Employed at Belleayre: Since 2002
Certification: Alpine Level III

Skiing has been one of the biggest joys in my life since my father first began taking me with him in 1959. I began teaching in 1978 with the Karl Plattner Ski School at Hunter Mountain. I’ve had the great pleasure of coaching hundreds of new skiers through their first days on skis. Learning to be a better ski teacher and trainer has played a huge role in helping me become a better skier. I enjoy teaching all levels from beginner to bumps and racing. I am passionate about working with the teaching staff here at Belleayre and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help staff members achieve their skiing and teaching goals in the coming season.

I have had the fortunate experience of being surrounded by people who have supported me throughout my years at Belleayre. The influence of Ralph Combe, Bill Hornbeck, and Craig Smith in my first years at Belleayre kept me wanting to learn more, teach better, and understand how both of those things would make me a better skier. I enjoy working with the public improving on their skills and bringing them to new exciting places throughout the Mountain. However, some of my most rewarding experiences have been working with the Training Staff at Belleayre and developing a Snowsports School that is eager to learn and challenge themselves with PSIA Certification. Having worked in all areas of the Snowsports School (SkiWee to the Upper Mountain), I understand the challenges we face in keeping our staff up to date and uniform in teaching and movement concepts. In the past few years we have taken steps to make clinics more accessible and focused while not forgetting that playing in the snow and having fun, is the best part of our job.

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1993
Certification: AASI Level III
AASI-E Educational Staff – Development Team

Erik Donaldson

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1996
Certification: Nordic Downhill Level III
AASI Level I

I first skied in the back yard when I was eight. I don’t know if or how much the heels of my boots were locked down, but I do know that the bear-trap cable bindings didn’t release and that I just walked up the hill and performed straight run in the same tracks over and over. I started out instructing at Belleayre part time in the teaching circle 9 or 10 years ago (if anybody knows the date, please let me know.) Although I had level I alpine certification from ASIA a couple years before that, I hadn’t really taught anyone skiing before I started at Belleayre. I took the PSIA snowboard level I (before the name change to AASI) in 1997. I have been working full time at Belleayre for 6 years. Last season, I finally received level III in Nordic downhill (telemark) skiing. I am still working on level II in snowboarding, but I’ve racked up a few attempts at it. As a sideline to that I have three snowboard freestyle accreditation certificates: intro, park and half pipe. I hope to get the freestyle master accreditation if I can come close to pulling off a 270 on to a rail and a 540 over a tabletop – tough tricks for an old dog, but I’m working on it. I suppose my current strength in training instructors is probably verbal explanations of the technical side of skiing and snowboarding. My ambition in this regard is to be known as someone who can help instructors develop progressions which enable athletes to improve technique and confidence quickly and safely.

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1977
Certification: Alpine Level II

I started skiing at Belleayre in 1972, encouraged by Ray Peterson who had been teaching there for a number of years. In 1977 I decided that in order to become a better skier I would try teaching. After 28 years, I still enjoy it as much as I did when I started. I like to keep my teaching as simple as possible and I really enjoy working with new instructors to encourage them and to help them improve their personal skiing. I also enjoy working with the public and I especially like to work with someone who is apprehensive and help them overcome their fear of this sport.

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1989
Certification: Alpine Level II
AASI Level I
I learned to ski at Windham Mountain 18 years ago and was then invited to
ski at Belleayre and never left. I have been associated with Belleayre
Snowsport School as an instructor for 17years and joined PSIA in 1989 as a
Registered Member.
I personally love to teach new ski instructors how to ski moguls whereby
they enjoy the experience and will be able to teach their students.
In addition, I like learning from other instructors who teach other
snowsport activities which expands both my teaching and skiing skills.

