Snowskool - Ski Instructor Courses | Snowboard Instructor Courses
This document was uploaded by user and they confirmed that they have the permission to share it. If you are author or own the copyright of this book, please report to us by using this DMCA report form. Report DMCA
Overview
Download & View Snowskool - Ski Instructor Courses | Snowboard Instructor Courses as PDF for free.
More details
- Words: 6,235
- Pages: 11
Become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor with SnowSkool
’ Ain’t no-one too cool for MySkool! o.uk/myskool www.snowskool.c
03 | CONTENTS: SnowSkool
WELCOME TO SNOWSKOOL
04 | RESORTS 06 14 16
Check Out Where It’s At!!!
Thank you for your interest in SnowSkool Since our inception in 2003, SnowSkool has grown into a company offering ski and snowboard courses in four world-class resorts spanning three continents in the northern and southern hemispheres. There are only about three months each year when SnowSkool is not running a course somewhere in the world...don’t worry, we are working to remedy this! This experience and our long-serving, dedicated staff has allowed us to fine-tune all aspects of the programmes we offer to ensure that your time in resort will be everything you dreamt it to be: top-notch tuition, epic skiing/ snowboarding, luxurious living and a vibrant social life. MySkool is another part of the SnowSkool offering of which I am very proud. With everything from media galleries to social networking, forums & blogs to online games & competitions, it really helps us to stand head and shoulders above our competitors. The snowsport recruitment database is a particularly valuable resource that has enabled us to place many former students in jobs at ski resorts throughout the world. We look forward to hearing from you, meeting you at a show, sharing a cold one at the SnowSkool party or skiing/ riding with you in resort! Best regards
Phil Purdie Director, SnowSkool Ltd DISCLAIMER
All information contained in this brochure is believed to be correct at time of going to press. For up to date information, please contact SnowSkool.
savoie france
08 | GAP YEAR
Case Study Examples
10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
Why We Offer The Best Courses
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Regardless of your taste, time constraints and level of experience, SnowSkool’s wide range of programmes puts the choice firmly in your hands. With resorts in the northern and southern hemispheres we can offer courses throughout the year at the world’s best ski and snowboard resorts. Whether you are looking for a constructive gap year to pick up professional qualifications, a career break to improve your skiing/ snowboarding or a chance to develop a new career as a ski or snowboard instructor, SnowSkool has a programme to suit your individual needs. Although we take care to work closely with local ski and snowboard schools at each resort in which we operate, you can be sure that all SnowSkool courses are run under the remit of national bodies that are members of the International Snowsport Instructors’ Association (ISIA). This represents the planet’s highest standard of ski and snowboard instruction.
13 | CAREER BREAKS Fancy Some Time Out?
18 | MEET THE TEAM
Putting A Face To A Name
[email protected]
www.snowskool.co.uk
04 | RESORTS: Big White
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES SnowSkool runs a wide variety of courses at Big White taking advantage of the awesome terrain on offer. The ski and board school is run by Josh Foster, who oversees one of the most progressive schools in North America. You will have the benefit of riding with a pool of instructors, therefore gaining feedback from numerous sources during your time in resort. In Big White, a massive emphasis is placed on daily instructor development ensuring that the bar is constantly being raised on your learning. NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of two weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool Big White programme.
BIG WHITE, BRITISH COLUMBIA Luxury Accommodation in Canada’s Largest Ski-in/ Ski-out Village THE SKIING - Despite being recognised as one of Canada’s best resorts, Big White remains surprisingly off the international skiing radar. This Canadian skiing and snowboarding Mecca is a place of pilgrimage for riders in search of pristine powder snow. The weather rolls in from the Pacific and when it hits the Monashee Range above the Okanagan Valley, it produces a phenomenal amount of Canada’s driest, fluffiest powder snow. The mountain itself is incredibly fun to ski. Don’t be fooled by its recent award of “North America’s Family Resort of the Year”, Big White has a diversity of terrain that is almost peerless – and something to offer every type of skier from the big mountain skier to the park rats. There is everything from cruisy greens, tougher blacks, the renowned double black diamond Cliff Area
www.snowskool.co.uk
to the Telus Terrain Park, one of Canada’s most revered freestyle terrain parks. There is no better place than Big White to host a SnowSkool instructor course. THE COMMUNITY - Big White is Canada’s largest ski in / ski out village. Although commonplace in Europe, ski in / ski out access is hard to come by in North America. The benefits of getting up each morning and clipping in to your gear at the back door of your chalet are hard to over-emphasise. The High Street in Big White is actually a pisted ski-run providing fast access to all the local amenities – restaurants, bars and shops. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed where everyone is always made to feel welcome. Snowshoe Sam’s (one of the local bars) was voted the “Best Après Ski Bar in North America”.
