Diva Ski Tips

Why am I doing this? The question floated around in the soupy haze of my tired brain as I struggled to make and eat breakfast on a Sunday morning . You see, I had been to a friend’s birthday party, stayed up too late, and imbibed enough the night before that I was struggling to remember why I was 60 miles from home and fighting to make it to my morning line up for a part time job to teach strangers to slide (ski) down a small hill in Pennsylvania.  It’s a job which costs me far more financially than it makes me. It’s a job that requires me to take paid time off from my ‘real’ job to work it at times. It’s a job that causes me to have no more than 5 days off between December and March. It’s a job that cuts into my sleep and workout routines. It’s a job that often leaves me physically exhausted (and occasionally mentally exhausted as well). It’s a job that continually leaves me feeling as though no matter how much I’ve learned and mastered I have more and more that I don’t...

I took a year off completely from teaching skiing.  I took a year before that and mostly didn't teach either.  I stopped stretching myself too thin and doing PSIA events and teaching and free skiing and working and, and, and... well, I skied a lot more. Just as my relationship with ski teaching has changed, so has that of some of the other Divas - relationships, jobs, kids, and other life changes mean we no longer rip around as a posse of L2s and L3 ladies on a little hill in PA together. But I'm back on the horse - at least a bit - at a new mountain.  I guess you could say that it's hard to imagine not being involved in ski instruction after 20 years. I'm excited to be part of a school that reminds me of that hill in PA: Many part time (and fewer full time!) instructors who are passionate about teaching, skiing, and have a thirst to learn Folks who are accomplished in their 'other' careers Snowsports school leadership committed to training - and buildin...

Sometimes in skiing, life, business and bike racing things go wrong and you get sucked into mental quicksand. I'll let a great thinker explain it. (It's at 1:14) In my first post I'll talk about ways to avoid getting yourself stuck or getting out. In the second, I'll talk about what to do when one of your student's is sucked in. Full disclosure: Managing your emotions and stopping negative thoughts is not easy. It takes self-awareness and discipline. This is what I try to do, sometimes it takes a while to succeed. Last weekend I was in a race and I really wanted to get on the podium for the first time. This race was one of my best chances to do it. I flew off the start line and into the first turn ahead of the field. Then I got a flat. That ended my race and I was not in a good mental place to race again a few hours later. I have been in the trees and made a bad turn that turned into a series of bad turns and ended with me crying and having difficulty...

If you are a new instructor we've got everything you need to know in one easy to access place. If you aren't finding what you need, let us know and we'll write a post for you. Did we miss your favorite tip? Put it in the comments.  A noob’s guide to ski teaching A noob's guide to clinics and training A Noob’s Guide to Networking Should I join PSIA? The Divas' Guide to teaching CLC: Etiquette of ‘Do’s and ‘Don’t’s in the Corral

written by Kerry and Debbie The Diva and D2 have many years of experience teaching in the corral in the Children’s Learning Center and have often trained instructors on how to teach beginner kids in that environment. In order to help others learn the magic of teaching in the corral, we’d like to share some of our tidbits of wisdom. Welcome to the world of teaching kids! DO: Count early and often. Children are slippery little buggers. Make sure you know how many you have at the start of the lesson, AND which ones you have. Learn their names, memorize their jacket/pant ensemble, do whatever it takes. Parents get upset when you hand back the wrong child. Or no child at all. DO: Wear your skis. You are a ski instructor, not a boot instructor. Yes we all know it’s harder to climb up the hill with skis on. But get over it; you are a ski instructor. Be in shape enough that you can skate up the hill throughout the two hours. Consider it your professional responsibility. Hey, it might even help...

This is from a series of posts based on my experiences at The Hartford Ski Spectacular/PSIA-ASSI Adaptive National Academy in Breckenridge, CO. I used to go to PSIA/ASSI clinic and walk away with a nugget or two that would really click.  But at some point I thought I was spending too much money to just get one or two things (while having a good time on the snow and making friends). Here’s what I do to get more out of a clinic I carry my cute argyle notebook in my front pocket with a pen to every clinic.  The silhouette looks funny poking out of my jacket, but I’m OK with that. The mechanical act of writing helps me remember. If the weather is OK, I jot down notes on the chairlift or the side of the hill. Sometimes this means I’m skiing after the group whilst trying to put my gloves and pole straps on.  It would be funny for the group if anyone was around to see it but they are usually gone. If it’s too cold, snowy or rainy I jot down notes inside.  I will ...

