Last Updated26 February 2024

Getting Stoked on Skiing covers the core elements of what is most important in any ski lesson. Learn about safety, fun and achievement and how this will set up your lessons for success. Discover what instructor responsibilities are and how by meeting them you will create great lessons.

The Role of the Instructor

Ski instructors must create a clear picture of the ideal outcome for the students. They must give feedback in a way students will understand and make decisions about how to adapt and develop activities and lessons. Instructors need to recognise what stage their students are at in the learning process and be open to guide their students in that decision-making process.

Effective ski teachers must have a passion for the sport and the mountain environment, combined with a disciplined approach to developing exceptional communication skills.

A ski instructor accepts the responsibility of influencing the behaviour, actions and beliefs of individuals and groups. Learning the physical skills required for skiing poses many challenges and can be an emotional experience for students.

Ski instructors must identify the motivation for the student being in a lesson, and therefore a ski instructor needs to adopt a variety of roles to ensure a successful lesson.

Leader

Instructors are required to be well-organised leaders who students can rely on. It is the instructor’s responsibility to choose a safe environment for the lesson, taking into account terrain, weather, snow conditions, the ability of the students and the number of people on the mountain at the time.

An instructor must plan and communicate lesson content in a logical, sensible manner and within a given time frame. Effective leadership includes presenting clear and structured information, giving feedback during practice time, leading the students safely on terrain, and communicating strategies to make changes or developments to the students’ skiing.

Follower

Good instructors know when not to lead and when to be sensitive to the needs and decisions of others.

Teacher

Since learning, in this context, is the process of discovering and acquiring new skills, it is the responsibility of the teacher to create and manage an environment that promotes learning. Creating and managing the learning environment requires a combination of technical expertise, understanding and application of teaching methodologies, knowledge of the learning process the student will go through, effective and adaptable communication techniques, and strong interpersonal skills.

Role Model

Instructors must set a high standard through their own skiing and on-snow etiquette, consistently following the same rules and modelling the behaviour and attitudes they would expect from their students.

Goal Setter

Instructors must work with students to negotiate appropriate goals and limits to plan and structure their development with clear and well-communicated pathways.

Counsellor & Friend

Effective instructors are approachable and the goal is to listen and respond to the needs of each student. An element of friendship exists in a healthy student-instructor relationship and is built on trust, honesty, support and encouragement.