 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi,
I work for a small start up company that matches instructors across Europe, with clients. The company is really focused on the ski community and what their needs are.
So my question for you guys is, what do you look for in a good instructor? What are the top attributes you are looking for when you book?
I really look forward to hearing your opinions and thanks for the insight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@TeamOngosa, the only attribute I ever look for is a personal reccomendation from someone I know. I have not yet found a resort in Europe that hasn't got an instructor that I could be referred to by a friend. Worst case scenario if I couldn't find a reccomendation from someone I knew, or if the instructor they suggested wasn't available, I'd use Snowheads to find a reccommendation.
Unless your company has a mechanism for me to get detailed honest feedback without removing any of the negative stuff, I can't see what it gives me that I wouldn't get here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
I used ski-bunnies once. Does that count?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
+1 Given the resources on the internet I can't see much "value added" in what you propose, I'm afraid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I'm not a "book 12 months ahead" kind of person and it can be hard to find instructors at short notice. Something that made that easier would have some value.
I haven't necessarily found personal recommendation infallible as if you book with a school, you don't usually know who you are going to get. I've used a much-recommended school here, once with very good results, once not awful but not so good either. Honest truth, it has a lot to do with personal rapport for me and macho male instructors who want to relate in a bloke-ish way don't work for me but could be perfect for someone else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Same as @Mistress Panda and @pam w - I dont think I would use such a site to find instructors, as I just dont think I would trust it. Personal recommendations or snowheads all the way!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My preferences are:-
1. Maximum group size 20. Must be able to count to 20.
2. Must speak good Engliss, eg. bend ze nees, allez.
3. Should not spend too much time flirting.
4. Must spend at least 20 mins of 2 hr session skiing.
5. Must be local, maybe a goat herder, should not require satnav.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Presumably this is it: http://ongosa.com/
It's obviously not a finished site but, if this worked a bit like AirBnB where you can get a rapport going with the person you are dealing with and a load of background and reviews from all over the world, then I can see it working well. Probably better than a personal recommendation from a friend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Didn't someone spam something like this a month or so ago
I suspect that the future of ski instructing uses a smartphone app. When you want a lesson you sign in to the app, other people running the app nearby get notified and can offer to teach you, swipe right when you find one that you want to use, the startup company will bail out the "instructor" if they get arrested. Basically Tinder/Uber for skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Personal recommendation for me too, but I have used both Warren Smith and Snoworks from their own marketing. Mostly I use Snowheads to learn about who's who and it has served me very well! Thanks Fellow Snowheads!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@Don Keebles, 
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
@TeamOngosa, I really like @Pruman's Airbnb idea, I think something like this would be really useful. Different people look for different things in instructors/guides, and also look for different things at different stages of their development. A few years ago I enjoyed lessons where I was basically shown around the mountain, did stuff I might not have tried on my own and got a few tips here and there. Now I'm a bit more aspirational in terms of my skiing development, I mainly want targeted constructive feedback. I don't want someone either to flatter me or to just tell me I'm doing something wrong without also showing me how to fix it. On a blue sky powder day I might be after a guide who knows the area well and can show me the best of the off piste for my ability. Currently, it's not interesting to me that an instructor is particularly good with small children or nervous beginners, but for others those factors will be of prime importance.
So, a site where I could search for instructors any combination of resort, availability, specialism, e.g. off-piste, moguls, instructor training, kids, rating for said specialisms would be really useful. I could choose the best instructor for my requirements in a given resort, the best resort for a given specialism, or best week for a given instructor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uber for instructors where you can get off peak lessons El cheapo and "Surge" pricing for peak weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Welsh, sometimes texan occasionally others
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Most instructors are employed by ski schools.
Those that are employed will probably be prohibited from taking addition (private) lessons.
Instructors who are successful will not have much down time anyway.
So not sure how this is going to work.
Maybe I need to look at the website thingy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Instructors are usually booked via ski schools in resorts, are you trying to replace them? Ski schools often if not always have own sites, have a list of instructors with all relevant info, so for a private lesson it's not that difficult to book an instructor suitable for your needs without a separate dedicated website. In any case, you will be better off sourcing instructors rather than asking potential clients what they are looking for as everyone would have different needs and requirements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| jellylegs wrote: |
My preferences are:-
1. Maximum group size 20. Must be able to count to 20.
2. Must speak good Engliss, eg. bend ze nees, allez.
3. Should not spend too much time flirting.
4. Must spend at least 20 mins of 2 hr session skiing.
5. Must be local, maybe a goat herder, should not require satnav. |
I would add: must have passed Eurotest
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| peanuthead wrote: |
| I would add: must have passed Eurotest |
While simultaneously juggling no fewer than four hot eggs and whistling the Marseillaise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| rjs wrote: |
| Basically Tinder/Uber for skiing. |
But should it be called 'Skinder' or 'Skuber' ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| admin wrote: |
| rjs wrote: |
| Basically Tinder/Uber for skiing. |
But should it be called 'Skinder' or 'Skuber' ? |
That sounds like a site for finding good drugs or a dating site for people into some seriously deep stuff respectively. But we should get them registered either way, never know where the next SH development could lead 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I dare say there is a market for this type of service, but it's an incredibly small market.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
| I dare say there is a market for this type of service, but it's an incredibly small market. |
This unless your platform can"own" ski instructor procurement then there are insufficient people who give enough of a toss to seek out individuals who can't get recommendations by word of mouth.
