Looking for some feedback on the above title.
This is my 4th season as an instructor at a small mid-atlantic hill. 4 years ago, I became an instructor with the idea that my skiing would improve. I have worked part-time since then for about 60 - 90 hours per season. Not much, but with a real job and family, that's about as much as I could muster.
As with many instructors, my first season involved teaching beginners to ski in group lessons. During that season my teaching technique was refined enough to the point that I was very comfortable doing it. I learned a great deal. Because of my limited hours and time on the hill, I didn't get a chance to train that often. To compound the issue, there isn't that much training for instructors. There isn't any mid-week training and very few clinics on the weekends. Even if there is an afternoon clinic, say on Saturday, most instructors are working.
My second season I was certified as a Level 1 skier. I basically studied and trained by myself for the Level 1. I would grab the occasional Level 2 or Level 3 skier to help the my demos. The level 1 exam wasn't difficult as most people understand. I remember thinking that some of the skiers at the exam had no business teaching anyone beyond the very beginner lessons. We had 1 instructor in the group that had only skied a black run once or twice before. I thought that was quite unbelievable. We had instructors show up to the exam that had no idea a Level 1 workbook even existed. Again, unbelievable. Everyone passed, btw. The examiner mentioned that I was a little too far back in my stance. Whether this was known or not by my local trainer, it was the first I heard of it. I was a bit angry at first, not at him, but at the trainer at my local mountain for not alerting me to this prior to the exam. It's something I probably could have fixed. He saw it in my demos and said that it was showing up in my skiing as well.
I thought by my 3rd season I'd get my CS1. They didn't offer any classes close by last season and to add to that difficulty I tore my calf last year about mid-season, which finished me up for the year. Last season I tried to ski with the trainer more often, but probably only skied with him a couple times before my injury.
So, this season, my fourth, I find myself still not much further than when I started several years ago. My skiing has changed, but it isn't where I want it. As I look to the Level 2 skiing requirements, I just don't think I'll have enough time or ability to get there. As an example, one requirement for level 2 is to ski bumps. My local hill doesn't have bumps. How does one train to ski bumps without any bumps...
I think my limited schedule and the lack of training at my local hill has hampered my progress. I have more and more thoughts of not coming back next year. At this point it feels as though I'm stuck in a rut. I'm providing lessons for the resort, but I'm not getting the necessary training to improve.
Wondering if any of you have gone through this and could possibly shed some light on how you've handled it.
Thanks.
This is my 4th season as an instructor at a small mid-atlantic hill. 4 years ago, I became an instructor with the idea that my skiing would improve. I have worked part-time since then for about 60 - 90 hours per season. Not much, but with a real job and family, that's about as much as I could muster.
As with many instructors, my first season involved teaching beginners to ski in group lessons. During that season my teaching technique was refined enough to the point that I was very comfortable doing it. I learned a great deal. Because of my limited hours and time on the hill, I didn't get a chance to train that often. To compound the issue, there isn't that much training for instructors. There isn't any mid-week training and very few clinics on the weekends. Even if there is an afternoon clinic, say on Saturday, most instructors are working.
My second season I was certified as a Level 1 skier. I basically studied and trained by myself for the Level 1. I would grab the occasional Level 2 or Level 3 skier to help the my demos. The level 1 exam wasn't difficult as most people understand. I remember thinking that some of the skiers at the exam had no business teaching anyone beyond the very beginner lessons. We had 1 instructor in the group that had only skied a black run once or twice before. I thought that was quite unbelievable. We had instructors show up to the exam that had no idea a Level 1 workbook even existed. Again, unbelievable. Everyone passed, btw. The examiner mentioned that I was a little too far back in my stance. Whether this was known or not by my local trainer, it was the first I heard of it. I was a bit angry at first, not at him, but at the trainer at my local mountain for not alerting me to this prior to the exam. It's something I probably could have fixed. He saw it in my demos and said that it was showing up in my skiing as well.
I thought by my 3rd season I'd get my CS1. They didn't offer any classes close by last season and to add to that difficulty I tore my calf last year about mid-season, which finished me up for the year. Last season I tried to ski with the trainer more often, but probably only skied with him a couple times before my injury.
So, this season, my fourth, I find myself still not much further than when I started several years ago. My skiing has changed, but it isn't where I want it. As I look to the Level 2 skiing requirements, I just don't think I'll have enough time or ability to get there. As an example, one requirement for level 2 is to ski bumps. My local hill doesn't have bumps. How does one train to ski bumps without any bumps...
I think my limited schedule and the lack of training at my local hill has hampered my progress. I have more and more thoughts of not coming back next year. At this point it feels as though I'm stuck in a rut. I'm providing lessons for the resort, but I'm not getting the necessary training to improve.
Wondering if any of you have gone through this and could possibly shed some light on how you've handled it.
Thanks.