Jonathan Lawson

A few years back, in 1991 a great friend of mine, Matt Dukleth told me, "Jon, there's this thing called the internet... If you get an idea of how to use it, give me a call..." I called him a few years later, April 10, 1995 to be specific. I was a fully certified instructor by that time. There was so much I loved about skiing, and in particular ski instruction. I love the feeling of minimal resistance, endorphins, wind, sun, and snow. The freedom of skiing from a mountain top, has only been equaled by surfing the north shore of Oahu. Exhilaration that cannot be found in most walks of life. Something everyone should realized when skiing is that the same rush can be experienced skiing or riding a green run, as others may feel from a mountain top. The SAME RUSH (with slightly different scenery).

Now what if I could share those feelings with people who meet me on a random winter Tuesday? What if over the course of a few days or years we become friends and get to share the passion of this sport and lifetime "moments" to remember each other. I have been blessed to do so with many individuals and families. Some of which I see every year, and some I have not seen or heard from in many years. It is a shame really. But I do remember nearly everyone who enjoyed a breakthrough in my company.

What if there was an easier way to keep in touch? Email certainly brought that to many. Now physical letters are a novelty. They are still fun to send, and highly recommended as well. However, with a quick calculation I figure I have skied with approximately 7000 students in the past 15 years. And as much as I would love to keep in contact with them, it would be an impossible task.

In 1995 I called my friend Matt, we created Skipros.com. The idea was unique. Indeed, the first of its kind. A way for a student to choose his/her instructor prior to taking a lesson. Don't let the ski school randomly select an instructor for you, especially during a peak holiday period. Skipros.com allowed the lesson taking student make an educated decision. That was important. It also allowed top instructors to showcase their talent. The problem. The information was fixed. A few brief blurbs, some bio information,but static. Good, but not great. It wasn't interactive. I would tell instructors and ski school directors, "There's this thing called the internet..." They would say, "We are instructors" or "We teach skiing, we don't program computers." However, a few instructors understood the idea. More students understood the idea, as they tended to use the internet (at least at work).

Payment systems were cumbersome. I turned into a programmer, accountant, bill collector, etc. None of which are my strong suits. I loved skiing, teaching, and helping. I wanted to assist others improve: instructors and students. So after a few years, I let Skipros.com go. SP.com is on the Island of lost toys. Playing with the Jack in the Box. A good idea that never matured.

However, a few months back I was talking with a friend, Gregg Davis, a former AASI National Team Member (one of the elite 6 for snowboard instruction in the country). He told me he had been working with Moveable Type. A blogging software that could be managed as easily as using email. Add pictures, movies, articles, thoughts, etc in just a few minutes. The wheels started turning again. Several websites were using this type of technology in other fields. I enjoy using www.realmoney.com .

I started asking questions. Gregg mentioned, anything is possible with enough time and money. (He's good like that). We started asking the questions from the perspective of: How would I like to communicate with ALL of my students? How can I keep a relationship with them throughout the year through newsletters and timely postings? And as importantly, How could my students easily and quickly see what is happening in the location of their next ski destination? What is the weather really like? Where are the best restaurants? Where is the best snow? What are some technical ideas for skiing? And what is going on with my pro?

Hmmm, the search may never fully end. But here is my current solution.

MySnowPro.com or MSP as I call it.

The instructor can add articles, individual pictures or entire galleries of a student/family's stay, fully customizable blog categories, automatic archives of all posts, video, automatic monthly e-newsletters sent to all registered students (no charge to register). And the student can subscribe to the instructor's RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed right from their browser, or receive emails alerting them to a new post. Whew, that's alot..

We are packing as much in as we can. And we continually ask, what do we want as working professional instructors? How can we offer our students more?
And the cost to any instructor, less than a small gratuity. That is it. What is it worth? Use it for a year and find out.

This is my dream site for a working Ski and Ride professional and with those who they share the love of the sport.

Use it and enjoy it.

To your success,
Jon L.

Last year a few of my Front Range clients gave a call to Grand Timber Lodge. For $99 they received 2 nights in a hotel in town. Skied with me on Day 1, checked in that afternoon. Had a great dinner. Then skied with me on Day 2. After skiing they took a 90 min tour of the GTL property (pretty darn nice place). Day 3 they had a great ski. All three February days were AWESOME, as was most of last February!

There are other alternatives, of course. But hey, most are two to four time the cost for a two night stay in town. This deal even works on the holidays, or the big events such as Ullr fest and the international snow sculpture competition!

The mountain is looking great for the 2006-07 season so far. Peak 7 and the Lake Chutes on Peak 8 are calling my name.

Looking for a rocking season. Drop me an email or comment if you would like more "no pressure" info on the GTL $99 program. As a MSP guest, you always have the inside scoop!

All the best,
Jonathan
jon@mysnowpro.com

What if you could change all the rules?

That was a theme for Breck Trainer Training this week.

Retinal Scanners, TAGR (Thought-Adjustable Gravity Regulators) with VAK plug-in (Visual Auditory Kinestetic), COPs ((Conveyer of Pillows (drops) and Conveyer of Pipe (Endless pipe)), LPAs - Learning Preference Adjuster, Orgasmitron suits (instant feedback), "Powderoy" (adjust depth of snow with the skis and boards sliding on a perfectly groomed surface, and GUT Goggles were all conceived, and explained. We even created the perfect run and mountain the "BUFLET" Breckenridge Ultimate Family Learning Experience Trail, viewable from the EverSun Deck with integrated UV protector.

What if...

You could ski with your family and everybody could have their own optimal experience. Adjust gravity, pitch, snow conditions, weather conditions and surroundings. Ski with your friends and family and see them at all times (only if you wish).

Science fiction - yeah probably.

But perception many times defines our reality. One person's death-defying run of glory is another persons intermediate groomer. How can the instructor create these alternate realities? What becomes our role as professional instructors. How do we share these "supernatural" powers with our 550 instructors at Breckenridge? These were all questions asked, and considered. How can we affect such change as a band of 50 trainers?

Every morning Breckenridge instructors, as well as thousands of instructors worldwide, have the opportunity for training. To not only improve their skiing and riding, but to also take what they have learned, and share the passion with an individual or group of ski and ride students.

What if...

a skier or rider could see, feel, and experience the mountain the way the pro does? How fast could learning take place. Instant feedback. Understanding when one is doing it well, the instant it happens. The power of an affirmative response the instant it takes place.
The power of quality instruction, and of quality learning.

Thought-Adjustable Gravity Regulators don't yet exist. But the ability to perceive gravity in a different way. That adjusts every time you slide on snow.
For more ideas on this subject (on and off snow), check out www.thesecret.tv , and come back to MySnowPro.com for the inside scoop!
Thank you to our facilitators Christina, Tommy, and Nina.

Keep looking for the pro of your dreams,
Jon