[Ski pro]

With epic dumps of snow in the European alps and snow falling heavily in places in North America, I thought I would take the time to bump my own thread.

Whilst the title is about becoming a ski instructor I'm also open to advising you on some ski technique if anyone has any questions or goals that they would like some input on.

I can help you with skiing and telemark and mountain stuff in general. I know nothing about snowboarding.

SP

[MrRoundtree]

Ski Pro..what are your favorite place sin the world for skiing.

I would toss in Whistler, Zermatt, Val Thorens, Vail, Les Deux Alpes, Chamonix

I would like to try Verbier one day.

[Ski pro]

(11-13-2016 11:59 AM)MrRoundtree Wrote:  

Ski Pro..what are your favorite place sin the world for skiing.

I would toss in Whistler, Zermatt, Val Thorens, Vail, Les Deux Alpes, Chamonix

I would like to try Verbier one day.

That's a really good question. I don't have a favourite resort but I'm very attached to my 'home' village. Unfortunately, I can't tell you where that is as it may compromise my private status here. However, I can say that I think the places that you ski and the regard that you hold for them are linked to specific times and moments that you've had in those places.

For example, I met and went for a ski with a good friend of mine in the three valleys, Courchevel, meribel etc etc and I had what I would say is probably the best ski day of my life. The skiing wasn't anything exceptional but it was about the time that I spend with my friend, just skiing fast and shooting the shit about all matters relating to skiing and technique.

Another time I spent a magical two days on the mountain in kvitfjell in Norway with one of my best friends. There was no one there except me, him a couple of old boys and the Norway World Cup ski team. The skiing isn't that challenging there but the the conditions were good and I was with one of my best friends. For me, the location is no longer important, who you are with is now more relevant.

In answer to your question though, verbier I think is overrated and its full of pretentious wankers. I would take it off your list.

I was disappointed in chamonix. I know no one goes there for the piste skiing but what skiing I did do there was rubbish. I would like to go back on a powder day though.

Zermatt is a complete contrast, the Swiss side is very Swiss German, very serious skiing going on there and again, a lot of pretentious types with furry collars and all the right gear. However, once you get to the top and dive over into the Italian side and into Cervinia, all of a sudden Everyone is having great fun, whooping and talking loud, skiing flamboyantly. I love the Italian Alps and would recommend Cervinia skiing for sure.

But yeah, overall, the biggest thing I've learned and this doesn't just apply to skiing. It's not where you go, but who you are with that is important.

[Lime]

Many Dutch guys do ski and snowboarder instructor jobs in Austria.

It is one of the easiest countries in Europe to get the certifications (Anwärter (level 1) and Landes (level 3). Many options come with employmwnt guaranteed buth some resorts are more fun than others. Ski towns in Austria such as Saalbach Hinterglemm, Kaprun, and Mayerhofen and many more a good possibilities to work for them. However, I don't know about language requirements.

Example: http://www.snowsporttirol.at/schneesportschulen/jobs/

and http://www.sbssv.at/

[MrRoundtree]

(11-13-2016 04:23 PM)Ski pro Wrote:  

(11-13-2016 11:59 AM)MrRoundtree Wrote:  

Ski Pro..what are your favorite place sin the world for skiing.

I would toss in Whistler, Zermatt, Val Thorens, Vail, Les Deux Alpes, Chamonix

I would like to try Verbier one day.

That's a really good question. I don't have a favourite resort but I'm very attached to my 'home' village. Unfortunately, I can't tell you where that is as it may compromise my private status here. However, I can say that I think the places that you ski and the regard that you hold for them are linked to specific times and moments that you've had in those places.

For example, I met and went for a ski with a good friend of mine in the three valleys, Courchevel, meribel etc etc and I had what I would say is probably the best ski day of my life. The skiing wasn't anything exceptional but it was about the time that I spend with my friend, just skiing fast and shooting the shit about all matters relating to skiing and technique.

Another time I spent a magical two days on the mountain in kvitfjell in Norway with one of my best friends. There was no one there except me, him a couple of old boys and the Norway World Cup ski team. The skiing isn't that challenging there but the the conditions were good and I was with one of my best friends. For me, the location is no longer important, who you are with is now more relevant.

In answer to your question though, verbier I think is overrated and its full of pretentious wankers. I would take it off your list.

I was disappointed in chamonix. I know no one goes there for the piste skiing but what skiing I did do there was rubbish. I would like to go back on a powder day though.

