We want to share how we teach with other people teaching and anybody else interested in what we do and HOW we do it.
This section will contain text, drawings, photos and video to demonstrate what works for us.
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
- Keep it simple! The less equipment needed the better.
- Promote independence! Remember your first trip to the ski area or scuba diving for that matter. There is a system to be learned that will make everything click. Where there's a will there's a way. It's all a new experience; you have to pay attention!
- Safety, attitude, attention to detail, safe working practices all in the end make the difference. We are training more than ever to make sure everyone is comfortable doing what they are doing and in the end our students trust us because of our confidence. When they feel safe, we find it's much less work and things progress much quicker.
- Everyone needs to know about mountain sun the lack of air and how to deal with it. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must and if you are feeling sick to your stomach you may have altitude sickness! It's not serious, the friendly people over in first aid see this all the time and are happy to let you get some oxygen.We are ambassadors, your host; if you forget something we have: sunblock, sno-clothes, sunglasses, and if we don't have it we will try to get it.
- What does this person want to accomplish? What do we have in our box of tools to meet those goals? Then together we work out a plan that sounds good.
- Learning to ski is a balance of challenges and cakewalks. Excitement gets the blood going and sometimes that's whats needed to breakout to the next level. BUT! overdo it, and you will crash a persons' confidence. Again; Think Safety!
- Our one on one instruction with a hands on approach is that extra that you really can hold on to. We are someone to lean on! The same with much of the other special equipment we use, it's designed to give support. We are not going to just cut you loose. We can tether and assist until we are sure you are ready for the next level.
- HAVE FUN! Learning comes much quicker when it isn't learning. There is such a thing as trying too hard. Sometimes games such as keep-away bring out skills and mix them in and you never realize "I'm doing it!".
- We are here to encourage the desire to try. We have some people that may not want to ski, so many distractions and other things to do up here. Some students want to sightsee, wonderful we are not going to force anybody to get on the boards. But, how can you not after seeing other people zooming around having fun!
- Our little room is your room too. You are welcome to the fridge, bathroom, to store stuff and eat lunch. When it gets really crowded you may get driven out, but not by us. We are used to walking over people.
ASSESSING STUDENTS:
- What is the nature of their injury (if any) and will this sport benefit them?
- Are there any types of fall that should not occur?
- How do their feet contact the floor in a normal stance?
- Are they toe in or toe-out? More important is the ability to rotate the leg at the hip socket.
- Which ski/snowboard technique would they be most comfortable with? (bi-ski, ski-bike,) and what adaptive equipment (if any) is needed to make it all work? (each person has profoundly different needs)
- Will they need to be tethered while riding the chairlift?
- What prescriptions are they taking and how will they be affected?
- History of Seizures or Mood Swings that may happen while skiing.
- What are a persons: strengths? / weaknesses? / health?
- Which learning style would they prefer?
- Skills in one sport often relate to other sports so we try to transfer these skills.
Ski Boots can be shimmed on the sides to even the distribution of weight laterally on the boot bottom. We use small nylon wedges and tape then to the bottom of the boot liner. As you step around in a comfortable stance the bottoms of your boots should be centered. (weight in the middle)
Mono-Skis and Bi-Skis can be padded to center a person. If their head needs support many time a sheet of nylon wrapped around their back comes up behind the head to give support.
Walkers can be tether at different points depending on whether a person leans back or forward. Bungies can give support and resistance allowing the skier to adjust balance with their hand support. (diagrams soon)
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: (List)
Used by customers:
Bungie with clamps
Walker with skis
Outriggers for 3 and 4 tracking.
Outriggers for Mono and Bi Skis
Mono-Ski / Bi-Ski
Ski Bike
Used by coaches:
tether
bamboo pole
hoola hoop
edgie wedgie / bungie with clamps
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:
TIPS AND TRICKS:
NOTES FROM THE COACHES: