Monthly Archives: June 2012

How Ski Lessons Help You Off The Intermediate Plateau

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So you’ve had some ski lessons, you can turn left, right & stop and you can ride the lifts ok so what else is there to learn?

Many clients finish ski school at this point thinking they are ready to make the most of their ski week and head off for adventures with the gang! But oh dear, the weather (& snow conditions) suddenly change, your confidence and self esteem are in tatters attempting that red run with your (former) best friend and every photo opportunity you’re stuck in that ungainly snowplough!!

Being over-challenged by the conditions can produce apprehension and fear (go on, admit it!). This in turn will result in defensive ‘survival’ habits which, like most bad habits, easily become entrenched.

Here’s a quote from ‘Bounce’ by Matthew Syed:

‘World-class performance comes by striving for a target just out of reach, but with a vivid awareness of how the gap might be breached. Over time and with deep concentration the gap will disappear, only for a new target to be created, just out of reach once again.’

A good instructor would recommend lots of easy mileage, skiing slopes which will offer just enough challenge to hone your skills and stretch your capabilities without – erm- making them go ping! Tackle one challenge at a time: a steep run or an icy one but not a steep icy one. Invaluable local knowledge ensures our instructor knows just which run to choose. And an expert eye will quickly pinpoint the one change that will improve your performance the most.

We don’t all want to be ‘World Class’ but we all aspire to be the best we can don’t we? So book a lesson and let us show you how!

Reasons to Book a Ski School

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Many folk embarking on their first ski trip seem to consider ski school an optional extra. Well meaning friends may offer to help keep the cost of your ski holiday down by showing them the ropes, but generally this ends in tears. Here are some of the reasons why:

  • There is no doubt that skiing and snowboarding are exhilarating, fun pastimes. Unfortunately though, there is also a fear factor. Your friends, eager to share the fun & exhilaration all too often forget this and over challenge you.
  • Beginners and low-end skiers use much more energy. Trying to keep up can be exhausting and demoralising and the more experienced skiers quickly lose patience when they realise how much they are eating into their valuable holiday time.
  • Having skiing lessons from a friend or a loved one is just like learning to drive – it doesn’t work! Their expectations are too high and you may be too concerned about looking stupid to focus on the task in hand.
  • Being able to perform a task and being able to break it down and explain it clearly to another are two completely different skills. A ski instructor is trained to do both – but your friends are not.

So make the most of your holiday and book skiing lessons with a qualified ski instructor who will guide you successfully through your first few days. He or she can show you suitable terrain and explain everything properly, allowing you to pick things up at your own pace. Our British ski instructors know how to tailor lessons to your learning style and optimise your potential.

Don’t just take our word for it, check out some of the client testimonials on our website!