The End of the Season and Lessons I learned…

As I sit in my office looking out the window, the ski hill is closed for the season.  I am filled with joy for having the whole season this year and looking forward to a new season of adventures.  First, I’d like to reflect on the ski season I had. 

At the beginning of the season, I was quite sad because I hadn’t been hired back to the ski school.  With Covid-19 our hill only hired 15 people and being a rookie with only one casual year under my belt, I wasn’t one of them.  I was really looking forward to working towards my Level 3 teach exam with the guidance of our awesome trainers.  I did have some hope though because one trainer wanted to continue training us even though we weren’t working at the ski school.  Then, that was taken away as well.  It was all in the name of safety for staff during covid 19, which I totally understand.  Luckily, there were some other staff members and not hired back staff members that helped train each other.  The silver lining is I made new friends and became a member of the ski school clan.  These were people who showed up to help me practice my teaching when they didn’t have to, gave me advice and cheered me on.  They helped to build my confidence going into exams again. 

At the end of January, I was suppose to have a three day course on advanced teaching.  Again, covid got in the way and it was cancelled.  I still had my friends to help me move forward and I used them to practice.  I took the exam in early February.  There was 30cm of new snow and only 1 groomed run we could use to get performance skiing, so to speak.  I thought I had a great lesson.  It’s the first time I felt like I really had a chance.  At the end of the day, I assessed wrong and didn’t pass.  After speaking with the evaluators, for the first time, I got feedback that I understood.  I called that progress.  I needed to work on my assessment skills and come back.  I was disappointed that I didn’t pass yet again, but I knew I was getting better.  I thought about just waiting until next year to try again, but my friends talked me in to one more before the end of the season. 

I spent hours looking at ski film on youtube, watching training videos and trying to pick up on assessment cues.  I practiced and was getting a bit better with each lesson.  Then it came time for the test once again.  I had hard snow this time at least, and a great group that shared lots of laughs.  I started off my exam and as I moved through it, thought I was getting the results I needed.  It turns out that I still need some work.  Cause and effect, objective vs. outcome, this is what I need to work on.  I was a bit devastated but my pitty party didn’t last long. 

Here is what I am taking out of this year about my journey to becoming a level 3 instructor.  Firstly, earning that designation is hard.  It is a journey and not a simple little test that anyone can pass.  Secondly, having trainers to help you is key.  If you cannot get the help you need, it’s challenging to train yourself using the internet.  Some probably can do it, not this girl, and that’s ok.  I’ve learned I need to use my voice and ask for help from those who know more than me.  This can be a tough lesson for people to learn, and I feel fortunate to have learned its importance.  This road has been longer than I would have liked, but it is what it is.  I have gained new friends, new determination, a knowingness of what I want to accomplish and a drive to finish it and then keep going further.  Sometimes the toughest roads can lead you to the greatest places. 

So, as I reflect, I can say it was a great season.  I skied over 100 days for the first time ever!  I saw myself grow and become a better version of me and I saw a woman who finally knows she is going to keep moving forward for herself and go after what she wants for the first time in a long time.  That’s growth! I am saddened that I will not be buckling up my boots for another day on snow and I will not see the happy faces of those sliding down the hill, but I hope to see those happy faces doing other things in the next three seasons to come!  I encourage you to look back at your season and find something good to come out of it.  Think of something to look forward to next season, I know I am looking forward to many exciting opportunities for next season.  I hope to see you out there!