How to get the most out of your ski lesson

[ski diva]

A lot of us take lessons, so I'm wondering:

What do you think someone should know about ski lessons? Sure, there's important stuff like 'be aware of your true abilities going in' and 'have an idea for what you want to work on.' But are there other things that it would make sense to be aware of, either before you start or once you're in a class? What do you think it takes to get the most out of your ski lesson? And instructors, what do you recommend?

 

[snow addict]

The only thing I can add is that besides having an idea for what to work on it's important to communicate it to an instructor. If not communicated clearly all ideas are useless. Though not quite sure how it works with group lessons - it is quite possible that different students in a group may have different goals and want to work on different things. That's why I am skeptical about group lessons unless they are more specific clinics or parts of a longer programs, though group lessons of course are better than no lessons...

 

[ride_ski]

I think one of the important thing in a group lesson environment is to speak up. You can't be shy about making yourself heard. In my experience, in many group lessons there is one person who tends to "monopolize" the instructor's time and attention. Very good instructors will be able to diffuse this, but I have seen instances where they do nothing. In order to get what you want out of the lesson sometimes you can't just sit back and be quiet.

 

[marzNC]

May be a bit different depending on the ability level. Although the idea of speaking up is useful for anyone, a beginner taking a lesson for the first or second time may have little idea what to say. When my friend was a never-ever a few seasons ago, it wasn't until the second ski weekend (same season) that she started asking questions. And she is not shy about asking questions in general. Wonder if there are a few sample questions that would work for any beginner?

Have to think back on what worked for me as an intermediate. In recent years, I've gotten recommendations for very experienced instructors (PSIA Level 3, 15+ years experience) for semi-private lessons at destination resorts out west. That's a completely different type of lesson than a group lesson for an aspiring intermediate.

 

[KatyPerrey]

From an instructor point of view -

I think it's important to come into any type of a lesson with an open mind. Many times what the student wants to work on or terrain they want to ski is NOT what they should be working on or skiing on.


as always- JMO!!

 

[marzNC]

@KatyPerrey , and any other instructors: Can you give examples of common questions you would ask an adult student you are meeting for the first time? Let's say it's for a private lesson for someone over 35. Only looking for the first couple questions that are related to skiing, as opposed to simply breaking the ice. Would they be different for a beginner (skied once or twice with lessons), intermediate (2nd or 3rd season), advanced?

 

[Skier31]

I want to know the following:

1. Skiing experience.
2. Why they are taking a lesson.
3. What would make the lesson fabulous for them!
4. How they learn.

If you know your learning preference, tell the instructor. I had a physical therapist student last year. She told me at the beginning of the lesson that she needed very descriptive, technical explanations and that she did not learn by watching. We had a 3 hour lesson and it was fantastic. I went in to much more detail than I would with some people and she was off to the races. It was phenomenal.

If you are in a group lesson and don't understand something, please let the instructor know. Don't be afraid to ask for another demo or another explanation. Chances are others in the group are in the same boat.

Ski at your pace. Do not feel obligated to ski faster than your comfort level because of the group speed. If the group is too fast, ask to move to a different group.

Skier levels are to help put groups of people together with similar abilities so that everyone can learn. Don't be disappointed if you are put with the 6's instead of the 7's. The numbers are really meaningless.

Be willing to put yourself out of your comfort zone. If you always go last, try going first. Instructors in a group manage a lot of things and sometimes it is difficult to manage all of the personalities. Go first - be seen! (I often direct who goes first so that everyone gets a chance).

Please be present! Put the phone on silent, be on time and listen/watch not only the instructor but the others in the group. It is amazing what you can learn by watching and listening.

 

[snow addict]

May be a bit different depending on the ability level. Although the idea of speaking up is useful for anyone, a beginner taking a lesson for the first or second time may have little idea what to say. When my friend was a never-ever a few seasons ago, it wasn't until the second ski weekend (same season) that she started asking questions. And she is not shy about asking questions in general. Wonder if there are a few sample questions that would work for any beginner?

Have to think back on what worked for me as an intermediate. In recent years, I've gotten recommendations for very experienced instructors (PSIA Level 3, 15+ years experience) for semi-private lessons at destination resorts out west. That's a completely different type of lesson than a group lesson for an aspiring intermediate.

