Homewood Ski/Snowboard Instructor Profiles

Here at Homewood, we pride ourselves on providing some of the best ski and snowboard instruction in the world. With top-level instructors certified as some of the nation's best, easy-to-learn-on Smart Slopes™ terrain, and a committment to making each lesson fun, memorable and instructive, Homewood might just be the best place in the world to improve your skiing or snowboarding.

Homewood's Instructors include:

BRYAN SCHILLING - Director of Snowsports/PSIA-W Examiner & Demo Team Member

I’ve been teaching skiing for the past 22 years and I can confidently say that it is the love of my life. Growing up outside of Portland, Oregon, I have been chasing snow and ski teaching across four continents - Switzerland to Japan, from Colorado to Chile and Argentina. Now I have settled for the best corner of snow country in the world - Homewood, California - the hidden snowy gem at the lakeside of Lake Tahoe where I get to dedicate my passion for the sport by serving as the Director of Snowsports at Homewood Mountain Resort.

I also dedicate energy to the education and certification of the profession of snowsports instruction, working as a PSIA-W (Professional Ski Instructors of America) examiner, western demo team member, and member of its Board of Directors. I am always excited by equipment innovations in the industry, but probably more so by the ongoing advancement of technique in the sports of skiing and snowboarding. There’s both art and science to good teaching, and at Homewood, I think that you will find instructors as passionate as I am about making skiing and riding fun, easy, and endlessly rewarding.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned expert, playing and learning with an expert coach is an experience like none other. I welcome you to take a lesson with our Team. It’s full of hard working professionals, passionate about making sure that you are able to experience for yourself the love and magic of skiing and snowboarding at Homewood.

JERRY ANDERSON - PSIA Level 3 Certified  Ski Instructor/Children's Ski Accreditation

I have been teaching skiing for 25 years and as of 2012 I have been fortunate enough to spend 42 years in the outdoor industry between skiing and summers as a rock climbing and backcountry guide. I enjoy teaching all levels of skiing, both children and adults, from first time beginners to advanced skiers wanting to improve skills on expert terrain. Sharing the beauty of Homewood, the Lake Tahoe area as well as seeing the excitement as someone has that breakthrough moment is about as satisfying as it can get!

GARRY COX - PSIA Level 2 Certified Ski Instructor/Children's Ski Accreditation/Seniors' Ski Accreditation

Come enjoy great, simple and easy to understand lessons, groomed for your fun and learning experience, no matter your age, gender or skiing experience. Take a private lesson on your next adventure to Homewood Mountain Resort. Video analysis available for most lessons.

Garry’s Qualifications include: 51 Seasons of Alpine ski teaching experience, Professional Ski Instructors Of America (PSIA) Certified Alpine Ski Instructor, Homewood – Adventure 55 Lead Ski Instructor, Homewood Mountain Resort Staff Trainer, Homewood Children’s Snowsports School Coordinator, Homewood Adult Snowsports School Supervisor/Coordinator, Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Counselor – Snow Sports.

LOU DURANO - PSIA Level 2 Certified Ski Instructor

Having been inspired by the likes of Jean Claude Killy and Franz Klammer as a child, I was drawn to the Lake Tahoe Region over 25 years ago to live and to ski. My specialty is in sharing my passion for skiing with our guests, while helping them to develop skills for a lifetime of enjoyment of our wonderful sport. I am a PSIA Level 2 Certified Alpine Instructor and actively participate in on-going training and the pursuit of advanced certifications in order to assure that our time on the slopes reflects the most current trends and techniques of modern ski instruction. So, whether you’re a first timer or an experienced expert, young, or young at heart, join me for a lesson here at Homewood and let me help you achieve your skiing goals! Se Habla Español.

PHU CHAU

Changing lives one turn at a time.

I made my first turns as a never ever adult skier in Washington D.C. My only memory of that experience was rushing to Sports Authority that afternoon to buy my first pair of snow pants, the car ride back from Ski Liberty with five of my friends swapping stories about trying to stop in a snow plough and sharing a late night order of hashbrowns scattered, smothered and covered. My goal in every lesson is to create that memory which will make everyone smile about their first time on the snow!

PAUL TAYLOR

I started skiing as an adult, so I understand the potential anxieties and challenges that this involves, particularly fear, or the thought that you just won’t "get it."

Skiing should be fun, enjoying the spectacular outdoor scenery and the exhilaration of sliding effortlessly down the hill, and once you have the skills you need to control your skis the mountain becomes your personal playground. Whether you are a beginner or already an experienced skier, I would like to help you gain and improve the skills and techniques you need to enable you to enjoy your time spent on the mountain, getting your equipment to work better so you can ski for longer. I have been teaching here at Lake Tahoe for four years, and look forward to skiing with you and helping you get the most out of your time in this stunning location.

DEEDEE DRILLER - PSIA Level 1 Certified Ski Instructor

DeeDee is a long-time coach and our fearless leader for the Homewood Teams programs. She has been teaching, coaching and manageing ski teams for over 30 years, and holds the following credentials: Previous member of the U.S. Ski Team, University of Vermont Ski Team, BS in Recreation Management, Level 1 PSIA instructor, Level 1 USSA Coach, Level 1 Avalanche and CPR/First Aid. She has lived in Lake Tahoe since 1984.

KRISTOPHER KIRKPATRICK

Born in San Francisco, Calif., Kristopher spent his childhood in the country side outside of Florence, Italy. He began skiing the Swiss Alps at age 3, and was instantly hooked. Following his return to the States, Kristopher attended Seton Hill University on a Tennis scholarship, and later graduated from Chapman University. Post graduation, with a Bachelors Degree in Communications emphasizing in International Business with a minor in children's education, he worked in corporate finance for the lending arm of a national bank. Kristopher moved back to the mountains of Tahoe to rekindle his love of mountain sports, but can also be found in the ocean surfing, kayaking, and sailing.

MARTIN GIBSON

Martin was born and raised in Stockton, CA, but every summer, winter, and even the occasional weekend was spent here on the West Shore. He learned to ski at Homewood when he was four-years-old and has been part of our family ever since. Martin recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelors degree in English literature and is certified in CPR and first aid. In the summer he instructs sailing but in the winter there is hardly a day that he isn't on the mountain.

DAVID ZWICK - PSIA Level 2 Certified Ski Instructor

David started skiing at age 3 in New England, entered his first race at 5 and won gold. He has been teaching skiing since he was 17 and has taught Alpine in Colorado, Vermont, Connecticut and Nordic at Northstar-at-Tahoe. David is an engineer by trade and has worked much in the Silicon Valley area. Other multiple hobbies include hocky, surfing, windsurfing, motocross, Alpine, Nordic and backcountry skiing, photography, fly fishing, mountaineering and mountain biking. David is a PSIA certified Level 2 Alpine and Level 1 Nordic instructor, and also holds his Level 1 Avalanche certification.