Sometimes, in an effort to be polite or sensitive, we don’t say exactly what we mean. This is a brief guide to things you might hear from your instructor, and what she is really trying to tell you.
“What do you want to get out of your lesson?”
Your instructor really wants to know what your expectations are. It’s YOUR lesson and you should be ready and willing to voice any preferences, fears, etc. You want to be a better bump skier? Keep up with your spouse? Just not feel like you’re going to fly into a tree at any given moment? In a group lesson, your instructor may not be able to tailor everything to your specific needs, but she can find a common thread for the group and build a lesson that works for everyone.
“Tell me about yourself.”
This is more than just polite chairlift chitchat. Your instructor wants to get an idea of what your life is like. Your job, your family, where you live, what you do for fun – all these things are clues that help your instructor put together a useful lesson.
“Any questions?”
This is the time to speak up if you are confused or unhappy. If the lesson isn’t heading in a direction you like, say so. Too easy? Too hard? Speak up. You have no idea what your instructor is getting at with a certain exercise? Letting on you aren’t getting it is not a failure on your part. There are lots of ways to teach the same thing, and your instructor just hasn’t yet hit on the one that works for you.
“Anyone need a break?”
OMG it’s cold and I can’t believe no one wants to go inside and get warm.
“Little is very independent”
Your child didn’t listen and didn’t want to participate in what the group was doing.
“Your equipment could be holding you back.”
Why on earth are you using 10 year old skis and boots you borrowed from your brother? While ski equipment may not change radically every year, there are enough changes over the course of several years to make it worth investigating new gear. Skis that are the right size for you, and designed for the type of skiing you do, really can make a difference – you’ll be less fatigued and less frustrated. If you only ski 10 or 12 days a season, renting makes sense. And especially if you are flying anywhere. The airlines are not generous about checking ski equipment, and it can be more cost-effective to rent stuff once you get where you’re going. Plus, you get to try out new gear every year.
"It's OK, no one gets it on the first try."
It's OK, no one gets it on the first try. The resort where I teach attracts a lot of wealthy people who tend to be very accomplished in their lives. They have achieved a high level of success, and have high expectation of themselves. They can get really frustrated when, presented with something that is new to their skiing, they can't just nail it right off the bat. You can just see them thinking "I can run a multi-million dollar corporation. Why can't I make a pair of skis do X?"
Give yourself a break. Give yourself time to understand the concept, then give yourself time for that concept to be translated to movement -- to go from your brain to your muscles. Of course the instructor makes it look easy -- she's done it thousands of times, and is getting paid to show you how to do it.
Showing posts with label ski lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ski lesson. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
There are a lot of really good reasons to put your child in ski school. Sometimes separating a child out of the family dynamic gives them a chance to take risks and make discoveries they might not otherwise. There is less pressure about pleasing Mom & Dad, or keeping up with siblings. Maybe you and your spouse want a day to yourselves. Maybe your kid is such an unrelenting brat that you can’t stand to be around him (ok, just kidding). Maybe you’ve tried to teach the little one to ski, and it ended up in a tantrum – yours or theirs, I’ve seen both.
There are several key things you want to know when you are booking a lesson for Little (the generic name I’ll use for anyone’s kid):
* If it’s a group lesson, what is the maximum group size? When you hear the answer, think about it. 10 nine-year-olds? Chances are, that instructor will spend more time on crowd control than teaching. As with adults, the group setting can be really fun for kids, but think about your particular child’s needs. Especially if they are unusual.
It’s a sticky subject, but learning disabilities and personality disorders are an issue. I have had parents drop off children without saying a word about problems that made it unsafe for their child to ski in a group setting. I understand their desire for their child to share an experience with his or her peers, but safety – of your child as well as others in the class -- has to be the first and foremost consideration. If you are unsure, talk to the ski school about your child’s specific issues and they can recommend the safest option.
* What level skier is Little? Some resorts will ask you this on the phone when you book your lesson. Be honest, be conservative. If this will be Little’s first day skiing since last year, he may not start up exactly where he left off the year before. It’s also easier for Little to learn new skills if he isn’t so challenged that it’s all he can do just to stay upright. This is also something to deal with the day of Little's lesson, but that's another post.
