Adapting the Pathway – Intermediates

Finding the right balance of terrain is important as the skiers start to move up the levels. Changing terrain is a great way to make skiing fun and challenging but to encourage changes in technique the skiers need to be comfortable on the terrain. Dividing the lesson up by terrain and letting the skiers know this is what is happening is one way to manage this.

Technical Know-how & Teaching Tactics

To encourage the skiers to steer their inside ski more actively, they can think about having laser beams or headlights on their knee caps. The idea is to shine these in a parallel relationship as they steer through the turn and not let them cross.

Another useful activity is to imagine each ski has a different colour paint flowing out of it. As the skiers turn they want the colours to paint parallel lines as much as possible. This theme can also be used higher up in the progression as a focus for edging.

Vertical movement can sometimes be a challenge when teaching children, because the smaller muscles in the ankles and lower legs are not as well developed relative to the larger quads and hamstrings. Children’s boots may also be too stiff and not very well fitted.

• An example of an exercise that works well to encourage vertical movement is to imagine that the skier’s legs are tyres. As they move into the new turn both tyres get pumped up slowly, then the pressure is released on the outside tyre to encourage flexion.
• The timing of the flexion and extension can be practised without skis on, walking on a large arc drawn in the snow.

Vertical movement can also be practised while jumping. Flex before takeoff, then extend to get air, then flex to land. If they do this properly it is possible to land quietly!

Jumping can be used all over the hill and if done safely is a great way to build skills. If there is a run with small bumps, challenge the skiers to follow you down, sucking up the bumps and keeping ski-snow contact. Next run, jump off the top of the bumps and land quietly. Now mix it up!

More refined skills can be learned and practised through some of the old tried and true exercises. Backwards skiing becomes “switch skiing”, great for getting kids to the front of the boots. Draw a line on the snow and sideslipping becomes “riding the rail”. Whirlybirds are now 360s and great for lower leg work and lateral balance.

There are endless amounts of games, drills and tasks that can be used by an imaginative instructor. As long as the focus is on working towards the end goal and the skiers are safe and having fun then it is a successful lesson.

Tips for All Lessons

Meet and greet the children at their level. Make eye contact and smile.

Form the group into a circle with the children looking in. This draws their attention towards the instructor and away from their parents.

Check for eye protection, lift and lesson tickets and the correct equipment before the parents leave.

Do a head count before leaving the meeting area and at all the stopping points.

Children grow up with rules at home and at school. A few ground rules laid down at the beginning of the class helps them to feel they are in a safe and structured environment.

Take the feelings of the children seriously, build trust and respect.

Pace lessons according to the level and ages of the children. This may require a lot of patience, but helping them to do things for themselves will have better results in the long term, e.g. putting their own skis on or getting up by themselves.

Reward effort not just success, watch for those who may not be the best or the fastest but are trying the hardest.

Acknowledge good behaviour and team spirit, these are also valuable life skills.

Educate the children about their mountain environment, including how to be safe and respectful when enjoying it.

Before leaving the base area:

• Take into consideration the children’s physical abilities and age
• Assess clothing and how appropriate it is for the conditions
• Check equipment including brakes, bindings, boots