The snowboard season begins – and we finally made our way to Hasliberg.
To kick things off, a five-day introductory course was scheduled, led by Robin, the Technical Director of Snowboarding. The goal of this course was to prepare us optimally for everyday teaching and to solidify the foundations for the upcoming season.
Friday – Arrival and Building the Basics Link to heading
The first day of the course started with a relaxed introduction round. It quickly became clear that people with different backgrounds and expectations had come together – a great foundation for exciting days ahead. We then focused on equipment checks. This was not only about whether the snowboard was set up correctly, but also about developing an awareness of what we later need to pay special attention to when teaching children.
Another important part of the day was getting to know the ski area. We gained an overview, discussed SOS points, emergency procedures, and potential danger zones. This knowledge is essential in order to convey safety confidently during lessons.
Afterwards, we focused on riding the button lift. We worked intensively on what needs to be considered before taking children on a button lift for the first time. Preparation, clear explanations, and safety were clearly the main priorities.
From a technical perspective, the focus was on the basic snowboard stance. We worked on a stable position with a weight distribution of around 60% on the front foot and 40% on the back foot, relaxed yet active legs, and a centered hip position. In addition, we explored board torsion and its importance for steering and turning.
We also discussed appropriate behavior as a snow sports instructor. This included clear no-gos in teaching, the importance of being a role model, and how to interact properly with children on the slopes.
To conclude the day, we rode the route from Mägisalp to Bidmi together, already with a focus on future children’s lessons. The route was divided into different sections, highlighting varying levels of difficulty, potential hazards, and suitable teaching areas.
Saturday – Deepening Skills and Safety Link to heading
In the morning, we were introduced to Waldhart, the ski school’s software. We learned about its most important functions.
Afterwards, we continued to deepen the previous content and further explored the ski area. A special focus was once again placed on the basic stance, this time with additional attention on an upright, confident upper body and shoulders aligned parallel to the snowboard.
Emergency situations were another key topic. We discussed how to behave in the event of accidents, which first steps are crucial, and what clear communication looks like in an emergency. In addition, special teaching situations were addressed, such as dealing with anxious children, challenging group dynamics, or changing snow and weather conditions.
Sunday – Lesson Structure and First Practical Experience Link to heading
Sunday was entirely dedicated to the question of how to structure a beginner lesson effectively. From the initial introduction and goal setting to equipment checks and the first movements on the snowboard, the process was worked through step by step. This included one-foot exercises, standing on the board with both feet, getting to know the edges, turning, pulling each other around, as well as first full-base runs and braking exercises.
In the afternoon, an unexpected opportunity arose in the form of a spontaneous private lesson. During lunch, I was asked whether I could take on a one-hour lesson. At first, I felt a bit nervous, but I was able to directly apply the beginner lesson structure we had developed. This spontaneous situation was extremely educational and gave me additional confidence.
To end the day, we prepared our demo lessons for the following day.
Monday – First Own Group and Demo Lessons Link to heading
On Monday, I already took over my first own group, the Blue Prince. The initial nervousness was noticeable but quickly faded. The group was motivated, the atmosphere was positive, and teaching was genuinely fun.
In the afternoon, each person delivered a demo lesson within the group. The focus was on structure, clear explanations, and confident presence as an instructor. The mutual feedback was extremely valuable and helped to further improve our teaching skills.
Tuesday – Conclusion and Shared Experience Link to heading
On Tuesday morning, I once again led group lessons, just as I had on Monday. This allowed us to further consolidate what we had learned and to teach with more confidence and calm. It was clearly noticeable how the experiences of the past few days had a positive effect on the lessons.
The course concluded in the afternoon with a joint closing session. Together with all new ski and snowboard instructors, we took a group photo and brought the introductory course to an end with synchronized riding.
An intense, educational, and motivating start to the season, which created a strong foundation for future teaching on snow.
