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Stage 1 Ski instructing.

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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
So this next weekend Im going up the local mountain for four days and trying to get my level 1 Skiing instructing right?

Just wondering what everyones opinion was.. Who has a certificate in ski instructing... any tips or anything like that..
+K if you do shit thats good.
Aug 12 2009 1:36AM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 237
I did the NZ one a few weeks ago, i would say ditch the park skis, i did 3 out of the 4 days with my park skis and they were shocking (i had to get something else for the 3rd day where they examine your skiing predominantly). Everyone else in my group had tuned carving skis.

 Its not hard at all, but it will bore the shit out of you. It was worse for me as i did it at TC and could look up at all this sick terrain i wasn't skiing. Basically, how you do comes down to your trainer. Listen to them,and don't piss them off (getting along with them is even better), and you'll blitz it. A guy that failed when i did it probably failed because his trainer hated him more than his skiing and teaching competence

And get the manual, its key for the written test part. If your doing it in Wanaka and don't wanna buy it i can lend you one too.
Aug 12 2009 2:38AM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Cheers dude, I was thinking about this and I may have to steal my mums skis as I have heard the same thing about twin tips as well. haha, I wish I did borrow yours cause it sucks that they are $55.
Thanks for the tips though. cheers
Aug 12 2009 5:29AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Level one shouldn't be too tough if you are a half decent skier. Just listen to the feedback your trainer gives you and have a read of the manual first. If you're at Turoa, one of my housemates might be your examiner. He's a good trainer and a nice guy, so hope you get him!

I've got my Level 3 in a month, got a lot to work on!
Aug 12 2009 5:37AM
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Legoman
Posts: 533 - Karma: 13
More than anything they are trying to see whether you can learn. If they ask you to do something, make a huge effort to do it, make your movements a lot more exaggerated with that area. They will tell you if youve gone too far in the opposite direction. Also remember to then keep that up for the rest of the course, dont just do it for a few runs and then revert back to your old style.

Teaching wise just don't do anything stupid, talk clearly, always take your goggles off before you speak stuff like that and just make sure you choose appropriate terrain.

But other than that just enjoy it as much as you can, yeah it sucks skiing like a complete gaper all day but youll learn a lot about teaching and bits on your own skiing too.
Aug 12 2009 5:38AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
if youre a good skier, you should be ok, be sure to learn the theory as well
dont take your parkskis, you wont be able to use them + carving on a carving ski/race ski is much mor fun...

also exaggerate everything, when demonstrating, work from the bottom to the top, are your skis correctly positioned, am i flexing enough forward, are my knees bent, are my hips straight, is my body +shoulders over my foot, where am i looking at, where are my hands, etc...

good luck !
Aug 12 2009 6:33AM
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TimmyK
Posts: 779 - Karma: 15
level 1's are cake just enjoy your time listen to the feedback and try your best if you can make an open parrellel turn you'll do fine.
Aug 12 2009 11:02AM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
skiing part will be simple as long as you DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD.

always be really positive and eager to learn, even when you're doing wedge turns.

to get you're level 1 it's really all about your attitude and willingness to improve.
Aug 12 2009 11:26AM
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J-Neal
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 172
perfect advice.
Aug 12 2009 12:35PM
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smokeyjack2000
Posts: 154 - Karma: 60
As most people have said make sure you can show your ability to learn and improve as the course goes on. They like a lot of seperation even in snowplough which feels wierd and means you can't ski like a steezy park rat.  I