ACCOMMODATION - The chalets you will be living in during the SnowSkool course are the last word in luxury. Picture the ski chalet of your dreams: polished wood-floors, galleried open-plan living areas, huge windows with mountain views, en-suite facilities with large bathtubs. And that’s not even the half of it! All our chalets offer genuine ski-in / ski-out access and so you can finish your day’s skiing and be in the hot-tub on your porch with a beer in your hand within two minutes of leaving the pistes. After dinner - which is served in your chalet - fall into one of the huge leather sofas, stoke a fire and relaaaaaaax!!
BIG WHITE’S MOTTO IS “IT’S THE SNOW” - IN REFERENCE TO CANADA’S LIGHTEST, FLUFFIEST POWDER
THE HILL
BIG WHITE, CANADA
• Average Annual Snowfall: 25ft • Area: 3000 Acres • Number of Runs: 118 named runs / 27 unnamed • Terrain Breakdown: 18% beginner, 56% intermediate, 26% expert • Top Elevation: 7606 ft / 2319 m • Freestyle: Telus Terrain Park – 500ft super-pipe with 17ft transitional walls, two further half pipes, Race Course, International Skier / Boarder Cross
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN BIG WHITE Qualifications are awarded by the Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance (CSIA), the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) and the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF). CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor CASI Level 2 Snowboard Instructor CSIA Snow Park Certificate CASI Park Instructor CSCF Entry-Level Race Coach “Every SnowSkool programme run so far in Big White has been a resounding success. We are fortunate to have some of the best instructors around and the mountain itself is a classroom that’s second to none. I was massively impressed with the two ex-SnowSkool guys who have been working here as instructors for over 3 years now. Will and Ollie were awarded Rookies of the Year for 2006 and they thoroughly deserved it. We look forward to challenging future SnowSkoolers to achieve the same if not more!” Josh Foster – Director of Snowsports, Big White.
For more information on the specific courses we run in Big White please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
06 | RESORTS: Banff
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES
SnowSkool have now been working with the ski and snowboard school at Sunshine Village since 2004 and, as such, have cemented a firm relationship. Being the first operator to run a programme from Sunshine, we had our first choice of the very best instructors. The fact that we continue to use the same instructors today speaks volumes for the mutual respect that SnowSkool and the Sunshine instructors have for one another. NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of two weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool Banff programme.
BANFF, ALBERTA
Work Hard & Play Hard in Canada’s Premier Alpine Resort THE SKIING - Although there are numerous ski resorts in Banff National Park, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. SnowSkool operates its ski and snowboard instructor courses out of Sunshine Village, a mountain of awesome proportions. The Sunshine area is made up of 3 mountains each with its own character. From heavily gladed areas to big-mountain style open faces, Sunshine will produce the goods. Indeed, it is one of those rare mountains that is well suited to skiers and riders regardless of their ability. Whether you want to practice your technique down a gentle green run, drop into one of the chutes above Delirium Dive, cruise through the powder tree runs on Goat’s Eye or hit the immaculately maintained terrain park, Sunshine has it all! THE COMMUNITY - Despite being a popular and well-known destination, Banff maintains the character of a true modern www.snowskool.co.uk
town. Surrounded by the impressive Rocky Mountains it is difficult to imagine a more stunning setting to spend a ski season. Banff is a real seasonnaires town and, within a few days, you will know the shop-keepers and bar staff on a first-name basis. Don’t let this fool you though, as well as a cinema and sports centre Banff has enough shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs to keep even the most eager of you entertained all season long. ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool course you will be living at the HI Banff International Hostel. The HI Banff is consistently voted as one of the top ten hostels in the world. It is immaculately maintained, well-organised and awesome fun. One major benefit of the HI as opposed to a faceless, non-descript hotel is the sense of community. SnowSkool students tend to relax in ‘SnowSkool HQ’ – a warm and welcoming open plan communal area with a massive fire place. Here, the order of the day
is to chill out, play cards, watch movies, listen to music, or just have a beer and discuss the day’s riding. Along with the communal areas, the facilities at the HI are fantastic with free wireless internet throughout, a fully fitted immaculate kitchen, dining area and laundry facilities (linen is cleaned for you by Hostel staff). On top of that there is a café/ restaurant (Cougar Pete’s) serving healthy and inexpensive meals. The HI also boasts an on-site pub, The Storm Cellar. Affectionately named the Stormy C by locals and seasonnaires alike the bar has free pool, darts and table football as well as Cable TV to keep you up-to-date with all the latest sporting action. Students will benefit from cheap drinks and get to sample the regular theme and karaoke nights on offer. For the more intrepid, why not try your hand at the hostel’s ice climbing wall??!
