My week began last Saturday with my first day at Fieberbrunn in Austria. New snow had fallen over night and after a 3 hour journey to get there (it's only about 15km away) my housemate and I got some much needed shred action.
I was actually pretty amazed at how good the snow was and how few people were there. It was a refreshing change to the crowds that usually show up in California when it snows. We got fresh tracks for most of the few hours that we rode. It was definitely worth the mission to get there.
Straight to work
I was stoked when I got given work on my Third day in the country. I was even more stoked when my class turned out to be with a really nice couple. They were Lisa and Natesh who are Americans that currently reside in Belgium.
Having a group that you can chat to and relate to really makes this job what it is. It's all about the people that you meet.
Day 1 - Swimming pool sized peice of snow
We spent the Sunday working on the very basics in Kirchdorf. My group were completely new to snowboarding so having only a small patch of snow to work on didn't really affect the lesson plan too much. It just goes to show that you can make a good lesson even if the snow sucks.
The first day schedule was a little messed up due to Lisa and Natesh's car gettting smashed into over night. Lucky no-one was hurt though. They subsequesntly had to sort out insurance and other fun stuff in the morning.
We worked on figuring out all the tools that we would need to take to the hill the next day. I really focused on getting them prepared for the "dreaded" drag lift. I hate drag lifts.
They made good progress and they even got some basic skidded turns with some assistance. I'm of the opinion that, if I have a small group, I'll help them as much as they need.
All in all a great first day, considering the limited snow.
Day 2 - Fieberbrunn 2 hour
Lisa and Natesh spent the morning sorting out their insurance stuff and came to meet me at Fieberbrunn at 1pm.
Having the chance to ride in the morning turned out to be awesome. I got some more powder turns and was again amazed at the snow quality.
We spent two hours re-iterating the basics and getting them prepared for riding the drag lift the next day. They both again made really good progress, although they didn't seem to think so. They don't get to see as many beginners as I do.
They were both getting heelside slipping and controlling their speed. The first basic important skill for any snowboarder.
I was very happy with where we were at. They were all set for a great first full day, but probably a bit sore too.
Day 3 - All day at Fieberbrunn
I got picked up from my house in the morning, courtesy of Lisa and Natesh's hire car.
Today we worked on getting them really solid at leafing down the hill on both edges. Natesh was confident on both edges, Lisa seemed to like going on her toes more than heels. They both got pretty solid and didn't take any serious slams, which can always hurt confidence early on.
After a few tries Natesh got the hang of the drag lift, Lisa and me had to ride up together because the track was a little squirly. It was my first experience of riding a 1 man drag lift with two people, so luckily I didn't fall.
By the end of the third day Natesh was making some basic turns and Lisa was pretty much there, although I still had to convince her of that!
Day 4 - Fieberbrunn all day
Day 4 was the same set up as day 3.
The goal for the day was to get both riding the drag lift on their own and making some linked turns.
They were both a bit sore, especially from falling on their asses quite hard. I don't miss that feeling at all.
They both did absolutely awesome today. They were both linking turns, Natesh got to the top of the slope and Lisa rode the lift all by herself.
It's the little victories that make instructing so rewarding for me. Seeing how stoked someone can get by the things that I now take for granted.
Both of them were linking turns by the end of the day and most importantly, were stoked on snowboarding.
I feel incredibly lucky that my first week of work turned out to be so rewarding and hope they both continue to shred next season.
My training
The rest of the week consisted of training, which consisted of riding and more riding, my type of training. It's was an awesome week for sure with no injuries for me.
I'm stoked to see how this season progresses and fingers crossed for more snow.
PS: Thanks Natesh and Lisa so much for the food parcel. It's was greatly appreciated. Sorry I didn't get to see you before you left. Maybe see you next year.
I was actually pretty amazed at how good the snow was and how few people were there. It was a refreshing change to the crowds that usually show up in California when it snows. We got fresh tracks for most of the few hours that we rode. It was definitely worth the mission to get there.
Straight to work
I was stoked when I got given work on my Third day in the country. I was even more stoked when my class turned out to be with a really nice couple. They were Lisa and Natesh who are Americans that currently reside in Belgium.
Having a group that you can chat to and relate to really makes this job what it is. It's all about the people that you meet.
Day 1 - Swimming pool sized peice of snow
We spent the Sunday working on the very basics in Kirchdorf. My group were completely new to snowboarding so having only a small patch of snow to work on didn't really affect the lesson plan too much. It just goes to show that you can make a good lesson even if the snow sucks.
The first day schedule was a little messed up due to Lisa and Natesh's car gettting smashed into over night. Lucky no-one was hurt though. They subsequesntly had to sort out insurance and other fun stuff in the morning.
We worked on figuring out all the tools that we would need to take to the hill the next day. I really focused on getting them prepared for the "dreaded" drag lift. I hate drag lifts.
They made good progress and they even got some basic skidded turns with some assistance. I'm of the opinion that, if I have a small group, I'll help them as much as they need.
All in all a great first day, considering the limited snow.
Day 2 - Fieberbrunn 2 hour
Lisa and Natesh spent the morning sorting out their insurance stuff and came to meet me at Fieberbrunn at 1pm.
Having the chance to ride in the morning turned out to be awesome. I got some more powder turns and was again amazed at the snow quality.
We spent two hours re-iterating the basics and getting them prepared for riding the drag lift the next day. They both again made really good progress, although they didn't seem to think so. They don't get to see as many beginners as I do.
They were both getting heelside slipping and controlling their speed. The first basic important skill for any snowboarder.
I was very happy with where we were at. They were all set for a great first full day, but probably a bit sore too.
Day 3 - All day at Fieberbrunn
I got picked up from my house in the morning, courtesy of Lisa and Natesh's hire car.
Today we worked on getting them really solid at leafing down the hill on both edges. Natesh was confident on both edges, Lisa seemed to like going on her toes more than heels. They both got pretty solid and didn't take any serious slams, which can always hurt confidence early on.
After a few tries Natesh got the hang of the drag lift, Lisa and me had to ride up together because the track was a little squirly. It was my first experience of riding a 1 man drag lift with two people, so luckily I didn't fall.
By the end of the third day Natesh was making some basic turns and Lisa was pretty much there, although I still had to convince her of that!
Day 4 - Fieberbrunn all day
Day 4 was the same set up as day 3.
The goal for the day was to get both riding the drag lift on their own and making some linked turns.
They were both a bit sore, especially from falling on their asses quite hard. I don't miss that feeling at all.
They both did absolutely awesome today. They were both linking turns, Natesh got to the top of the slope and Lisa rode the lift all by herself.
It's the little victories that make instructing so rewarding for me. Seeing how stoked someone can get by the things that I now take for granted.
Both of them were linking turns by the end of the day and most importantly, were stoked on snowboarding.
I feel incredibly lucky that my first week of work turned out to be so rewarding and hope they both continue to shred next season.
My training
The rest of the week consisted of training, which consisted of riding and more riding, my type of training. It's was an awesome week for sure with no injuries for me.
I'm stoked to see how this season progresses and fingers crossed for more snow.
PS: Thanks Natesh and Lisa so much for the food parcel. It's was greatly appreciated. Sorry I didn't get to see you before you left. Maybe see you next year.
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