The Burden of Risk In The Teaching World and Equitable Risk Distribution

When teaching professionals hit the slopes, who bears the burden of risk? Certainly not the resorts which employ them.

As previously discussed, the only risk to the resort is when a pro is injured during the course of a lesson, or in a mandatory clinic, or perhaps in a clinic related to certification. The rest of the time, the burden falls upon the pro. If a teaching pro is hurt in any other sort of clinic, training or while free skiing for self improvement, injuries are solely the responsibility of the teaching professional.

Moreover, at some resorts, the pipe and park "pass" required to teach, or even ski in such terrain is not even covered, with resorts telling their pros that "it's up to you if you want to teach in the park."

Is that really true?

What really happens to a teaching pro who refuses such lessons?

In a best case scenario, the professional forsakes a portion of their potential income (in a declining economy). In a worst case scenario, the teaching pro is downgraded by their ski school, making them "less valuable" and possibly "expendable."

To suggest that there is no "level playing field" here would be a vast understatement.

What then is the answer? In a nutshell, an equitable distribution of the risk.

How?

Resorts need to insure their staff, provide workers compensation coverage for all time spent on snow, as well as providing a reasonable rate of show up pay so that pros have some incentive to train when work is not available.

Make the statement that you respect your teaching professionals. Such a show of respect is one avenue towards increasing ski school bookings, a large source of revenue for most winter resorts. A continued lack of respect is only likely to lead to a drop in performance and skill acquisition, promoting a further decline in revenue. Resorts, you do have a financial interest in accelerated performance; it makes money for you. In our troubled economic times, can you really afford not to look at all means of increasing revenue in ski schools?

The teaching professional puts their health on the line for you everyday; is it unreasonable for them to expect something in return?

After all, the increased financial support is still less expensive than a potential strike or a continued drop in revenue.

Be smart resorts; look at the long term implications of your current policies and make the necessary changes before you pay a price you may not expect