begginer guests under estimate the physicality of sliding on snow. Perhaps we need to find a way to help them break up their day.

- Disney, just wow. The "Cast Members" (every employee is a cast member) were amazing. If a child puts their arms out for a hug, cast members are expected to reciprocate. Multiple times during our visit, my children ran up to characters, and had deep conversations about the magical, imaginary world they were in. The cast members never rushed them, on two occasions, while trying to redirect my children away from the cast members they were engaged with to allow other kids a turn, I was waved off.... the cast members told me gently, that it was okay for my kids to take up their time, and the other kids could wait. I was amazed at their patience, and the attention they gave every kid in the park. How do we replicate that level of caring at our resorts? What type of training do the cast members receive, to become this good at their job?

How do we make skiing & riding more welcoming to our beginner guests? How do we make them lifelong learners in our sport? What can we do differently to make them want to come back again and again?

That is the key to keeping out sport alive.

Lessons Learned - We need to make it fun. We need to make the connection. We need to learn how to "Read the Need" and "Meet the guests where they are at."

We, coaches & instructors, get hyper-focused on teaching the technical skills, and the people skills suffer for it.

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❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️

04/27/2026

Physical Goals 2026

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

In the spring of 2007 I injured my spine and by November 2007, I was on a MEDEVAC bird from Afghanistan to Germany.

On April 25, 2013, I had my first of 10 surgeries to start addressing my service connected injuries. It took more than 10-years to put "Humpty Dumpty back together again".

In that cycle of surgeries and recoveries 4/25 became my annual day to inventory where I am and where I want to go. At first it was just physically, but over time it became everything. Physical, mental, spiritual, fiscal.... everything. This is my day to stock on where I am, and to make annual resolutions, on how I will improve my life in the next year.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

(--) Skiing - In 2013 I set the goal of qualifying for the "Bs" at the Parka again, in 2023 I did that. And then there was 50th & Final Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup last year. So, this goal, this target is obsolete, after being a barometer for me for so many years, I will have to find a new event to drive after. 🤷🏼‍♂️

(+) Skiing - In 2013, I set a goal to finish in the top 3 of Meisters, I did that in 2015. Since 2022, I started focusing on ways to race clean and smooth, and safe. I've got nothing to prove in a beer league; but running some gates every week is good for my own coaching and technical development. This year, I apparently won Division 2, but I missed the awards because I was at Eastern Team Tryouts & Selection...missing the party was worth it.

(+) Skiing - In 2015, I set the goal to ski 75+ days, and from 2023 through this season, I have exceeded that goal. This year, I wasnt able to get in as many PSIA-AASI understudies as I wanted to ( ). But, I am sure that I will get my fill over the next 2-years.

(++) Weight - From 2015-2022, I set the goal of getting my weight down below 200lbs. On Christmas morning 2023, I was down to 197lbs. This year at Eastern Team Tryouts, I was down to 186 (I am down 69 pounds, since June of 2023) Having the ability to live my life, on my terms has been life altering..... hiking, eating healthy, skiing, biking, walking, surfing, skydiving, SCUBA diving, yoga... etc. The goal now is to keep it off, and start building muscle again.

(++) Skiing - In 2016, I set the goal to achieve my PSIA Alpine L3 certification. In 2024 I made L3, the Alpine Development Team and the A.C.E. Development Team in a 4 week period. In 2026, I was selected for the PSIA - AASI Eastern Region Team.... what a run!!! Now, I have to prepare for National Team Selection in 2028!!!

(--) Running - In 2019, I set the goal to run a mile..... in July of 2024 I completed my first "Run to Homebase 5k".... and I couldn't run for the rest of the summer. It wasn't worth it.... not enough gain, for the amount of pain. So, I am going to ditch "Running" for something with new goals like Snowboarding....or turns on the Skiers Edge or something new that bumps up my fitness level, but its easier on my knees...maybe adult league soccer....

(--) Skiing - This season, I was only able to get to the kids ESSC program one time. In 2019, I set the goal to be at every week of ESSC for my kids; in 2024 I was able to achieve this for the first time ever. In 2025 the only things that kept me from being there were PSIA assignments & drama. My back was never the problem. This year it was nothing but Drama that held me back. I WANT TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH THE Eastern Slope Ski Club again. I did a bunch of the Assessments, a few of the Volunteer training clinics, but I need to get back involved.

(--) Hiking - In 2020, I set the goal of doing 1-Hike per week. In 2023 I started my quest for the NH48, the 52WAV and the Terrifying 25! I have completed 26 of those 125 hikes to date, and didn't get a single one off that last season. Sara M Carter, Help me! You're my only hope!

(+) Skydiving - In 2023 I went again for the first time in 20+ years. I went again in 2026 with Will Berkenbush and my cousin Patsy Kenny Myrick. That was a cool experience. Gotta get my license some day.... until then I am going to try to jump annually, just to play with the fear.

(+/-) Surfing - I learned how to surf in 2023. In 2024 I went once a week all summer. In 2025, I got the Little2 out for "Hit The Beach" which was awesome. I got my own board, and even got out in some storm surf that was well beyond my abilities...but it felt like there was never any surf last summer.

(+) SCUBA Diving - In 2025 I went for the first time since 2008. It was Will, Lara and I in Puerto Rico, and I can't wait to get back out there again.

(/) Rock Climbing - I haven't been since 2006.... and I still didn't make it out in 2025. 😪 I need to get back into this....maybe start indoors at the "Salt Pump"?

(+/-) Mountain Biking - I found some trail networks on the Sea Coast a few weeks ago, but I didn't ride nearly enough last season.

04/25/2026

Saturday - April 25, 2026
Days Until National Team Tryouts - 707 +/-
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Training:
15 Minutes Rowing to warm up
5 × 60 Turn "Runs" on Skiers Edge
5 × 30 Turn "Runs" on Skiers Edge

Learning Connection Model Focus:

Technical Skills - The Skiers Edge machine is awesome for fore-aft balance, foot-to-foot & edging movements, as well pressure regulation.... it is notably lacking in rotary skill development, but it is still a pretty awesome way to train in the off season.

Lessons Learned:

Self awareness.... I need external motivation and accountability to stay focused on a goal that is nearly 2-years away.

So, by putting this out there, I am creating that accountability and a record of my training and development. I can look back on it in 2-years and say, "Yup, that worked". Or, I will say, "Nope. That missed the mark."

For my friends and fellow snowpros, maybe this will give you some training ideas. Maybe it will give you some motivation. Maybe, if you're in the New England you will join me for a work out, a few laps, or who knows, maybe it will motivate you to try for you L3, maybe you will try out for Dev Team, ACE Team or the Eastern Team. Maybe if you have never coached, you will be enticed to join the world of coaching.

🤷🏼‍♂️

"We will see...." where this journey takes us.

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❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️

04/15/2026

NH Seacoast Friends,

How do you stay Fit to Ski in the flatlands?

In the Mount Washington Valley, we have 4,000 footers to hike, flow tracks to bike.....

What do you do down here?