BANFF IS A SKI AND SNOWBOARDING MECCA... WITH A NIGHTLIFE TO MATCH!
THE HILL
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN BANFF BANFF, CANADA
• Average Annual Snowfall : 33ft (three times that of nearby Lake Louise) • Area: 3358 Acres • Number of Runs: 107 named runs • Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% expert • Top Elevation: 9000ft/ 2730m – highest lift-served skiing in Canada • Freestyle: Two terrain parks
Qualifications are awarded by the Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance (CSIA), the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) and the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF). CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor CASI Level 2 Snowboard Instructor CSIA Snow Park Certificate CASI Park Instructor CSCF Entry-Level Race Coach “The SnowSkool course here in Banff is the perfect learning ground for potential instructors. The programme gets better each season and the Sunshine instructors can’t wait for January to come around each year for the programme to begin! The 5 days per week of instruction the students receive gives them the very best chance of succeeding in their exams. We have employed many ex-SnowSkoolers in the past and I look forward to more joining our successful Ski and Board school soon!” Stewart Laver – Director Sunshine Village Ski and Board School.
For more information on the specific courses we run in Banff please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
08 | CASE STUDIES: Gap Year
GAP YEAR CASE STUDIES
Kirsty Probert, 18 • Snowboarder, New Zealand 2007 • CSI Instructor • NZSIA Instructor Stage One
Identical twins Will & Ollie Southon, 23 • Skiers, Banff 2005 • CSIA Instructor Levels 1&2 (Now both Level 3) • CSCF Race Coach 1
Rachel Adcock, 18 • Skier, Banff 2006 • CSIA Instructor Levels 1&2 • CSCF Race Coach 1
Kirsty joined the SnowSkool New Zealand course three days after finishing her final A-Level exam and leaving sixth form. With only three weeks experience, Kirsty found the first few weeks extremely intensive but she progressed well under the guidance of the instructors at Cardrona’s High Performance Centre and ended up achieving her CSI and NZSIA Stage One. Kirsty then went on to teach at Lake Louise in Canada for the northern winter season before returning to the UK and enrolling at University.
“Our season in Big White was epic. Our qualifications, and a good reference from SnowSkool, enabled us to work the Adult programme so there was no first season teaching kids which was what we hoped to avoid! Instructor development at BW is second-to-none and, as a result, we passed our Level 3 exam. And to top it all off at the end of the season we were awarded “Rookies of the Year”!
“I have been skiing since I was four years old and competitively since the age of thirteen, so skiing during my gap year after school was a pretty obvious choice. Mum and I did a lot of research but I chose SnowSkool when I realised that the SnowSkool team possibly loved skiing even more than I do! The opportunity to work on my racing as well as my instructor badges was another huge factor.”
Will and Ollie have worked at Big White ever since their first season.
Rachel worked as a Race Coach at Fall’s Creek Ski Resort in Australia after her SnowSkool course and plans to return to teach at Sunshine Village after obtaining her degree. She is currently studying at Newcastle University, is the number one rated female University ski racer in the UK and is sponsored by SnowSkool. Rachel’s brother Jamie, a graduate of Banff’s 2008 programme is currently working as a ski instructor at Sunshine Village.
