When we think of professors, we often imagine them standing at the front of a lecture hall, surrounded by towering bookshelves, delivering complex theories to a sea of eager students. But what happens when a professor trades in their chalkboard for a snowboard? For some, the transition between academia and the snow-covered mountains isn't as far-fetched as it seems. In fact, for a growing number of professors, balancing both intellectual and physical challenges is the perfect combination. This article explores the unique, often exhilarating life of professors who moonlight as snowboard instructors, showing how two seemingly opposite worlds can complement each other.
The Call of the Mountain
It all begins with a love for snowboarding. For many professors who take up the dual role, snowboarding isn't just a hobby; it's a passion that began long before their academic careers. From a young age, these individuals were drawn to the thrill of speeding down a mountainside, the crisp air biting at their faces, and the pure adrenaline rush that only the slopes can provide. But as life progressed, education and careers often took precedence, and their love for snowboarding was relegated to weekend trips or occasional winter vacations.
For some, the allure of snowboarding never fades, even as their academic careers advance. These professors find themselves yearning for more time on the mountain, for a way to incorporate their passion for the sport into their daily lives. The solution? Becoming a snowboard instructor.
The Decision to Teach Snowboarding
The decision to balance teaching in a classroom with teaching on the slopes is not made lightly. Professors are already tasked with demanding schedules, filled with lectures, office hours, research, and administrative duties. Adding the role of snowboard instructor into the mix might seem impossible at first glance. Yet, those who do it often find that the two worlds aren't as dissimilar as one might think.
Snowboard instruction, much like classroom teaching, involves breaking down complex skills into digestible pieces, providing guidance and support, and helping students improve over time. The ability to teach a subject in a clear and engaging way is a skill that translates seamlessly from the academic world to the mountains. In both roles, professors are educators—one is just wearing a snowboard jacket instead of a suit.
Many professors who take up snowboard instruction emphasize the mental and physical break that it provides. While teaching in a university can be mentally draining, hitting the slopes and teaching others how to navigate a snowy mountainside offers a refreshing contrast. Snowboarding requires intense focus and physical exertion, allowing professors to disconnect from the rigors of academia and reconnect with their own bodies and the natural world.
Time Management: Balancing Academia and the Slopes
One of the greatest challenges for professors-turned-snowboard instructors is time management. The academic world is notorious for its high demands on time and attention, especially during the semester. Adding snowboarding into the mix requires careful planning and discipline.
Many professors work as snowboard instructors during the winter break, weekends, or during sabbaticals. These are the times when the demands of academia lessen slightly, providing the opportunity to pursue outside interests. For those who live near ski resorts, even a few hours on the mountain in the early morning or late afternoon can make a significant difference.
The academic calendar, with its built-in breaks and flexible schedules, can also be an advantage. Winter is often a slower period in many fields, allowing professors to carve out time to teach snowboarding without sacrificing their academic responsibilities. Some even use their time on the mountain to recharge mentally, returning to their classrooms with a renewed sense of energy and focus.
The Intellectual and Physical Benefits
The dual life of a professor and snowboard instructor isn't just about managing time; it's also about nurturing both the mind and the body. Academia can be an intellectually intense environment, with professors constantly pushing the boundaries of knowledge in their respective fields. But the human body also requires stimulation, and snowboarding provides an outlet for physical energy that is often missing in academic life.
The physical benefits of snowboarding are numerous. It improves balance, coordination, and core strength. It also helps reduce stress, as the act of snowboarding requires total concentration on the moment, allowing professors to temporarily forget about their research papers and grading. The combination of fresh air, exercise, and adrenaline can be incredibly restorative.
Intellectually, snowboarding offers unique challenges as well. Each student that a professor teaches on the slopes comes with their own set of abilities, fears, and learning styles. Figuring out how to communicate effectively and motivate students in this entirely different setting can sharpen a professor's teaching skills. The problem-solving aspect of both academia and snowboarding can be remarkably similar, despite the obvious differences in subject matter.
The Community Aspect: Connecting with Students in New Ways
Another unexpected benefit of being both a professor and a snowboard instructor is the opportunity to connect with students in new and different ways. In the classroom, professors are often seen as authority figures, experts in their field who impart knowledge from a position of power. But on the slopes, the dynamic changes. Professors become coaches, guides, and sometimes even peers to their students, working together to overcome challenges in a physical setting.
This shift in dynamics can strengthen the student-teacher relationship, especially for students who might feel intimidated in a traditional academic setting. Some professors have noted that students who were shy or hesitant in the classroom opened up more readily on the mountain. The shared experience of learning a new physical skill can create bonds that carry over into the academic world, making professors more approachable and relatable.
For those who teach both in the classroom and on the slopes, the sense of community can be deeply fulfilling. Snowboarding often attracts people from all walks of life, and the interactions between students, instructors, and fellow snowboarders create a vibrant, supportive atmosphere. Professors who take on the role of snowboard instructor often find themselves part of a new, tight-knit community that provides social connections and friendships outside of academia.
Challenges and Rewards
Of course, the dual life of a professor and snowboard instructor isn't without its challenges. Balancing two demanding roles can be exhausting, especially during busy times of the year when academic and snowboarding schedules overlap. The physical toll of spending hours on the slopes can also be significant, particularly for those who are no longer in their twenties.
However, the rewards often outweigh the challenges. For professors who are passionate about both teaching and snowboarding, the opportunity to combine these two loves is worth the effort. The physical and mental benefits of spending time on the mountain, coupled with the joy of sharing that experience with others, make the dual role incredibly fulfilling.
In many ways, the life of a professor who moonlights as a snowboard instructor embodies the concept of balance. It’s a life that requires juggling two very different but equally important passions, finding ways to make time for both intellectual and physical pursuits. For those who manage it, the rewards are immense—greater fulfillment, enhanced teaching skills, and a deeper connection to both their students and themselves.
Ultimately, the journey from professor to powder isn’t just about swapping textbooks for snowboards; it’s about embracing a multifaceted life that allows for both academic rigor and the exhilaration of the mountains. For these professors, the classroom and the slopes are equally important stages, each offering its own unique challenges and triumphs. And for their students—whether they’re learning about physics or carving through fresh powder—their instructors’ dedication and passion are nothing short of inspiring.
