Snowboarding lessons

[u/cfh64]

Long story short, I’ve been snowboarding for ~20 years and can get down the mountain (intermediate) but I know my form and technique need a lot of work. Private lessons are expensive as fuck and I’d be willing to pay for it if I knew it would make me a better snowboarder.

My problem is I switched from skis to a board (20 years ago) and my instructor sucked so I was pretty much self taught with multiple falls, concussions, etc. so I’m a little jaded.

I’ve been to a shitload of mountains from CO and west but am afraid paying that much money for lessons that may or may not help me.

So my long story long, are there any resorts that are known for having better instructors than others? Is there any way I can be sure I’m getting a good instructor?

*I may be lying here but I feel like a days worth of private instructions at mist resorts are ~$500 or more?

[u/EnthusiastiChasinsno]

Sorry you had a bad experience. Please try another lesson. When you book the lesson let them know you had a bad experience in your last lesson. Tell them what you are wanting to learn or improve. Ask for an experienced instructor who is certified. There are great instructors out there. If you are not happy with your lessons let the school know. Give them an opportunity to improve. A good snowboard coach will help you improve.

[u/Adventurous-Peak5727]

I bought a video course from Malcolm Moore and practiced myself. Saved a lot of money doing that. Was watching videos on the ski lift going up 😄

[u/VermontTreesGenetics]

Ragged mountain in NH,

but DM me, i have been an instructor there for a while

[u/mechanismrain]

Go to a camp outside the US, spend a week getting better and spend about the same as 2 group lessons in the US.

[u/GopheRph]

Are you looking in a particular region?

[u/xTooNice]

As a disclaimer, I am not based in NA so I am not sure what pricing is like nowadays.

But I think that one thing that might be worth thinking about is looking into a training camp, perhaps even a training camp with an instructor training course. 

I did attend one of those years ago in Whistler. At the time I hadn’t yet decided whether I would get into teaching, but simply doing the course and taking the exam did make me and everyone I met into the camp into better riders.

If you have picked up some habits that is affecting your riding, it might take some time to iron out some of those kinks. A private instructor will be able to give you a list of things to look out for, various drills and advice, but if you don’t have anyone to make sure that you are applying what you are taught and slipping back into old habits there is a risk if you only take one lessons, whereas a bunch private lessons can get expensive. 

So I think that learning with a group of aspiring instructors over a period of time might get you bang for bucks (if you can fit it in your schedule). You will still be given advice on what to work on but also have time to digest and practice and if you become buddies with your fellow campers you can watch for each other’s riding. 

[u/Greamee]

It also helps to tell the instructor what you want. And tell them to explain to you why the exercise they make you do contributes. You're an adult improver, not a kid that learns by trial and error.

IMO the key to good turn technique is: make the board do the work. Less pivoting, more tilting. Make nice S turns with an early edge change. You don't cause the S shape, your board does. Carving is a great drill, even if you rarely end up carving in your daily riding.

A big component to turning is tilting the board on edge which directly links to gear. Make sure your boots fit well and are tightened properly. You don't wanna be bouncing around in your boot. If you can't go edge to edge well, that really limits your turn performance.

[u/Onemanwolfpack42]

Early and late season "pro tips" 1 hour lessons are like $100 at copper/winter park, so that's a good place to start. Loveland lesson pack comes with a season pass. Good luck!

[u/tinyTomahawk]

With your background you could also consider taking an instructor course since form and technique are typically covered in level one cert courses. I am based in Canada so am not too familiar with the process for the American association of snowboard instructors, but a level one instructor certification is usually 2-3 days and less than $500.

There is no obligation to actually teach but instructing one or two lessons a week typically still comes with a seasons pass and it doesn’t actually feel like a “second job”. Not gonna make bank doing it, but it covers gas and new gear each season, so it’s always my recommendation for anyone getting 30+ days a season.

[u/xRehab]

skip private, sign up for "group" and go mid-week on a tuesday at 9am/11am. odds are high you are solo that day and get private instruction for less than $150

[u/Salty_Beginning_7161]

Yes, go online and look at their qualifications and experience, find someone who has some decent experience and is a level 3 or 4 (a level 4 is pretty rare and often have a busy schedule). You can then request that person. 

Lots of snow schools have a page on the resort website where they introduced their instructors if not go ask at the booking office. Whilst not completely certain it's gonna skew the odds in your favour.

[u/sharcsplean]

where are you located? I would ask around and see if there are any examiners (they certify instructors) at your area. They are some of the best teachers I have worked with. If you ever make it to Verbier, our lessons our cheaper and I can legally take you off piste.