We’ve never done lessons which I now understand is foolish. I’m concerned a lesson would tear our ski techniques apart to the point that we’re beginners again. I don’t know I want that.
There’s many rationales to take a lesson. It maybe to have a guide to the resort, particularly complex terrain that you might not (likely would not) find on your own. Another is to be guided to the best snow — a guide will understand the weather, exposures, and visitor traffic so you are most likely to get the best conditions. Another is to match terrain with ability so you aren’t put in terrain that might be overly challenging, underchallenging, or deadly given your skills, equipment and snow conditions. Finally, it might be to work on elements of technique, will, tactics, or touch.
the thing to realize is that it is about YOU. What do you want? As instructors, our job is to find out what you want and work to provide you with that.
I became an instructor because I wanted to improve my own skiing. My motivation shifted in my second year teaching at Breckenridge. I met a man and his son on the chair before lineup and the dad said they wanted to ski the high alpine terrain. The dad said he considered hiring an instructor but his son had had enough of lessons as a kid that he didn’t want to do so. I mentioned the reasons above and they decided to hire me. We rode the TBar and patrol dropped the rope in front of us on 6” of fresh in the front bowl. The son was ecstatic. I then took them up peak 6 and we hiked to the top of the ridge and skied 6 Senses.
on the return to lunch, the dad and I rode the TBar together. He told me how much the day meant to his son and he as he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and this was the experience he wanted to leave with his son. It changed my perspective on teaching and further ignited my desire to share my passion for skiing with others.
but the point is that we, as ski professionals, try to create experiences for you. Based on what you want.
it isn’t cheap, but experiences usually aren’t.
Mike