Tips to a Ski Instructor?

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keith_tuan

Member
Hey everyone, this season will be my first year teaching kids how to ski. I'm guessing that pretty much everyone who knows how to ski has either had a formal lesson or has been taught by their parents. From good and bad experiences, any tips on what I should do this season?
 
i think its more about having fun than learning technique if youre dealing with super tiny kids.
 
Make sure you're always engaging the kids with new stuff, always be chatty on the chair lift.

Your first day will be a shit show, but it gets a lot better.
 
I was thinking about just making FUN exercises dare I say DRILLS because my view of skiing isn't competitive, but more FUN so they can go home and say I want to ski more. Pretty much new stuff everyday that they will enjoy.
 
Biggest factor I'd say is keep it fun and engaging. Getting better will come around if they person is enjoying themselves.
 
when you're getting your level 1 they stress all the theory bull shit but really its a glorified daycare. ya they get better at skiing and you teach them things but i basically just cruise around, have fun let them take free runs behind you basically let them have fun and so will you i
 
My parents have forced me to take ski lessons for years. I'd never include the words "pizza" or "french fries"

it makes the kids feel like they're being condescended to. First thing to do, teach them to stop. It's the most important thing. Let them hit your smallest hill 10 feet at a time. The kids will love it. Just teach them to stop every 10 feet. Then towards the end let them hit the whole thing.
 
little kids learn by doing, so just ski.

act like a child, they love that, and its an excuse to at like a fool.
 
qft.

OP, don't worry about things like this. First off, you'll probably have some clinics to give you all the pointers you need to teach the kids. And like other people said in this thread, all you have to do is make sure the kids are having fun. It doesn't get too much past pizza, french fry, and maybe step turns.

But have fun and good luck. I didn't even make it a year of teaching. Babysitters got paid better than I did.
 
that and always try to pair your group up together. only go up with one of the kids if theyre an odd number
 
Take an instructors' course sometime.
Always make sure the kids are having fun. Not having fun defeats the purpose of skiing.
If you have to do something the kids don't like, mix something they do like with it. If they have to do a really crappy drill, hit side booters while doing it.
Always have a positive attitude, it makes everyone have more fun, and you'll have more fun too.
Crack jokes, and try to be the cool guy who the kids like. If you can get this going on, then compliment them on stuff. They'll love that.
Don't do anything crazy. If you're hitting mini park, don't do like a 5 or something to show off or to try to stoke them, it will make them feel outclassed and uncomfortable.
Be encouraging, and make sure you tell the kids how good they're doing.
Don't ever use the word "but". Anything positive you say will be put out of their minds when you say "but".
Use the "good bad good" sandwich to give advice. Say something good, tell them what to work on, and then tell them something good after.
Warm them up before doing any skiing. This makes them ski better, and you can do some kind of silly game to have some fun before putting on the skis.
Be energetic - you really have to be energetic and fun for the kids to be. Having an unhappy coach or instructor will ruin their day. You should go home exhausted from teaching just like the kids will.
When in doubt, work on stance and balance. Its a surefire way to make sure they learn something. Can't go wrong with stance and balance drills.
With younger kids, be their instructor. With older kids closer to your age, be their highly skilled skiing wise advice OFFERING friend. Don't tell older kids to do stuff, suggest it. They hate being told. Say "maybe you could try this" or "I would do this".
I don't feel like writing anything more, maybe later but we'll see. That should be helpful I think.
 
