First, not all instructors are created equal. The PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) – AASI (American Association of Snowboard Instructors) offers certifications at levels I, II, and III, and those certifications represent a standard of competency at specific levels (beginner/novice, intermediate, and advanced/expert).
Level I instructors typically teach students from beginners to advanced beginners. It’s a diverse pool with instructors of all ages who often lead lessons for children as they’re great at utilizing their ability to connect with young learners.
Level II instructors typically teach students who are up to low-advanced levels and may be getting comfortable with rudimentary parallel skiing.
Level III instructors should be able to teach all levels of skiing – from beginner to expert. These instructors bring more experience with advanced movement analysis, collaborative goal-setting, and adaptive teaching methods.
If you have a friend or family member who has offered to teach you how to ski or offer up some pointers, that’s awesome! But here are three reasons why professional ski lessons matter (and in most cases, are probably better).
- Structured Learning: Instructors are trained to challenge you appropriately based on your skill level and terrain. (How many have had a friend drop you at the top of the mountain and say, “Figure it out”?)
- Social Interaction: Group lessons provide the opportunity for students to socialize and motivate one another. (Friendly competition never hurt anyone!)
- Safety and Skill Building: Proper training ensures you learn techniques safely and efficiently. It’s all about building confidence and competence.
Lessons will look and feel very different depending on your skill level. However, the focus on fundamentals – balance, edge control, and pressure – is consistent at any level. It’s the application of those basics that change as you progress.
Beginner lessons focus on mastering balance on the ski while sliding and leg rotation for speed control. For many novice skiers, the first leg rotation will create a wedge (“pizza”) with your skis that will cause friction on the snow and slow you down or stop altogether. After a couple of beginner lessons, the goal is to begin linking turns to navigate green terrain comfortably.
Intermediate Lessons introduce pressure control, refining weight distribution toward the outside ski while turning the inside ski for a rudimentary parallel, and executing these fundamentals with minimal upper body movement. At this level, instructors should work with students to turn on corresponding edges (parallel) versus converging edges (wedge). An increased ability to shape your turns helps with speed control on steeper, intermediate terrain.
Advanced Lessons can help with fine-tuning movements like ankle flexion and body alignment to stay balanced on advanced and expert terrain. At this level of skier ability, students won’t see a lot of noticeable improvement but will feel the difference in confidence and control on skis.
There is no golden rule on how many lessons to take. While it might make sense for one skier to take three or four days of lessons in a row, another skier may only take one or two lessons a year. The important thing is to give yourself time to process what you’ve learned, practice on your own, and reflect on what you are (or are not) doing well.
