As a Snowsports School Director for the last 3 years and 11 years of being a snowboard instructor I have learned much about the successful methods to learning and becoming a snowboarder.  I also work with the American Association of Snowboard Instructors traveling around the Midwest training the trainers who train the snowboard instructors.  There are some common fundamental mistakes that I see repeated so many times that I feel there is a need for an article addressing them.  I’ve outlined 5 tips below that I believe can help you snowboard or at least have a more enjoyable experience.  I also enjoy skiing and have taught many ski lessons and have worked with some of the worlds best ski instructors: which leads me to tip #1.

Tip #1  SHOULD YOU SNOWBOARD OR SKI?

The fact is: Skiing is easier to learn and harder to master.  Snowboarding is hard to learn and easier to master.  You can easily spend the entire day on the “bunny hill” with a snowboard and be learning at an accelerated rate.  It usually takes a day or three to get comfortable on a snowboard.  Many students do not ride the lift at all the first day.  In contrast to snowboarding, almost 80% or more ski students will ride the lift within the first couple hours. So if visiting the ski hill is a “one time thing” for you then consider skiing as you can enjoy the lifts, the view, and still comfortably sit on the ride home.   If you are going with friends who know how to ride and the point of the day is to be with them, then consider skiing.  Unless your friends want to spend the day on the bunny hill that is.  If you have a couple days to learn and want to work at it then you should snowboard.  Many people come to me because they are going out west (Colorado, etc) later that year with friends and need to learn to ride.  In that case I recommend that they learn to snowboard because they can spend 3 – 4 days learning and become quite skilled. As mentioned Boarding is easier to master.  So be realistic about what your snowsport intentions are.  Also, if your trying to get your kids into enjoying the slopes or a person who is suspicious about the whole “ski hill” idea then skiing is probably you best bet.  You just want them to have a good time, you can have them make the switch later once they are hooked.  It’s better then a bad day of falling and frustration.

Tip #2 LEARN IN THE MIDWEST

If you are planning a trip out west, do not learn there!  As mentioned above your going to spend the first day at least on the bunny hill.  So take a day trip out to your local hill or even an afternoon.  You can spend $70 – 90 at a Mountain out west or $14 – 45 at a midwest resort.  Lessons are much cheaper here as well, usually half the price if not more.  (Private lessons out west $200+ versus at Devils Head Resort, WI – $40). So don’t waste your money and learn here.   Learning here also allows your muscles to recover.  Even better is to take a couple lessons spread out over a couple days.  Many resorts have a “cheap night” with lift tickets for $12-14.  Many of the instrcutors at Devils Head are as skilled as any instructor you would get at Vail, Aspen, or Copper,  they just happen to live in the Midwest due to family, jobs, etc.  Many of them still teach part time out west somewhere.  I’m was one of them!

Tip # 3 TAKE A LESSON, TAKE A LESSON, TAKE A LESSON

I hired a guy who was at one time 3rd in the Nation for snowboarding.  He had competed against Shawn White, and could do all sorts of complicated freestyle maneuvers.  He had no idea how to teach someone to snowboard.  He thought he did at first, when I hired him.  After a weekend of instructor training he admitted that he had taught people in the past completely wrong!  This is not a unique situation!  Unless someone has actually been trained to teach, I’m telling you that they can’t! So please do not take lessons from your friend unless they actually are or have been an instructor.  Don’t believe them if they say they can teach you.  Most snowboarders, even the ones that do all the crazy tricks and backcountry, don’t carve and ride properly.  I know, I run a Snowsports School, but this is not a commercial… It’s the truth!

Tip #4 GUARANTEE A GOOD LESSON FOR YOURSELF!

So here are the tips about getting a good lesson that a ski resort probably doesn’t want you to know.  At my home resort and every resort I have encountered gives you the instructor that is available, not the one that is best. If you pay $40 for a private lesson I may give you a 35 year old graduate from Harvard who has been teaching and training in instruction for years and years (I really have these guys!). I may also give you a 14 year old kid that says “Dude” more than a valley girl says “like.”  It all has to do with availability and luck of the draw.  So when you get a private lesson ask for someone who is “cerified” by P.S.I.A or A.A.S.I.  Ask for a level 3 or 2, but even if you get a level 1 your much better off in your instructor lottery.  Even better, ask an instructor to let you know who is the best trainer, freestyler, best with kids, etc. and get a name.  Then put in a request for that instructor.  Not only does that guarantee a good instructor, but instructors get paid more when you request them so it’s better for them too.  Since instructors all wear matching jackets, you should be able to find one and ask them.  Some Ski and Snowboard Schools are private from the resorts and you can make arrangements ahead of time.

Tip #5  KEEP A GOOD ONE!

Good instructors have great tips for more then just the hill, they often know the best place to eat, drink, and hidden local goodies.  So, if you get a good instructor, get their card, and keep in contact with them.  They can take you to the level that your sport was meant to take you with future lessons.  Lastly, Instructors make almost nothing in pay so if you give them a tip, even a small one, it is much appreciated and often means more emotionally than economically to the instructor.  Almost all instructors work a 40 hour week and practically volunteer  their free days to teach you to ski and ride, because they just love it that much!  So get emails, numbers, and link in with this very fun and exciting community of people.

Best wishes of snow and powder to you all this season.  See you on the slopes!

Todd Stowell

Apex Adventure Alliance

(608) 434 – 3360

Tip #5