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May, 2023

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Some advice for new ski instructors

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God
Posts: 416 - Karma: 672
I know with the season starting there are going to be a plethora of new instructors on the mountain. When I started teaching 10 years ago, even with my training, I was super nervous and apprehensive. I just thought I might post some things I’ve learned over the years in the case that I might help some others.

1) When you fall (which you will inevitably do at least once) or your kids fall; laugh about it in a positive way and present it as a learning experience. I sometimes make myself fall in the most common way that kids do so I can talk about it and learn from it.

2) Never call out a kid in front of the group, it will alienate him from you and the group.

3a) Its totally okay to lie to the parents about how well their kid is doing, they almost never notice and they will tip you better for it.

3b) At the end of the day you’re working for tips

4) (This ones a bit controversial) I never let the kids critique each other on skiing. All it does is create resentment within the group. If they are going to critique anyone it should be you or another counselor


i have more if people are interested, I would also love to hear other people’s input. I haven’t posted in this sub in a few years but I hope this thread is still appropriate.
Nov 19 2018 12:27PM
35 0
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12271 - Karma: 111,292
Fun first, at the end of the day, you're pretty much a walking/talking daycare. Don't take it personally if it looks like the kids haven't progressed after the days over.
Nov 19 2018 1:22PM
15 2
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Cheetodawg
Posts: 274 - Karma: 551
A bunch of my friends are ski instructors at Hyland
Nov 19 2018 1:23PM
0 8
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skiguy04
Posts: 1546 - Karma: 1,054
Good tips and should keep things going smoothly
Nov 19 2018 1:57PM
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HaydenWrong
Posts: 986 - Karma: 2,158
keep them out of the park unless its a freestyle class
Nov 19 2018 2:48PM
26 1
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evaroni
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,769
I would like to add, if you are an instructor stay the F out of my way and don't even look my direction.

Other than that, have a great winter and have fun doing what you love!
Nov 19 2018 2:52PM
6 28
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DesertStix
Posts: 2540 - Karma: 14,959
GodI know with the season starting there are going to be a plethora of new instructors on the mountain. When I started teaching 10 years ago, even with my training, I was super nervous and apprehensive. I just thought I might post some things I’ve learned over the years in the case that I might help some others.

1) When you fall (which you will inevitably do at least once) or your kids fall; laugh about it in a positive way and present it as a learning experience. I sometimes make myself fall in the most common way that kids do so I can talk about it and learn from it.

2) Never call out a kid in front of the group, it will alienate him from you and the group.

3a) Its totally okay to lie to the parents about how well their kid is doing, they almost never notice and they will tip you better for it.

3b) At the end of the day you’re working for tips

4) (This ones a bit controversial) I never let the kids critique each other on skiing. All it does is create resentment within the group. If they are going to critique anyone it should be you or another counselor


i have more if people are interested, I would also love to hear other people’s input. I haven’t posted in this sub in a few years but I hope this thread is still appropriate.


These are awesome tips and I’m just curious, as an educator, about number 4. If the kids would benefit from structured criticism that’s essentially monitored by you, possibly? I know it’s not on the mountain, but some of the best “AHA!” moments in classrooms happen when kids help each other learn and achieve the goal at hand.

Just my two cents and I love seeing you guys teach the youngins how to shred!
Nov 19 2018 3:23PM
4 2
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methscratchface
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 4,414
1. Do not challenge your students to a mini corn dog eating contest at lunch. An after lunch pants shitting is inevitable. This happened to a girl in one of my groups and her sister ratted her out at afternoon break in front of everyone. Pretty sure this girl is now a serial killer. whoops.
Nov 19 2018 7:09PM
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iced
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 17,907
id question number 4
all skiers learn differently
i once had a group of lil guys that loved to play "ski instructor"
it was a highlight to control behaviour at the end of every few lessons,
id tell them what to watch for as I took the kids down in a train and theyd just applaud them after a run (didnt actually doing anyrhing in this case lol just repeat), but they were all paying attention to "pointing their ankles out and toes together" and whatnot, & would tell their parents...... made for great tips

teenager groups this actually works really well with stonger/older skiers of the group to stay interactive, with them giving actual feedback they are knowladgeable of
Nov 19 2018 9:47PM
3 0
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dkirse
Posts: 822 - Karma: 657
I've been teaching for close to ten years now, too, and these tips are gold. Instructing is exhausting work but by the time the next winter season rolls around, i always find myself coming back. I love working with kids, and i love skiing so it all works out. I'll share some tips and tricks too if anyone's interested. Where is everybody teaching at this season? Anyone out here in Tahoe? I'll be back at Northstar this season!
Nov 19 2018 10:40PM
2 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 50762 - Karma: 152,554
Hand the parents condoms to prevent any further accidents.
Nov 19 2018 10:47PM
20 2
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22Kevin22
Posts: 39 - Karma: 101
Don't stress it if you feel like you aren't instructing the kids very well, eventually they will start picking it up on their own. Skiing is a pretty natural motion to learn just from watching others. This only goes for absolute beginners who have never skied before.
Nov 19 2018 11:16PM
1 0
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mattm7
Posts: 355 - Karma: 1,965
This thread is exactly what I needed haha on my way to Japan for my first season instructing.
Nov 20 2018 1:17AM
5 0
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DesertStix
Posts: 2540 - Karma: 14,959
You get it
icedid question number 4
all skiers learn differently
i once had a group of lil guys that loved to play "ski instructor"
it was a highlight to control behaviour at the end of every few lessons,
id tell them what to watch for as I took the kids down in a train and theyd just applaud them after a run (didnt actually doing anyrhing in this case lol just repeat), but they were all paying attention to "pointing their ankles out and toes together" and whatnot, & would tell their parents...... made for great tips

teenager groups this actually works really well with stonger/older skiers of the group to stay interactive, with them giving actual feedback they are knowladgeable of
Nov 20 2018 1:49AM
2 0
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fghtoffyrdmns
Posts: 2900 - Karma: 6,117
useful thread, ill be instructing for the first time this season at mt. bachelor :)
Nov 20 2018 4:12AM
4 0
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dshiland
Posts: 174 - Karma: 1,055
Patience is key with the young ones but I loved being an instructor it was so rewarding when the kids put it all together and could ski well and got confidence in themselves
Nov 20 2018 5:39AM
1 0
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iskeaah
Posts: 224 - Karma: 602
fghtoffyrdmnsuseful thread, ill be instructing for the first time this season at mt. bachelor :)


Sick, ill be teaching at snoqualmie
Nov 20 2018 11:13AM
1 0
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pastysmasher
Posts: 778 - Karma: 662
Good tips!
I would question 3a if the kids on a programme or group lessons. The number of times I've had to mess around rearranging groups because parents think their kids are better than they are and have signed them up to a too advanced group. Can be super frustrating and wastes time for the other kids.
Nov 20 2018 5:05PM
2 0
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methscratchface
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 4,414
Business Cards! Sometimes resorts provide them. If not make your own. Request privates are the way to stack money.
Nov 20 2018 9:58PM
4 0
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evaroni
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,769
Sell weed to the kids, it’s a gateway drug to park skiing.
Nov 20 2018 10:31PM
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