Finding coach/improving

[Getting2Old]

Ok so I just made an account and this is my first post here. I'm getting pretty old (29), skied from age 2-16, took ~10 years off, and just starting again 2 seasons ago and started learning freestyle. I'm definitely very bad by all standards here (have done all diff boxes, flat rails, and spun my first and only 3 at the end of this season).

Anyways, I did one session at Windells 2 yrs ago (lasted 2 days, got hurt), and one at les2alpes (was awesome). Really looking to improve a lot this season, and looked into all the local freestyle clubs here in Vancouver but they are all from youth/age 7-17 only for the most part. None of my friends here ski/snowboard and I want a way to stay motivated and keep working and learning things the right way.

What's the best way to go about getting a coach?

I checked craigslist and found 0 listings for anything related besides std. ski instructors, and yea am mostly looking to use it as a motivational crutch, same reason I have a trainer for the gym, forces me out at the same 2 times every week and keeps me accountable. Hope this was the right place to ask, if there is a good marketplace for finding coaches let me know, if not if anybody here is interested and lives in the area, or just wants some more people to ski w/, totally up for that as well. Thanks

 

[Mr.Bishop]

I checked craigslist and found 0 listings for anything related besides std. ski instructors, and yea am mostly looking to use it as a motivational crutch, same reason I have a trainer for the gym, forces me out at the same 2 times every week and keeps me accountable. Hope this was the right place to ask, if there is a good marketplace for finding coaches let me know, if not if anybody here is interested and lives in the area, or just wants some more people to ski w/, totally up for that as well. Thanks

My first suggestion was definitely going to be to hit up some summer camps. If you can afford it, they are an amazing time to learn.

As for coaching throughout the normal winter, that is a much harder task to find. Every program I know of is targeted at kids/Teens. There is no place to just find a coach, though putting the word out at places like this is a decent start.

Really what the best bet to learn more park stuff is your last sentence. Find some people to shred the park with, and learn from each other. Even if you can't find a direct shred homie, maybe even just go there and start practising. See any other dudes around your skill level - just go over and say whut up. Its common in the park to share tips with other people, I always used to love giving pointers to people just getting started. Even little bits and pieces here and there help to put it all together.

Park is a great place to meet other skiers working on the same stuff. Little harder than it used to be in the old days because there are loads more crews with too much attitude to help out - but its not devoid.

Wish you luck man, and if you're ever in Quebec I'll show you a couple of things for sure!

 

[Randy_Quench]

Really what the best bet to learn more park stuff is your last sentence. Find some people to shred the park with, and learn from each other.

Came here to say this. Your best bet is to find skiers similar or slightly above your skill level and just ski with them. Pushing each other to progress is the most natural and fun (IMO) way to progress.

 

[Getting2Old]

Thanks guys, have a decent group to ski with (who are also better than me) for the times i make it up to Whistler, but don't get up there as often as I'd like so I'll try to hook up with some people at the local mountains this year, didn't seem too easy last year but I didn't make that much of an effort so will def. go out of my way this year to do it