9 Types Of Learner Skiers All Instructors Know
For over 15 years, David Walton has been teaching skiing in the French Alps where he runs his own ski school. Which of these ski students have you taught and are there more to add?
Never Seen Snow
It’s such a joy to watch the excitement and bewilderment of a first-time skier who’s never even seen snow. All the aspects of a ski resort that we take for granted present an overwhelming and wondrous experience for the NSS. Simple acts, like getting on and off a chair lift are great challenges for first timers and it’s amazing to watch them as they undergo a baptism into the world of mountains and snow.
The Couple
Very often we teach couples where the guy thinks he's better than he is and tries to impart his wisdom onto his other half. His other half is completely unreceptive to his tuition and we end up performing the role of relationship counsellor, and sometimes divorce adviser, as we try to scoop up the broken pieces and put them back together.
The Already-Knows-How-To-Ski Skier
Believes they can already ski because they roller bladed as a teenager and once watched Ski Sunday. Highly resistant to taking on new information because they can “get down anything” (albeit looking like the Hunchback of Notre-Dame spliced with a Mountain Gorilla as they do so). Invariably hard to teach, though when a rare breakthrough does occur, it’s very satisfying for instructor.
The Nervous Wreck
The exact opposite of the Already-Knows-How-To-Ski Skier is the nervous adult skier who turns up at the meeting point shaking. There will be a valid reason for this which we must discover before we even start skiing, because it’s the biggest barrier to teaching them.
The Nervous Wreck is often the most rewarding to teach even if you have to spend the first lesson having coffee and not actually skiing. But to help someone go from a quivering jelly to confidently zipping down reds by the end of the week is what makes being a ski instructor so satisfying.
Kit Monster
With the newest, most expensive kit on the mountain, they dress like instructors. But sadly, owning pro-signature skis and outerwear built for polar exploration rarely translates to skiing skill. The Kit Monster places high importance on frequent posing for pictures to ensure everyone back home knows they are bona fide skiers.
The Great Comeback
Last skied in the ‘90s and still has the stance and rear entry boots to prove it. Normally rusty to start with but quickly find their feet again. Amazed by advanced ski resort technology such as electronic ski passes and heated lift seats.
Child with Helicopter Parents
These parents follow the group lesson shouting advice to their offspring over the instructor. Frequently get in the way by trying to film and photograph their child. Invariably transpires that child has better technique than both parents.
The Après-First Skier
Not everyone comes on a ski holiday to ski. The après-first skier places priority on pints, shots, and dancing on tables. Skiing is simply a front for a drinking holiday. As such they are always hungover and their impaired motor skills make them a nightmare to teach. Thankfully, lessons are often cut short so they join happy hour.
The Corporate Group
We frequently teach large groups who come to ski on team building trips. Office politics quickly dissolve and a new hierarchy forms, with those who learn the fastest earning the respect of their colleagues, regardless of company rank.
Which of these ski lesson characters have you taught and are they any more you’ve experienced? If you run a ski school and want to slash your admin, boost your profits and create a happier team - learn how Ski-Operator can help.