This is from a series of posts based on my experiences at the The Hartford Ski Spectacular/PSIA-ASSI Adaptive National Academy in Breckenridge, CO.   Here’s a common scenario for me that happened at this event.  We do a drill, ski down to the group and the leader asks “How does that feel?”  So the group responds with all kinds of feelings and sensations and I keep quiet because all I felt was my hands on my but because the leader told me to put my hands on my but. Creating sensations in a skier is a powerful way to help them learn and self-coach long after you’re gone.   I’m not much of a feeler so I need help to develop sensations.  I also know people who feel everything who have a hard time making sense of it.  Here are some of the things I do with the unfeeling, over feeling and everyone in between. Start with sensations Skiing brings in all sorts of sensations, so when I introduce an activity standing still I try to create some feelings that m...

Since you are a ski instructor, you likely learned to ski many years ago. That feeling of uncertainty at the sight of the long slog down the beginner trail is a distant memory to you. For our students, it is foremost in their minds when they start sliding down the hill. One of the best ways to understand your students’ feelings, and therefore be able to help them be successful in the lesson, is to become a student yourself. I’m not talking about taking a ski lesson; we all know we can be successful in that or you wouldn’t be reading this blog. I’m suggesting you try an entirely new sport, with new skills and situations that will help you empathize with your students once you return to the snow. Hey, you might even have fun while you do it. This past summer I took whitewater kayaking lessons with Liquid Adventures Kayaking School . I had a couple of lessons last year and a couple of rolling sessions this year, on flat water. Wave-free, no current, and very non-threatening water conditio...

Every season I’ve taught skiing but one I have been preparing for or taking an exam.  The only season I didn’t, I was opening a $500 million museum on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Thanks to the help of my fellow divas, friends, family and my trainers I earned a gold pin.  While I’m proud that I finally got here, I’m not sure what to do now.  I’m a very goal and deadline oriented person.  This time last year I had posted to this blog 55 times.  My whole season of prep was planned and my technical director and ski school director signed off on it. This year I’ve been adjusting to a new, challenging (in a good way) job and racing cross.  Side note: Cyclocross is a great activity to keep your fitness up going into the season and have a good time in the dirt and with friends. I know that I want to keep improving as a skier and teacher.  How can I do that with out a target to aim at? Some of my closet friends are on the examiner track so...

The weather is crisp - well, and raining here.  Are you ready for the season?  I'm already doing a bunch of the physical fitness parts of early season success.  But in addition to raking leaves, there's some homebound tasks I need to complete before my season starts on December 1st at training.  Guess I'd better get these done during the dark days of November. My to do list: Find my boots in the basement.  They are somewhere behind the bike wheels, spare tires, rags, boxes of powdered drink mixes and camping gear.  somewhere. Try them on and call my bootfitter if I need to.  It's always easier to get work done in November than the week before Christmas. Find some skis, get the bindings set , wax 'em, tune them.  We left our skis in pretty good shape after our late Spring Utah trip last year, but I also picked up a new pair and we have a bit of switching around to do. Find poles .  Seems these are easy to forget the first trip of the s...

Here in the Mid-Atlantic, our ski season is short, our goals are high, and most of us have full-time jobs, families, pets, and other hobbies that impinge upon the ability to ski every day of the winter on man-made snow in Pennsylvania with 600 feet (generously counting) of vertical drop.  Ski season is coming (2 months!) - if you want to hit your goals this year, you'd better start now.  You have goals, right?  Set yourself up for success.  Don't be just a winter athlete .  It just doesn't work like that. 1)  Find a fall sport that gets you strong and builds aerobic capacity.   Picture December 27th, the Monday after Christmas.  Hundreds of beginner children show up with new skis.  The people at 3pm paid just as much as the morning folks - do you want to be the one to let them down?  Are you going to be that instructor ... you know, the one that stands at the bottom of the class, yelling at them, rolling their eyes and sauntering...

Here are my dos and don'ts. Add yours in the comments. Do come to an agreement about expectations Trainers get frustrated because candidates don’t do their homework. Candidates get frustrated because they don’t get enough support. A better solution for both parties to agree on expectations of each other Do ask about the plan My tech director always asks candidates what their plan is. It’s important to analyze strengths and weaknesses then come up with a training plan.  This goes in hand with the first do. Do pay attention to the calendar Many of my friends have been sent to emotional tailspin when trainers said they were going to fail days before an exam. Once their money is paid, what can be accomplished by dropping a bomb on them? Don’t mess them up A friend of mine was horribily confused by a trainer who got the inside and outside ski mixed up. Tread lightly with canidates especially when the exam is days away.  Do ask candidates what they need We kno...

Here are the my dos and don'ts. Add yours in the comments. Do be a cheerleader I can’t tell you how nice it is to work at a mountain where the instructors are incredibly supportive. Chats, Facebook posts, text messages and hugs are awesome. Don’t ask, don’t tell It’s a standard practice for me to keep my feedback to myself unless I’m asked or I’m teaching a clinic. It’s particularly important to give frequently picked on exam candidates a break. Do bring the fun and change the subject Exam candidates can often get in to the “all exam, all the time” mode. Sometimes they need to be reminded that skiing is fun. Encourage them to take a “burner” from the top to the bottom of the mountain. Do keep your doubts to your self Candidates often are fraught with self doubt. They don’t need any from outside sources. Do offer suggestions and perspective, but gently It's easy for a candidate to loose perspective (they're all picking on me, I'm not getting any support...

