You’ve probably heard of the phrase “Nobody’s Perfect”, well this phrase even transfers over to the best skier in the world (whoever you believe that to be). Whether you are brand new to the sport, a long-time participant, or someone competing on the world stage- ski lessons can provide valuable knowledge and teach you something that probably wasn’t know before. 

Many ski instructors develop their skills, understanding, and experiences continuously from season to season, excited to pass this information on to anyone who is willing to learn. Most resorts provide training programs/sessions that run daily to ensure that their employed instructors have the unique knowledge for that terrain. Additional to resort knowledge, the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance is an association that’s purpose is to ensure a country-wide teaching standard through proper ski technique and teaching methods. These courses are conducted by some of the best teachers in the country and ensure that all ski instructors are equip with the knowledge to teach all levels of skiers.

For someone who is brand new to skiing, a lesson can teach you safety, injury prevention, and confidence in the movements you are doing. Useful on-mountain knowledge such as the Alpine Responsibility Code is enforced and put into practice within every conducted lesson. These simple rules help a skier maintain a chance for progression without worrying about the other things going on around them. A simple understanding of the universal rules helps a new skier feel self-assured at any hill, given they recognize the way things are conducted and how safety procedures are put in place. Injury Prevention is also an important part of learning to ski because you’re going to want to keep improving!

As a ski instructor, I love the term “falling means you’re learning”. There is nothing wrong with bailing, but having knowledge of equipment, ways of controlling speed, and proper technique can help feel comfortable to progress without a fear of falling. Like mentioned, proper technique is a very big part of creating confidence in the movements being done- ski instructors are assessed on their ability to not only ski with this practice but to pinpoint how to approve it on an individual. We are more than happy to go back to the fundamentals for a day because it helps our skiing just as much!

Nobody knows a mountain better than someone who is paid to ski there every single day. For someone who is a more experienced skier and is looking to push themselves on new terrain, a ski lesson can provide useful on-mountain knowledge such as secret power-stashes or that run you’ve been eyeing on a map but have had no clue how to get to. Part of a ski instructor’s job is to be able to provide appropriate terrain for the participant- it is so much fun when someone shows up to a lesson just wanting to find new places! Ski instructors have got the best of them, and they can provide useful tips to make it even more exciting and help you send it!

Skiing allows you to observe and learn from people in their natural element- if you’ve ever watched that phenomenal skier below the chair and wondered what they’re doing differently. A ski lesson can help you achieve those technical points that make the movements more effortless looking. This all focusses back to learning the fundamental movements- small things they weight distribution can enhance a skier’s ability. One ski lesson and I bet people will be looking at you off the chairlift.

If these points still haven’t convinced you to take a ski lesson once the snow falls, do it because being a ski instructor is one of the greatest jobs in the world and we need people to instil our knowledge upon.