Instructor Recommendations at Sugarloaf

[bnferguson]

I asked this over at EpicSki but got no response, figured it may be a bit more appropriate over here.

Going to Sugarloaf in a couple weeks (oddly enough the same time as the AZ summit), and I'm looking for instructor recommendations. She's skied a couple times but has barely gotten off the bunny hill. She skis well enough (better than I did at that point!) but is a bit skittish after a bad fall her first day (As such she's not really enjoying it at this point).

Curious if any of you have had fantastic instructor experiences at Sugarloaf. Every level 3 I've skied with has been a joy to hang out with and I learned *a ton*. Thought about just asking for a level 3 but wasn't sure if it's appropriate for someone who's barely skied. Always prefer a referral over blind asking.

Any input would be fantastic. Thanks!

(also can't wait to get up to the loaf for the first time!)

 

[mikestaple]

I learned at the 'Loaf, but that was a few years ago. My kids (blue black skiers) took boarding lessons this January and had a great time. (But, that's not what you are really asking).

My overall experience there is the instructors are great. They got my 4 year old off the tip clip and easily running down the main greens.

Get a private lesson or two and advancement will come quickly.

 

[Bumpsis]

My experience with Sugarloaf's ski school is less than satisfactory, however, my comments pertain only to our kids' lessons and even that goes back about 3 years back. We put our two boys in for the group lessons and they both really did not like it, nor did they learn much of anything.
According to them, there really wasn't much of any intstuctions going on and the lesson was more akin to just babysitting with skis on.
The kids were just following the instructor on various trails and that's about it. Maybe this is some kind of a new program, but even after 3 lessons, the kids did not feel like they were getting much out of it and in their words, "they hated it".

Things may have changed a bit, but may be not. I did notice one scene from a lesson that made me think that someting just wasn't right. I saw one instructor, just flying down, carving happy turns, while a group of kids was way behing him, left in the dust, just struggling through their turns. It was obvious that there was a serious dispartity between the group's level of abilty and what the instructur was perhaps trying to show them. Given the distance that he put between himslef and his group, I doubt they could see much of anything.

My advice would be to spend more money (if feasable) and get a private or semi private lesson. This way you get much better attention and you'll progress much faster. I'm sure that there are some competent instructors who can be of great help if you get a private lesson.

 

[Skimaine]

You may want to cross post on the unofficial Sugarloaf chat. Find them at sugarloaftoday.com. I have used Matt Tinker for a few years and found him outstanding. He would be great however there maybe other instructors who would be a better fit for the skiers level and goals.

 

[bnferguson]

Things may have changed a bit, but may be not. I did notice one scene from a lesson that made me think that someting just wasn't right. I saw one instructor, just flying down, carving happy turns, while a group of kids was way behing him, left in the dust, just struggling through their turns. It was obvious that there was a serious dispartity between the group's level of abilty and what the instructur was perhaps trying to show them. Given the distance that he put between himslef and his group, I doubt they could see much of anything.

My advice would be to spend more money (if feasable) and get a private or semi private lesson. This way you get much better attention and you'll progress much faster. I'm sure that there are some competent instructors who can be of great help if you get a private lesson.

Yeah my experience with group lessons is similar, just not worth it when comparing them to private lessons. There's always a bit of distance between where you're at and the other guys. You do a drill and don't get much personal feedback. You really feel like you're just getting a bunch of drill you may or may not be doing right. Where with private it was the opposite of all of this. Direct feedback on what you're doing, if you're drilling they give personal feedback and adjustments. Overall I've always ended up learning so much more in even a 1 hour private lesson over group lessons.

Actually my wife took a group lesson and it was borderline worthless as far as progress went. She progressed faster than the rest of the group and the instructor at the end of the lesson was still reviewing the beginning of the lesson with some other students. Not the instructor's fault at all (he was great), just the way of things. Sometimes I'm surprised instructors don't get more money for group considering the difficulty in teaching a large group over a one on one.

