In this episode, I chat with Olympian Erik Schlopy about all things skiing—from gear setup to what most people are missing in their carving. We also get into his coaching philosophy, how he’s helping his own son progress, and some great drills you can try to build better balance and control on snow. It’s a deeper, more refined conversation than our last one, and there’s heaps of gold in here for anyone serious about improving their skiing. 🎿 Interested in training with Erik in person? He’s runn...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, I sit down with four-time Olympian Emma Carrick-Anderson for a powerful conversation about skiing, parenting, and coaching at the elite level. Emma shares how her philosophy has shifted from the traditional, form-focused training she experienced as an athlete to a more exploratory, feel-based approach—one that she and her husband, Phil Smith, used to raise their children who are now knocking on the door of the World Cup circuit. We talk about: • Why developing feel and versatili...
May 20, 2025•47 min
In this episode, I sit down with Phil Smith, founder of Snoworks and one of the most forward-thinking ski coaches in the game. Phil shares a powerful shift in perspective around speed control — moving away from rigid technical cues and instead focusing on the concept of snow displacement. This insight alone can change the way you think about skiing steeps, bumps, and variable snow. We also dive into what it really means to become a versatile all-mountain skier. Phil talks about skiing “open,” em...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 42 min
Find out more about what’s coming in next year’s ski boot designs! Tom Gellie chats with boot fitter Brent Amsbury about the trends and innovations he’s noticing. And it’s more than just adding another BOA adjustment to ski boots. Stay tuned later in the episode for Brent’s tips on boot cuffs. He and Tom both emphasize how crucial it is to get the cuff to fit your lower leg properly. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the extensive library of podcast episodes on the Big Picture Skiing Podcas...
Jan 31, 2025•44 min
This episode is for all the ski coaches and instructors out there, because let’s be honest—we all get a huge thrill from seeing our students progress and improve. With that goal in mind, I invited two experts on the topic of task-based learning to help us refine our teaching techniques. John Shedden and Richard Barbour share some incredible wisdom, built on years of experience teaching skiers and coaching others to do the same. If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll definitely want to check out the...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of the Big Picture Skiing Podcast, three Carv team members – Charlie, lead data scientist; Alex, head of marketing; and John, head of product – reveal how Carv is transforming skiing with real-time feedback technology. From its beginnings as a pressure-sensing insole, Carv has evolved into a powerful device that attaches to ski boots, now able to deliver precise, terrain-specific feedback across groomers, moguls, and powder. Join us as we uncover the technical breakthroughs that ...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and former Australian demo team member, Demelza Clay, to dive into the often-overlooked topic of inside leg mechanics during carve turns at high edge angles. Demelza shares her recovery journey from an ACL injury, explaining how it forced her to relearn movement patterns and ultimately ski better than ever. We explore how her skiing mechanics shifted post-rehab, particularly the "whipping" sensation she felt in high-edge turns. Video analysis revea...
Oct 18, 2024•58 min
In this episode, I sit down with veteran boot fitter and former ski shop owner Lou Rosenfeld to dive into the art of customizing ski boots for the perfect fit. With years of experience, Lou shares expert insights on how the right boot adjustments can significantly enhance your skiing experience. We debunk common misconceptions, like opting for larger boots to relieve pressure points, and explore why starting with a snug fit is key. Lou discusses essential modifications for bunions, toe length di...
Oct 15, 2024•30 min
In this episode, I speak with Christian Haas, Fischer's product manager, about the complexities of ski design and construction. We explore how material combinations, thickness, and profile shape define a ski's performance, with differences between racing and rental skis. Christian discusses the Fischer RC4 CT ski (a favorite of mine), highlighting its advanced construction for stability and edge grip. We also delve into bending lines and their impact on stiffness and ski responsiveness. Christia...
Sep 12, 2024•56 min
In this episode, I chat with Sasha Rearick, former World Cup coach of the US ski team and head coach at Apex 2100. We explore Sasha’s innovative ecological approach to ski coaching, focusing on how athletes adapt their techniques based on environmental constraints. Sasha shares insights on regional skiing styles, the importance of separating movements like "counter" and "anticipation," and the value of embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. This conversation is packed with valuable ...