I CHOSE SNOWSKOOL WHEN I REALISED THAT THE SNOWSKOOL TEAM POSSIBLY LOVED SKIING EVEN MORE THAN I DO
www.snowskool.co.uk
10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
[email protected]
WHY SNOWSKOOL? Tuition: • The best instructors • Group sizes
One of the reasons behind SnowSkool ‘s phenomenal historical success rate is the fact that we offer more instruction than any other operator. Not only that, but we also work with some of the best instructors available – our size and our reputation guarantees this. Indeed many instructors have been working the SnowSkool programme since our first course in 2004. We also speak with the Ski & Board schools involved to restrict group sizes and to ensure an optimal instructor: student ratio. Choice: This is where the feedback from previous students really comes into play. Since SnowSkool’s inception – when we ran one small course in Banff – we have listened to former students and grown to offer courses in a number of resorts in the northern and southern hemispheres. This allows you to take a course all year round with start dates in December, January, March, April and July. More than this we offer courses of differing lengths in an attempt to fit in with your busy lifestyle. On an individual level, if you want to arrive early to earn a few cheeky turns before the programme starts, or even stay out longer to enjoy the corn snow and sunshine that spring brings, SnowSkool can organise your accommodation and any other needs you may have. Extra-Curricular Activities: Whereas SnowSkool courses are all about skiing and riding, we also fully appreciate
www.snowskool.co.uk
MYSKOOL
that you will want to experience the life of a seasonnaire. Of course, it depends on where you are in the world as to what activities we can provide but the SnowSkool team, with their in-depth knowledge of the resort, will be able to make sure you make the most of your travels and soak up the local culture. Whether you fancy visiting another resort, trying your hand at a new sport or experiencing the local nightlife the SnowSkool team will help you fit it all in.
possible and will organise social activities, instructor exams and away-days. Close bonds are always formed between students and staff and it is always awesome meeting up at SnowSkool reunion parties! Finally, we place a huge emphasis on employing a mix of male and female staff. This creates a much more balanced atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. This is probably one reason why we always seem to have a good ratio of guys and gals on our programmes.
Staff: • Dedicated and Experienced Resort Staff • High Staff : Student Ratio • Male and Female • All SnowSkool staff are former students
Safety: For those of us that love to ski and board, some of our best experiences come when we spend time in the mountains. However, despite being beautiful, the mountain environment can also be unpredictable. At SnowSkool we promote further understanding of the mountains and snow conditions so that students are as well prepared as possible to full enjoy the alpine environment.
After all is said and done, the real reason that SnowSkool excels is down to our staff. From various backgrounds (investment banking, the military, teaching and former SnowSkool students) we feel that the team we have brought together are our greatest asset. Every member of our crew is a qualified ski or snowboard instructor and, with an age range of 25-33, we provide a perfect blend of responsible management with an ability to empathise with students of all ages. The enthusiasm of SnowSkool staff shines through on every programme we run. SnowSkool has a high staff to student ratio. We interact fully with the students on a daily basis. It is not a matter of us being a phone call away; a SnowSkool team member will be there for breakfast and dinner, we will see you on the hill each day and will spend time with you in the evenings and weekends. We are always happy to help out in any way
Along with an initial safety brief, students can attend an Avalanche Awareness Course giving fundamental knowledge about backcountry safety, snowpack analysis and the use of transceivers. You can also gain a 1st Aid qualification with a wilderness focus.
WITH AN AGE RANGE OF 25-33, THE SNOWSKOOL STAFF PROVIDE THE PERFECT BLEND OF RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT AND AN ABILITY TO EMPATHISE WITH STUDENTS OF ALL AGES
The MySkool section of the SnowSkool website has taken on a life of its own! MySkool allows past, present and future SnowSkool students to come together as part of a virtual community. What can I do on MySkool? You can check out and upload cool pix and vids, play games online, enter competitions to win great prizes, read our forum and blog (or give us your views!), keep up-to-date with snowsport news and you can even create your own profile on MySkool’s own social networking. This enables SnowSkool students to get in touch and get to know each other before the course and remain in touch after the course has finished. Perhaps the most popular section in MySkool is the Instructor Recruitment Database. At SnowSkool we understand that many of you take an instructor programme to get your qualifications to allow you to work as an instructor. Using our instructor recruitment database, SnowSkool has placed many former students at resorts in Canada, North America, New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Our jobs database contains all the information, contacts and know-how to help you get a job in the snowsports industry. The database is for the exclusive use of SnowSkool students and allows you to apply for jobs directly through the database. SnowSkool has personally contacted all the resorts and has created a database which is easy to use, up to date and reliable. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a SnowSkool course and you are just a click away from becoming a ski or snowboard instructor!
SportSkool goes Green - Let’s work together to ensure there is enough snow left for future generations to enjoy what we all love…! Like most people who ski and snowboard and anyone who enjoys spending time in the mountains, we care greatly about the beautiful environment that is our winter home. Thankfully, most of us are now becoming more aware about the damage the earth has suffered due to global warming caused by the rise in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, but not everyone is aware of what they can do to minimise their own personal carbon footprint. At SportSkool we have finished discussing it and are acting now… isn’t it about time you did the same??! Tourism, by its very nature, is reliant on transportation, whether it is in a car, on the train or flying all of which produce damaging CO2 emissions. These are the actions we have taken to minimise our effect: • This SnowSkool brochure is produced using paper from trees planted in sustainable forests. • All SportSkool staff walk or cycle to work • SportSkool tries to use only public transport to travel to Gap Fairs and Snow Shows • SportSkool recycles everything both in the office and at home!
