Chris Palatucci | Profiles


Chris Palatucci

They call him Tooch

theonlysky.com/tooch/

8

out of reviews


Chris Palatucci

They call him Tooch


Teaches: Snowboard - General
Home Mountain: Wachusett, Princeton, MA
Gender: Male
Certifications: None
Years Teaching: 12.2
Years at Wachusett: 12.2
Certifications: None
Years Teaching: 12.2
Years at Wachusett: 12.2

About

I've been snowboarding for almost 20 years, and skied for 13 years before that. (EDIT: I'm a clinician for our Instructor Training Course at Wachusett. One of the '13 - '14 candidates asked me how long I had been snowboarding. I answered "over 15 years." Then I thought about that, and the following week when I saw him again, I said I needed to rephrase it. What I then said was that I had been snowboarding for the 6 years that I've been an instructor. I was bumbling down the hill for the years before that...) Becoming an instructor has been a great experience for me. I thought I was a pretty good snowboarder, until I started really analyzing what I was doing, and being analyzed by others. For me, the best part of teaching is when you have a student who has a problem, maybe even one that they know about, and at the end of a lesson they come to you and say, "Thanks - I've really got it now!" Nothing better. My favorite mountain (so far) is Whistler. In the East, I like Sunday River, where I learned. I like groomers, but I really like playing on the hill. I'm not very good in the park, but it's one of my goals. I love teaching at Wachusett. We have a great program and great instructors. My favorite trail is Upper Balance Rock, across Conifer to Lower Balance Rock. Secluded, twisty, beautiful, fun! When I'm not on snow, I'm mostly counting the days until opening day. For my big boy job, I'm an executive recruiter in the life sciences industry.


Reviews

Meg
February 12, 2014
Beginner - Another Program

I couldn't have started off with a better instructor!! I may have fallen on my butt a few times (okay, more than a few), but Tooch made sure I didn't get too beat up; I had loads of fun, and learned a lot in the short time we had!


Karen
January 23, 2014
Intermediate - Another Program

Took an intermediate snowboarding clinic with Chris. He really enjoys teaching and cares that his students learn. I felt that really distinguished him as an instructor. Plus, he is very detail oriented which I like very much. And a warm, kind individual. I would train with him if I lived close by.


Sam
January 18, 2014
Intermediate - Another Program

Chris was clear and broke down the art of snowboarding into discrete learning steps so we could focus on mastering one thing at a time. This was especially important for me since, as an expert skier, I naturally wanted to run before I could walk. Patient, fun, encouraging -- highly recommend.


Samoel
January 01, 2014
Beginner - Another Program

Chris was very clear and kept the info I needed to hear short and simple with an explanation of the best technique for me. Trusting him more and listening to his advice gave me what I needed to adapt and create my own style.


Pat
December 29, 2013
Beginner - Another Program

Chris was a great teacher, and very encouraging and petient. I would definitely go to him again for a lesson.


Ewan
December 22, 2013
Intermediate - Another Program

Tooch is an inspiring, patient, enthusiastic coach who took me from beginner to L5 snowboarding in 3 hour long sessions. He'll push you as hard as you want and make it fun every step of the way. Use Tooch - it'll be the best investment you make this season!


Shahbaz
December 07, 2013
Advanced - Another Program

Tooch is an awesome rider and definitely has the energy and patience to help you learn!


Ali
December 06, 2013
Advanced - Another Program

Want to have fun while learning how to snowboard? Go to Chris.



About

I've been snowboarding for almost 20 years, and skied for 13 years before that. (EDIT: I'm a clinician for our Instructor Training Course at Wachusett. One of the '13 - '14 candidates asked me how long I had been snowboarding. I answered "over 15 years." Then I thought about that, and the following week when I saw him again, I said I needed to rephrase it. What I then said was that I had been snowboarding for the 6 years that I've been an instructor. I was bumbling down the hill for the years before that...) Becoming an instructor has been a great experience for me. I thought I was a pretty good snowboarder, until I started really analyzing what I was doing, and being analyzed by others. For me, the best part of teaching is when you have a student who has a problem, maybe even one that they know about, and at the end of a lesson they come to you and say, "Thanks - I've really got it now!" Nothing better. My favorite mountain (so far) is Whistler. In the East, I like Sunday River, where I learned. I like groomers, but I really like playing on the hill. I'm not very good in the park, but it's one of my goals. I love teaching at Wachusett. We have a great program and great instructors. My favorite trail is Upper Balance Rock, across Conifer to Lower Balance Rock. Secluded, twisty, beautiful, fun! When I'm not on snow, I'm mostly counting the days until opening day. For my big boy job, I'm an executive recruiter in the life sciences industry.


Reviews

Meg
February 12, 2014
Beginner - Another Program

I couldn't have started off with a better instructor!! I may have fallen on my butt a few times (okay, more than a few), but Tooch made sure I didn't get too beat up; I had loads of fun, and learned a lot in the short time we had!


Karen
January 23, 2014
Intermediate - Another Program

Took an intermediate snowboarding clinic with Chris. He really enjoys teaching and cares that his students learn. I felt that really distinguished him as an instructor. Plus, he is very detail oriented which I like very much. And a warm, kind individual. I would train with him if I lived close by.


Sam
January 18, 2014
Intermediate - Another Program

Chris was clear and broke down the art of snowboarding into discrete learning steps so we could focus on mastering one thing at a time. This was especially important for me since, as an expert skier, I naturally wanted to run before I could walk. Patient, fun, encouraging -- highly recommend.


Samoel
January 01, 2014
Beginner - Another Program

Chris was very clear and kept the info I needed to hear short and simple with an explanation of the best technique for me. Trusting him more and listening to his advice gave me what I needed to adapt and create my own style.


Pat
December 29, 2013
Beginner - Another Program

Chris was a great teacher, and very encouraging and petient. I would definitely go to him again for a lesson.


Ewan
December 22, 2013
Intermediate - Another Program

Tooch is an inspiring, patient, enthusiastic coach who took me from beginner to L5 snowboarding in 3 hour long sessions. He'll push you as hard as you want and make it fun every step of the way. Use Tooch - it'll be the best investment you make this season!


Shahbaz
December 07, 2013
Advanced - Another Program

Tooch is an awesome rider and definitely has the energy and patience to help you learn!


Ali
December 06, 2013
Advanced - Another Program

Want to have fun while learning how to snowboard? Go to Chris.