Parallel skiing is a combination of ski touring and ski jumping. It’s one of the most popular ski adventure travel (S.A.T.) courses and is also offered as a stand-alone program. Let’s find out how you can introduce this adventurous sport to your students.
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Lessons Learned From Expert Instructors
Skiing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. However, for some students, it can be quite challenging. That’s why it’s important to learn from expert instructors who have extensive experience in the field. Here are some valuable lessons that you can incorporate into your next training session.
Lesson 1: Preparation Is Everything
One of the most important things to do before you start teaching any kind of skiing is to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the experience. The expert instructors at Mountain Adventure Travel (S.A.T.) had this to say about preparing for their skiing course in France, “Getting in shape is definitely one of the key priorities. I recommend lots of hill walks and rides on the instructor’s motorcycle to get ready. We also do some skiing in the morning and the afternoons to get some real ‘burn’ on the board while watching the sun set over Mont Blanc. Looking back, I think that getting physically prepared was the key to having a good time on the course and getting the most out of it.”
Mountain Adventure Travel (S.A.T.) is a leader in outdoor adventure travel, offering students courses all over the world. Their goal is to have students leave the course feeling exhilarated and inspired.
Lesson 2: Safety First
Skiing is an adventurous sport, and as such, there are always risks involved. Despite the danger, it’s a sport that people enjoy and it’s a great way to see new places. But it is essential that you are careful and take the necessary precautions. Here are some important things to consider before you take your students on a skiing trip.
Riding Bikes
If you’re renting equipment, make sure that you are either using bikes that your students are experienced riding or teach them how to ride safely. There are some great bike parks near Denver where you can practice riding techniques like parallel skiing. Also, make sure that your student has the proper gear, including helmet, jacket, and goggles. If you’re using a motorbike as transportation, then they must have a license and be experienced riding. In addition, it’s important to know the local regulations regarding riding bikes. For example, you may want to check if there’s a passing zone before you let your students go cruising past!
Paddles
Another important item to bring on a skiing trip is some form of propulsion – whether it’s human-powered or battery-powered. You can use kayaks, canoes, or paddles for this purpose. And remember: the stronger your students are, the less you will need to push them. Also, be sure to bring a kayak repair kit along in case you need to fix someone’s leaking kayak. Finally, if you are going on a day tour, then you may want to bring along some extra paddles in case the group gets separated or slows down due to some difficulty.
Skiing Boots
For the longest time, I thought that ski boots were just there to keep your feet warm on cold winter days. However, nowadays they play an important role in giving you better control on the slopes. Every ski instructor I’ve ever spoken to says the same thing: the right ski boots can make or break your skiing experience. And since you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet, it’s important to invest in a good pair of ski boots.
Ski Suit
I always thought that a ski suit was just there to keep the wind from running up your skirt on the mountainside. Turns out, it has several practical uses such as warmth and protection.
Wearing a ski suit is important for better controlling the ski experience. Besides keeping you cozy on the slopes, the suit also provides better insulation against extreme temperatures. It’s a great way to avoid hypothermia or hyperthermia (too much warmth or cold). Wearing ski gear is obviously important as well, but it’s not as versatile as a ski suit when it comes to keeping warm on the slopes. A good ski suit should be long enough to cover your boots, reach your ankles, and have enough room for your jacket, fleece, and gloves. If you’re looking for a more versatile and mobile solution, then you can opt for a ski pack, which is similar to a ski suit but has more freedom of motion.
Helmet
Another key piece of safety gear is a helmet. You need to choose one that fits properly and comfortably on your students’ heads. Be sure to select something that is lightweight yet protects them from head injuries in case of an accident. In general, you should opt for a hard hat that covers your ears and meets DOT standards (anyone wearing a motorcycle helmet may not be able to wear a pair of earrings or other delicate ornaments).
Jacket
You won’t be spending the majority of your time on the slopes wearing only your skis and a T-shirt. You’ll also need a jacket to keep warm on those cold winter days. The jacket you choose depends on the temperature and whether or not you’ll be venturing into the rain or cold mist. Typically, ski jackets come in two varieties: synthetic (most preferred) and natural fibers. Synthetic fibers resist moisture and dry quickly, which makes them ideal for winter sports. Acrylic is a good example of a synthetic fiber and is highly abrasion-resistant.
Let’s take a brief look at natural fibers, which are found in materials such as wool and silk. These fabrics are ideal for keeping warm due to their large quantity of sweat pores, which allows heat to be transferred more effectively to your body.
Gloves
Besides your hands, your feet are also going to be feeling quite a bit of cold in the wintertime. So it’s important to protect them too. Wearing gloves is an easy way to keep your hands warm, as long as they are the right type of gloves. To best support your hands, choose a synthetic material and wear a hat or gloves inside your ski boots when you’re on the slopes.
Boots
Last but not least, we have your boots. When deciding on which type of boots to purchase, you need to think about your personal preferences as well as the type of skiing you’re planning on doing. In general, you should opt for a waterproof and breathable fabric that’s either boot-shaped or has a high collar to keep the snow out and the wet air from running up your pant legs.
If you’re new to the sport, then choose something easy to walk in.
In the next lesson, we’ll discuss how to teach skiing. But first, let’s reacquaint ourselves with how to ski on a first date – perhaps the most essential piece of advice in this entire article!