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1990
Certification: Alpine Level II

I have been an Alpine Ski Instructor at Belleayre Mountain for 16 years. I was fortunate enough to have Bill Muller (of the Sno Pro Jam Bill Muller Award) take me under his wing. He taught me to enjoy the journey and truly love the whole mountain experience. Each year I attend the Sno Pro Jam to keep current on all PSIA advancements as well as “kick start” the season. I have taken advantage of the excellent Staff Trainer ski Improvement opportunities that are offered to us at Belleayre. Through the years I have taught everything from the Teaching Circle, Adult Weekend Workshop, School Programs, Moving and Private Lessons as well as being a Staff Trainer. I also taught a group in the Senior Program at Windham Mountain for three years. I have taken many clinics and read an enormous amount of material on the different aspects of teaching women and on helping skiers overcome fear. I feel that I bring an expertise in both fields to my clinic group and customers.

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1993
Certification: Alpine Level II

I began working at Belleayre as a volunteer approximately 15 years ago.
As the Town of Shandaken Recreation Director at the time, I coordinated a ski program at Belleayre for the local youth. I soon realized then that I had a great passion for skiing, despite the fact that I had much to learn. After a couple of seasons of volunteering, I was offered a part time position as a ski instructor, which I eagerly accepted. Being an adult beginner, I greatly respected and appreciated the patience and guidance of the instructors working with large and very diverse groups. I also know first hand the anxiety, humility and intimidating experiences of being an adult student. With professional guidance from PSIA and many hours of instruction from Belleayre’s training staff, persistence and great personal drive, I obtained my Level I certification in 2001 and Level II in 2004. I believe that my personal experiences have provided me with a good ability to relate to an adult attempting to master the sport of skiing. My teaching style is non threatening and simplistic.
I enjoy teaching children as well as adults. The end result is the same regardless of age. A beaming smile is a smile whether on a youthful face or a face seasoned by time.

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1992
Certification: Alpine Level II

This will be my 14th year of teaching skiing at Belleayre. I achieved my Level II PSIA certification in 2000 and became a part-time ski instructor the same year I became a high school principal. I missed teaching and loved to ski so working as a ski instructor fulfilled both my passions. Besides instructing our paying customers, I thoroughly enjoy working with our instructors to help them become better teachers and skiers. I feel my educational background (35 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent) have prepared me to be able to offer my expertise to our lower area instructors. As a Staff Trainer, I feel that I work best with our newer instructors sharing the many teaching experiences that I have learned over the years.

Georgia LoPresti Meckes

Employed at Belleayre: Since 2001
Certification: AASI Level II
Training Staff Since: 2004

Since 1996, I've had a snowboard strapped to my feet. It was irony at its best, when I began to teach snowboarding. I returned home from college with less direction in my life than ever before, and scored a sweet spot as an instructor in 2001. Snowsports became life and I never wanted it to end. Currently , I'm a level 2 AASI instructor training for my level 3, who specializes in adult workshops, women's clinics, and staff instruction. I've spent a winter as the Outreach Coordinator for the Chill Foundation for Burton Snowboards in Burlington, VT. and enjoyed teaching for a season at Steamboat Springs, CO. You can catch me in the moguls, blasting through the trees, and snapping pictures all the time. "Live to ride and ride to LIVE!"

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1996
Certification: AASI Level I

I am a level 1 instructor with plans on taking the level 2 test this season. I have been a staff trainer for 3 years and really enjoy working with all the other riders! Some of my strong points I believe are movement analysis as well as freestyle training. I also feel that my bag of tricks for teaching is quite large due to the time I’ve spent teaching large classes.

Employed at Belleayre: Since 1976
Certification: Alpine Level II

I started teaching skiing at a mountain in Andes called Bobcat Ski Area in 1966. After several years there, I moved over to Belleayre. I feel that my specialty is working with and training new instructors and those working towards Level II Certification. In addition to working at Belleayre, I am a Clinician and Examiner for the Amateur Ski Instructors Association (ASIA) and have been a guide for European ski trips for the past 20 years. I have enjoyed working as an instructor and Staff Trainer at Belleayre watching the programs grow and become successful.