"if you french fry when you should have pizza your going to have a bad time"

if your teaching little kids under 10 you need to make sure they are having fun. make up little games for them to do, and always have a candy stash. the candy stash is highly important when teaching little kids, use it as a reward for bravery, bribe to calm down when upset, and just as a general way too keep the fun going when it starts to decline. and be very talkative and funny, look up tons of jokes aimed at kids
 
aight so all you really have to do is make sure theyre having fun, cause if a happy instructor drops of a happy kid to his happy rich parents give you moneys which equals happy you.
youre first weekend will probably feel like hell on earth. especially if you get a big group but, you'll get the hang of it. talk to the trainers at your hill, show up to work a little early and take a few courses (usually like an hour at my hill.) and talk to your supervisors and experienced co workers, youll learn alot meet some wicked cool people.
heres a few random tips i picked up (mostly for little kids)-STICKERS. kids love stickers. -candy if youre allowed (depends on the allergy situation)-build up your arms, fat kids are painful-if a kid really doesnt wanna ski and starts that crying / i miss mommy/ snot dripping/ hyperventalation shit, just go down to his level and avoid giving him the option of staying inside at all costs. use stuff like 'dont you wanna ski with mommy and daddy later?' 'but i wanna come ski with you' 'we get to have hot chocolate and goldfish' 'the mountain is really cool' 'mommy and daddy will be so proud of you' bla bla bla. -kids like stuff. i had one boy who came back every weekend and screamed all the time. i always got him to stop by letting him play with my cell phone and put on my gear. -TISSUES. dedicate one pocket of your work jacket entirely to snot. -your first year you'll probably be stuck on the carpet and rope tow, if you do get on the chairlift the best way to do it is take the two weakest kids in your group and put them on either side of you, put your arms around their backs and hop on. dont let little kids ride up alone (unless theyre at a really high level) always find an experienced looking mom/ dad/ or buddy to take up a kid or two. -piss and shit. it happens, it sucks, there is no avoiding it. if i kid says he has to go. RUN HIM THE FUCK INSIDE. or find someone to. otherwise you end up like me and the kid decides to take a dump on your boots-ask kids what they like (soccer, horses, batman WHATEVER) and find ways to compare skiing to it. -never let a kid out of your sight or someones sight, kids get lost, parents get pissed and youre fucked.
all i can think of right now, fun job. the days are either awesome or shitty. never a dull moment.
 
Def not "pretty much everyone" taking lessons.

Be patient, your going to need to be. Put in a lot of effort, more than your getting paid to. Actually try and teach people correctly.

Deal with old people ski instructors that think you ski the wrong way.

Idk, what kind of tips you want.

Just do it it. It's not that complicated to figure out
 
if your new to the instructor game at your mountain (first season of teaching) you will be working mostly with really little kids. its important to start teaching them how to ski, and helping them actually learn and improve their skiing ability and technique, but what really matters with kids that age is that they have fun, and that they want to do it again. in the end, if you have to sacrifice a little bit of actualy learning so they kids can have some fun, its really worth it. plus, if the kid goes back their mom/dad and says "wow! i had the greatest fucking day!!" they will probably throw you a monetary tip, and maybe even request you when they bring their kid back next weekend for a private lesson or something, which at most resorts pay more than group lessons.
 
Heres pretty much the order of how to get shit done: 1st Safety, 2nd Fun, 3rd Learning.
Always keep the kids safe, and always count to make sure you have them all at the top the middle and the bottom. Loosing a kid is bad.
fun stuff- follow the leader, weaving between poles, trying to ski backwards, trying to do 180s, having snowball fights, etc. Stickers and Candy get you cool points. There are so many stupid game you can play, and always try to be positive.
Learning- really just make it fun, if its fun the kids will want to be good at it. Don't be a technique Nazi. As long as they can get down the hill decently, you are doing your job right.
 
safety=1 the have fun fuck learning stuff, your there to sell the sport, people will only come bace if their first expiernce is fun.
 
What do ski instructors use for birth control?

Their personalities.

How do you get the ski instructor off of your front porch?

Pay for the pizza.

"Mommy, mommy, I want to be a ski instructor when I grow up!

"Now Johnny, you cant do both."

Two guys were walking down the street.

One was destitute and the other was also a ski instructor.

What do you call a successful ski instructor?

A guy who's girlfriend has two jobs.

What do ski instructors do after the ski hill closes?

Go to work.

