Improving technology in the ski market is what makes skiing such a fun and enjoyable sport. Each and every year, skiers find themselves with a host of new products to make their sport easier to learn and advance in their ability. One of the most significant achievements in ski technology is the advent of "shaped skis" or "super-sidecut skis". These skis, unlike traditional skis, require little effort to turn them and since their introduction on the market in 1996, shaped ski technology has become an industry requirement for any new ski that is designed (SKI Magazine). A major problem that occurs is that ski instructors that were taught on traditional skis, might not know how to teach on these new skis. Ski areas and resorts should require their instructors to maintain a certain level of knowledge about new ideas and technologies emerging in the ski industry.
             Using old skiing methods and trying to force a shaped ski to turn, rather than letting the ski do the turning for you will leave you with a sore back and knees (SKI Magazine). Shaped skis were designed to allow the skier to turn with a minimal amount of effort, so that by the end of the day, they wouldn't be tired, and would possibly want to ski another day (Skiing). So the old tricks don't work? No. Good skiers will use new and old techniques where they are appropriate (SKI Magazine). What ski instructors need to know is when and where to apply those methods.
             Ski instructors can sometimes have a problem with improving their own skiing or changing anything that can effect their ability, such as new, different equipment. Instructors see themselves as the "gods of the mountain" - and at certain levels that is possibly an appropriate statement, but I believe that we all can learn something new and get even better. The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) even require its members to attend training at least once every two years. During this training, members are t
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