13 | CASE STUDIES: Career Break
CAREER BREAK CASE STUDIES
Andy Freeland, 29 • Skier, New Zealand 2007 • CSI Instructor • NZSIA Instructor Stage One “As an avid skier I had always dreamed of training to become an instructor but as a full time PE teacher my options were limited. Then I stumbled across SnowSkool’s New Zealand course and it seemed perfect. I took the NZ programme during my summer holiday break and it was the best thing I could ever have done. Even if I never work as an instructor I made some lifelong friends and the focused and intensive training has given me that extra edge on the school playing field.”
Sarah Sadler, 34 • Skier, Big White 2008 • CSIA Instructor Level 1
Dan Colman, 30 • Snowboarder, Banff 2008 • CASI Instructor Levels 1 & 2
Sarah joined the Big White SnowSkool programme along with her husband Chris who had just left the Army. Unlike many of the other people on the course who were simply on a career break Sarah and Chris had their sights set on something more permanent. Whilst Chris took the full level 1 and level 2 course, Sarah busied herself training on the hill and working in the local village sweet shop! Once she passed her CSIA level 1 qualification on the 4 week Spring course, Sarah and Chris settled down to a life in Big White and have been enjoying life there ever since!
“I had been working in recruitment for years and felt like I needed a break to reassess my working goals. I had been snowboarding for about ten years and had always dreamt of doing a season and becoming a snowboard instructor but it never seemed the right time.”
ONE DAY I DECIDED TO JUST TAKE THE PLUNGE ...THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME
“One day, however, I decided to just take the plunge and, after I spoke to my boss and the guys at SnowSkool, I realised that I wouldn’t be the first and that this was the right time. The course was fantastic, my time away was both great fun and very constructive and I met some great people. Not only did I come back to work refreshed and refocused but I achieved my main goal of being able to snowboard better than all my friends!”
www.snowskool.co.uk
14 | RESORTS: Cardrona
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES
On SnowSkool’s New Zealand programme you will sit two different qualifications regardless of whether you ski or snowboard. The NZSIA qualifications are well respected throughout the international skiing and snowboarding community and will stand you in good stead should you wish to follow a career in snowsports. On the SnowSkool course not only will you work towards your instructor qualifications, but your all-mountain riding will improve dramatically. The team of international Cardrona instructors will ensure you receive the very best level of tuition in all aspects of your skiing or boarding.
CARDRONA SKI RESORT, WANAKA Soulful New Zealand Town with the Country’s Highest Lift-Served Skiing THE SKIING - After searching the southern hemisphere for a ski and snowboard resort that would stand up to the high standards set by our resorts in Canada & Europe, we settled on Cardrona on New Zealand’s majestic South Island. Snow reliability, varied and extensive terrain, a high standard of instruction and a great town were the key criteria in helping SnowSkool find the most suitable resort possible. This ‘summer’ you could be in New Zealand, skiing and riding the best ski field in Australasia whilst earning internationally recognised qualifications. Situated between beautiful Wanaka and Queenstown, Cardrona is New Zealand’s most popular ski and snowboard resort with excellent riding for both skiers and boarders. It is renowned for its snow reliability, due to a high elevation and the fact that it is largely south facing (like north facing slopes in the northern hemisphere). In addition, there is extensive snow making facilities if required. The terrain is incredible and well suited to riders of all standards – wide open slopes
www.snowskool.co.uk
to gain confidence and develop technique to steep powder fields and chutes for expert skiers. The freestyle facilities are second to none with 3 terrain parks, 4 half pipes, a boarder cross course and countless rails and kickers. During the course you will have time to explore the entire area and become a master of your chosen discipline. THE COMMUNITY - Wanaka, situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka, is one the most beautiful towns in New Zealand. It lies right at the heart of a World Heritage site with awe-inspiring scenery all around. Wanaka is extremely friendly and easy to find your way round and the town has an ample supply of bars, cafes and restaurants to match up to any ski town. Queenstown down the road from Wanaka is the adrenaline-fuelled capital of the back-packing world and, with 3 different bungee jumps, numerous sky dives, white water rafting, canyon swinging and jet boating, it has enough to keep every adrenaline junkie on the edge of their seat! No visit to New Zealand is purely about skiing or boarding – it is an awesome country
that is bound to get into your soul and provide you with some of the most fantastic experiences of your life. ACCOMMODATION - Whilst out in NZ, you will stay in family run apartments close to the centre of Wanaka. The SnowSkool accommodation is well located, providing easy access to all amenities that Wanaka has on offer. Students will be accommodated in the Belvedere Luxury Apartments in the centre of Wanaka and sharing a bedroom with up to one other person. The 2 bedroom apartments boast spacious bedrooms, communal lounges, fully fitted kitchens, laundry facilities, state of the art entertainment systems and private balconies. On top of this the students can make use of the complex sauna, heated locker room and private parking making the Belvedere the perfect place to spend your season in New Zealand.