Aug 26, 2024•51 min
In this episode, my good friend Demelza Clay takes over the hosting duties to dive into my background and experiences. We kick things off by talking about my shift from ski instructing to studying body movement, inspired by a session with Claudia. This led me to explore structural integration therapy, which I started sharing with ski instructors, and it was amazing to see their movements and performance improve. We also chat about how I started sharing content online through videos and how that ...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Meet Joe Dunn a former ski racer and coach turned Ski Dad and Instructor at Deer Valley Ski resort. In this podcast we learn how Joe made more progress by “watching what the best skiers did” instead of just listening to what people “told him to do” . There are some great insights into high end carving that you may not hear elsewhere and Joe shares these through his own experiences on the slopes. For aspiring skiers and ski racers there are some great technical takeaways you can try when next on ...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 9 min
All ski boots have a flex rating but what exactly does this mean for you and your skiing. In this podcast chat with expert boot fitter Brent Amsbury, we find out some important facts about boot flex. - What changing the bolts in the back of the boot does and why it’s possibly not the best place to make permanent changes to flex from. - How U cuts have a better impact on the ski boot flex range. - That you should always try and get within the right flex rating to begin with. ie dont buy a stiff b...
May 28, 2024•1 hr
Everyone loves new ski gear. But how do you know what type of ski gear is right for you? This podcast episode will help you be a little more savvy when you go through the process of testing and finding your next pair of skis. Gain insights from experienced gear reviewer Phil Pugliese, Co-founder of SkiTalk. There are some great pieces of advice in this podcast like ensuring you are considering varibales like ski tune and type of binding when you test a ski. If this discussion is helpful please l...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Learn some great tips and advice from Mogul and Free Ride Ski Coach, Ben Chapman. Ben shares some valuable advice on: - setting up your ski boots to be more mogul friendly - pursuing athleticism not only mogul technique - skiing different lines in the bumps - mogul specific training ideas and how to build your own mogul course. Links Ryuji Kywabara the mogul skier we mention https://www.instagram.com/ryujikuwabara?igsh=NGFlemJtdWdwY211 Video of Ryuji showing different lines https://www.instagram...
Apr 20, 2024•54 min
Join Tom Gellie and Lou Rosenfeld in this enlightening episode of the Big Picture Skiing Podcast, where they delve into the intricacies of ski boot selection. Discover why Lou recommends specific boot types, from beginners to seasoned experts, and the surprising benefits of opting for a "race boot." Explore the crucial role angles play in ski boot design, and how they can significantly impact your skiing technique and performance on the slopes. Plus, gain insights into the often-overlooked aspec...
Apr 04, 2024•42 min
Discover practical methods for finding your ideal boot alignment using everyday items in this episode. Join the conversation between master boot fitter Brent Amsbury from Park City Ski Boot and Tom Gellie of Big Picture Skiing. Gain insights into the BOA system’s effectiveness in tightening ski boots – is it a gimmick or here to stay? Explore the Big Picture Skiing Boot Fit Guide for more details: BPS Boot Guide Book a personalized appointment with Brent at Park City Ski Boot 💡 Elevate your ski...
Feb 29, 2024•33 min
There is a new instructor training and certifying body in Canada. The Professional Ski Instructors of Canada (PSIC). The organisation was founded with the goal of starting a fresh when it comes to how ski instructors are trained and certified in Canada. “Can we do things better given the modern world we live in today?”. Find out about what they do differently and how they approach training and certifying instructors. Guests Mark Sedgwick Jeff Marks Guy Hetherington Links: PSIC https://www.psic.p...
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Erik Schlopy was at one stage one of the best Giant Slalom Ski racers in the world. In this episode: Find out what sort of equipment modifications and tuning he would do to compete at this level Top 3 drills Erik believes will help any competent skier up their game His thoughts on the Olympic Winter Games How his namesake drill has been misunderstood and what it really is meant for plus much more This episode was one I recorded a few years ago but the quality wasn’t great as it was impromptu. I ...
Dec 29, 2023•1 hr 18 min
You may not know this but your ski poles are probably too long. Unless you are a beginner or race GS and Slalom, a long pole gets in the way of your skiing. In this discussion between Tom Gellie and Paul Lorenz discover insights into a topic that is not really talked about. We think you will ski away with a lot more knowledge on pole planting technique and how to choose the right length pole for you. ⭐️If you are interested in the Play Adjustable poles mentioned in this podcast you can visit: ⛷️...
