Ski instructors and convention

dustyfog wrote:I am cracking up totally...but definitely see the cultural distinctions ... how does an instructor lose their students! You are kidding me....That instructor should be arrested for gross negligence. Remarkable information flowing through this forum

Um ,it's many years ago now, but I have been "lost" by my ski instructor, in both Italy and Austria. In Italy, I found another group and asked to join them, and in Austria, I eventually found my teacher and the rest of the group after about an hour. He'd not missed me.

This is bordering on a laugh riot! One thing though, an instructor better not lose my boy, though he is usually way ahead of the class, but on the flats he is slower, small frame, so skating momentum is less, but once downhill begins, he is all controlled velocity. Bottom line, lets say any incident bordering on that will have lifelong consequences for said instructor.

That aside, I still cannot believe, you folks believe that when you pay for a service, you do not expect at the very least, safety and security. The least the guy or woman can do is make sure his crew is safe. That is the basis of leadership, sounds a lot like a bunch of clowns in those teams of instructors. They have an obligation and duty to protect those they instruct.

Still, its hilarious. Maybe being from the US leads me to have a different reaction, but you folks are hilarious.

And by the way, bandit, the blog you have is tremendous...where are ski pics from? glorious! Your saga with your spanish hacienda had me in splits! especially the last zinger with the incredible sand-castle.

For your entertainment if nothing to do : here is video of my son and me in Alberta, in April 08 - me raw beginner, around 8th time on skis then, and my boy just turned 5..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8-421g2wAM

and here is his Dad Mar 15, 09 - long way to go to catch up with my son(he is so much faster, we have raced, he turns it on, when he sees me approach since i usually give him a few seconds) but skiing injured but no quitting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIZ_yB0hmZc

i still am shaking my head at instructor's losing their charges...unreal..you cannot make this sh*te up!

You can never be over cautious when it comes to your children. Since hearing that this can happen my boys carry a laminated card with our phone numbers and where we're staying printed on them. They'll also have walkie talkies this year.

Firstly because I don't want them lost but, secondly (and most importantly), I don't want them put off the sport

In all seriousness, I go for companies who promise smaller class numbers and who are English speaking. It makes a huge difference in my experience.

dustyfog wrote:And by the way, bandit, the blog you have is tremendous...where are ski pics from? glorious! Your saga with your spanish hacienda had me in splits! especially the last zinger with the incredible sand-castle.

For your entertainment if nothing to do : here is video of my son and me in Alberta, in April 08 - me raw beginner, around 8th time on skis then, and my boy just turned 5..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8-421g2wAM

and here is my Mar 15, 09 - long way to go but skiing injured but no quitting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIZ_yB0hmZc

i still am shaking my head at instructor's losing their charges...unreal..you cannot make this sh*te up!

How good is your little boy gonna be, he's brilliant for 5 yrs old

Dustyfog,
The videos were great, thanks very much.

I think ski instructors are a bit more careful with the children, and very rarely lose one.

Caron-a, I agree with you, you can't be too careful where kids are concerned. I think it's a very good idea giving them those cards and walkie-talkies, just in case,

Ally

Your kid rips Be proud!

Thanks, he is a joy to behold, as any parent feels when they see their kid take to a sport like a fish to water (he boogie-boards too, second favourite sport)

Anyway, My son now is all carve, in fact, he has run into a new unforeseen problem, given that he has basically forgotten how to wedge, and the stem-christie is his stopping routine, when the snow is heavy, and his speed is rising and I discerned, he himself is realizing how fast he is going, that stopping on steep inclines, i.e. 25degrees+ on black diamonds is a tough one, especially when snow is heavy, and face-plant risk is high! I found him in early March, lying there at the bottom of a relatively steep black diamond, he told me "dad, i could'n stop in this snow, my skis got caught!" it was tragically funny.

Here is a video of his escapades, he is made to watch all the time from Dec07, to remind him "It's all about controlled speed" - he has learnt that lesson well! Watch the "dot" at the top of the screen explode into view and land perfectly on his head!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KeEigKz7mk

And Caron-a, I am about to take his suit to his mom's place so she can sew onto a laminated card with name, phone number, plus a bright distance-viewable strip on it! She volunteered, reading your post, I am doing that asap..

And once again, you folks make a Dad feel good this afternoon..