12 random thoughts on the profession of Ski Instruction

Acknowledgement of influence from Bartoz Barcynski and Don Kjorven!


1.    The most successful CSIA Course Conductors have first been educated and inspired by the CSIA and have then taken the extra step of looking outside of the CSIA for education and inspiration.

2.    Lateral flexion of ones knees, without season ending injury, is an impossibility.  Knees move on the vertical plane.

3.    Fact: Norman Kreutz knows the secret of how to ski well.  He has shared this secret with his immediate family and no others.  Norm is also very good at pretending that there is no secret.

4.    If a Ski Instructor has stopped learning it is time to stop teaching.

5.    In an effort to develop edge angle, hips need to move first.  A skiers ankles can not contribute to this effort until the hips are actually inside the turn.

6.    Boot fitting is presented as being way more complicated than it needs to be.

7.    Just about every Ski Instructor who has been successful in achieving the Level 4 certification has committed an exceptional effort towards this goal.  The 5 or 6 since 1938 who have achieved Level 4 certification on talent and intelligence alone didn’t last long in the business.  Level 4 certification is merely a starting point for further development. 

8.    The effort is more important than the pin.

9.    There might be a difference between what the “Center of Gravity” and the “Center of Mass” is.  For those who seem to understand the topic this is difference is very important.  Nobody else cares-at all.

10.    Guest service skill can be developed just like edging skill can be developed.

11.    Enhanced pivoting skill will help all skiers to ski better.

12.    Points 2, 5, 9 and 11 are important but no where as near as important as solid guest service skill.

13.    In training; Compare your performance of the day to your own performance of the previous day or previous run.  Comparing your performance to that of others, for better or worse, is mentally devastating.

14.    Fellow Ski Instructors: Can you believe how privileged we are to be able to earn a living by doing what we do?