How to Pick a Mountain Bike Coach: A Guide for Beginners
If you’ve followed my Chronicles of a Newbie Mountain biker, you probably know that learning a new (and, according to some insurance companies, “extreme”) sport at 47 terrifies the bejeezus out of me! If you aren’t caught up, go to my Mountain biking hub page by clicking here to see the latest installment of how I made a fool of myself this month! So today, I’m going to give you some advice on How to Pick a Great Mountain bike instructor!
My very first mountain biking experience left me gasping for air trying to get up a hill that a kindergartener could have easily sledded down. Naturally, I knew lessons were going to happen. After now having at least eight different coaches across four different states, I’ve developed some very strong opinions (read: stubbornly implanted platitudes about which I am 1,000% certain I’m right and you’re wrong if you disagree). Oh, and if you haven’t read about my First Mountain biking lessons – click here to check that out!
It’s no secret that I value education. I’m a PADI IDC Staff Instructor (meaning I help teach the teachers to dive) and a PSIA-certified Ski Instructor. I was a lead teaching assistant at Cornell when I was in college. This isn’t just to brag (okay, maybe a little), but to highlight that I’ve actually studied learning models and instructional systems. From my perspective, good education has a methodology, and a good teacher adapts their lessons to the student’s learning style.
So, here’s my guide on what to look for in a mountain biking coach and how to find one who will actually help you get better.
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1. Look for a Good Communicator.
The first thing I’ll tell you how to pick a mountain bike coach is that none of what I’ve learned from my mountain biking coaches was intuitive. I wouldn’t have just magically gotten it on my own.
Sometimes, a lot of coaches are just good mountain bikers—not necessarily good teachers. They can show you what to do, but they can’t tell you why you’re doing it.
The best coaches can translate complex movements into a language you understand. They’ll use analogies, simple phrases, and a variety of teaching methods to make sure the concept clicks. Find a coach who can communicate with you in a language you understand.
One of my favorite Coaches was Coach Tony at Killington. (You can read all about my Killington Adventures buy clicking here). What made Coach Tony so effective is that he is an AASI Snowboard instructor examiner. So even though I’m a ski instructor, he knew my lingo and was able to relate mountain bike lessons and learning to ski instructing. He used terms like “fore/aft pressure control, bike/body separation, side to side pressure control, and fundamental skills. These wouldn’t work for everyone, but they worked for me. We spoke the same language!
2. Find One Who Understands an Instructional System.
When I teach a ski lesson, everything I do progresses from easiest to hardest, from the movement pattern to the terrain we do it on. Each step builds on the last.
I do this because I follow an instructional system designed by professionals at PSIA who have centuries of collective experience and Ph.D.’s in designing training systems. I don’t, but they taught it to me.
Likewise, a good mountain bike coach knows that proper movement patterns are the key to long-term success. They aren’t just teaching you a “hodgepodge” of personal knowledge; they are teaching you an established system that will allow you to learn more advanced skills later. When you pick a mountain biking coach, look for one who follows a recognized instructional system – or at least understands and values such systems!
Do you necessarily need a “certified” instructor? No. I had a coach in Pennsylvania who wasn’t certified but was a real-life flight instructor who loved mountain biking. He was a great coach. But is that the exception to the rule? Likely. Certification is a shortcut to finding someone who has not only been examined on their riding ability but also on their teaching ability. So, look for a PMBIA Certified Coach. Or, alternatively, a BICP Certified Coach. I’ve had both and both were fantastic – so I make no judgment right now as to the certifications systems.
3. Find a Coach That Listens to You.
This is critical when picking a moutnain biking coach/instructor. If a coach doesn’t ask within the first few minutes, “What are your goals?” or “What would you like to accomplish today?”—fire them. Right then. You are largely wasting your time.
I have found that some coaches don’t understand that the lesson is about you getting better at what you want to learn, not what they want to teach. If you want to get better at jumps but all your coach wants to do is practice berms, well, you should find a different coach. The lesson is your money and your time, and it should be about your goals.
The truth is many coaches who teach what they want to teach because they aren’t well rounded riders (see the pun?) or they don’t have the skill set. I had one coach was was a phenomenally accomplished racer. But all he wanted to teach me was how to get more speed going downhill. I’m 47. I don’t want to learn how to get more speed. I want to learn how to friggin’ stop!!!!
When I’m teaching a ski lesson, whether to a newbie or an intermediate, I always ask them their goals. And my lesson plan is always working toward their goals. If they ask me “why are we doing this” I can explain in a matter of a few steps how what they are presently doing builds to them accomplishing their ultimate goal.
Mountain bike lessons shouldn’t be any different.
4. Find a Coach Who Is a Coach, Not a Guide.
Alright, what’s a blog post without one horror story? Horror may be overstating it, but let’s call it an expensive lesson that has left me angry to this day.
At a major resort, I once spent $250 for a two-hour lesson with a “guide” who informed me early on that he wasn’t an instructor. At one point, he was even asking me for advice on his form. Seriously? You sent me out with a dude for $125 an hour whose qualification is that he could read a trail map on a resort where there are only like 20 trails….. And I paid for that. Two days in a row because I had already prepaid!!!! Seriously??????
The point is: don’t assume expensive means good, or that a major resort will send you out with a good coach. Ask about their expertise and their riding history. Ask what makes them qualified for you to spend $125 an hour on their services. I know that seems rude – but think of it this way. $125 is $1,000 a day without tip! For $1,000 a day, you better bringing your A-game and you best not be asking me for advice.
5. Group vs. Private Lessons.
I say this like its a choice. But be ready. It may not be! Many resorts simply don’t have the guests numbers necessary to have many instructors on staff. So you may have only group or only private options.
When you book a lesson, you typically have two options: group or private.
- Group Lessons: These are a more affordable way to learn and a great way to meet other riders at a similar skill level. You learn from others’ successes and mistakes and can have some fun social interaction.
- Private Lessons: While more expensive, a private lesson is all about you. The coach can focus on your specific weaknesses and tailor the lesson to your exact goals. If you’re looking for focused, rapid progress, this is the way to go.
6. Cost and Value.
Cost and value is a bit hard to predict because its individualized…. Generally larger resorts/bike parks are going to charge more money. And as we saw above, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.
A single lesson can cost anywhere from $100 to over $300 for a half-day. This might seem like a lot, but I encourage you to think of it as an investment. A proper lesson can save you from a costly injury, a broken bike part, or simply weeks of frustrated riding. Knowing you are doing something “right” because an actual expert tells you that you are helps reduce fear and accelerates your learning. It also allows you to progress your riding to more challenging and difficult terrain and features as an instructor has evaluated you and believes you can competently ride the trail or feature. No guessing. To me – that’s money well spent!
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Other Mountain biking Wisdom!
Make sure to check out my Mountain biking Hub page by clicking here! There you will find trip reports, Chronicles of a Newbie Mountain biker, and all my latests posts! Here’s more wisdom and advice – most of it learned the ahrd way!
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Starting mountain biking later in life is a complete mental and physical exodus. Learn how to navigate the learning curve and find your flow on trail.
My First Mountain Bike Lessons: From Terrified to Trail-Worthy
Learning to Mountain bike as a 47 year old newbie has its challenges! These are my takeaways after my first mountain biking lessons!
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I started writing this blog as a way to capture the adventurous and free lifestyle I’m privileged to live. I’ve traveled to over 28 countries and 35 U.S States. I’ve lived aboard in multiple countries and averaged over 100 days a year of travel for work. I’ve skied and hiked all over the world – and my new obsession is mountain biking.
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