Get In Shape for the Slopes
Now that summer is fading (or spring is starting if you're in the Southern Hemisphere) it's a great time to start getting in shape for the coming winter. You want to be able to make the most of your trip, and working out now will help you look better, feel better, be able to perform better on the mountain and most importantly reduce your risk of injury.
The YES pros have been doing "dryland training" for a month already – focussing on strengthening the core, back and leg muscles in particular to help them perform better on the slopes. They are also doing regular cardio / interval training to promote overall fitness. They know from many years on the hill that being in the right shape is what will allow them to ski or ride 150+ days in a season without injury.
We are please to share with you an awesome work-out program called SKIRAD (Ski Ready and Avoid Damage) which has been put together by our friends at BackInAction Physios here in Whistler. And it's good for boarders too! You can do most of these moves at home or in your local gym, no special equipment needed (although a roller is useful for sure). Once you are familiar with these moves it should only take about 15 minutes to complete so no excuses!
You can download all the details here or check out the helpful videos here.
Should I bring my gear from home?
This is one of our most commonly asked questions – should I bring my gear from home or should I wait until I get to Whistler?
Perhaps you've seen a great deal in your local ski or snowboard store. Or you already have some gear that was perfect for you last trip when you skied in the Southern Hemisphere or Europe. Or maybe you suspect that the in-resort prices will be higher than anywhere else. You are making a significant investment in yourself with your trip to Whistler, so we strongly recommend getting the right gear to make the most of it! To do this we advise you to make your purchases here in Whistler. There are a lot of reasons for this, including making sure you have the right tools for the program you’re completing (our in-resort experts are on hand to help you out!), being able to trial equipment before you buy, and having easy access to the place you bought the boots / skis / board from if they need adjusting.
Over the years, we’ve learnt a lot about success. What it takes. What it looks like. What it feels like. In this post, we’re sharing what we've learned about the right fitting boots and how they impact your success. (For ski recommendations, see our Pros 2017/18 best picks here).
Your success is the main reason. For a good portion of this coming season, you'll be pushing your limits and perhaps pursuing your goals and dreams to be an instructor. You'll be on your skis or board and in your boots for many hours here on Whistler Blackcomb ((Yay – #1 ranked ski resort 3rd year in a row!). Without a doubt there are no shortcuts when it comes to boots. Have you ever had sore or aching feet, cold feet, numbness, or worst of all, blisters or sore shins from your boots? Or maybe you've found that your comfortable new boots need to be tightened a lot after the first week of wearing them? Then you know how this can impact both your performance and fun. You want to love the boots you are in this year!
Selecting boots is more involved than selecting skis or boards. That’s because everybody’s foot is different and everyone needs something a bit different from their boot. Once you start looking at properly at boots, (past the colours and styles!) you will see there are different widths, volumes, purposes and designs. For that reason, we have our very own resident ski boot fitting pro, Barry Allison of Skiconnexions to help you out. He’s also one of our top dogs on the hill as a Level 4 Instructor, so he knows exactly what you are experiencing!
With over twenty years of skiing and boot fitting expertise, Barry will get you into the right boot. His promise. 😉 He’ll assess your foot, help you select the boot that will fit it best, then build you a great footbed and customize your shells if necessary (BTW – it's almost always necessary!) When you’re done with the fitting process, these boots will be YOUR boots. You will guard them with your life, take them as carry-on luggage, be so dependant on them that you might forget your phone when you leave the house but not your boots! We are super happy/stoked that you chose to ski/ride with us this season. To get yourself on the right track right out of the gate, please book your boot fitting appointments, starting November 10th, via info@skiconnexions.com.
Do I really need to have my boots fitted professionally?
Boots are, by far, the most important part of your equipment.
At the beginning of every season, we see many of our clients arriving in Whistler with ski boots they’ve purchased at home, only to find out that they have a fitting issue. Of greatest concern are boots that are too big, have serious pressure points, and/or have alignment problems.
As a way to alleviate these problems, we suggest you wait until you are in Whistler to purchase new boots and get a professional fitting at Ski Connexions with Barry. As a YES Improvement ski pro, Barry knows the importance of boot fitting first hand. Your boots are the contact point between you and your skis, and good fitting boots allow you to achieve your best performance comfortably.
Barry will ensure you are in the right boot and take care of all of your fitting concerns before you even hit the snow. This will ensure that your first day in new boots is a positive experience. If any problems arise during the course of your stay, you are only steps away from the Ski Connexions workshop and Barry’s expertise.
