PHOTO BY GRANT NAKAMURA
As the Children’s Coordinator for the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass, Kevin Jordan lives on the snow. But mountain biking is becoming more and more important at resorts looking to offer more in summer (and to hedge against bad snow years). That means instructors at Snowmass, where Whistler, B.C.’s Gravity Logic built a ripping new set of trails, have to start spending more time in the saddle. Now also the children’s coordinator for the bike program, Jordan took the time to take us down the resort’s trails and to fill us in on the synergy of the two disciplines.
How did you come to run the bike program at Bike Snowmass?
In 2009, a manager approached me about running the bike school. She asked if I was a biker. I answered, “Yes, I know how to ride a bike.” Thus, six years ago, I was the bike school—I taught very few bike lessons. Fast forward and we now have 22 bike pros on staff (combination of full-time and part-time) and four dedicated downhill trails. I consider myself a core DH mountain biker now.
What were some highlights from the bike season?
This season was unusually wet, which made the trails more compact and less dusty. We also just wrapped up the first ever Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Rocky Mountain mountain bike clinic. The concept was to focus on transferable skills between biking and skiing/snowboarding. It was also designed to get people out of their comfort zone and learn a new sport. That way, they can empathize with beginner skiers and riders. It was a huge success, and candidates were asking when are we going to do this next year?
I think I am a damn fine skier and biker … Why should I take a lesson?
I actually find that selling lessons in the summer is harder than the winter. People learned how to ride a bike when they were young, like at age five. Many say, “How hard can it be? I know how to ride a bike.” We are trying to get away from the word lesson and market the value of “coaching” or “guiding.” Many people love getting tips and that is what our coaches or guides can do. They can take a person’s riding to the next level whether it be downhill, cross country, or road cycling.
PHOTO BY ABBYE EAGYE
What was the hardest thing about transitioning from ski instructor to bike instructor?
For me, it was the hard skills of riding. I am still working on my cornering skills at a very high speed. But, because when I was younger, my friends and I built dirt jumps for our bikes in a under-construction housing development, I am very comfortable in the air. All the same principles of guiding and coaching transfer over. The orientation is a little different, but we relate everything back to skiing and riding. However, one big challenge for ski instructors transitioning to bike instructors is that many of them think it will be like it is in the winter. In other words, we have been doing winter operations for 50- to 60-plus years. We are only six years into the downhill bike operations. Thus, the learning curve and change can be slow. Also, the expectation that bike pros will earn as much as they do in the winter, which has a longer season and more visitation, can be a challenge. That is not to say that a bike pro is not making money. They just are not making as much as they expect to make in the winter time or they are not as busy at times as they are in the winter.
What carries over? What principles are similar in both sports?
Many things. For example, fore/aft pressure control and lateral balance are concepts we discuss in both lessons. We also talk about angulation and tipping the bike more so it can corner more effectively. There is a lot of crossover. I make a skiing or a snowboarding analogy in every clinic or private coaching session I teach.
Our beginner progression for biking is exactly the same as it is in the winter time. We introduce guests to their equipment and show them how it may differ from something they are used to (i.e. cross-country or road biking). Then we teach them how to stop and how to turn. Once they have those skills dialed, it’s time to hit the trail.
What mistakes do you see major supposedly experienced skiers and snowboarders making that they could easily fix to up their game?
I think that there are some myths out there and I like to bust them—like the television show “Mythbusters.” My favorite myth is leaning back in powder. Now, with wider and rockered skis, you do not need to do this. Even without these advances in ski design, you did not need to lean back. Instead, I teach guests to stay more centered. Sure I don’t want them levered on the front of the skis, but I also don’t want them leaning back trying to do a “wheelie” in the snow and only using the back half of the ski. They paid to rent or own their skis, they might as well use more of the length of them!
Will we be seeing more ski areas embrace biking? Why?
That is a tough question. I think it makes sense for ski areas to embrace biking, especially downhill biking. The concept is the same. Build trails and then charge your guests to use them. Plus, with a heavy downhill bike, people are more willing to pay to use the lift. However, mountain biking is a risky endeavor. Speeds can be higher than in the winter time so many resorts shy away. But, as far as I am concerned, the question really should be why not? Why wouldn’t a resort get into biking and downhill mountain biking?