So yeah, private is definitely the way to go. Just a matter of who (since I've had instructors that I didn't like being around for an hour much less 3 and others I could ski everyday with. Just great guys on top of being great instructors).

 

[bnferguson]

You may want to cross post on the unofficial Sugarloaf chat. Find them at sugarloaftoday.com. I have used Matt Tinker for a few years and found him outstanding. He would be great however there maybe other instructors who would be a better fit for the skiers level and goals.

Oh good call, I didn't know about that place. Thanks!

 

[darent]

check out rocky at the ski school for a recommendation for a instructor,also afternoon lessons are less crowded and you can end up being the only student in your class. rocky or gary would be good for a private

 

[dl]

Lani Tapley is one of their best. He's also a PSIA examiner for what it's worth.

 

[bnferguson]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Called about Lani today (as he's come up a couple times in searching) won't know if she can get in with him until this weekend. If that's a no go, Matt Tinker (with Rocky and Gary certainly next) is probably my next due to being on the Dev team for the east and also coming up a few times. Stuff like dev team and examiner has been pretty good to me in the past (best lesson I've ever had was a guy on the Ed (or was it dev?) team for the midwest). Such may be overkill for a beginner but I think L3s and examiners have a remarkable amount of context, polish, and experience that makes learning soooo much easier than the typical beginner lesson you end up with on mountain - so if I'm paying for a private might as well have one of the best?

Anyway, can't wait to see how it works out for her. My private lessons were breakthrough lessons for me, hopefully it'll be the same for her.

 

[bigbog]

Where there's ample amount of fall-line mixed in with flats...she'll come away with some answers...
Most of em' are out on the mountain most of the day too = ...as you know, most of us have picked up skills by just observing good skiers.

$.01

 

[bnferguson]

Where there's ample amount of fall-line mixed in with flats...she'll come away with some answers...
Most of em' are out on the mountain most of the day too = ...as you know, most of us have picked up skills by just observing good skiers.

$.01

We tried that and came away with "Ow my knee". Hahah.

Time on snow solves much to be sure but right now there isn't much desire to even be on the snow due to apprehensions. Hoping 2-3 hours with a great skier who can give great feedback will help.

 

[bigbog]

..;-), Not suggesting dissing the lessons, just that improvement after a lesson isn't a push-button thing that automatically happens..after day#1. Just that the Whiffletree area is a smooth begining area...and everything else adds a little more pitch.. ..but to agree with the previously mentioned..I've had the experience of an "advanced" wanna-be slalom expert teaching me years ago...NOT good!. Quite a few really good women skiers... **I think that's her best route....women learn quicker from women...imho.

SteveD

 

[bnferguson]

Yeah I agree certainly not expecting everything resolved after a couple hours - or even lots of progress right after a lesson. My biggest hope for her is confidence enough to enjoy being out there again (her first day she was amazing - just one nasty knee popping backwards twisting fall and the day was over).

As for the woman instructor, I asked her which she'd prefer. She said "guy".

 

[Skimaine]

Let us know how you make out. By the way, Tinker is a quintessential Maine Guide and therefore a perfect gentleman.

 

[bnferguson]

Let us know how you make out. By the way, Tinker is a quintessential Maine Guide and therefore a perfect gentleman.

With the wife being a native Mainer (and her family's history in Maine going back to immigration at that) that means a lot. Damn you gotta make this stuff harder don't ya?


(I like to think I get in to Mainerdom via marriage. I think it works that way for Hoosiers so why not? =D)

 

[bnferguson]

Just as a final update: Lani was perfect. She had a fantastic time with him, pacing was perfect, and 2 hours was the perfect amount of time for her. The next day she went out and was amazing and had a great time.

She's completely hooked now and can't wait for next season (or for the next time she can take a lesson with Lani). =D

Thanks for all of the recommendations!