* Is lunch included, and what is a typical menu? Set your kids’ expectations -- they may have had a really tasty grilled cheese sandwich when they had lunch with you, but ski school lunch choices may be more limited. Also, make sure you can request a special meal if your child has allergies or dietary restrictions.
* Get a grip on the logistics. This is better done early than late – you’d be amazed how hard it can be to get out of the house with all that gear. Find out how much time you’ll need to get through the rental shop and to the designated ski school drop-off place. Then add 15-20 minutes for the unexpected. At the resort where I teach, there is an early drop-off program, so parents can put their kids in ski school and still make it to their own lessons if need be.
* What time does the lesson end, and where? Sounds basic, but it’s that logistics thing again. Also be honest with yourself about how much your child can handle. Did you arrive late the night before, and wake up jet lagged and woozy from the altitude? Maybe picking your child up early that first day will make for a more enjoyable vacation overall. Just confirm with Little’s instructor when & where that can happen.
Ultimately, you want your kid to be safe, have fun, and learn something. Pretty much in that order.
There are several key things you want to know when you are booking a lesson for Little (the generic name I’ll use for anyone’s kid):
* If it’s a group lesson, what is the maximum group size? When you hear the answer, think about it. 10 nine-year-olds? Chances are, that instructor will spend more time on crowd control than teaching. As with adults, the group setting can be really fun for kids, but think about your particular child’s needs. Especially if they are unusual.
It’s a sticky subject, but learning disabilities and personality disorders are an issue. I have had parents drop off children without saying a word about problems that made it unsafe for their child to ski in a group setting. I understand their desire for their child to share an experience with his or her peers, but safety – of your child as well as others in the class -- has to be the first and foremost consideration. If you are unsure, talk to the ski school about your child’s specific issues and they can recommend the safest option.
* What level skier is Little? Some resorts will ask you this on the phone when you book your lesson. Be honest, be conservative. If this will be Little’s first day skiing since last year, he may not start up exactly where he left off the year before. It’s also easier for Little to learn new skills if he isn’t so challenged that it’s all he can do just to stay upright. This is also something to deal with the day of Little's lesson, but that's another post.
* Is lunch included, and what is a typical menu? Set your kids’ expectations -- they may have had a really tasty grilled cheese sandwich when they had lunch with you, but ski school lunch choices may be more limited. Also, make sure you can request a special meal if your child has allergies or dietary restrictions.
* Get a grip on the logistics. This is better done early than late – you’d be amazed how hard it can be to get out of the house with all that gear. Find out how much time you’ll need to get through the rental shop and to the designated ski school drop-off place. Then add 15-20 minutes for the unexpected. At the resort where I teach, there is an early drop-off program, so parents can put their kids in ski school and still make it to their own lessons if need be.
* What time does the lesson end, and where? Sounds basic, but it’s that logistics thing again. Also be honest with yourself about how much your child can handle. Did you arrive late the night before, and wake up jet lagged and woozy from the altitude? Maybe picking your child up early that first day will make for a more enjoyable vacation overall. Just confirm with Little’s instructor when & where that can happen.
Ultimately, you want your kid to be safe, have fun, and learn something. Pretty much in that order.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Buyer beware … or at least be informed
“Bob’s Ski Area reservations. How may I help you?”
“I’d like to book a ski lesson.”
“OK. Is that a full day or a half day? Is this for you, or a spouse, or a child? Group lesson or private? Do you want to book multiple days now?
“Uhhhh … I’d like to book a ski lesson.”
It should be so simple – you just call the resort, give them a credit card number and … DONE! But is anything really as simple as we’d like it to be? Before you pick up the phone, know what you’re looking for. What are your expectations?
For now, I’ll just talk about the booking process and how to figure out what you want. Later, I’ll talk about what to expect the day of your lesson, and how to get your money’s worth. Lessons for kids is another topic all together.
First, arm yourself with information. Go to the resort’s web site and find as much info as they’ll give you on lesson packages. Are there discounts for booking multiple days? Or maybe discounts for enrolling more than one person? Give yourself some time to weigh the cost difference between a group and a private lesson – sometimes, you reach a point where it’s as cost effective to book a private lesson for several people as it is to take separate group lessons.