If you have any doubt, ask the majority of Whistler’s top skiing professionals where they get their boots fit, and they will tell you: Ski Connexions!
To book an appointment for your arrival, email Barry at: info@skiconnexions.ca
Ski Instructor employment – Niseko, Japan
GO SNOW is now hiring for the 2017/2018 season! Details below…
https://www.gosnowniseko.com/careers/instructors
As a member of our Snowsports Team you will be a passionate instructor, with a commitment to providing a fun and memorable ski and snowboard experiences for our guests of all ages and ability levels.
Full Season Positions from the 1st December to April 8th
We are looking for team players! And believe this is central to our success; you are a great communicator, flexible, reliable and eager to continue learning and improving. Our instructors will work primarily in POD’s across our core programs; including Children's Programs, Adult Groups, Workshops, Private Lesson’s.
Full Season Contracts start on the 1st December and conclude on the 8th April. Lessons continue until the end of April and our instructors are welcome to continue teaching until the close of the winter season.
Qualifications and job requirements
- Level 1 APSI or equivalent snowsports certification essential
- A minimum of one full time season of teaching experience
- Be able to obtain a valid Japanese Working Visa or meet the requirements of 36 months of teaching experience for a skilled labor visa.
- Demonstrate our core values: professional, trustworthy, fair
- Patient and ability to have lots of fun
- Must have own snowsports equipment
- Maintain a reasonable level of fitness and health
- Meet our standards for our snowsports professional/appearance policy
SKI INSTRUCTOR – FULL SEASON – JAPAN
WE’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT PEOPLE AND SNOW. POWDER SUKI?
SkiJapan.com prides itself on our ability to deliver over and above expectation every time. Being snow lovers and travellers ourselves, we know what it takes to deliver the ultimate holiday experience and we want you to share in our passion for life, snow, travel and Japan!
SkiJapan.com has specialised in Japan’s best ski resorts for the past 20 years and is the largest and longest serving inbound tour operator in Hokkaido, bringing in more than 11,000 guests. With offices in Japan, Australia and Hong Kong we host guests in from all over the globe. Our main base of operations is located in the heart of popular Hirafu Niseko.
See link below for more details:
May 2017 YES NEWS
Want to know the latest news from YES headquaters?
Click here to view the latest newsletter – let us know if you have any questions.
Cheers
YES TEAM
Work in Japan!
Ski and Snowboard Instructor opportunity working for Club Med are now available – see details below.
For more information you can contact the hiring manager below.
Job Title: Ski Instructor / Snow Instructor
Employer: Club Med
Location: Tomamu / Sahoro JAPAN
Start Date/End Date: End of NOV 2017 – APR 2018
Brief Job Description: In attachment
Desired Qualifications: Ski / Snow Instructor certified + Eligible for working holiday VISA Japan (30 years or less) or a Skilled worker with over 36 months experience in ski or snow instruction.
Salary/Benefits: Depending on qualifications
More Info/How to Apply: (email address or link to a webpage) clubmedjobs.com.au ; HR.Australia@clubmed.com ; https://www.clubmed.com.au/r/
Jon Tweedlie- YES Graduate
It's been roughly four seasons since I completed the 'YES' Instructor course. Since then, I have gone on to forge a career for myself within Snowsports through Whistler Blackcomb.
I joined the YES – 11 week Snowboard Instructor course in 2013. During the course I gain my CASI Levels 1 and 2, along with the Avalanche Safety Training, AST Level 1. My riding improved so much during those 11 weeks thanks to the high standard of training I received from the YES snowboard coaches. Jaron was one of those coaches and to this day we still find time to ride together!
Since then, I have worked for Whistler Blackcomb snowboard school and continued my training towards the Level 3. This season I sat the exam for the CASI level 3 and successfully passed! I was also awarded Instructor of the Year 2016/17 from Whistler Blackcomb. Needless to say its been an incredible season.
Surreal. This is the word I use when looking back on my time with the YES Crew, making friends with people from all over the globe through my passion of playing in the mountains.
This same passion is shared by all of the 'YES' team who make you feel like family from the moment you arrive!
Do it, you won't regret it!
Jon Tweedlie
FROM YES – Its been such a cool ride watching Jon's progession in his snowboarding and as a coach. We're lucky enough to have Jon help at our YES guiding days some weeks through out the season. We wish Jon all the best with his career goals… who knows… maybe Jon will be the first ever snowboarder graduate to become a YES full time coach! Cheers Belinda
