How to teach Beginner Skiers

Anguz_li

Anguz_li

Member
Alright so I've got a job at a ski resort and I may be a beginner ski instructor or be working in the rentals department. I have some questions about rentals but I'll start with instructor, do you guys have any teaching strategies/techniques? Has anyone had first-hand experience teaching? What's it like? Is it really frustrating? Will I have training for it?

I've got like two question for rentals how's it like and is it hard? One last thing I forgot to add would I be allowed to ski on the hills for free cause I work there or would i have a discount on tickets?
 
13603631:UilyJeff said:
Literally everything you're asking should have been explained in the job interview.
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I'm going there this Sat morning to do an interview and see what fits me best. These are just questions that I'd like answered now haha
 
I can tell you that teaching beginners sucks ass. It teaches you patience though, or you want to shoot someone.

I learned patience. You should get a free season pass as well.
 
I have them watch south park while I get high. then we go up to one of the steeper trails and I quote Shia Lebouff until they drop.

Ive only lost a few kids with this method so id highly recommend it. They either come out expert skiers or theyre donezo
 
Teach them not to snake, and not to roll over jump lips, and teach them not to hit the side of rails.
 
topic:Anguz_li said:
I've got like two question for rentals how's it like and is it hard? One last thing I forgot to add would I be allowed to ski on the hills for free cause I work there or would i have a discount on tickets?
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It's not hard, its very repetitive, you learn how to adjust all the different bindings and what boots suit what shape of feet/works for peoples different boot complaints, you learn from looking at a person what size skis/poles they need and then its just a case of working your way through the line of customers. snowboards are as easy as skis but a pain in the ass to replace strap buckles etc. its nice when people come in and have half an idea about what they want but are open to your opinion based on whats in stock, clueless people and people who know what theyre doing but dont listen are difficult customers. Due to the nature of renters you will usually end up working during the day aswell as evenings so you lose out on ski time, like any other job really.

We had a service shop in the shop i worked in and i didnt really enjoy the customer facing aspect so i spent more and more time working in the service shop and wish i could have done that for my work instead. honestly servicing is better, less jerries, generally evening/night work, more skilled so can be better pay.

As for your pass it depends on how your shop works with the hill, most employers include a lift ticket one way or another and if your shop is owned by the resort your pretty much guaranteed a lift pass.
 
13603965:bait said:
Teach them not to snake, and not to roll over jump lips, and teach them not to hit the side of rails.
Click to expand...
once I'm done with them they ain't gonna be gapers. That'll be once less gaper in the world
 
I've taught people to ski by having them act like they're holding a lunch tray. If they want to turn right, move the "lunch tray" right. And also, if you french fry when you need to pizza, it will end poorly.
 
If the ski school doesn't require a PSIA cert or at least give some sort of training on how to properly conduct a lesson, the ski school is garbage and isn't something you want to be a part of - ski instructor of 7 years
 
Teaching kids is a lot easier than teaching adults/ older people. Pretty much kids will do whatever you tell them to, beginners normally get it by lunchtime. Just make sure you tell them how to stop immediately and then work from there
 
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