Dec 20, 2023•50 min
Zipfit make custom ski boot liners using the most premium materials available. Skiers report that using these liners creates greater comfort, enhanced performance and a liner that often outlasts the ski boot shell! It is not unheard of for Ski patrollers to put over 1000 days in their Zipfit liners. The question is “Do I need a zipfit liner in my ski boots?” 👣 I personally took the plunge last winter and talk about what my experience was like and why I will always use a zipfit liner from now on...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 27 min
There is a pattern amongst world champions where many of them have set goals early on in life. A statement to a teacher, a note written down in a special book or a video claiming they want to win a gold medal at the olympics. In this episode you will meet Ava Keenan, 13 year old mogul skier with some outstanding results already and a mindset that I believe will take her to her goal. You should listen to this podcast episode because it reminds us about setting goals and that it takes time and wor...
Nov 16, 2023•40 min
In the latest episode of the Big Picture Skiing podcast, we dive into the world of Carv, an app that combines cutting-edge technology with ski coaching. Carve measures various aspects of your skiing, analyzes the data, and provides feedback to help you improve your technique. We explore the intriguing topic of how skiers learn and improve by hearing from the data science team, one of the co-founders, and the head of marketing and product at Carv. This episode reveals exciting updates for the 202...
Nov 08, 2023•59 min
In the latest episode of the Big Picture Skiing podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sasha Rearick, former head coach of the U.S. ski team. This episode stands out as one of my favorites this year because Sasha's coaching principles are simple, effective and just make sense. Sasha is very focused on constraints-based learning which you will discover more about in the interview. He makes some great points about how to use this model in your own coaching giving examples from his experience...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Welcome to the Big Picture Skiing Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of ski instruction. Join us as we explore why being a ski instructor is often considered one of the best jobs in the world. Imagine waking up in the mountains, turning your favorite pastime into your profession, and experiencing the joy of helping others while traveling to stunning destinations. In today's episode, we introduce you to Chris, the visionary behind a company dedicated to transforming your dreams of a ski i...
Sep 03, 2023•50 min
In this latest episode of the Big Picture Skiing podcast, we're on a mission to demystify ski edge tuning, proving just how simple and achievable it is for all skiers. Many shy away from DIY tuning, but we're here to change that. Join us as we break down the process into easy steps, applicable to both new and seasoned skis. Our guest, Chris Hillier, world-class ski tuner and owner of Sidecut Tuning, will expertly guide us. These steps are so user-friendly that the required tools fit in a toiletr...
Sep 02, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Welcome to the podcast, fellow ski enthusiasts! Have you ever thought about the folks responsible for those perfectly groomed slopes that make your mornings on the mountain so enjoyable? Today, we're taking a closer look at the world of slope grooming. Imagine this: while you're still waking up, dedicated individuals up on the mountain are working hard to ensure your skiing experience is top-notch. These behind-the-scenes efforts often go unnoticed, but they're essential for creating the canvas ...
Aug 30, 2023•57 min
Jason Simpson has been involved in the Canadian Ski Industry for over 30 years in many different roles. Ski Instructor, Instructor trainer, ski school director and training manager. What you will find interesting in this chat with Jason is hearing about some of his mentors along the way and how these mentors helped provide pivotal moments in Jason’s career. A great listen for any ski instructors out there wanting to take their profession to the top. If you are interested in joining the Big Pictu...
Jul 28, 2023•46 min
There is a spectrum of performance within ski boots, from beginner all the way to the elite. In this podcast episode Tom Gellie chats with Brent Amsbury about when is a good time to look at moving up in performance. More aimed at the advanced skier out there who is wondering if a stiffer boot is really going to give them that next edge this episode aims to inform you on plug boots. The topic of supportive vs minimal footbeds is also discussed and pros and cons of both are presented as well as wh...
Jun 21, 2023•41 min
Did you know not all ski bindings have the same height between heel and toe piece. Some have a higher heel piece than toe and some are flat. This angle is referred to as binding delta and has an impact on your balance and feel of your skis. Find out what this means for your skiing as it could be limiting your ski performance. Not inhibiting you from skiing but possibly leaving something on the table in terms of carving your turns. Lou Rosenfeld helps inform us of the simple method of measuring y...
May 22, 2023•29 min