Ahhh … the group versus private dilemma. In the best of all worlds, everyone would be able to afford one-on-one instruction and personalized attention. But $700 a day? Wow. There ARE benefits to dropping that kind of cash, though. There’s no getting around the fact that you have the opportunity to learn more when all of the instructor’s attention is focused on you and the lesson plan is tailored to your needs. You get to cut the lift lines. It’s a less pressured environment – no worries about being able to keep up with a group. In most cases, you’ll also be able to request a specific instructor, and develop an ongoing relationship with someone who sees your skiing evolve. A good instructor can even ski with your whole family, and make the lesson valuable for kids and adults. You get the best of both worlds that way – you learn more about skiing, and you get to ski with your family.
Ok – quick anecdote. I was skiing recently with a family – Mom, Dad and 3 kids. I was skiing with Mom, helping her down some new & challenging terrain. I had the kids waiting at the bottom of the run, and they started throwing snow at each other. One of them yelled out my name, followed by “he started it, make him stop.” Mom started laughing and said “Now THIS is a vacation. They’re yelling for you, not me.”
Back to groups vs. private lesson … The “pro” of the group lesson is that there is an instant camaraderie and it can be easy to make new friends, or at least find a new ski buddy for a few days, in a group setting. Be sure to find out what the resort’s maximum group size is, though, and see if you’re comfortable with it.
You'll also want to know about times and meeting places -- can you make those work based on where you'll be staying? What about rental equipment -- is it included? Do I have to buy a lift ticket in addition to my lesson, or is that included in the price?
So which is right for you? I don’t know. You will actually have to educate yourself and think about what you want before you pick up the phone. Lastly, know the resort’s cancellation policy in case you want to make changes.
“I’d like to book a ski lesson.”
“OK. Is that a full day or a half day? Is this for you, or a spouse, or a child? Group lesson or private? Do you want to book multiple days now?
“Uhhhh … I’d like to book a ski lesson.”
It should be so simple – you just call the resort, give them a credit card number and … DONE! But is anything really as simple as we’d like it to be? Before you pick up the phone, know what you’re looking for. What are your expectations?
For now, I’ll just talk about the booking process and how to figure out what you want. Later, I’ll talk about what to expect the day of your lesson, and how to get your money’s worth. Lessons for kids is another topic all together.
First, arm yourself with information. Go to the resort’s web site and find as much info as they’ll give you on lesson packages. Are there discounts for booking multiple days? Or maybe discounts for enrolling more than one person? Give yourself some time to weigh the cost difference between a group and a private lesson – sometimes, you reach a point where it’s as cost effective to book a private lesson for several people as it is to take separate group lessons.
Ahhh … the group versus private dilemma. In the best of all worlds, everyone would be able to afford one-on-one instruction and personalized attention. But $700 a day? Wow. There ARE benefits to dropping that kind of cash, though. There’s no getting around the fact that you have the opportunity to learn more when all of the instructor’s attention is focused on you and the lesson plan is tailored to your needs. You get to cut the lift lines. It’s a less pressured environment – no worries about being able to keep up with a group. In most cases, you’ll also be able to request a specific instructor, and develop an ongoing relationship with someone who sees your skiing evolve. A good instructor can even ski with your whole family, and make the lesson valuable for kids and adults. You get the best of both worlds that way – you learn more about skiing, and you get to ski with your family.
Ok – quick anecdote. I was skiing recently with a family – Mom, Dad and 3 kids. I was skiing with Mom, helping her down some new & challenging terrain. I had the kids waiting at the bottom of the run, and they started throwing snow at each other. One of them yelled out my name, followed by “he started it, make him stop.” Mom started laughing and said “Now THIS is a vacation. They’re yelling for you, not me.”
Back to groups vs. private lesson … The “pro” of the group lesson is that there is an instant camaraderie and it can be easy to make new friends, or at least find a new ski buddy for a few days, in a group setting. Be sure to find out what the resort’s maximum group size is, though, and see if you’re comfortable with it.
You'll also want to know about times and meeting places -- can you make those work based on where you'll be staying? What about rental equipment -- is it included? Do I have to buy a lift ticket in addition to my lesson, or is that included in the price?
So which is right for you? I don’t know. You will actually have to educate yourself and think about what you want before you pick up the phone. Lastly, know the resort’s cancellation policy in case you want to make changes.
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