A&A Performance Ski Camp - NZ

[scandium]

Just as a sidenote, quite a few people (local people I ski with or have interactions with when I'm up skiing) have asked bemused why I'm doing the camp and seem confused by the fact that someone who can ski pretty well wants to participate almost to the point of being dismissive
Has anyone else come across this or is it a Kiwi "she'll be right just point em and send em" mentality ?

This is a common skiier mentality from what I can see, not specifically Kiwi I think! Adults, even never-evers, don't seem want to spend the money on lessons at ALL if they can get a friend or family member to "teach" them (which can be ok, but often can be disastrous) unless it's sweetened with a beginner package which makes it cheaper than lift + rental.

 

[liquidfeet]

I'm going to second what others are saying about the attitudes towards lessons held by adult recreational skiers. Many of them (not all) think there's a definitive line between "knowing how to ski" and not knowing. Those who don't know how to ski take lessons. Those who do don't take lessons.

These folks enjoy skiing at their level. There are conditions and types of terrain they don't attempt to ski, but they have all the fun they want skiing where they are comfortable. They are satisfied with the status quo, and don't realize there are other reasons to take lessons. They probably think that skiers who venture into the conditions and onto the terrain they avoid have a "natural talent" that's beyond their inherited abilities.

Adult skiers who are driven to ski more terrain and more conditions that what they are currently competent on, and/or to ski without their habitual level of caution or fear, take lessons. They believe they can learn to ski better with the guidance of a teacher.

Many are in lessons in order to learn how to keep up with their friends.

Some adults take lessons and/or camps to get line-cutting privileges for themselves and their ski buddies when they travel to new resorts. Others are in camps for the social aspect of skiing in exciting new places with a group of like-minded skiers. They enjoy meeting new ski friends and participating in the apres ski life with those new people. They may expect to learn new skills, but that's not the major motivator.

 

[AJM]

Many of them (not all) think there's a definitive line between "knowing how to ski" and not knowing. Those who don't know how to ski take lessons. Those who do don't take lessons.

I definitely think most of the people I've spoken to have this mentality, esp at our local ski area where most of the people taking lessons are pretty much beginners, its very rare to see someone who can actually ski at a reasonable level having a lesson or coaching.

 

[marzNC]

At American ski areas/resorts with seasons that last 4+ months, there are often weekly lesson programs for adults. Usually start in early January and finished by March. Sometimes for women only. Of course, people who don't live within an hour of a mountain can't take advantage of that sort of lesson program.

One reason Taos Ski Valley is popular with ski clubs is the Taos Ski Week. It's for all levels from intermediate through expert (double-black steeps and trees). It's a great deal at under $400 for 6 consecutive morning lessons (same group, same instructor). Even so, I've talked to people on the slopes at TSV who had never heard of Taos Ski Weeks.

TSV has a 6-week lesson program for local adults that is very popular.

 

[Magnatude]

I'd always assumed the not-taking-lessons thing was a Kiwi peculiarity. As a Queenstown-based ski instructor, there were markedly fewer NZers in my groups (ranging from first timers to intermediate level), and often there were none.
Interesting to hear that happens elsewhere too.

 

[AJM]

UPDATE !!!
Due to the weather the camp has been reduced to 3 days and now starts on Wednesday ..... the disappointment levels are high

 

[Rashika]

UPDATE !!!
Due to the weather the camp has been reduced to 3 days and now starts on Wednesday ..... the disappointment levels are high

But phew it's still on! This weather has been a big pain that's for sure.

 

[Rashika]

Adult skiers who are driven to ski more terrain and more conditions that what they are currently competent on, and/or to ski without their habitual level of caution or fear, take lessons. They believe they can learn to ski better with the guidance of a teacher.

This is definitely me, I would take lessons every day if I could afford it!

And It doesn't seem to just be a kiwi thing to not take lessons from what I have read and seen

 

[AJM]

But phew it's still on! This weather has been a big pain that's for sure.

