By Lynnea Anderson, Deputy Director, West Region
As we continue to focus on adaptability and sustainability in the snowsports industry, it is important to think about the benefits of getting certified in multiple disciplines. We’d particularly like to highlight the important role that adaptive and freestyle programs play in developing well-rounded, better snowsports instructors. The fundamentals of good instruction apply across all disciplines, regardless of specialization.
Both freestyle and adaptive have often been regarded as highly specialized, and therefore, only serving a small segment of guests. It’s time to update that perspective. The knowledge and teaching strategies gained through adaptive and freestyle training enhance every instructor’s ability to deliver exceptional lessons across all environments and skill levels.
Participation in adaptive and freestyle events helps instructors strengthen their ability to:
● Manage hill traffic, group flow, and overall safety
● Choose terrain that supports student success and confidence
● Recognize and manage emotional or physical fear in students
● Apply empathy and motivation to create positive learning environments
● Communicate clearly—through demos or explanations, depending on the situation
● Use alternative forms of communication
● Set collaborative short- and long-term goals with students
● Adapt teaching approaches to meet individual needs
● Create novel ways of approaching lessons and sliding for our guests
● Analyze movement patterns outside traditional desired outcomes
● Focus on ski and board performance independent of “ideal movement patterns”
● Utilize terrain features and equipment in ways outside the norm to maximize student experience and growth.
Freestyle and adaptive experiences develop the communication, problem-solving, and terrain management skills that distinguish great instructors from exceptional ones. These tools help instructors engage guests in meaningful ways—on groomed runs, in the park, off-piste, or in trees—building confidence, independence, and trust.
Why It Matters for Your School
Instructors with adaptive and freestyle skills improve lesson quality, guest satisfaction, and safety outcomes. They are better prepared to manage diverse learning needs, handle variable terrain, and create student-centered lessons that encourage repeat participation.
Supporting participation in these programs also helps retain motivated, high-performing staff who are looking for meaningful professional growth opportunities beyond discipline-specific certification.
Request for Data from Your School This Season
To better understand and demonstrate the impact of these programs, we’re asking schools to share a few key data points this season:
● Staff participation in adaptive and freestyle events
● Guest feedback or return-lesson trends related to these instructors
● Staff reflections on how these skills transfer into everyday teaching
Please reach out to Lynnea Anderson, Deputy Director, West Region, landerson@thesnowpros.org.
Your feedback will help us define measurable outcomes and guide future educational priorities that strengthen both instructors and schools.
In summary, there are many benefits of certifications in multiple disciplines, and we encourage both individuals and schools to promote and participate in efforts to increase multi-disciplinary work in snowsports instruction.