AN INTENSE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON AN AWESOME SKI HILL IN A LAID-BACK TOWN
THE HILL
CARDRONA, NEW ZEALAND
• Average Annual Snowfall: 10ft (plus snowmaking) • Area: 800 acres • Number of Runs: 56 named runs • Terrain Breakdown: 25% beginner, 55% intermediate, 20% expert • Top Elevation: 1894m • Freestyle: 3 Freestyle parks, 4 half pipes, boarder cross.
NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of four weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool NZ programme.
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN NEW ZEALAND Qualifications are awarded by the New Zealand Snowsports Instructor Alliance (NZSIA) NZSIA Certificate of Snowsports Instructor (skiers and snowboarders) NZSIA Stage One Ski Instructor NZSIA Stage One Snowboard Instructor “Cardrona Alpine Resort is an excellent destination for skiers and snowboarders on a SnowSkool course. The mountain facilities here are world-class and our professional instructors are amongst the top coaches in their field”. Georgina Cleave, Director of Skiing – High Performance Centre, Cardrona.
For more information on the specific courses we run in New Zealand please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
16 | RESORTS: Three Valleys
www.snowskool.co.uk
savoie france
THE COURSES
SnowSkool has chosen to run the course with a British owned BASI Training Academy based in Meribel. Students will receive the very highest standard of BASI instruction and spend valuable time gaining the necessary experience working with the Ski & Board School - 70 hours of Ski & Board School experience is required as part of the course. The lessons will teach you to become a better skier or rider and focus on the mechanics of the sports. The ski school experience will allow you to learn more about the teaching aspect of becoming an instructor as well as getting an insight into the operations of a Training School.
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE
The Largest and Most Diverse Ski Area in the World THE SKIING - When SnowSkool decided to launch a new programme in Europe we were inundated with possible resorts. Once we settled on France there was really only one area that would live up to and (if possible!) exceed our offerings in Canada and New Zealand and that was the Three Valleys. The Three Valleys is the largest ski resort in the world (yes the world!) and boasts eight different ski resorts spread across three huge valleys, all covered under one lift pass and all joined by mile after mile of skiable terrain. Nestled in the Savoie region of the French Alps, the Three Valleys quite literally has terrain to suit each and every skier. With such a large area to choose from not only will you be able to find runs to suit your skill and experience but the mountain will soon invite you to pick up new skills and challenge yourself. From the cruisy green runs to the numerous wide sloping blues there is plenty of choice for novice skiers. For the more intrepid amongst you why not try your www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COMMUNITY - The Three Valleys area is home to 16 different villages giving you plenty of choice for not only where to ride but also where to stay. The Three Valleys’ unique mix of pedestrianised villages, spa towns, family resorts and lively bustling towns offer a little bit of everything to the seasonnaire. Although a massive resort, the Three Valleys still retains the local and personal feel of many of Europe’s smaller resorts. No more so than in St Martin de Belleville which SnowSkool students will call ‘home’ for three months. You will soon know everyone on a first name basis; with shops, restaurants, bars, and activities galore the Three Valleys really is the perfect place to host a SnowSkool course.
French charm with seasonnaire bustle giving participants the chance to soak up the French culture whilst enjoying a dish of tartiflette washed down by a demi-pression (or two) in one of the many local bars in town, or on the slopes on the way down. Chalet Pascale situated near the centre of St Martin offers the ultimate in comfort and luxury. Although built in the traditional Savoyard style, Pascale has plenty of modern features. The chalet consists of a large open plan living and dining area and students will enjoy banquet-style meals together around the big table. The comfortable sofas in the lounge are the perfect place to put your feet up after a hard day’s riding and enjoy the vast range of multimedia on offer: Cable TV, a DVD player, sound system and games consoles have all been fitted to give the chalet that SnowSkool edge!
ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool Three Valleys course you will be staying in the charming and picturesque village of St Martin de Belleville. This town mixes
KICK OFF THE MORNING IN MERIBEL, HIT UP VAL THORENS FOR LUNCH AND THEN CRUISE AROUND COURCHEVEL IN THE AFTERNOON...UNBELIEVABLE DIVERSITY
hand at one of the mountain’s steep black runs or take a ride on the dark side and hit the extensive off-piste on offer?!
THE HILL
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE
• Average Annual Snowfall: 30ft • Area: 600km of pistes • Number of Runs: 336 named runs • Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner, 60% intermediate, 20% expert • Top Elevation: 3230m • Freestyle: 5 parks, 3 boarder cross, countless rails, jumps, pipes all over the valleys
NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of five weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool France programme.
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN FRANCE
Qualifications are awarded by the British Association of Snowsports Instructors (BASI) and the British Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP) BASI Level One Instructor BASI Level Two Instructor BASP First Aid Course Child Protection Basic Awareness “The BASI qualifications represent some of the world’s highest standard and most renowned ski and snowboard instructor qualifications. And where better to learn those qualifications than in Britain’s favourite ski resort: the Three Valleys? Sean Longmuir - Head of Training & Development, BASI
For more information on the specific courses we run in the Three Valleys please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
18 | MEET THE TEAM: [email protected]
MEET THE TEAM The Backcountry Tourer, Phil Purdie left the City and the world of investment banking to set up SnowSkool in 2003 with a small loan from the old man, JJ Purdie, who is now the Company Secretary. After a decade of snowboarding (including two “research seasons” in Canada) Phil switched back to skis and loves the freedom and speed it offers. Now with seven seasons experience in Canada, Europe and New Zealand, and having skied or snowboarded well over fifty resorts worldwide, Phil now enjoys growing a beard and getting out into the wilderness with his touring bindings, avalanche beacon and a shotgun to ward off bears and wolves. The Graceful Skier, Laura Hopps or “Hopper” as she is known to her colleagues is a graduate of the SnowSkool 2006 Banff programme. And, after a season spent working the ski hills of New Zealand, Laura was coaxed back to the UK with the offer of a full-time job at SnowSkool HQ. Her primary role is dealing with all customer enquiries and making sure that you are happy with every single detail
of the course before arrival. Not an aggressive skier, Laura’s honed technique and stunning good looks attract many an admiring glance from the male populace in resort. Though, boys, before any impure thoughts enter your head, it is worth noting that Laura is almost nun-like in her complete devotion to SnowSkool. The Park Rat, and former Paratrooper, Adrian “Dunk” Gourlay is to SnowSkool what the Stig is to Top Gear... a living legend whose true persona is known exclusively to two or three people in the world. It is rumoured that even his own mother has only managed to narrow down his identity to one of six people. Some say he was born wearing a beanie and goggles with a bandanna covering his face. Whatever the case, Dunk is an awesome rider…so much so that SnowSkool now sponsors him to appear in rail jams and freestyle comps in the UK and in resort. Going to press, he has now racked up four seasons in Canada – three in Banff and one in Big White - and two in Cardrona, New Zealand. That said, it is rumoured that Dunk has never actually ridden a piste as he is
said to get from the bottom of the chairlift to the top of the park through a process of teleportation. SnowSkool can neither confirm nor deny this. The Businessman, “Big” Steve Purdie was drafted into the SnowSkool fold after ten years of working as a management consultant in London and picking up a MBA from Cambridge University. Suffice it to say, Steve is brainy. His role revolves around ensuring the businesses finances are all in order and everything behind-the-scenes is ticking over as expected. Steve will also work on expanding SnowSkool operations in an organic and routine structured fashion. The Graphic Guru, Craig Langston makes SnowSkool look pretty. After years of working in two of London’s top design agencies, Langers went freelance and regular work for SnowSkool ensured he quickly became a firm friend of the company. Craig shreds for fun but is more into skateboarding and if he is not tweaking designs, he’s riding his board in the skate parks around South East England and sometimes Barcelona.
