Small Mountain Skier: Killington, small so far this season

One of the feature events that the PSIA-E runs each December is called the Pro Jam. This is essentially a week long camp for ski instructors. It seems to rotate between Mount Snow and Killington. Somewhat luckily, this year was Killington's turn. The gathering is almost 500 students and about 60 PSIA-E staff. Killington was pretty hurting for snow like all ski areas east of the Mississippi but there was just enough room for us on the mountain. I said in my last post that Gore was not really small so here is my next post about a bigger mountain. Killington is far from small but last week there was very little terrain open; it skied like a small mountain. There was no black terrain open until Wednesday (first pitch of Superstar).

I was skiing with a group of 9 all from south of Vermont except for one from Attitash in New Hampshire. We were mostly pretty old except for one 20 year old. Our chosen course was level 2 part 2 prep. Level 2 part 2 is the teaching test for skiers skilled up to beginning parallel. Part 1 is a skiing test and must be completed to be eligible for part 2. The test has three modules; creative teaching, teaching children and movement analysis. After skiing around a couple of hours Monday morning to see what was open and get used to skiing again this year (I was the only one that had skied previously). We started with movement analysis. I believe the key to movement analysis is to find a process that works for you and use it to quickly understand the movements that are being used as someone, anyone, skis through some ski turns. We started using the skills that are the basis for the PSIA Skiing Model. These are balance, rotary movements, edging movements and pressure control movements. I offered that it is useful to use these as a hierarchy for beginning skiers. First we must learn to balance on skis, then we can rotate our legs to form first turns, then we learn to edge our skis to assist in turning and edging a ski creates resistance and thus the need for some pressure regulation or control movements. We spent until Wednesday working on learning a process for quickly describing movements seen while skiers make turns and then coming up with ideas to enhance or replace movements to make performance improvements for our students. We finished Wednesday morning with an introduction to the creative teaching module of the level 2 exam. In this module,each candidate chooses a person profile and a skiing skills profile from 2 groups of cards. From these cards the candidate puts together a program that creatively uses the information about the person profile to enhance or develop skills outlined in the skiing profile. I handed out 3 by 5 cards and asked the group to list the important features of their pairings on one side and list some activities they would use to lead the group in a short (10 - 13 minute) presentation to show how they would approach a lesson for their chosen combination. We would present to the group Thursday morning because Wednesday afternoon is saved for elective sessions for all participants. I would be skiing with a different group Wednesday afternoon.

I led a Level 2 Part 1 group in the optional session. Interestingly, most of the group (4 people) were taking level 2 part 1 preparation for the focus for the week. In this session, we skied through all the demonstrations, versatility movements and free skiing activities that a candidate would see at an exam. Before each maneuver I offered what were the most important aspects and then demonstrated them for the group. I did give feedback on performance and my opinion if they were at the standard for that particular maneuver. I am sure the group found it helpful. When I was getting certified (many years ago) there was nothing like this in PSIA; you basically showed up, took the test and waited around for the results. While it is not an easier test today, it is way easier to figure out what will be expected and what someone has to do to make the standard to pass the tests.

Our group finished up the creative teaching portion Thursday in the early afternoon. I had each member give their prepared presentation and not only evaluated them as I would if it were an exam but the group as a whole discussed each presentation and gave input for things that might enhance what was done or other approaches to the issues etcetera. All in all, a lot of good information was shared.

For the remainder of Thursday and Friday until lunch time we worked on the Teaching Children module. In this portion of the exam candidates choose a card with a particular age and skiing interest and/or ability. From that information the candidate puts together a short program that addresses the skiing need and is suitable for the developmental stage of the child. These presentations are to the group about the skier so luckily, no one has to pretend they are four years old or something. A huge portion of ski school business in the United States is teaching children. Basic understanding of physical, social and cognitive development in children makes giving ski lessons to children a lot easier, which makes for more fun doing the job of ski instructor. We spent time after each presentation again to make sure that everyone had a good understanding of the issues for each scenario for the module.

Friday after lunch, people started to leave. Some had long drives, some were tired, some just wanted to stay and ski. A couple were staying and leaving Saturday. So, we just went up and down. It is always the case at Pro Jam week that the group shrinks all afternoon until the last of the group decide to quit. I had worked hard during the week; given the group all I could. I had lots of fun but it was work. It is what I do. Most all of my skiing is leading a group; either PSIA members or ski racers. I have come to cherish Friday afternoons at Pro Jam week because I just go skiing. We talk about whatever on the lift and then ski the same trail, then do it again. This year was overcast, cold, snow guns all over but the best part of my week. Just skiing in a group...