Zermatt is a complete contrast, the Swiss side is very Swiss German, very serious skiing going on there and again, a lot of pretentious types with furry collars and all the right gear. However, once you get to the top and dive over into the Italian side and into Cervinia, all of a sudden Everyone is having great fun, whooping and talking loud, skiing flamboyantly. I love the Italian Alps and would recommend Cervinia skiing for sure.

But yeah, overall, the biggest thing I've learned and this doesn't just apply to skiing. It's not where you go, but who you are with that is important.

I agree with that. The best powder days in my life were in Les Deux Alpes, Bad gastein, and in les 7 Laux .. in these place I I had snow all the up in my face like in the ski movies...I had a pretty good one in Val Thorens too.

My first time in Zermatt was incredibly good, the Cervinia side is a lot more fun and cheaper but Gorner Gratt was where we had to be for powder...I came back to Zermatt in 2015 though early in January and we didn't have snow, the experience wasn't as good...but the domain is marvelous...it's the biggest one I've done with Whistler. I also almost had a ONS with a norwegian 9 there but sadly I had no game back then

Whistler I was just too young to remember and enjoy it..but there was some pretty good snow there.

Val Thorens had good snow..but we were there an after powder day...unfortunately we drove from Grenoble to ski there and we didn't enjoy it as much because it was a pain in the ass to get there.

Chamonix I was sking off piste during one some of the best powder conditions ever, but sadly I couldn't see shit because of the clouds.

[Vaun]

I was a snowboard instructor in keystone, a-basin, snowbird, breton woods and brighton. Miss those days so much. Im lucky if I get 10 days a year now. At one point I was riding 100+ days a year for five years. I quit skiing when snowboarding took off, and I wanted to become a pro as a kid. Grew up at a ski area. I have all but given it up after a few accidents and an ACL surgery. Went out hard for a few trips last year, after getting synvisc shots in my knees. Well worth the money. Its hard to ride now and not charge the mountain like I did as a kid. I might go back to skiing to relax a little.

Oh yeah, gaming on the mountain. Always a good time. Have a car handy and booze on you and in your car/truck. Invite a girl out for a few rips and voila. Been doing this since I was 12. Renting a 4x4 party van or having one to take to the mtn is easiest. Renting condo's is fun but expensive, Im cheap because I never really paid for anything at a mountain growing up. If you have a bank roll, condo's near the lodge are ideal, but I would still rather prefer a large truck/van to party in.

[Cattle Rustler]

Any of you fellas been to Jackson Hole? I have an invitation to visit wyoming but don't know what else I would do there besides shoot myself in the head due to boredom.

[Vaun]

(11-13-2016 05:54 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Any of you fellas been to Jackson Hole? I have an invitation to visit wyoming but don't know what else I would do there besides shoot myself in the head due to boredom.

Its one of the greatest spots in the world, you wont regret it. Def go. The nightlife will be decent for a hard to reach ski resort. If you try hard enough I am sure you can bang a lift op or a ski patrol chic up there from her corporate job. Just hang in the lodge a lot at the bar and cold approach(no pun intended) & day game while you are out on the slopes. Its a lot like Vegas, everyone is there looking to have fun.

[Vicious]

Did a season as a ski Lift attendant way waaaay back in Badgastein. Hardly a particularly glamorous job but with the official looking ski jacket and badges the employees wore there was some great draws among the girls hot for guys in some perceived position of power (however misguided). The best thing about these places is that there are absolutely no restrictions whatsoever about employees being it on with customers.

[Kona]

(11-13-2016 05:54 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Any of you fellas been to Jackson Hole? I have an invitation to visit wyoming but don't know what else I would do there besides shoot myself in the head due to boredom.

You need to go. I've been there a few times, had a blast, and got laid. And I hate snow.

There's Elenors s the Something Cowboy bar, one called the ski lift.

One time i stayed at a hotel called snake river lodge, and it was fantastic. And I also hate snakes.

The other two times I stayed at my friends parents timeshare in the Four Seasons. That place is incredible. Its all woodish and got fireplaces all over. The restaurants are great, and at one of the bars I picked up a wealthy euro slut.

Jackson hole is expensive, and you are gonna run into some rich fuckers.

The airport is even nice, and inside Teton National park.

I like Jackson Hole.

Aloha!

[Ski pro]

(11-13-2016 04:52 PM)Lime Wrote:  

Many Dutch guys do ski and snowboarder instructor jobs in Austria.

