Jonathan

I’ve been a snowboarder for 35 years and an instructor for 13; 2 years at Mt Kato (Mankato, MN), 2 years at Buck Hill (Burnsville, MN), and this is my 9th year with Blizzard Ski & Snowboard School (Minneapolis, MN). I got into the industry the same way so many of us do, I wanted a season pass and a little extra money in my pocket. So I started as a snowboard instructor at Mt Kato while studying at Mankato State University. When I left college and moved to the Twin Cities, I got a job instructing at Buck Hill. I took a few years off from instructing, but came back when my kids were old enough to join the program at Blizzard. I spent my first 6 years at Blizzard instructing any and all ages in our 2nd – 12th grade programs. After I earned my Level 2 Instructor certificate, I was asked to join the training staff where I help in building lesson plans for our weekly instructor clinics. Shortly after that, I also took on the role of Program Director for our SuperMightyKyds (2nd-5th grade) snowboard program. This gives me a staff of around 20 instructors overseeing about 50-60 students each winter. When I’m not on snow, I’m a network engineer by day and a Scouts BSA leader by night. I have 3 teenage children that are all skiers/snowboarders and one of my first dates with my, now, wife was to teach her to snowboard. Needless to say, as a family, we take our winters very seriously.