Beginners are an exception, though of course they can ask why a certain movement has to be performed in a certain way and not the other if this is not explained regardless. I am not sure what else can a never-ever ask, I wasn't asking many questions on my first year, maybe something along the lines "how long does it usually take to learn/improve etc." Later I became more specific, but I already had some base to build upon.

 

[bounceswoosh]

I would add, be sure to tell the instructor if you have a range of motion restriction or a recent/chronic injury.

@Skier31 mentioned going first instead of last - I've been given this advice, and it really helps. You can't compare yourself to people behind you, and if you're a slower skier than the rest of the group, you get a head start. On the other hand, I also really like to follow directly behind / in the tracks of a ski instructor, or a skier in the group who might be much smoother than me.

Also, I don't think anyone here needs to be told this, but - ski instructors are people, too. Being nice, respectful, and attentive is going to get you a better lesson than being sullen or difficult. If you don't like what's happening in the lesson, communicate that to the instructor - respectfully. Don't just bitch about it to the other people in the lesson as you're going up the lift.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Many times what the student wants to work on or terrain they want to ski is NOT what they should be working on or skiing on.

^^^ This.

Student: ask what the purpose of the exercise is if you want clarification.
“Why are we working on learning pivot slips in easy terrain when I want to learn to ski bumps?”

Instructor: Maybe even right up front, say, “We are working on precise, effective pivot slips because they are an important skill you will use to steer through the bumps - and you’ll soon see why.”

 

[marzNC]

Please be present! Put the phone on silent, be on time and listen/watch not only the instructor but the others in the group. It is amazing what you can learn by watching and listening.

Agree! One reason I much prefer setting up semi-private lessons with friends instead of having a private is that I learn a lot when the instructor is working with the other(s). Different people are more likely to ask different questions, which can help me think of other questions. Also gives me a time to not think so hard. It's natural to be a bit nervous skiing with an instructor who is watching what you are doing.

A few of my aha moments with my home mountain coach have come when there was an intermediate in the Silver Clinic (>50). That's when we are work on fundamentals at a slower pace, which can expose weaknesses in unexpected ways.

 

[marzNC]

Beginners are an exception, though of course they can ask why a certain movement has to be performed in a certain way and not the other if this is not explained regardless. I am not sure what else can a never-ever ask, I wasn't asking many questions on my first year, maybe something along the lines "how long does it usually take to learn/improve etc." Later I became more specific, but I already had some base to build upon.

The irony is that most of the people taking lessons are beginners. And the instructors of beginner lessons are less likely to have 10+ years of experience on how to draw out a shy beginner who asks no questions.

The questions that I remember adult friends asking me in recent years who were beginners included:

* will I learn how to get up after a fall?
* will I have to ride the chairlift?
* what if I can't do it? Can I get my money back?
* what if I start going too fast?

Other than the question about the chairlift, I doubt any of my friends actually asked these questions during the first lesson. At Massanutten, the never-ever package is two 1-hr lessons. First hour on the magic carpet. After getting the basics of turning and stopping, then the second hour is a couple of runs off the long beginner lift. People who don't get the idea quickly can repeat the first session for no extra charge on the same day. One advantage is that perhaps the second (or third) time around, they will figure out what questions to ask.

It occurs to me that advice that comes to mind is for a beginner to take a lesson with a friend, if possible. One reason multi-week programs can work well is that people get comfortable with each other, as well as the instructor. I imagine most beginners start with a one-shot lesson though.

 

[Skier31]

At Snowmass and Breck, beginner lessons are at least 1/2 day, most of the time they are 6 hours with a lunch break. When we teach beginners, we assume they know nothing. We explain everything they need to know about equipment, what is going to happen during the lesson etc. I talk a lot more in a never ever lesson than I do in other levels because there is a lot of information people need to relax, enjoy the lesson, be safe and learn something. Most of us try to give beginners all of the information they need because they are already overloaded with new things to ask questions. Once people relax and we get going, people start to ask questions. It is difficult to do in an hour or even two hour lesson.

