Tom Murphy, an instructor at Crested Butte, Colo., watched as one of his clients used a walkie-talkie radio to communicate with his wife during the ski day. He asked the client how well the radio communicators worked and the two of them experimented with a pair of radios while skiing. Murphy soon purchased a set of walkie-talkies and began to use them while teaching.
A few sessions convinced Murphy that the radio communicators are best used for private lessons with intermediate and advanced students. He also doesn’t use them in a first lesson, reserving this innovation for later lessons when student and instructor know each other better. Murphy believes the radios have helped him promote not only ski school but himself as well.
Most important, Murphy’s clients have responded positively to the added personal touch of radio communicators. The quality of the radio link allows a normal tone of voice to be heard over longer distances than is possible in conventional ski lessons.
Other instructors say the headsets can be distracting so it is important to caution students to continue to watch and listen for potential hazards around them on the ski slope.
Crested Butte’s ski school director, Jean Pavillard, also tried the radios and agrees that they are most appropriate for private lessons. “Developing a rapport with the student is best done before working through the radio,” he said. “It works well to discuss a series of drills at the top of the run, then use the radio to cue the student on the way down. Prompt and direct feedback to the student eliminates the need to stop so often, allows more runs in a lesson and gives the student more opportunity for practice.”
Pavillard cautions that some students cannot use the radio communicators effectively. Some students become confused when listening while skiing and find it difficult to concentrate. “Instructors need to balance verbal instructions with silence. Talking constantly is unproductive,” he said.
The only problem Murphy had was interference from mountain operations radios. For this reason, he upgraded to multi-channel radio instead of the single-channel radio he used initially. While he was concerned about possible breakage at temperatures below zero degrees fahrenheit, he experienced no problems.
Murphy recommends the Realistic 502, a product of Radio Shack, which retails for $49.95 each or $99.90 per pair. A switchable voice actuation system allows a choice between automatic transmission, which is activated by speaking, and manual transmission, activated by pressing a button. The 502 has five channels to help avoid interference from radios in use nearby. Weighing only nine ounces, the box is approximately 3″ x 5″ x 1″ and easily fits in a pocket. The headset is light and small, and fits securely and comfortably over or under a hat. Typical transmission range is one quarter mile, although this varies with terrain and weather.
After one season of experimenting with the radios, Murphy believes he has only scratched the surface of their potential. He looks forward to discovering more applications for this teaching aid in honing his skill in using it in ski lessons. Following his example, two other instructors tried the radios and liked them enough to purchase sets and they say the one-time expense pays for itself in additional private lessons.
