Scott Hammond is a professional ski instructor, ski technician and an expert on ski hardware originally from London, England. Scott lived and worked in Verbier, Switzerland for 9 years, Cervinia, Italy for 3 years and now lives in Lillehammer, Norway. He manages White Mountain Sports, a ski shop, skiing school and ski in/ski out accommodation services.
- What is your job title and what does it involve?
My job title is Shop Manager/Director/Chief bottle washer.
My job involves the daily running of White Mountain Sports and bar. From cleaning the floors, toilets (and bottles) to paying the bills and managing the staff. Being knowledgeable about the products and services in the shop and teaching skiing when I can find the time, and making sure the toilets are clean! - What is the best thing about your job?
Playing with skis. I Love playing with skis. Fixing badly damaged skis is one of my loves. Having to go out and test the best skis and getting paid for it. - What is worst thing about your job?
Hhhhmmmm. A tough question! I guess having to deal with difficult clients is not nice. Be it those who over expect for whatever reason or those who just want to complain about something. It’s all part of the job, but the part I dislike the most. Fortunately, it does not happen too often. Did I mention the toilets?
- What one piece of advice would you give to a beginner before they embark on their first skiing holiday?
Do not expect anything too fast. Take your time and enjoy it. Getting down the simplest of runs is as much of a challenge as ripping down a powder face like an expert. To make it down the slope for the first time in style is a huge buzz and this can take time. Take one day, one slope and one turn at a time. - What is your favourite ski resort and why?
Verbier. It is just great. I lived there for 9 years. Great terrain with legendary partying. If the snow is bad, the partying is outstanding. Good people and great memories. - What are your favourite skis and why?
Cannot answer that one easily.
The best ski is the perfect one for the day. Being a gear slut I personally have 20 pairs or so, and that is without the test skis that are in the shop that I have the chance to ski on. I hardly ever ski on the same ski day to day.
But if I really have to choose, I guess my favourite ski of the moment is the Kästle MX 88. It’s so versatile. Just such a great ski. - Should beginners buy or rent skis?
RENT RENT RENT. Find your feeling, find out how and where you what to ski and then go crazy with the credit card. You may be a genius and learn super fast and out ski the ski in a matter of days and need an upgrade.
What are your strengths and what do you wanna ski? Bumps, Groomed piste, GS, SL, skier cross, powder, mid fat, super fat, easy, hard, fast, freeride, super carved or a bit of everything?
Once you buy a ski, it can and probably will, last years. You have that many choices of skis, so it is best to go out and find your strengths.
Travelling with skis is now expensive. Tuning skis is expensive. They need to be waxed and prepared for the conditions that are on snow the period that you are there. This changes all the time.
A ski that is tuned for cold winter conditions is not that great for spring and a ski that is tuned for spring is near impossible to ski on a cold fresh snow day.
It’s nice to own your own stuff, but unless you ski a lot and really use your stuff, renting is the best thing to do. Though if you do buy, come to my shop! - What is the most important item of clothing for skiers?
Every item is as important as the next in skiing or winter conditions. You cannot really do without one or the other. It is a pastime that requires a lot of stuff and to pick one out is impossible, but a helmet comes close as I found out last year (R.S – Scott broke his neck on the world cup downhill run in Kvitfjell, Norway). But without ski pants or gloves, boots or eye protection, one is kinda useless without the other. - What is the most fun you have had on a pair of skis?
Nearly every day I have had them on my feet. Every day brings new challenges. The best day does not necessarily mean the best snow or best runs. Teaching 2 four years olds to ski was one of my the most rewarding and fun days I have had, and skiing bottomless snow with my best friends down an untracked face is up there too. All are fun in their own special way.
I recently did a short tour to go get some powder and had to walk all the way back down through tight trees. We ended up getting about 4 decent turns. A total waste of time and effort but we laughed a lot on the way down.
Though the most memorable day I have had on skis was from the top of Narvik in Northern Norway, at Midnight on June 1st. It was a truly amazing experience. - What one thing can a recreational skier do to improve their technique?
I’ve got 2!!!
After you have taken your ski lessons, or if you are going away for a week and not taking lessons, spend some time to practice the basics over and over again. Go to a flattish run and practice what you learned back on day 1. Going from a snowplough to parallel is a huge step and great fun, but it does not mean that you should never snowplough again. The simple basics are where you can learn and improve the most as they contain the movements, rotations and dynamics of many ski turns. Teaching advanced lessons often sees the snowplough and the turns you have not done in years.
The one that often gets left aside and rarely mentioned is fitness. Getting in shape is so very important and makes it all so much easier. Practice and fitness, and you are on to a winner.
Comments
One response to “Ski Shop Director Interview: Scott Hammond”
Hi Rob!
Love your blog! I always love reading about the skiing in Europe. Hopefully you can check out mine too at http://skiblog-skiblog.blogspot.com/. I am just getting started but hope to build a large a loyal base of followers.
Think snow!
Dave