 

[marzNC]

At Snowmass and Breck, beginner lessons are at least 1/2 day, most of the time they are 6 hours with a lunch break. When we teach beginners, we assume they know nothing. We explain everything they need to know about equipment, what is going to happen during the lesson etc. I talk a lot more in a never ever lesson than I do in other levels because there is a lot of information people need to relax, enjoy the lesson, be safe and learn something. Most of us try to give beginners all of the information they need because they are already overloaded with new things to ask questions. Once people relax and we get going, people start to ask questions. It is difficult to do in an hour or even two hour lesson.

Sounds like a great way to get an adult started. More equivalent to full-day ski school for kids. Unfortunately, not the industry norm.

One of the aspects I like about the Massanutten approach is that the second session can be taken after a break of an hour or two. So a never-ever can take the first session mid-morning, then stop for lunch, and go back fresh in the afternoon. Of course, relatively few people approach it that way.

 

[KatyPerrey]

@KatyPerrey , and any other instructors: Can you give examples of common questions you would ask an adult student you are meeting for the first time? Let's say it's for a private lesson for someone over 35. Only looking for the first couple questions that are related to skiing, as opposed to simply breaking the ice. Would they be different for a beginner (skied once or twice with lessons), intermediate (2nd or 3rd season), advanced?

Along with the common questions here are a few more.

First timers-

Why do you want to learn to ski?
What do you do in real life? Work, sports, other.. This gives me a good idea of their learning style without asking.
Where are you from? Since Keystones base elevation is at 9600 feet this plays a big roll in the learning process!!

The rest-

Why are you taking the lesson?
What is your ski experience? Hours, days, years.
What terrain do you feel most comfortable on?
What do you want to get out of the lesson? Goals

The list can go on and on!! I get as much info as possible all thru the lesson and I encourage questions!

 

[DeweySki]

Student: ask what the purpose of the exercise is if you want clarification.
“Why are we working on learning pivot slips in easy terrain when I want to learn to ski bumps?”

Instructor: Maybe even right up front, say, “We are working on precise, effective pivot slips because they are an important skill you will use to steer through the bumps - and you’ll soon see why.”

Thank you for bringing up the "Why?" questions. I am very much a "Why?" person, and I sometimes feel as though other people get annoyed with my Why questions (both in skiing and in regular life). It helps me put things into the bigger picture and I am also just naturally curious.

 

[marzNC]

Thanks @KatyPerrey ! Your starter questions are pretty much what I've been asked by more than one Level 3 instructor at destination resorts in various ways in recent years. I found that after the first few times, I developed a short self-introduction that included at least some of the relevant answers.

For a parent, may be useful to provide a quick introduction for a child to a new instructor if there is an opportunity to pass on the info. Especially about something that is not that obvious and you know the kid is not going to mention. For instance, when my daughter was 6 or 7, she was already skiing black runs in the southeast, which is not that common. Since she was petite and looked a year of two younger than she was, I would try to make sure a new instructor knew something about her age and ability before the lesson started.

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I started ski blading, switched to long skis and went right into level 3 so never really asked or knew to ask any of these questions and I think that would have helped me.

I loved the starter questions, I will try to use as many of these as I can when I start teaching.

 

[marzNC]

For those unfamiliar with instructor certification levels, what I meant by "Level 3" is PSIA Level 3. Becoming a Level 3 instructor requires passing two exams, one for teaching and one for skiing. My impression is that it can take 10 years to pass these exams. Also requires Child Specialist certification. The Level 3 instructors I've worked with have 20+ years of experience as instructors.

I think CSIA Level 3 is similar. @Jilly ?

 

[KatyPerrey]

For those unfamiliar with instructor certification levels, what I meant by "Level 3" is PSIA Level 3. Becoming a Level 3 instructor requires passing two exams, one for teaching and one for skiing. My impression is that it can take 10 years to pass these exams. Also requires Child Specialist certification.

I think CSIA Level 3 is similar. @Jilly ?

The Level 3 exam in RM is three parts- teaching, movement analysis and skiing. If I'm not mistaken in the RM (Rocky Mountain) division you also have to have Children Specialist 2 and Freestyle 1 to take the exam. I'm "grandfathered" in so I don't have to have those but I do have the "Kids Accreditation" which is now Children Specialist 2.