THE QUESTION: “I’m going to teach my partner how to ski. Do you have any tips?” It’s no secret that the cost of skiing can be prohibitive, and to no one more so than beginners. Rentals, ski gear, lift tickets all add up before even hitting a lesson or three. Some resorts have done well to address this issue in recent years, coming up with creative and affordable lesson packages to court this vital crowd, and others have not. So, when our Spy proposed this plan to teach a friend how to ski in lieu of a lesson, these ski areas missed an opportunity to tout the merits of their discounted lesson packages—surely there are some. This begs the question: Do ski area staffers know about their resort’s lesson programs? Do they know what those programs entail? Not everyone is a ski instructor, of course, so not everyone can offer good tips on what to teach a new skier, as one of the ski area’s chatbot did. But they can at least be helpful and patient with the caller (looking at you, Colorado dudes—do better).
Been asked an interesting question this season? Send it to jordyn@saminfo.com for the Spy to pose to other mountains! We won’t tell anyone the question came from you. Plus, if we use it, your resort will be immune for that issue.
MOUNTAIN 1, CO
to the left it will get harder that way. SAM: Great. So, we won’t really get stuck in some hard runs if we keep to the easier side. Staff: Exactly! SAM: And is there a certain day you recommend us going? Staff: I would stay away from weekends and weekday evenings, if pos- sible. If you can make a weekday work, I would recommend coming in the middle of the day ( sincere ). SAM: And if we can’t make a weekday work, would it be a little crazy for them to learn on a weekend? Staff: It is quite busy on some weekends, but you should be fine. SAM: OK. Thank you. Staff: Yep, have a good one! Score: 7 Comment: Hey, she was easy to talk to and friendly. I did have to nudge for a bit more detail, but she was helpful and knew a thing or two about the hill. That said, after this call I asked the website’s chatbot the same question and it prompted me with a lot of good tips, such as: Start with the basics, such as stance and balance, to ensure they feel comfortable on the skis; and emphasize safety awareness, including slope etiquette and avoiding common skiing injuries. So, AI can teach skiing now.
First Contact: Male. SAM: Stated question.
Staff: I guess my tip would be getting a lesson instead ( annoyed ). SAM: OK. Those just tend to get expensive, and I’m worried that it will cost too much overall for us to go ski. Staff: Yeah, but sometimes it is worth it. SAM: If we don’t do lessons is there a certain area on the hill that you would recommend for us? Staff: I guess just stick with the green and blue runs. SAM: OK… is there any specific trail you would recommend? Staff: No, we only have a handful of green runs so just stick with those. SAM: Alright. Staff: Anything else? SAM: No, I guess that’s it. Thanks. Staff: Yep, goodbye. Score: 2 Comment: Here’s my tip: be more helpful. Lessons are expensive at this place, so if you’re not going to try and justify why it would be worth it to get one, at least recommend a particular trail instead of just opining.
MOUNTAIN 2, MN
MOUNTAIN 3, CO
First Contact: Female. SAM: Stated question. Staff: Uh, I guess I don’t have any tips… SAM: Is there a certain spot on the mountain that you would recom- mend? Staff: I would definitely recommend starting over on our bunny hill. That’s going to be when you are looking at the hill, the far right. There is a magic carpet to take up. SAM: Oh, OK. Staff: Yeah, I would start over there ( excited ) and then looking at our hill the rightest side of our hill is going to be easier and then as you go
First Contact: Male. SAM: Stated question. Staff: I would reach out to ski school; I can transfer you. SAM: I’m not sure if we want to take lessons. They may cost too much for us, and I’m a decent skier so I figured I could teach. Staff: I understand ( sincere ). SAM: Is there a certain area on the hill that would be best for us? Staff: Yes, the bunny hill ( frustrated ). SAM: Does that have a magic carpet? Staff: Yes, a covered one. SAM: If they evolve quickly off the magic carpet, are there good places
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