Panorama Mountain Village
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No matter what your level, lessons can take you higher |
Right now, that little voice inside your head is telling you that perhaps you shouldn't be on this run. You're certain that it was ranked "intermediate," but then the trail narrowed, cliffs rose up on both sides, and gee, the village down below – just emerging from the clouds – looks really, really tiny.
When right above you, a red-jacketed instructor (aren't they always red?) appears through the swirling mist. Ponytail bobbing beneath her helmet, she flows down the slope like water around rocks in a creek. And, miraculously, so do her students, making graceful turns as they whoop encouragement to each other off the canyon walls. They move effortlessly past, and you're exhilarated by their enthusiasm. You want to ski like that, too. You want to master the mountains of British Columbia.
Your immediate question: "Wow, where do I sign up?"
"Skiing is all about where you want to go with your skis," says Peter Smart of Extremely Canadian in Whistler. "Many people are happy to ski on groomed runs with a bit of powder off to the side, without realizing that there's a whole new world to explore. Once you see the sport from that perspective, it's all about how we – as instructors or mountain guides – get you there."
The simple fact is that skiing and snowboarding are experiences more than mere sports. We can always learn something new, and under the watchful eye of a skilled instructor, you will enjoy the sport even more.
In B.C., you can improve your technique regardless of age, gender or number of years you've been skiing or riding. A cursory glance at the website of your favourite resort will list a multitude of options. There's Discover Skiing for first-timers. After-school lessons guarantee that your kids won't be hanging out at the mall. Masters Days (for skiers over 50) and Ladies Days are staples of mid-week instruction at many B.C. resorts, and there are dozens of family-friendly programs to choose from. Extensive adaptive skiing programs ensure anyone can enjoy the sport.
Josh Foster, director of snow sports at Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, says that "ski instruction is constantly evolving and adapting to new equipment trends and advances in instruction. We've moved well beyond the cliché of the golden-tanned ski instructor god who, on one hand, says 'watch how well I ski' and then, on the other, says, 'and of course you will never ski as well as I do.'"
Similar to the child-centred pedagogy of public schools, ski instruction rests on three pillars. The starting point focuses on the needs of the skiers themselves – listening to what they are hoping to achieve. Perhaps it's carving turns on hard snow, snaking effortlessly through moguls or becoming a deep powder Ninja. "Lessons are a partnership between a skier and instructor," says Foster.
Once some goals are established, the lesson moves on to technical skills. Similar to the fundamentals of a golf swing, proficient skiing relies on developing five skills: working from a proper stance, developing balance, learning to turn your legs (pivoting), applying pressure to the edge of the ski to gain control, and executing turns in a rhythmic and well-coordinated manner. "These are skills that we can always go back and work on," says Foster, "regardless of ability level."
Ski lessons can also be one of the highlights of a winter vacation. The final pillar of a successful lesson lies in the overall guest experience. Ski instructors are, of course, focused on technique and skills improvement, but they are also a great source of information about things to do and places to go in and around a resort.
As Foster says, "This can include everything from your instructor showing you his secret powder skiing stash to advising on where to find the perfect steak or local micro-brew."
A question arises, then: just how many lessons should the average skier sign up for during the season? Foster recommends a couple at the beginning to kickstart your season and develop good habits.
"I would take one more at mid-season and another near the end," he says. "Throughout the year, you might want to take some smartphone videos just to see how you're progressing, reinforce what you've learned and set some goals for the following season. I often find myself thinking about my own skiing during the summer months, wondering about ways in which I can improve."
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This content was produced by Randall Anthony Communications, in partnership with The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.