Would love to see deregulated SkiUber for unqualified guiding round resort - would make the ESF apoplectic for starters and hence be a good laugh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
@Dave of the Marmottes, 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Don Keebles wrote: |
| I used ski-bunnies once. Does that count? |
Did you learn anything new of note?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| emwmarine wrote: |
| Don Keebles wrote: |
| I used ski-bunnies once. Does that count? |
Did you learn anything new of note? |
These are not the Easter eggs you were looking for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
Hey guys,
I've really enjoyed reading through some of your feedback, it's been really informing. Yes we do often get the Uber/Air BnB comparison, which we don't mind. Most commonly is Uber for sherpas.
I've taken note of the comments you guys have made that hadn't crossed our minds and hopefully it will go towards making a service that really works for you guys.
To say thank you we are offering a 'First Lifts' discount to early engagers. If you are interested in the discount we will need you guys to head here - http://ongosa.com/?utm_source=snowheads&utm_medium=forums&utm_campaign=launchpage and input your e-mail so we can send you the discount when the website goes live.
Once again thank you for your input and please do feel free to add more comments, your input is really valuable!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@TeamOngosa, what has been the response from ski instructors, mountain guides etc.? Without them, you have no business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Quote: |
quinton
@TeamOngosa, what has been the response from ski instructors, mountain guides etc.? Without them, you have no business.
|
We have around 100 guides and instructors from around Europe already registered on our system who are very keen for our launch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Some feedback/comments on the site moved over from this thread:
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=121331
@TeamOngosa, If you want genuine feedback, here’s some from me:
Results
- I clicked down into Chamonix to see who was listed in the area, but instead of a list of instructors (what I clicked to see), I got a list of types of lessons – this does not match the button text, or expectations. What this page should show is a list of all instructors in the area. Underneath you could use icons to display how much feedback has been left on each one, what languages they speak, and what type of lessons they might offer e.g. 121, private group, offpiste, onpiste, park etc.
https://ongosa.com/serach?activity=&location=France+%7C+Chamonix-Mont-Blanc&datefrom=&dateto=&filters%5B%5D=instructor&locationselected%5B%5D=17&locationselected%5B%5D=23
- Also, every single one of them is “Ongosa recommended” – so it becomes meaningless. Remove this icon, and give yourself some screen space back.
- I would expect search results based on date to show the same summary, but only with those instructors still available on the dates selected.
- Basing this page on activities available also doesn't make sense for the next level – I clicked on “Private Powder lessons” and went straight to the page of one instructor. If I click on a particular activity, I would again expect to see a list of instructors offering that. Are you saying there is only one person in the Chamonix valley offering private ‘powder’ lessons? If what you’re actually trying to show is that you only have one on your books so far, fair enough – but still show that one person as an icon/search result (requiring another click to get to his page), so it’s clear he’s the only one available meeting the criteria at the minute – then it’s easy to add more later.
- When you then click on a particular instructor it would be useful to have a calendar display showing actual availability, details on the lessons they offer, and clear feedback from previous clients.
Feedback
– at the minute it looks awful! Here’s one example with a spelling mistake, and no quote marks around the actual quote:
| Quote: |
| James has given me powder in Chamonix no mater what the conditions, which should be all you need to know. Ed Leigh Ski Sunday Presenter |
- The section with feedback should be more clearly marked out (as that seems to the main USP of your site) – now you may not have actual feedback from clients using your site yet – but that’s ok, just be upfront about it. Put your “Beta” banner in this section and note that the site is just getting going. Potential customers will be much more forgiving of an honest statement showing where the site is, rather than feeling confused and misled with non-client feedback.
- Also, you need to allow a capability to leave feedback for people who haven’t booked with you, but may have used one of your guides/instructors listed before. You can moderate this, but it’ll help you get some actual quotes in there. If I was browsing your site and noticed someone I’d used, I happily leave a bit of a review of them – some might be good, some less so. Doesn't guarantee I’d book through your site in future, but it’d still help you…
Finally, the site is pretty slow, your database needs some optimisation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| bertie bassett wrote: |
| Welsh, sometimes texan occasionally others |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@fixx, we really appreciate the time you took on this feedback, so thank you for that!
Lot's of things to agree with and some that we're already working on.
| Quote: |
Also, you need to allow a capability to leave feedback for people who haven’t booked with you, but may have used one of your guides/instructors listed before. You can moderate this, but it’ll help you get some actual quotes in there.
|
We're especially thinking about your advice here - what does everyone think?
Thanks 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
I'm an instructor and I've been used many times...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Great analysis Fixx
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@TeamOngosa,
I should point out I meant moderation only when allowing people to leave comments on instructors/guides from previous experience outside of your site, NOT feedback on bookings made through you. The purpose of moderation here would be to make sure there aren't people with a grudge trashing certain others, or false positive reviews being left by friends of the instructors/guides to build up their site profile.
For instances where people have booked through you and then want to leave feedback specific to that - NO moderation! It would undermine trust in the site. Editing out of inappropriate language is fair enough, or anything that might constitute libel etc, and of course the instructors/guides should be able to respond publicly to any feedback too.
Just my view though
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Sort out the search function as a priority - if I search for an activity resort and date - I don't expect to be offered 46 options none of which fit what I want and are not available on the date in question. I realise you are back filling for lack of options but seriously my advice is not to lauch until you have at least 5 instructors signed up in each resort you intend to cover and real time availability data.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