ve only done the Canadian course but it seemd to me that level 1 and 2 were pretty similar content. 2 just requires you to ski better and  teach the concepts to a higher standard. Level 3 is where they start getting really nit picky about technique. The instructors are generally quite prejudiced against twin tips (especially if centre mounted) but you can get away with using them for both 1 and 2.
Aug 12 2009 12:38PM
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C.Wood
Posts: 2524 - Karma: 180
be yourself and do what they want you to do
don't be cocky
and your going to look like a goof doing it so dont be to concerned
people on the hill are going to see you
Aug 12 2009 12:53PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Hahaha, cheers.
Thanks for the advice, karma to all but yeah, thanks for the tips, I guess I'll have to borrow my parents skis.
And If you see a gaper skier wearing saga on carvers up whakapapa the 16th-20th thats me.
Aug 12 2009 5:15PM
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DR.SHRED
Posts: 2134 - Karma: 503
is this for racing or what
Aug 12 2009 5:17PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Its for ski instructing?
So you can instruct little kids up to intermediate skiiers.
You have to do a few more qualifications to teach park i think
Aug 12 2009 5:18PM
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Uncle.Badness
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 55
hahaha I'm trying to get my level one and two this year but I don't know what to wear for outerwear because both my snow pants and Jacket are XL and the instructors at my mountain don't like park rats oh well.
Aug 12 2009 5:25PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
Where are you sitting level 1?
Aug 12 2009 5:33PM
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MALONE
Posts: 3819 - Karma: 73
If you pizza when your supposed to french fry, your gonna have a bad time
Aug 12 2009 5:41PM
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Chalet_9
Posts: 40 - Karma: 30

I've actually used that one in a lesson HAHAHAHAHA

FTW

Aug 12 2009 6:07PM
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Uncle.Badness
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 55
No I want to be able to instruct level 1 and level 2.
Aug 12 2009 9:41PM
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MAPLE_SYRUP
Posts: 1910 - Karma: 68

if you are truly a good skier, then whatever the instructors tell you will eventually make sense and come easy. 

That and acting like an employee insteead of a free skier will land you a job.

nuff said

Aug 12 2009 11:49PM
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Pee_and_Ski
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 57

for PSIA level 1's you basically have to suck at life not to pass, and you have to have a lot $$$ to pay for the exam, aka the reason i havent goten my cert

Aug 13 2009 12:15AM
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Bodeau.
Posts: 1637 - Karma: 48
EXACTLY. im a ski instructor and this is exactly what you have to do.
Aug 13 2009 12:48AM
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Uncle.Badness
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 55
oh shit how much is the exam?
Aug 13 2009 1:02AM
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dr_phil
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 95
Well said.

I did my CSIA Level 1 course three years ago, and my instructor called me "banana skis" all the time because I had twin tips.

Sharpen your edges, do what they tell you to do, if you have proper carving technique on short and long radius turns you'll pass, although level 1 is more about attitude than anything else.
Aug 13 2009 1:09AM
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shortdawg
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 19
dude i wore my gangsta jacket and tall ts.  BAD IDEA they failed me because my outerwear was uninviting and i wore a beleclava (bandana) when it wasn't cold out. And my poles were far too short

I found that learning how to pizza turn and do parallel turns got so boring I would start skiing backwards and zone out. I was obviously the best skier in the group but I was failed cuz of everything listed above. So wear fitting clothes and be ready to be bored out of your skull... btw i did my CSIA level 1 in whistler
Aug 13 2009 1:15AM
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Pee_and_Ski
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 57
i reamber it being around 200-250for the two day exam+gas+food+lodhing depends on where it is.
Aug 13 2009 9:32AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
This^, but there have been a lot of good suggestions.  Here are mine.  I'm level III - Claim.

1) Rent or borrow normal skis.
2) Practice wedge and open stance parallel turns.  Figure out a way to relax while you're doing them so you don't look constipated.
3) Borrow non baggy clothes.  If the examiner can't see the angles you are making, you won't pass. 
4) I would approach the exam process like you were a Noob on NS.  Watch, listen and try not to say something stupid. 
5) If you can pull it off without coming across as a complete kiss ass, compliment the examiner on something.
6) Read the book.

