Quick Tips

By Lane McLaughlin

To all of you out there who are looking for those little tricks of the trade that can help you, here are a few quick tips (OK, looks like I rambled and they are possibly semi-not-too-long tips) that work for me.

 Exam Prep:

Knowing the standards for the test and how you measure up are an important part of your training. I recommend that you get the PSIA-NW Certification Exam Guide (through the PSIA-NW office) and look at the National Outcomes for the certification level you wish to attain. Then, give yourself a number grade (I use a 1/2/3 scale) for each of the outcomes. Have your trainer grade you as well. Then, compare your grades. It is important to recognize your strengths, determine the areas for improvement, and to find gaps where you and your trainer are not on the same page. Recognizing your strengths and having them validated by your trainer helps build confidence and reminds you to rely on these assets. Determining your weaknesses is the first step to determining a training plan to address these needs. And finally, determining the gaps in the grades will lead to some valuable communication between you and your trainer - your trainer may correct your perception of your skills or you may convince your trainer that they are stuck in some "old-school" mentality - either way, the dialogue, information, and convictions usually leads to learning.

 Setting a Demo:

I notice that many instructors start their demonstrations by starting across the hill to some degree; in essence, traversing across the hill and then making a move into the fall line to get their linked turns going. Unfortunately, traversing across the hill doesn't build much momentum or promote the directional movements and the dynamics between the upper and lower body to demonstrate the desired movement patterns for releasing and engaging the edges in a continuous motion. If you look closely at these demos, or pay attention to your own, you'll notice how difficult it can be to roll the skis into the turn simultaneously, without a little stem or lateral push-off. And to make matters worse, since you are so close to your group and you have their attention, that first turn can leave a strong impression. Instead, try starting your demo by running straight down the fall-line and using a turn-completion to build the energy and promote the movement patterns needed to transition into the start of a new turn. You may even start slightly above your group so that you nail your cool move right in front of the group.

 Know/show your retailer:

Take the time to build a relationship with your local/favorite snow-goods retailer. It pays to show your local retailer that you are a regular customer and promoter of their business. If you can demonstrate that you are steering your peers and clients to their shop then they'll perceive the value in supporting you when you request to buy goods through pro-purchase programs. I've found that they'll also be really helpful in going the extra mile for you, like quick turn-around on tuning, when you're in a pinch.