Laundry, grocery shopping and oh Coming up with a good hockey stop progression Studying the CAP model Rethinking my intro bumps without bumps lesson Rethinking a short radius turn progression I welcome suggestions in the comments. T-minus 4 weeks to the exam. I'm just trying to get this done.

Here are my dos and don'ts.  Add yours in the comments. Do accept responsibility for your preparation I was told I was a level 3 skier, but only on level 2 terrain, so I spent a lot of time on the road training at mountains up north. A friend of mine was not a book learner, so he recruited friends to repeatedly quiz him and talk through all the material in the books. It’s no one’s job but your own to get the training you need. Don’t wait for it to be given to you. Do your homework You should have a good understanding of all the material in Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors , Alpine Technical Manual: Skiing and Teaching Skills and the Children’s Instruction Manual. Do have a plan Here is mine for this season. Do choose your coaches Everyone and their brother will try to give you feedback and advice on your training. I only listen to a few select people (the divas are included). I nod and smile when anyone else offers feedback. Part of your learning process is fi...

We've done an extraordinary amount of skiing in the rain this year, it seems.  Lots of weekend rain capped off most recently by a fun wet day at Elk Mountain on Monday.  I'm becoming better at skiing in the rain and enjoying it. The snow is great on most rain days here in the mid-atlantic, but when you have to be out or you want to be out, it's important to dress appropriately and have reasonable expectations for the day. Whether teaching or freeskiing, my tips for skiing in the rain: Start with a good base layer .  When the chances of getting wet are high, bet on wool.  Or polypropylene.  Cotton will just make you colder.  This goes for socks too. Rookie ski instructors teach the most on rain days.  They have the least rain gear.  Be prepared with what you've got. Have your best rain gear, even if it looks ridiculous.  Gore-tex is great.  Clothing made for fly fishing and hiking can be even better.  Watch out for zippers o...

Congrats to everyone (but especially Carl) who became a level 2 yesterday at Elk. It was great to meet you and I'm glad that we could help. Welcome to everyone who's coming to the blog for the first time after learning about it at Elk.  I hope you find it helpful. Everyone feel free to comment on posts and make requests.  We're here to help.

Networking has been all over the media for the past two years as one of the most important tools for getting and keeping a job, especially in this economy. But networking is not just important for your summer job, or your full-time job, whatever the case may be. Networking can also serve you well in your quest to become a better ski instructor too. The first network you need to build is your fellow newbie ski instructors. This will start in your training class, hopefully before you even get on snow. These are the people you will be standing alongside at lineups, and working in the children’s learning center with, and grabbing lunch quickly in between those 3 hour beginner classes. While discussing your first lessons , the successes you have, the challenges you encounter, you all can learn a lot from each other. Plus it is less boring to stand at lineup when you have other people to talk to… You will go through a lot with your newbie peers, get to know them! You should also tap into...

As the season goes on I become a much better packer. The first trip of the season I always grossly overpack. It’s especially difficult when the weather is questionable. Before a trip, I customize this list depending on where I’m going. SKI GEAR AND CLOTHING • Skis, poles, boots • Sunscreen and lip balm • Gloves and mittens • Hats • Goggles and sunglasses • Neck gaiter • Snacks and gum • Hydration system • Lock • Boot covers • Helmet • Hotronic batteries and charger • Hand warmers • Boot Dryer SKI CLOTHING • Shell • Soft shell • Tops (long johns and midlayer) • Ski pants • Long john pants (light and heavy) • Sports bra • Ski socks SHOES • Boots • Flip flops REGULAR CLOTHING • Hoodie (I love having a comfy hoodie to relax in, especially if the room is cold) • Jeans • Après or going out clothes • Underwear • Bathing suit and coverup • Socks BASICS • Wallet • House keys • Watch • Medical insurance card • Itineraries, tickets and reservation con...

The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) are our professional organizations.  They advocate for snowsports and educate and certify snowsport instructors. Financial Let’s get to right the money, since we’re all worried about it. My dues for the 2009-10 season are $109. Here’s how I took advantage of my membership last season: • Pro deal on new skis • Nine days of PSIA-E clinics • Two day PSIA-I steeps clinic at Jackson Hole • Four discounted lift tickets at different areas I estimate the retail value of this at $3,838 and I paid $1,423 simply because I am a PSIA member. I did a lot last year because I was preparing for exam. But even when I don’t travel as much, the membership still pays for itself. Training As a PSIA member, you can go to clinics in your division, any other division in the country and the awesome national academy. The people teaching your clinics are some of the finest skiers and te...