Instructor rec in Catskills or Berkshires?

[pilam99]

Looking to find a good instructor for wife to take a few private lessons with this winter. She's an intermediate, looking for more rhythm and confidence to better handle variable conditions and steeper terrain.

We are in NW CT and daytrip to Hunter, Belleayre, Catamountso somewhere in that vicinity would be most convenient.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[kingslug]

Hunter has the most varied terrain.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Looking to find a good instructor for wife to take a few private lessons with this winter. She's an intermediate, looking for more rhythm and confidence to better handle variable conditions and steeper terrain.

We are in NW CT and daytrip to Hunter, Belleayre, Catamountso somewhere in that vicinity would be most convenient.

Thanks,
Mike

I know of a real good Private lesson guy. He is a member of a Catskill mountain ski school. I will check with him tomorrow and make sure he is still doing private lessons. I need to get his number too.

 

[evil]

I'm sure Bell has got good instructors however I'd like to share my experiance with the lessons there.
Basically, the rental, lesson package was what my girlfriend got her first day on ski's.
It was crowded, unorganized, and pretty much a babysitter on the snow.
This may be fine for some (not sure who) but wasn't what someone who really want's to get into the sport needs.
My girl is 32 years old and was being taught french fries and pizza!
Now, it may be different at the higher levels and I absolutely love Bell and the entire staff, but the "get em on ski's" factory really wasn't the best thing I have seen.
My 2 cents, not here to offend anyone who may work there, like I said, I love Bell, it's my favorite mtn that's quasi local for me so I'm not hating anyone.

 

[skidbump]

I'm sure Bell has got good instructors however I'd like to share my experiance with the lessons there.
Basically, the rental, lesson package was what my girlfriend got her first day on ski's.
It was crowded, unorganized, and pretty much a babysitter on the snow.
This may be fine for some (not sure who) but wasn't what someone who really want's to get into the sport needs.
My girl is 32 years old and was being taught french fries and pizza!
Now, it may be different at the higher levels and I absolutely love Bell and the entire staff, but the "get em on ski's" factory really wasn't the best thing I have seen.
My 2 cents, not here to offend anyone who may work there, like I said, I love Bell, it's my favorite mtn that's quasi local for me so I'm not hating anyone.

I believe The machine you walked into was the beginner 10$ lesson which turns out on some weekend about 500 + neverevers in batches of 10 to 20 people thru a 5 stage lesson in about 1 to 1.5 hours and is NOT the place to go if your looking for individual attention.

Eva Foster "psia level III" at Belleayre is great with any level skier.Worked with my wife in womens clinic.
JJ "yes just ask for "JJ" Is really good.Worked with me
Rich Bowie,Jack and Cathy Jordan just to name a few at belleayre.
And yes i work the area part time.

 

[evil]

ahhh, shoulda posted a question here beforehand.
no disrespect intended.

 

[Greg]

Hunter has the most varied terrain.

I don't think Hunter is the best mountain for an intermediate skier.

I would stick with the Berks - Catamount or Butternut. Butternut especially is predominantly intermediate. Jiminy might be a good option too. Don't overlook the local hills in Mohawk and Sundown either. Get her to ski as much as possible. That's easier to do staying local.

 

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

Looking to find a good instructor for wife to take a few private lessons with this winter. She's an intermediate, looking for more rhythm and confidence to better handle variable conditions and steeper terrain.

We are in NW CT and daytrip to Hunter, Belleayre, Catamountso somewhere in that vicinity would be most convenient.

Thanks,
Mike

Ask for a woman with a PSIA-E level II or III cert and I am sure that any mtn will do!
Have her talk about what fears are getting in the way of her becoming a better skier then have the instructor address them.
FYI next time post a photo of her ;P

 

[skidbump]

ahhh, shoulda posted a question here beforehand.
no disrespect intended.

None taken

 

[migs 01]

butternut. the terrain there is great to learn and practice on. Request a lesson with Ray Deverry. He is the director of training at the nut and is a wealth of knowledge. He can provide instruction on movement patterns, biomechanics, skiing theory or anything else she may want to explore. I work with him every sat and sun morning and IMO he has provided me with some of the best coaching in N.E.

 

[kingslug]

I don't think Hunter is the best mountain for an intermediate skier.

I would stick with the Berks - Catamount or Butternut. Butternut especially is predominantly intermediate. Jiminy might be a good option too. Don't overlook the local hills in Mohawk and Sundown either. Get her to ski as much as possible. That's easier to do staying local.

Hunter is a step up true but they have some good runs if you are an upper intermediate skier. Miny Konka, Hell Gate, East side drive, Huegas, Wayout, Eisenhower, all are a good step up. I took the question as she wants to step it up a notch. It's what I did after I got a little bored with Belleayre.

 

[faceplant]

lady friend of mine did womans clinic last year at bell- it was evry Wed. for intermediats- instructors name was Carolin i think- she liked her alot
Also i skied with huntr instructor Rosaria frm S America couple years back- if she teaches as good as she skis y oull be fine

 

[hrstrat57]

BEast

I would give a huge shoutout to Berkshire East.....when it is nearly all open it is a jewel of a hill....great terrain for all skill levels and nearly never crowded.

Skimangojazz is on staff there, great guy (full disclosure - ski bud of mine) you could not find anyone better for helping a low intermediate get better and more confident.....

If your wife would prefer a female coach I am sure he could hook you up there too....BEast has a great ski school.....

SMJ mostly lurks here, if you pm'd him on www.epicski.com I am sure he would help you out right away or pm him here, I can tell him to sign in and read a PM on AZ....

 

[SkiMangoJazz]

Less lurking and more posting this year. Thanks hrstrat I appreciate the compliment!

pilam99, if you do consider Berkshire East, let me know. We have excellent terrain for your wife, and you'd enjoy your time there as well. The school has some fantastic instructors as well, and I'd be happy to help you find the right one. I do love instructing intermediates, as I learned to ski in my 30's and have a great understanding for adult learners. Should she prefer a female instructor there are some great ones there as well.

 

[pilam99]

Thanks for the responses. We'll see how the snow shapes up. Belleayre is pretty convenient so we might give that a shot considering skidbumps suggestion. Also might try to fit Berkshire East in somewhere. General clarification, I'm not too concerned with terrain, she skis open groomed black runs in control but if there are moguls, ice patches, and/or a bunch of yard sales, she gets nervous and has to wait for everyone to clear out so I'd like to work on boosting her skill and confidence in tackling varried conditions. She's taken lessons with a good instructor and improved dramatically but he works at Thunder Ridge in Patterson, NY and conditions there tend to be terrible. Then she tried taking group lessons around here and UT and CO and ends up disappointed moreso because of the bozos they allow into "intermediate" adult classes. I think there just aren't enough adults taking group lessons to get the skill level resolution needed. So I figured it would be good to find a good instructor to work with one on one, much like the guy she had at Thunder Ridge.