Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Terrain Park • Avalanche Safety • Ski Patrol

Pole Plant

Term from Ski Instruction industry explained for recruiters

A pole plant is a fundamental skiing technique where ski poles are used to help with timing and balance during turns. When ski instructors mention pole planting in their resumes, they're referring to their ability to both perform and teach this essential skiing skill. It's similar to using a walking stick for balance, but in skiing, it's a dynamic movement that helps initiate turns and maintain rhythm. This skill is particularly important because it's taught at intermediate and advanced levels of skiing instruction, showing that an instructor has experience beyond teaching basics.

Examples in Resumes

Developed progression methods for teaching Pole Plant techniques to intermediate skiers

Created video tutorials demonstrating proper Pole Plant timing and placement

Led advanced group lessons focusing on Pole Plant and turn initiation skills

Typical job title: "Ski Instructors"

Also try searching for:

Alpine Ski Instructor Skiing Coach Snow Sports Instructor Winter Sports Instructor Mountain Sports Instructor

Where to Find Ski Instructors

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Online Communities

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a progression for teaching pole plant to a group of intermediate skiers?

Expected Answer: A senior instructor should describe a step-by-step approach, starting with static exercises, moving to simple drills on easy terrain, and progressing to more challenging situations. They should also mention how to adapt the teaching progression for different learning styles and skill levels.

Q: What common mistakes do you see in pole plant technique and how do you correct them?

Expected Answer: Should discuss various issues like incorrect timing, pole dragging, or overreaching, and explain different teaching methods to address each problem. Should also mention how these issues affect overall skiing performance.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you explain the importance of pole planting to students?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the concept in simple terms, using analogies and demonstrations to show how pole planting helps with timing and balance. Should also be able to explain the consequences of not using proper pole plant technique.

Q: How does pole plant timing change with different types of turns and terrain?

Expected Answer: Should explain how pole plant timing varies between short and long turns, steep and moderate terrain, and different snow conditions. Should demonstrate understanding of how to teach these variations.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic components of a proper pole plant?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the basic movement pattern: forward hand position, light touch with the pole, and proper timing with turn initiation. Should also be able to demonstrate the movement.

Q: When do you introduce pole planting to a student's progression?

Expected Answer: Should understand that pole planting is typically introduced after basic parallel skiing is established, and be able to explain why this timing is important in skill development.