Slide into snow school

Do ski instructors have more opportunities for romance than ordinary humans? The answer is a resounding yes.

Now that the most pressing question about instructors has been answered, perhaps one should concentrate on what you want from a snowsports' school, or ski school as they used to be called.

Most of New Zealand's larger ski fields have their own ski and snowboard schools, usually run by the same company that manages the ski field. Often the best and most affordable option for beginners is to buy a package that includes a lift ticket, a lesson and gear hire.

You will often find they are good value for money and cost less than if you bought all the ingredients separately.





But before parting with your money, consider what you want from the experience. Are you after a fun, social experience with a group of like-minded people around your own age? Or do you just want to keep up with your children and take things at a more sedate pace?

Do you want to be nurtured or challenged? Will you learn better in a group or would you prefer to be on your own? In that case, are you willing to pay more for a private lesson?

Bridget Rayward, President of the New Zealand Snow Sports Instructor's Alliance, and Louisa Muir-Brown, manager of the snow school at Whakapapa ski field on Mt Ruapehu, say if you can pay for a private lesson you should.

It is worth approaching the school beforehand, either by phone or by doing some research on the internet (most ski fields have websites), finding out what's on offer and the kind of lesson that would suit you best.



Most resorts provide special clinics and workshops for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders wanting to polish up their techniques.

There may be the option of special classes, for example, for seniors, women-only or for snowboarders wanting tips on how to approach the terrain park. For the truly dedicated, many resorts even have race training programmes that last all season.

How much can you learn in a week? And which is easier - snowboarding or skiing? Instructors don't like to be pinned down on this but common experience suggests that snowboarding is possibly harder on the body when you are just starting. You fall down more.

During their first two days on snow, skiers will stand around while boarders are lying, moaning, in front of them.

However three days later it is another story. Snowboarders have a rapid learning curve. Within a week, if they have had a few good lessons, they will be well on their way to the upper reaches of the mountain, while skiers may be only just leaving the learners' slopes.

These days one of the main causes of snowboarder versus skier friction is due to that rapid learning curve.

What do you need?

Don't plan to ride around in jeans, Muir-Brown cautions. You will need warm and waterproof clothing because, as a beginner, you will be face down in the snow a fair bit. Instructors note that the most common items forgotten are sunscreen, hats and sunglasses or goggles.

Most ski fields hire out the hardware as part of a beginner's package but there are pluses and minuses to getting your gear from the resort. There is usually a long queue for rental gear in the mornings and, if you have the worst luck and it is very crowded, you may find there is only a limited range of gear to choose from.

However, if you organise your rental gear the night before, you can be assured of the right equipment and you won't have to rush around so much in the morning - definitely a consideration for parents.

Parents might also consider getting their children a helmet to protect them from themselves and other learners.

And anyone learning to snowboard should think about strapping on a pair of wristguards.

What if you don't like the instructor or you feel you're not learning anything? Don't be afraid to speak up if there is something you don't understand.

"The instructor isn't there to embarrass you or make you do hideous things," Muir-Brown says. "They are there to help. It is all about communication, but we're not mind-readers."

However, if you decide you don't like your teacher the best thing to do is ask for your ticket back and try again during the next round of lessons. Obviously if you feel your instructor is acting inappropriately or endangering your safety, report them to the ski-school supervisor.

Is it dangerous?

Accidents do happen but students in ski schools are not often injured. This is mainly because they are being taught in as safe an environment as possible. They are also being taught basics such as how to fall correctly. A good instructor should not push students any faster than they want to go. After all, it is supposed to be fun.

What age should I learn?

You are never too old but it does depend on your frame of mind. If you have health problems of any kind you should let your instructor know beforehand.

Children can start to learn to ski as young as3, advises Jeremy Collis, director of the Cardrona Alpine Development Centre. Snowboarding lessons don't start until age 6, mainly because of the size of the boards.

"The biggest thing we find is that [children] are not used to the gear - the boots, the goggles, the hats, the gloves. They get a bit freaked out by it," he says. "The best thing is to introduce the gear to the children at home. Let them wander around the house in ski boots or walk around on the carpet with skis on."

Until the age of about 5, Collis thinks children probably can't last a day in the cold and snow. "Emotionally they can't cope. They get exhausted and overstimulated."

Which is why at Cardrona, children will have their time split between snow sports and kindergarten-style play inside. After the age of 5, children can usually handle a whole day on the slopes.

But what if they really hate it? "Sometimes they will get used to it with a bit of one-on-one play in the snow," Collis suggests. "Usually they don't like it because they have been pushed into it when they weren't quite ready.

"The best thing is preparation, looking at pictures and things like that, so the child has some idea of what it's going to be all about."

Which resort is best to learn at?

Overseas, some ski schools are acknowledged as better than others. However, in New Zealand they don't compete all that much because often they are targeting different markets and tailoring lessons to varied needs.

South Island ski fields get more visitors from abroad who are more interested in private lessons and multi-day packages. In the North Island, it is mainly New Zealanders who seem to prefer shorter, private lessons or shorter group lessons.

Beginners need two things from a ski field: a learning area isolated from other trails and preferably with its own slow-moving lift, as well as gentle, wide slopes for practise.

All ski fields have beginner, intermediate and advanced areas and no one will ever turn a novice away, but different ski fields are also known for the kind of terrain they offer.

Cardrona, a well-acknowledged family favourite near Wanaka, has large, wide-open areas for beginners and intermediates, while Treble Cone, also near Wanaka, gets quite steep relatively quickly, which means those ready to leave the beginners' slopes have places to go, just not as many.

In the North Island, Whakapapa and Turoa have large beginners' areas. Once you leave those, Whakapapa has more nooks and crannies while Turoa is more wide open.

To make a decision about the right place for your lesson, ask those who have been there for advice. If you don't know anyone, ask staff at the local snowboard or ski store.

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