SPRING 2026
Snow
The Official Publication of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Eastern / Education Foundation
ZIPPERLINE Walking the Talk—Why Accurate Movement Patterns Matter By Keri Reid Eastern Director of Education and Programs
A
s snowsports instructors, we are visual communicators first. Long before a student fully processes our words, they are watching us. Studying us. Trying to match what they see to what they feel. And whether we realize it or not, our movement patterns often carry more weight than our explanations. That’s where the gap can show up. Many of us are highly capable skiers and riders. We can navigate terrain, manage speed, and adapt to conditions in ways that reflect years of experience. But the ability to get down the hill is not the same as the ability to demonstrate ideal movement patterns—and that distinction matters. Aligning Movement with Intent It’s entirely possible to ski or ride at a high level while relying on movement patterns that don’t align with what we’re trying to teach. In alpine, a common example is a sequential release of the skis into the new turn when demonstrating parallel skiing. While functional, it doesn’t reflect the more accurate and effective model of a simultaneous release, which supports higher-level development and cleaner turn mechanics. In snowboarding, we might see an up-release where the body moves away from the equipment and uphill. Ideally, we want to see the center of mass move downhill—regardless of whether the edge change is created through extension, flexion, or retraction. These aren’t inefficient movements in all contexts—but when they don’t match our stated intent, they can create confusion. The Message We Send When our demonstrations don’t align with what we’re asking students to do, we run the risk of creating doubt. Students, especially those who rely heavily on visual cues, may notice the disconnect. And when they do, it can erode trust: • Am I doing what they asked? • Why doesn’t it look like what they explained? • Which one is correct? Developing relationships based on trust is one of our People Skills fundamentals. As instructors, one of our goals is to establish genuine rapport to make students feel comfortable, confident, and safe. Consistency between our words and our movements builds confidence.
Photo by Mike Innes
The Work Behind Accurate Demonstrations Accurate demonstrations don’t happen by accident. It takes time on snow with intention. It takes a willingness to receive and process feedback. And it often takes time off snow too – building the strength and mobility to access the movements we’re asking others to make. Being able to demonstrate accurate movement patterns is, in many ways, a reflection of where we are in our own development. It defines the zone in which we are most effective as educators. If you get a chance for some laps in the coming months or next season, make a simple check: does what I show match what I say? Ask a trusted peer, trainer, or education staff member to watch a run, or have someone capture a quick video and compare your intent to what actually shows up: “I’m aiming to demonstrate X movement pattern – do you see that in my skiing/riding?” At its core, this is about credibility. When what we say matches what we show, we’re walking the talk. Our demonstrations reinforce the message— and learning accelerates. << inside XX-Ploring KB’s Corner View from the Chair Around the East Kids. Kids, Kids Absolutely AASI Adaptive Airtime
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