Its something else thats for sure, I cant ever remember it being like this so early. Hopefully its still on but I wouldn't be surprised if its not .... have you seen the Porters webcam ? Its looking pretty rough down the bottom

 

[Rashika]

Its something else thats for sure, I cant ever remember it being like this so early. Hopefully its still on but I wouldn't be surprised if its not .... have you seen the Porters webcam ? Its looking pretty rough down the bottom

Not lately but I can imagine what it's looking like

 

[scandium]

UPDATE !!!
Due to the weather the camp has been reduced to 3 days and now starts on Wednesday ..... the disappointment levels are high

But it's still going ahead! And maybe the wind will blow some snow clouds in?

 

[AJM]

But it's still going ahead! And maybe the wind will blow some snow clouds in?

At this stage it is but a lot can happen between now and then with this weather ...... fingers, toes, everything crossed !
It does look like there might be some snow late tomorrow, not much but maybe enough to get us through.

 

[Jilly]

Years ago we got washed out on the first day of a 3 day Pro Camp with the CSIA. I got up in the morning and looked out. I remember saying DH, I don't think things are going to happen today. Eventually I got dressed, but didn't put my boots on. Walked up to the Gondola and it wasn't running. The resort decided not to open that day.

It was amazing how the CSIA pulled together in a couple of hours indoor sessions for us. That was the year I met my boot fitter. He had brought his stuff to fix a number of the L4 instructors. He diagnosed the problem, but told me, since they were new to go back to the store. I ended up spending $$ with him, fixing those boots.

Even at indoor sessions you can learn. So don't pass those off if that happens.

 

[AJM]

Even at indoor sessions you can learn. So don't pass those off if that happens.

Thats what I'm hoping for if the mountain cant get open, they were closed yesterday and today but might be able to open tomorrow but thats a big might. It is looking slightly more favourable towards the end of week. I'd happily have an indoor session .... beats sitting at home watching the snow disappear !!

 

[Rashika]

Thats what I'm hoping for if the mountain cant get open, they were closed yesterday and today but might be able to open tomorrow but thats a big might. It is looking slightly more favourable towards the end of week. I'd happily have an indoor session .... beats sitting at home watching the snow disappear !!

Liking your post cos agree u can learn a lot without even going on The snow... Getting the mental training started where u can think things through rather than all in the snow where everything has to come together right to work.
That was some wind last night, seems to have been worse last night than the other nights so far but change coming today, big relief.

 

[AJM]

Stand down everyone , devastating news .... the camp has been cancelled
The recent weather has really taken a toll on the snow and Andy and Anna have decided conditions are just not condusive to running it, disapointed is putting it mildly !
Check out Porters web cams for an indication of conditions although it does look like a teeeeny skiff has fallen in the last few hours.
The top looks ok but with it being surface lift accessed I doubt if the lift lines are in any decent shape.

Summer - Porters Alpine Resort

portersalpineresort.com

Now I have to wait another whole year !!!!

 

[Rashika]

Stand down everyone , devastating news .... the camp has been cancelled
The recent weather has really taken a toll on the snow and Andy and Anna have decided conditions are just not condusive to running it, disapointed is putting it mildly !
Check out Porters web cams for an indication of conditions although it does look like a teeeeny skiff has fallen in the last few hours.
The top looks ok but with it being surface lift accessed I doubt if the lift lines are in any decent shape.

Summer - Porters Alpine Resort

portersalpineresort.com

Now I have to wait another whole year !!!!

Not fair, stoopid weather

 

[VickiK]

Oh no, what a complete bummer!

I feel your pain.

 

[RachelV]

I'm so sorry! What a bummer.

 

[AJM]

Thanks guys, it really is a bummer as its something I've been really looking forward to since it was first discussed at the end of last season. At least I've had a few runs with Andy this season so I do have a few tips to keep working on (I'm looking at you outside ski !!) and I can confirm that his tips are worth their weight in gold so if any Kiwi's are keen on maybe joining the camp next season let me know as they still really want to make it happen.