It is one of the easiest countries in Europe to get the certifications (Anwärter (level 1) and Landes (level 3). Many options come with employmwnt guaranteed buth some resorts are more fun than others. Ski towns in Austria such as Saalbach Hinterglemm, Kaprun, and Mayerhofen and many more a good possibilities to work for them. However, I don't know about language requirements.

Example: http://www.snowsporttirol.at/schneesportschulen/jobs/

and http://www.sbssv.at/

This is true. If you can even ski a bit, the Anwerter is pretty much an attendance based course. You will have to have some German for sure but this Austrian route is one of the easiest ways into the industry in Europe.

The regulations changed recently in a couple of the Austrian canton concerning foreign qualifications and ski instructing. If I find the info out and anyone is interested, I'll post it here.

[Robert High Hawk]

great thread!

I want to quickly sing the praises of skiing in Austria from a different angle, which is the value for money and apres-ski scene. A full lift ticket in even the most expensive places in Austria rarely goes above 50EUR. Relative to the unequivocal world class quality skiing, it's a total bargain. In fact there's a lot of fantastic places in Austria that will go for ~36EUR per day. As a result, the clientel seem to be much more down to earth and relaxed, and the apres-ski scene is bumping. Oh, and the food in the resorts is tasty and pretty reasonable too.

Switzerland has good skiing, but the cost can be very prohibitive and sadly does attract some higher class snobs that don't party so relax. Skiing in the US is a straight up rip off and the food is overpriced and quite crappy.

Quick shout out to the Austrian city of Innsbruck, beautiful historic city, great in winter with about 6 different resorts around 30 min away, and also fun in summer. Great bars, museums, and restaurants there with plenty of chicks too since it's a university town. Probably my favorite city in Europe,and I'd move there in a heartbeat if the right opportunity came.

Not putting other countries' skiing down, but on a cost basis alone, with the exception of the German Bavarian Alps, there is really no comparison (although I am not familiar with Italy at all, so please correct me if I'm wrong).

Again, awesome thread! Look forward to reading more. Ski Pro, what are your thoughts on Ischgl? I have a trip there this March. It was tough to find a place to stay, everything was completely booked out!

[Ski pro]

No doubt it is because ischgl is snow sure and has a reputation for early snow. It's pretty high so this season especially with the shitty start to the season that some of the Alps have had, these higher lying resorts are going to be busy.

Personally, I love the skiing in austria. The lifts are great, pistes good, the recreational level of skiing is good as it is their national sport (this is more important than you think, try going to France is high high season and see how dangerous it feels).

the apres ski scene is off the deep end. I'll never forget getting smashed up in the bars at the bottom of hintertux where there is a full on disco going on at 4pm after a long day of skiing. Amazing.

The food prices on mountain is set the same as it is down the hill so it's excellent value and the lift tickets are cheap.

If you are also looking for alternatives RHH I also suggest mayerhofen and all the resorts around there.

Imp tend to be stuck in Switzerland most of the season but feel free to hit me up for a red pill ski if anyone happens to be in the Swiss French region.

SP

Ps. To expand on Vauns post above, a ski lift or a tbar ride is day game central. Everyone on the mountain is there having a good time. I've chatted up endless chicks in the summer months on the glaciers and same for the winters. How many other times to you get the undivided attention of some chick for 10 mins? Plus, limited fatties, ski chicks tend to be outdoorsy, cute and reasonably fit. If you're fat you'll stuggle to ski.

[Ranch Hand]

(11-13-2016 05:54 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Any of you fellas been to Jackson Hole? I have an invitation to visit wyoming but don't know what else I would do there besides shoot myself in the head due to boredom.

Well Jackson Hole is pretty remote from much of Wyoming. If you can make it there, then I would go - no doubt. Otherwise, snowmobiling is the winter sport of choice most other places (and yes you may get bored pretty fast).

Jackson Hole is one of the baddest mountains in the US. Steep slopes, big snow, a little chilly sometimes, a man's mountain. Awesome skiing. I hear they are having a huge snowfall this winter. This is a no-brainer if you can actually make it to Jackson.

Plenty of well-moneyed cougars up there as well, if you know anyone into that.

[augen sehen]

(01-09-2017 04:38 PM)Ski pro Wrote:  

Ps. To expand on Vauns post above, a ski lift or a tbar ride is day game central. Everyone on the mountain is there having a good time. I've chatted up endless chicks in the summer months on the glaciers and same for the winters. How many other times to you get the undivided attention of some chick for 10 mins? Plus, limited fatties, ski chicks tend to be outdoorsy, cute and reasonably fit. If you're fat you'll stuggle to ski.

