James Long

Where

Originally from the hot and humid sub-tropics of Brisbane, Australia; James has ten seasons teaching experience spanning the past decade.

He has previously taught in Banff, Hotham, Verbier, Niseko and Park City. He is certified through both the Canadian (level 3 CSIA) and Australian (level 4 APSI) systems. He has also been involved with the APSI as a level 2 trainer and examiner.

Why

James didn’t actually intend to be an instructor, in fact, he hated lessons as a child. Gaining his instructor qualifications was a means to getting into ski racing. An honest conversation with a race club director, highlighting the costs involved, scuppered his ambitions. Ironically however, he realised he actually really enjoyed ski teaching. The delight of seeing his guests improve, and the positive impact they experienced had him hooked.

How

James started his budding ski journey at the age of four, going one week a year to the New Zealand ski fields until the age of eight. He skied with his parents and their friends as the lone child in their posse. A Christmas conversation in 2011, with said skiing friends expressing their ‘disappointment’ he never made anything of his skiing abilities lit a fire. He finished his university degree in 2013, quit his corporate job and flew to Canada to complete his early instructor qualifications.

Coaching Philosophy

Accurate questions underpin a successful lesson. They form the basis for lesson planning, engender insight for both parties, and accelerate the learning process.

Thereafter, active listening is an understated skill that is equally absolutely foundational to delivering a memorable lesson product. Paraphrasing, seeking clarity, deferring assumptions and being attuned to a guest’s emotional state are a part of this.

Embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. Really deep learning comes from guided trial and error. Most of all, have fun.