You're at a party with 100 people. How can you tell which one is the ski instructor?

Don't worry, they'll tell you.






 
My friend lost one of her kids in the ski net underneath the drop off...

Don't do that...and your set.
 
Alright, everyone so far has given great advice on how to teach kids. My first lesson, a group of 10 adults who didn't speak English.

Here are some pointers when your students are older, heavier and not impressed with candy.

1. Don't take them up the lift right away. Keep them down at the bottom of the hill until they master the snow plow. Slowly side step them up a little bit and have them slide down practising. This will (hopefully) eliminate 200 pound projectiles hurtling down the bunny hill.

2. Make sure you tell them why you're doing what. Explain to them every detail. They like that. The more they understand what's going on, the more you will convince them to do it and the (hopefully) easier it will be.

3. Don't get discouraged. Some people just won't get it. That's cool. Try and bring them along but don't hold the rest of the group back. Give individual advice.

4. Keep it fun and energetic. They're generally all scared as fuck, super uncomfortable and nervous. The more fun you're having the less they'll think about themselves. The main goal is not to get them to shred down anything by the end of the lesson, it's to make them want to come back and try again. So, even if they don't get it, really encourage what progress they have made and hopefully they'll want to come back and try again.

Have fun! And good luck!
 
Thanks everyone for these really useful tips. I haven't gotten the chance to read them all, but the ones I'm reading are really helpful. Thanks again everyone for the support, now I can't wait to teach!
 
Watch and learn from other instructors. See what works for them and adapt it to your own teaching. Effective teaching actually has very little to do with how much you know and what you say. If your students don't believe in you and trust you than they will learning nothing and you will have a rotten day.

Sometimes the best ways to help people improve will never be found in a PSIA manual. I use butter boxes to help people learn to steer their skis again. I got my 70 year old mother to board slide a box last year. If people are terrified of falling, I find a catwalk with powder on the downside that's not to steep and deep, have them click out of their skis and throw themselves in.

When your students believe in you and trust you, you can get them to do some amazing things. Also, as other have mentioned, it is critical to play instead of teach. Fun is critical. Your students will learn more, be more relaxed and be less likely to injure themselves if they are having fun.
 
being myself an instructor for the past 6 years, the 1st thing i would give you as an advice would be to sit with all the kid and tell em to shout their name out loud, so everyone in you little group know with who they'll work all the winter, friendship between those lil kids it the 1st thing to get done.

always start you lesson by a little run, like a catch me i you can between a 2m (square) area, just to get em hotter, if a kid cry about leaving is mother, just tell him that she is waiting him up the hill... he'll get up the hill and down the hill as long as you tell him his mom is at the opposite.

TEACH KID how to carry their skis, as to clip their boots on the ski ALONE OR with the help or his new friend, should be done within 4-6 weeks.

learn 'em how to get straight on their skis, at least the novice position, which is to get their hands on their knees with the head looking far in front of him.

ask their parents the first class if they got any allergic situation, if yes forgot the candy, and as one nser already says, STICKERS is nice way to gift em for a nice lessons.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THEY'RE NOT BODE MILLER AND NEVER THEY'LL BE, tell the parents the first lesson that you're gonna : improve his kid the most he can and will, but he'll never be as good as what you want him to be.

if you still have questions you can msg me thru the ns mail, i,ll be glad to give you more info about what you can teach em as low lvl, as well as higher lvl
 
By the time kids are 6 their heads are 80% of their adult size. Better to teach them technique than try to fix something that can't be fixed.
 
what age group are you teaching?

im a ussa official, coaching 15-18 year old racing.

remember that the kids are like sponges, and they remember everything you say. so be clear with what you teach them and keep it simple. for younger kids just make sure to have fun while teaching, so they are more adaptive to learning.
 
