So I thought about this thread yesterday..... took a group lesson intended for those over 50 at local bump. Everyone in group great except one male. I'll call him JOHN. His job was to explain to every female in the group (and a few comments to the males) exactly what the instructor said or to add on his own comments /critique of their skiing. This included another woman who was an credentialed instructor in Tahoe.
It started with the instructor making ONE comment to me after our first run -- which was simple - just to widen my stance a bit. John skied up to me and said "so, what he said was to widen your stance, you need to make a bit more space between your skis"..... the mansplaining light bulb immediately went on in my head. I ignored most of it, except for when I could 'one up him' in a nice way. This became much more of a game for me - trust me.
As I was a new person to what was an established group I understand he had prior history and maybe as the better skier of the group (in some situations) he was thinking of himself as the 'assistant' or demonstrator. Oddly in the "group picture" taken yesterday, all students are on the left of the instructor, except he placed himself to the right. So he is not assoicatiling himself with the "students" but rather on the "instructor" side. When he was mansplaining me on a lift I asked him what his teaching credentials were - none, he had, you know, tought back in the day at some resort, was the first pick of the instructor tryouts, but that he didn't have any certs b/c that took money and time.
I realized that in someways a mansplaining male may have some mental health issues. Really John was a Big fish in a small pond, who thought he was a good skier. Small town mentality, maybe this was where he shinned. But his clothes were dated, skis were ok, and ego clearly super inflated. John told me "You know you can learn a lot from watching other skiers... (like him)." He did make a comment about another male - but it was like oh ED skis so much better on his new skis then he did before...... On a chair lift up with myself and another female, he made comments and critiques of her last run, and really it wasn't bad advice, but thats what the instructor is for. His M.O. was to say something nice, then to tell you your 'fault.' I did see him lurking around after the lesson and he actually jumped on the lift with me but I shut down any idea that I wanted to free ski with him. (I don't think he followed me down the ungroomed black). I did see him lurking around later when I was talking to the mountain host at the entrance to the hill. Somewhat creepy.
And aside from John, I really did enjoy my mixed group - the other men were exceptional.
So based upon the limited circumstances of yesterdays group, and being the interloper, I let it slide --- especially as I will most likely not return unless I get another Wednesday off and the snow is spectacular. If I did, however, I would ask to be in another group. However, I'll say egotistically on my part, I was in the top group and well, I know I am a better skier than John.