Works in reverse too. Girls are looking to be talked to. My girl told me how she was constantly scoping out cute snowboarders when she was a teenager and hitting the slope, trying to get away from her parents to be hit on. Where in the Swiss French region do you go? Is the snow any good yet between 2000 to 3000m?

[Ski pro]

(01-10-2017 05:40 PM)augen sehen Wrote:  

(01-09-2017 04:38 PM)Ski pro Wrote:  

Ps. To expand on Vauns post above, a ski lift or a tbar ride is day game central. Everyone on the mountain is there having a good time. I've chatted up endless chicks in the summer months on the glaciers and same for the winters. How many other times to you get the undivided attention of some chick for 10 mins? Plus, limited fatties, ski chicks tend to be outdoorsy, cute and reasonably fit. If you're fat you'll stuggle to ski.

Works in reverse too. Girls are looking to be talked to. My girl told me how she was constantly scoping out cute snowboarders when she was a teenager and hitting the slope, trying to get away from her parents to be hit on. Where in the Swiss French region do you go? Is the snow any good yet between 2000 to 3000m?

I go all over with my work. Today I was in the 4 valleys, Verbier, nendaz etc. Snow was pretty good above 2000m and we scored some pretty sweet powder on tortin which we expected to be a bumps run but it was closed. We skied it anyway and the powder was pretty good. Pistes are in good conditions and it's due to snow tonight and then dump down on Friday for a week.

[Robert High Hawk]

(01-09-2017 04:38 PM)Ski pro Wrote:  

Personally, I love the skiing in austria. The lifts are great, pistes good, the recreational level of skiing is good as it is their national sport (this is more important than you think, try going to France is high high season and see how dangerous it feels).

....

the apres ski scene is off the deep end. I'll never forget getting smashed up in the bars at the bottom of hintertux where there is a full on disco going on at 4pm after a long day of skiing. Amazing.

....

If you are also looking for alternatives RHH I also suggest mayerhofen and all the resorts around there.

Imp tend to be stuck in Switzerland most of the season but feel free to hit me up for a red pill ski if anyone happens to be in the Swiss French region.

SP

Ps. To expand on Vauns post above, a ski lift or a tbar ride is day game central. Everyone on the mountain is there having a good time. I've chatted up endless chicks in the summer months on the glaciers and same for the winters. How many other times to you get the undivided attention of some chick for 10 mins? Plus, limited fatties, ski chicks tend to be outdoorsy, cute and reasonably fit. If you're fat you'll stuggle to ski.

Amen to the T lift/chair lift game. Even if you have a g/f like I do (sigh...) great way to be friendly with chicks and practice your game and stay sharp.

Great comment on average level of proficiency in Austria. I hear in Innsbruck they teach skiing as a school subject in like Kindergarten. Hintertux is really nice, that glacier area is amazing. Was there just a few months ago. Finally got good enough to feel like an amateur, haha.

I'll totally check out Mayerhofen at some point. I already booked my place near Ishgl for March. Really excited but hope it isn't a zoo.

To switch to "hater" mode for a second, in your opinion which skiers from which country are the most annoying to be around? Be as brutal as you like in your criticism.

[Ski pro]

(01-11-2017 05:47 PM)Robert High Hawk Wrote:  

....

Amen to the T lift/chair lift game. Even if you have a g/f like I do (sigh...) great way to be friendly with chicks and practice your game and stay sharp.

Great comment on average level of proficiency in Austria. I hear in Innsbruck they teach skiing as a school subject in like Kindergarten. Hintertux is really nice, that glacier area is amazing. Was there just a few months ago. Finally got good enough to feel like an amateur, haha.

I'll totally check out Mayerhofen at some point. I already booked my place near Ishgl for March. Really excited but hope it isn't a zoo.

To switch to "hater" mode for a second, in your opinion which skiers from which country are the most annoying to be around? Be as brutal as you like in your criticism.
[/quote]

You're right on a couple of points, the local kids do ski as part of their schooling. Most kids here also go into the race club from age 6 which as a minimum means they are skiing every Wednesday instead of school, schools here are off on a Wednesday afternoon. The good ones gradually go further and further up the pyramid which ends up at the World Cup. They do skiing here similar to how kids play soccer or run track or whatever elsewhere in the world.

In terms of most annoying, the French for me. The French are some of the most selfish people on the planet only concerned for themselves. After a while living here they don't bother me so much any more, their standard of recreational skiing is terrible and causes a lot of accidents. The Dutch are a close second but mainly because they tend to be arrogant pricks.