Skilehrer- Highlights of the week - How to lose 9 kids in one week.
### The Winter Skiing Highlights
The holidays are over, and the number of children in our ski program has dropped from around 130 to just 20. As always, the two weeks of winter vacation were full of highlights. One thing is certain: if kids get bored or cold while skiing, something is definitely off! Children often seem fearless, which is why they frequently take tumbles and get right back up. It’s not unusual to see skis flying when they fall, and as an instructor, it sometimes feels like an Easter egg hunt in the deep snow. But even I was surprised when a child ended up sitting on the slopes in just their socks!
It's also noteworthy when children show up with their older cousins' ancient skis. One time, I found myself holding a ski binding that dated back to 1950. Almost antique!
However, the absolute highlight happened last Sunday. The ski course started with ten children and ended with just one in my group. Here’s how it happened:
The course began at 9 AM. All the ski instructors gathered with the children in Kidsland, divided them into groups, and started the session. On the first day, skill levels often vary widely, as parents' assessments don’t always match reality. We spend the morning analyzing the children's skills and then reshuffle the groups at lunchtime so everyone is in a group that suits their abilities.
We started with a simple ride up the conveyor belt, and that’s when things got interesting. One child threw up on my skis. As soon as she was back with her mom, her sister followed suit. We lost two more children by the afternoon due to stomachaches, leaving six out of the original ten.
In the afternoon, we planned to go up the mountain. That’s when the real fun began. One boy, who had been quite the loudmouth earlier, suddenly became very stubborn. After just five turns, he stopped and refused to move. Despite the other children calling for him, he wouldn't budge. I trudged back up to see what was going on, and the drama escalated quickly. He threw his skis, gloves, and even ran off. He refused every suggestion, from taking him between my legs to words of encouragement. Not even his sister, another ski instructor, or his mom, whom I called in desperation, could persuade him.
It was the valley run, so carrying him down wasn’t an option. After half an hour of his tantrum, my patience wore thin. I tried a firmer approach and took him between my legs. Just then, my boss arrived and helped guide the other children down. Despite his attempts to talk to the boy, there was no improvement. After six turns and much deliberate dropping (which endangered me as he was quite heavy), I had to call his father for assistance. The three of us took an hour to descend a path that usually takes 10 minutes.
What can I say? Preferably nothing. One thing was clear: I wasn't taking him up the mountain again. Fear is understandable, but such behavior is not. By the time I arrived in the valley at 4 PM instead of 3 PM and survived the subsequent show rehearsal and meeting, I was exhausted. I practically celebrated when I finally went to bed!
As I said, being a ski instructor is never boring. In challenging moments, focusing on the mountains and the beautiful weather makes everything more bearable.
@joanna.maass