SnowWind
Choosing an Instructor
What to look for when choosing a ski or snowboard instructor, and what instructor certifications do and do not tell you.
5 articles
ArticlesHow to choose a ski or snowboard instructor: certifications, riding videos and the pre-lesson conversation
Principal KAKU's three steps (certification system and level, riding videos against official demos, teaching logic) plus two things to watch on lesson day.
Read →What do JSBA certifications prove? Reading the three tracks on an instructor's profile
The Badge Test, Tech Test and instructor qualifications prove three different things. On an instructor's profile, first work out which track you're reading.
Read →Why keep learning from the same snowboard instructor? 西西's monthly lessons
Every month of the season, 西西 takes lessons from the same experienced instructor. How that teacher teaches and observes, and why 西西 values sticking with one.
Read →JSBA vs CASI: what's the difference? Snowboard instructor systems compared
What do JSBA, CASI, AASI and SBINZ each emphasise? KAKU reads their instructor exams as carving, all-mountain and freestyle. A personal view, no ranking.
Read →Can a Level 1 instructor teach you well? How principal KAKU trains new instructors
Flying to Hokkaido and getting a Level 1 instructor? KAKU: they can teach beginners well if properly mentored. To learn carving, find someone who can teach it.
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