I'm going to be teaching the youngest kids (5 to 7 year olds) on a flatter hill that they will have to climb because this will be my first time coaching. I don't know if they will, but maybe towards the end of the year I will have my own group or even be able to use the lift. Im not being that optimistic though.
 
your obviousely not gonna be working on form or stance.. just show them how to flex their boots when they turn and show them how to have a blast skiing. its up to you to set up activities for them, as opposed to drills for older kids.

your basically gonna be a 1st grade teacher, you dont really do much except watch them, make sure they have fun and collect your pathetic paycheck
 
Not sure if someone posted this but - make sure they have confidence, if they feel like shit and like they cant do anything things will go awry (sp)?
 
Parents can be dumb and full of shit, never tell them that.

"Little Johnny is a level 5"

Well guess what, little Johnny is sometimes the kid that can't even get off or on the chair lift by himself so take what parents say with a grain of salt. I'm telling you this bcuase first years typically get younger groups. Another thing is that bitching parents are ALWAYS RIGHT! Never argue, just direct them to your boss because telling someone who is a dumb ass a dumb ass is disrespectful ad upper management will come down on you hard when you could just let a boss do it and not have any problems.

Another this to make things as dumbed down as possible when talking to people who are learning and especially kids because they go more off what they see then what you say. It may also feel realy dumb but when your teaching a level one to a bunch of 8 year olds or a full group of lil' never evers you gotta act the age and be silly and goofy and just generally act like you a middle schooler so that the kids have fun (brings in mad tips if parents are watching too). Watch middle schoolers too. 13 year old boys are the worst lesson to teach because they can be some of the most annoying and cocky pricks ever. Just always watch them because they like to disappear or "go over by the snow ramps and do a flip on the biggest one"
 
haha i love these. My biggest thing was when teaching little kids, fun exercises are way better than drills that are going to make them cry anyway. make sure they like skiing and are having fun before u get too focused on little things they're doing wrong
 
Red light green light is good for teaching them to stop. Airplane is good for learning to turn. Make it fun for the kids and engage as many of them personally as possible. The kids look up to you and when you joke with them they really like it. It is easy to end up giving most of your attention to a couple kids because they are good or really bad. Try to make sure you talk to every kid and remember to stop and take a breath when things get crazy.

 
im a certified instructor and heres what ive found to work really well on kids.

bring a few pennies to each private or group lesson. tell them they can keep the pennies as long as they keep there skis on to get them. really motivates them and gets them turning.

dont worry about them skiing backseat. theres nothing you can do thats going to stop a child from sitting back because thats second nature.

dont force them to ski. worse comes to worse and you build a snowman with them. ive done that more than a few times. after that keep seeing if they want to ski

pay the price for the movement matrix. its inexpensive and it has everything you need to get the kid turning, wedging, and even straightskiing

hope this helps
 
If YOU are having fun, the kids will have FUN. If YOU are cold, the kids will be cold. If you don't want to be there, your group won't want to be there.
 
Candy and stickers are always good, as everyone says. If you've got begginers they're not going to understand what they're doing wrong. You have to think of something to change it. Generally they sit too far back or they look down. wave at them from the bottom sop they look where they're going. or get them to lean as far foward as they can, showing them they can not fall foward but can fall backwards.

And yeah just have fun, you'll always get one kid who thinks hes better then the others but you always need to work at the lowest pupils level, never introduce two new things at once, like take one run trying a new technique then the next run go from higher, never do both at the same time. Good Luck
 
yeah, the kids is pretty chill, at least when they are tiny.. the job is when 20-30 years old guy or girls who's never skied before need skiinstructor.. that is brutallll
 
totally about having fun, what will the remember at the end of the day the fact that their turns became a little more parallel or the fact that they had a wicked fun time joking and playing around on the mountain. But when it comes to safety once and a while you may have to become stern if lightly reminding them of the rules doesn't work. Have a smile all day errday, when their parents drop them off to when they pick them up you better have a smile going ear to ear no matter how hung over you were.
Im an instructor myself so if you need any other tips or have any questions feel free to pm me.

 
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