It's January again, which means I'm back on the slopes at Big Bear Mountain Resort in California, where I've been a snowboard instructor for some 19 years.
Though the snowfall this year has been skimpy and business is down, we instructors are getting plenty of time on the snow.
The public, I think, would be surprised to learn how many hours we spend each season in training, both to hone our teaching skills and to learn how to keep our guests safe and happy while hurtling down the mountain.
Lately I've been pressed into helping prepare our incoming instructors to earn their Level 1 Certification from the American Association of Snowboard Instructors.
Not only must the new instructors demonstrate technical competence at a variety of tasks like turning, carving and performing tricks, they must learn about handling children and seniors, adjusting lessons for weather and terrain, and finding appropriate teaching styles to help advance students who might be timid, frightened or overly-confident.
The goal is safety, fun and learning—more-or-less in that order.
