Hong Cao

🏂Snowboard & Ski Instructor
✈️Travel · 💻Tech

Found the lesson helpful? Tips are welcome via Venmo/Cash/Zelle. Totally optional, always appreciated!

Book a private lesson with me for your next trip!

In the details section please fill information as listed below
- Lesson date(s)
- Ski or Snowboard
- Lesson time (Full day / Half day AM / Half day PM)
- Number of guests
- Skill level
- Meeting location (Village / Ritz / Mid mountain / Martis)
- Anything else you want me to knowOnce you submitted the form, we'll contact you ASAP.

I’m a snowboard and ski instructor at Northstar, travel enthusiast, and freelance software engineer. I love helping people progress on the slopes, plan trips they’ll truly enjoy, and tackle challenges creatively.In the summer, I’m in the Bay Area freelancing for small businesses, and I share my adventures with my 3-year-old Samoyed who loves snow as much as I do. Hiking, traveling, exploring — I try to live life fully and inspire others to do the same.

Gear Prep

Gloves / Mittens

* Why it matters: Cold, wet hands ruin days fast — especially for kids and beginners who fall a lot.
* What to look for:
- Waterproof
- Good insulation
- If it's for kids, go for a bigger size.
- Wrist straps / leash
* Pro tip: Bring an extra pair on storm days

Protection

In general, it's optional for skiers but snowboarders will love it.

Turtle Butt ^ ^
(Just search on google and you'll find tons of it)
If you're still learning on magic carpet, go for it. It feels like sitting on a couch every time you fall, so it helps you to offset that fear of falling.
BUT, I don't recommend wearing that beyond carpet. 1. It's annoying (and honestly not quite safe) bringing it to a chairlift. 2. It affects your center of mass on the snowboard and will affect your riding.Other Protection Pads
Some popular brands - Demon/POC/Xion, etc. Generally, look for D3O (a type of material).

Stretch after skiing/riding

Here's the yoga stretch video I've been doing for years, it says after-ski but I think it works for both. You'll feel much better after doing it.