*help*Whistler Bike Guide*help*

[dishboy14]

Hello,

I am not here to brag or boast..... I went through my first interview for the bike guide at Whistler last week. There is a course I need to do, it is the Whistler Bike Guide course, and this will act as my second interview. There are three dates offered for the course May 28-29, June 4-5, and June 11-12; there is a maximum of 10 people per date so total of 30 people max. There is a total of 10 posisitions they need to fill; this means I have a 1 in 3 chance of getting this job. I would like to know what the course is going to consist of and any other major things I should know. Thank you for your time, any help would be great. :dizzy:


David

[patrolskid]

hey dishboy , good luck . . . . probably the most important thing is how you treat people . teaching skills is important , but how you handle all types of people , all types of skill determines what kind of coach you will be .
you can be the greatest rider in the world , but if you are an asshole , who is going to want to learn from you . remember , by and large the type of people you will be working with are beginners or intermediates .
it's like teaching skiing , and as jim mcconkey ( old ski legend , who can still turn 'em ) used to say " yer like hookers , yer sellin' fun " . . . .

[whistler110]

" yer like hookers , yer sellin' fun " . . . .

:lol: Nice!

Teaching will be important but only basic skills, nothing hard. How you deal with people and group management ie. do you stand around talkng or do you keep everyone moving. Safety and risk management is huge. Then a good knowledge of the park and the valley (lost lake type stuff). Basic mechanical ability, can you change a DH tire?

[v 10 rider]

get along well with the guys at G1, you'll be standing there lots

[dishboy14]

So the course will just show how I can teach my basic skills?...... I currently live in Cranbrook BC and havn't ridden whistler, but I will have June 10 to ride the hill and memorize the trails and the hill... I am taking the course on June 11 and 12... If there is any one who can show me the hill on the 10th it would be really awesome... I ride a 2003 Banshee Scream with 2005 888RC.... Is there any thing else I should know, if so just post it.. any help at this time would be awesome! :dizzy:

PS what is G1.... wow I feel stupid... Also when I did my first interview the interviewer did know that I lived in Cranbrook and that I havn't ridden the hill.. If I do get the job I will spend a few days at the hill befor I start work just to get in the groove of Whistler... thanks again.. remember any help is great! One last thing what is a teaching method that seems to work best with most people. Is there any that will put me ahead of the other people that are going going for the job..

I have advanced bike repair skills... I can rebuild any part of bike... forks, breaks, put in tubes... I can do it all... it wont be a problem...

[Chief]

wow i would recomend taking one of the canadian coching courses teaches you all the stuff you need about teaching sports im surprissed that whistler dosnt require that course since from what ive seen to coach most sports you need it

[dishboy14]

They recomended it.... it wasn't a must... I know people who teach skiing and they just get there level one ski instructor from the local hill... Kimberley resort.. they are owned by RCR which also owns Lake lousie, Fernie and other big resorts... Any one else care to help me out.. Thanks for all the support so far

[dishboy14]

I live in a small town.. The course is offerd in Calgary, but that is 5 hours away, but that is life...

[Straw]

I'd say a friendly demeanor and a big smile will get you a long way.

G1 is what they call the bike shop at the bottom of the hill. I think it's a derivative of Glacier Shop. I've never worked for the mountain, so I don't really know for sure. There are a few of them, so it's just easier to say G1 or G2 or whatever.

In the winter, all the ski and snowboard school guys chill at the base of the mountain near G1, waiting to get called to teach a lesson. In the summer, I assume the system is the same.

When you get on the mountain, check out the Joyride Drop and Jump park. You can kill alot of time there, as there's different levels of drops to take your clients off, and progressively bigger jumps to let them hit too. Good for progression.

I'd be careful...most first year guides don't get huge hours. If the park is busy, you'll be busy. But if not, then you're not. I know Park guides that worked a couple jobs, to take them through the lean times.

So yea. Smile and be friendly!

[dishboy14]

Thanks so much straw Dog! Is there any one on the Forum who works there that could help me out.. Alrite I will look into a secound job to fill in the slow times... Does any one else have any advice.... Also is there any one who would like to ride with me on the 10th of june! Any help would be SO awesome!!! I dont care what level of riding you are at... as long as you can show me the hill

[whistler110]

G1 stands for Gondola 1, there is a G2,G3, and G4. They are the bullwheels on the Village Gondola but everyone refers to the building at the bottom as G1. G1 has the Gondola, rentals, Guest relations and Ski School sales in it. The guides hang out around G1 rentals to help organise and get work.

Don't worry about what to teach, the course is there to teach you that stuff, but it won't be in depth so some teaching experience is recommended. The important trails to learn are EZ does it and B-Line. This course is for guiding low level tours so no instruction or high end knowledge is required. All new staff start out with beginner tours.

As said some teaching or guiding background is highly recommended, something like the National Coaching Certification Program, Canadian Mountain Bike Instructor Certification, or even ski/snowboard instruction will help.

When you arrive in Whistler check in with the guide supervisor and you might be able to shadow a tour if it is not too busy.

[motorp]

Dishboy, bring a possitive attitude and the rest you will learn. Alot of it is group management and common sense stuff. It is a great course taught by great guys with a lot of experience. You will have fun, guaranteed.

[upandown]

Gotta deal for ya Dishboy. I love riding all the trails on whistler, from b-line to clownshoes, but I need someone to have a look at my cornering. If you want to practice some coaching, I'll show you 'round the mountain. drop me a PM


:agree:

[dishboy14]

Thanks so much!!!! Hope to see you around Whistler this summer

[Dantes Inferno]

I helped teach groms to ride in squamish in a program called "rippen riders". This was by no means too difficult or significant like what u are doing, but i found being funny was a big help. and doing sweet jumps (in moderation so u dont hurt yourself and cant get them out if they hurt themselves.) It also helped me with my techy skills, i would ride behind them sometimes very slow and track stand because they always get off their bikes to inspect the terain, then say they cant because their shock is too stiff.

[Troup]

Don't argue with the boss (he's always right:))
Be nice and friendly and make sure you know those trails!
If you give a brief description of yourself and your bike we might spot you up on the mountain...Good Luck!

[dishboy14]

2003 Banshee Scream with 2005 888RC... Rear double track and front DX-32...2.7 Maxxis mobster rear ...2.6 Kenda front... I will put the pic in here....

I am six feet tall... I am like a bean pole.... tall and skinny... Blue Giro helmet... Red and silver Sombrio jersey.. black and yellow foxs shorts.. brown etnie shoes... I dont mind what level you are at.. I just love to ride and hang out....

http://photo.pinkbike.com/photo/465/pbpic465393.jpg

[Straw]

G1 stands for Gondola 1, there is a G2,G3, and G4. They are the bullwheels on the Village Gondola but everyone refers to the building at the bottom as G1. G1 has the Gondola, rentals, Guest relations and Ski School sales in it. The guides hang out around G1 rentals to help organise and get work.


Thanks...I never knew it meant Gondola Bullwheels!

[dishboy14]

Any one want to hook up on the 10th of June?