If you think it's worth doing; do it right the first time.  If you screw up bad your first time or come across totally wrong, you may be hosed because you might have the same examiner again later.  It used to be really political and I'm sure that it still is.  Even though level one is pretty easy, you want to go into it like it's level III.
Aug 13 2009 11:12AM
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Uncle.Badness
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 55
ehhh that's a lot.
Aug 13 2009 9:27PM
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TZA.
Posts: 1462 - Karma: 181
omg you have canadian level 1 course to a tee
Aug 13 2009 10:46PM
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keithskibum
Posts: 33 - Karma: 11
It's funny hearing others talk about not using twin tips because I used them the whole four days and wore orange pants and had my helmet sagging off my head well you get the idea I looked like a bum. So I just was super positive and had fun, what's the point of skiing if you don't have fun and have positive attitude. I'm a decent skier, can ski the whole mountain and have decent mogul ski form and it differenciated myself from the group. I made some friends so most of the time the instructor talked I was goofing around with my friends, which I kinda regret doing. I did my best and made a connection with my instructor by sharing my inspiration and love for skiing with him. So pretty much I was myself, had fun, and did my best to show my skill. I didn't realize that you had to be 16 so I couldn't get a job, which was dissapointing because they told me I got the job as a instructor. So I'm doing it this year and I am super confident and hope to have fun doing it because positive fun attitude, which is what I would want my instructor to have.
Aug 14 2009 12:13AM
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charchar
Posts: 83 - Karma: 60
I was regarded as a park rat when I did my level 1, but there were a bunch of us on twin tips so it didn't seem to bother the examiner too much... in other words, we all passed.
Aug 14 2009 12:20AM
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Ryan*
Posts: 1827 - Karma: 1,195
I only have 1 pair of skis and I can't afford another, so when I take the course at Stratton to get certified as an instructor, it's going to be on a pair of Line Chronics.  I'm sure they'll judge me, but if I am respectful, humble, receptive and willing to leave any trace of ego at the door, they can't possibly fail me because I'm on twins.
Aug 14 2009 12:30AM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
Just curious, how old do you have to be to be an instructor? And I remember, when I was first learning how to ski, I was eight (7 years ago) my instructor rode twins, and was buttering ones and riding switch most of the time.
Aug 14 2009 12:48AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
I started teaching part-time in High School when I was 17.  I taught little kids from age 3 to 6.  In the states I think you have to be 18 as an instructor before you can ride up the chairlift with a class of kids. Think around 17 is the youngest they will hire for ski school. 
Aug 14 2009 9:46AM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
Thanks for the info, I already had you at 10/10.
Aug 14 2009 1:21PM
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Ryan*
Posts: 1827 - Karma: 1,195
Nope, I'm 16 and once I complete my course I'll be a certified instructor and I'll be able to take groups of kids by myself.
Aug 14 2009 2:59PM
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JstHuckIt
Posts: 422 - Karma: 16
I think it's 14 in Minnesota...
Aug 14 2009 3:14PM
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JstHuckIt
Posts: 422 - Karma: 16
Ummm, sorry to be the one to tell you this, but that's not why they failed you...I wear my baggy stuff all of the time and they don't mind...If you can't do the tasks that they ask you to then how are you supposed to teach those same techniques all day? You are supposed to be a presentable employee...It sounds like that's why you failed...not a big deal tho, it sounds like it was actually in you're best interest because what they wanted you to do was exactly what you'll be teaching all day long...so it prolly saved you some time and a lot of boredom.
Aug 14 2009 3:21PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
It depends on the ski area, and who their insurance provider is.  They really call the shots.  It's all about perceived culpability and potential lawsuits.  The first time a little kid falls off the lift and it turns out that the instructor teaching that kid was 16, the lawyers will pounce.  It won't matter whether it was the instructors fault or not.  Believe me, I've seen it happen.  I'm not saying it's right; that's just the way it is. 
Aug 14 2009 11:17PM
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Hugh_Conway_jr
Posts: 746 - Karma: 467
YES, Amazing.   These are words to live by. if you follow them youll have no problem with the course

Aug 14 2009 11:41PM
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AndrewNZ
Posts: 477 - Karma: 13
basically this sums up the last week I had.
I passed with a score:
6 for freeskiing
6 for wedge demo
41/50 for written test
9 for instructing demo.

But I skiied in SAGA and baggy ass clothing (I decided not to wear some skullcandys as I thought that'd be stupid but I was a bum man) in twin tips ( 1 day on carvers and 1 day I rocked up in my park poles which was stupid) I pissed around sooo much, was 10 minutes late to our lesson cause I wanted to do one more park run, would spend practice runs skiing switch and/or drop offs.
But yeah, stoked I got it.
Aug 20 2009 4:18PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
my brother did it on detuned fujatives a few years back. passed fine. later in the season his boss had some runs with him in the park. suddenly he became the level 1 freestyle teacher for the "learn to fly" program at killington
Aug 20 2009 6:03PM
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Jballz
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 79
yeah i think im getting my certification come september, we shall see
Aug 20 2009 6:20PM
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