Meet the Team

Our team of trainers

We bring you some of the United States most highly qualified and experienced ski and snowboard trainers to give you an opportunity to learn and develop with the very best. All of our trainers are PSIA or AASI examiners and many are national or divisional technical demonstration team members. Most of our trainers have spent seasons working internationally at resorts in South America, New Zealand, Australia and Europe so you can be sure to hear some great stories and have a lot of fun, both on and off the snow!

Technical Director

Our Ski & Snowboard Technical Director is responsible for planning and implementing our training programs.

JODY BLACTCHLY
Technical Director

As a leading freestyle trainer and national selector of the New Zealand Freestyle and National Olympic Team, Jody brings a wealth and knowledge and experience to our training team. During the Southern Hemisphere winter Jody works for Mt Ruapehu in New Zealand. He is a head coach for the Competitive Centre and is responsible for coaching and team management of the National Ruapehu Team. Jody has also competed successfully throughout Europe. His instructional expertise include freestyle training (park and pipe) and advanced level all terrain instruction.

Residential Team

Our residential team is responsible for overseeing the logistics and smooth running of our programs in Lake Tahoe. They will be on hand throughout to ensure you are in the right place at the right time and have a fantastic experience. Every one of our residential team members has spent numerous seasons living, working and playing in Lake Tahoe so rest assured you are in knowledgeable hands. You will also be in contact with many of our residential team prior to leaving your home country so the support and friendship will begin even prior to hitting the slopes.

JONATHON BECKINGSALE
Company Director

Following a passion for the mountains and international travel Jonathon co-founded Educating Adventures. He is actively involved in the day to day and management operations of the company. Jonathon spends the Northern Hemisphere winter in Lake Tahoe and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the running of our ski and snowboard training programs.

Jonathon has been skiing for over 25 years and was first introduced to the sport in New Zealand by his parents. As a youngster he could never get enough time on the snow and this is still true today! During his university days Jonathon completed his NZSIA level one ski instructor’s certification. After finishing university he joined Deloitte through their graduate recruitment program and over the following five years juggled an accounting career in New Zealand with a career as a ski instructor in Lake Tahoe USA. He went on to complete the NZSIA level two ski instructor’s certification and his Chartered Accountant board examinations.

A highlight of Jonathon’s instructing career was working a season at Cerro Catedral in Argentina. He looks forwards to meeting you this coming season and ensuring you have the time of your life in one the world’s most scenic locations.

MARIA NIKLISON
Residential Staff

Maria is an experienced and well travelled ski instructor who has spent six winter seasons working and playing in Lake Tahoe. Maria grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina and started skiing as a youngster in the south of Argentina at Cerro Catedral, Bariloche. After finishing University Maria headed to Tahoe where she worked and completed her PSIA level one ski certification. This gave her the opportunity to travel and work at resorts at home in Argentina and New Zealand. As a bubbly Argentine Maria will make you feel right at home in the USA!

KIRSTY ROBSON
Residential Staff

Kirsty is a seasoned Tahoe enthusiast. Following a travel dream of hitting the slopes in North America, Kirsty left the United Kingdom with friends and ended up in Lake Tahoe. The winter season turned into summer, and one year became many more. Lake Tahoe is now more home than the United Kingdom! Kirsty is passionate about snowboarding and having fun! She looks forward to meeting you and showing you the local secret spots both on and off the mountain!