All downhill from here

A ski instructor builds rapport and discovers the value of relating unconditionally

By Ute Kulzinger

The breathtaking feeling of downhill skiing won me over early in life; I put on a pair of skis at age three. What still fascinates me is controlling my speed, the techniques used in different snow conditions, experiencing nature in winter and the fact that conditions constantly change.

I have been sharing these feelings with others for about 8 years. I found that being a ski instructor gives me a wonderful chance to establish a personal rapport with everyone and help them grasp what lies beyond mere ski technique.

My first task is to facilitate a rapport among students and with me. Often the students spur each other on and mutually enjoy what they are doing,
resulting in quicker learning.

How to keep 10 beginners enthusiastic in the midst of a snowstorm? How to make a stubborn three-year-old understand he needs to brake? In the morning there were 3–6 year olds, and in the afternoon I gave private lessons to adults of all ages, backgrounds, languages and skill levels.

Children learn through observation and imitation, not only from the ski instructor but also from their classmates. The tactic is different with adults: first they want and need to understand the technique, then they try the movements.

What to do with a group of sporty teens in the densest fog? Skiing slowly would be too boring. So the one with the most colorful ski suit goes to the back of the line and signals us if anyone is missing.

Oftentimes I only know the student’s name. Other times, I get to know their profession, and I ask myself if I should use different approaches for a pianist or priest, a businessman or lawyer. I don’t think that it makes a difference. I realized, in fact, that what counts is to give them access to the sport,
smoothing their way through my experience.

This year I spent a week with a group of 25 young people skiing in the Abruzzi region in central Italy. They were already friends, and it was like spending the week with one big family.

Twelve were totally green to the sport. It seemed impossible for me to teach them all at once; the group was too big, and the 12–17 age difference was too wide a gap. Yet it went well. No one was left behind, and they all learned to ski confidently and quickly down the run.

The people in the group supported each other, and they were not so interested in their personal achievements because they wanted everyone to learn. The older members of the group did exercises designed for the younger ones, who in turn kept up with the program without asking for special breaks.
No one learned less than any of the others.

I saw that if the members of a group not only adapt to a new situation but also relate unconditionally to others, high achievements can be reached, both in mastering the sport and in interpersonal relationships.

Ute Kulzinger teaches downhill skiing in Augsburg, Germany. sportmeet.org