One-Man Show in Washington
Currently, Mohan is director of the ski and snowboard school at Ski Acres and also directs a private program called Northshore Skiing and Snowboarding, which provides busing, lessons and events for students in grades 1 to 12. Between the two programs, Mohan estimates that he teaches 2,500 kids and 1,000 adults per week.
The programs usually run from six to eight weeks (however, single-day or single-lesson packages are also available) for all ability levels, but the main emphasis is on the learn-to-ski/snowboard programs. To help with the monumental task, Mohan employs a staff of 400 teachers, 325 of whom are instructors and another 75 are teaching cadets.
For Mohan, the right instructor is the difference between a lifetime skier and a one-timer. “Teaching is the key,” Mohan claims. “It doesn’t matter what the ability level of the instructor is because that can be taught. What matters most is how a person teaches.”
The second key to success for Mohan is going directly to the schools and to the community and inviting people to ski. Each year, Mohan puts on about 40 presentations at local schools, churches and businesses where he not only conveys the excitement of winter sports, but also offers full packages in which all that is needed is to show up, giving people no excuse not to try it.
Also in the program is an orientation for never-evers. The first outing or portion of the lesson is spent learning the lay of the land at Ski Acres, such as where the lodges are, where the ski patrol is and where to find the bathrooms. Next, students are familiarized with the Skier’s Responsibility Code and lastly, they are introduced to their ski or snowboard equipment. A good start for what could be a lifetime passion.