©
www.snowskool.co.uk
w w w . w i s k i . c o m
SportSkool Ltd 37-39 Southgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9EH, England, UK www.snowskool.co.uk e: [email protected] t: 01962 855 138 int: +44 1962 855 138
’ Ain’t no-one too cool for MySkool! o.uk/myskool www.snowskool.c
03 | CONTENTS: SnowSkool
WELCOME TO SNOWSKOOL
04 | RESORTS 06 14 16
Check Out Where It’s At!!!
Thank you for your interest in SnowSkool Since our inception in 2003, SnowSkool has grown into a company offering ski and snowboard courses in four world-class resorts spanning three continents in the northern and southern hemispheres. There are only about three months each year when SnowSkool is not running a course somewhere in the world...don’t worry, we are working to remedy this! This experience and our long-serving, dedicated staff has allowed us to fine-tune all aspects of the programmes we offer to ensure that your time in resort will be everything you dreamt it to be: top-notch tuition, epic skiing/ snowboarding, luxurious living and a vibrant social life. MySkool is another part of the SnowSkool offering of which I am very proud. With everything from media galleries to social networking, forums & blogs to online games & competitions, it really helps us to stand head and shoulders above our competitors. The snowsport recruitment database is a particularly valuable resource that has enabled us to place many former students in jobs at ski resorts throughout the world. We look forward to hearing from you, meeting you at a show, sharing a cold one at the SnowSkool party or skiing/ riding with you in resort! Best regards
Phil Purdie Director, SnowSkool Ltd DISCLAIMER
All information contained in this brochure is believed to be correct at time of going to press. For up to date information, please contact SnowSkool.
savoie france
08 | GAP YEAR
Case Study Examples
10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
Why We Offer The Best Courses
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Regardless of your taste, time constraints and level of experience, SnowSkool’s wide range of programmes puts the choice firmly in your hands. With resorts in the northern and southern hemispheres we can offer courses throughout the year at the world’s best ski and snowboard resorts. Whether you are looking for a constructive gap year to pick up professional qualifications, a career break to improve your skiing/ snowboarding or a chance to develop a new career as a ski or snowboard instructor, SnowSkool has a programme to suit your individual needs. Although we take care to work closely with local ski and snowboard schools at each resort in which we operate, you can be sure that all SnowSkool courses are run under the remit of national bodies that are members of the International Snowsport Instructors’ Association (ISIA). This represents the planet’s highest standard of ski and snowboard instruction.
13 | CAREER BREAKS Fancy Some Time Out?
18 | MEET THE TEAM
Putting A Face To A Name
[email protected]
www.snowskool.co.uk
04 | RESORTS: Big White
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES SnowSkool runs a wide variety of courses at Big White taking advantage of the awesome terrain on offer. The ski and board school is run by Josh Foster, who oversees one of the most progressive schools in North America. You will have the benefit of riding with a pool of instructors, therefore gaining feedback from numerous sources during your time in resort. In Big White, a massive emphasis is placed on daily instructor development ensuring that the bar is constantly being raised on your learning. NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of two weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool Big White programme.
BIG WHITE, BRITISH COLUMBIA Luxury Accommodation in Canada’s Largest Ski-in/ Ski-out Village THE SKIING - Despite being recognised as one of Canada’s best resorts, Big White remains surprisingly off the international skiing radar. This Canadian skiing and snowboarding Mecca is a place of pilgrimage for riders in search of pristine powder snow. The weather rolls in from the Pacific and when it hits the Monashee Range above the Okanagan Valley, it produces a phenomenal amount of Canada’s driest, fluffiest powder snow. The mountain itself is incredibly fun to ski. Don’t be fooled by its recent award of “North America’s Family Resort of the Year”, Big White has a diversity of terrain that is almost peerless – and something to offer every type of skier from the big mountain skier to the park rats. There is everything from cruisy greens, tougher blacks, the renowned double black diamond Cliff Area
www.snowskool.co.uk
to the Telus Terrain Park, one of Canada’s most revered freestyle terrain parks. There is no better place than Big White to host a SnowSkool instructor course. THE COMMUNITY - Big White is Canada’s largest ski in / ski out village. Although commonplace in Europe, ski in / ski out access is hard to come by in North America. The benefits of getting up each morning and clipping in to your gear at the back door of your chalet are hard to over-emphasise. The High Street in Big White is actually a pisted ski-run providing fast access to all the local amenities – restaurants, bars and shops. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed where everyone is always made to feel welcome. Snowshoe Sam’s (one of the local bars) was voted the “Best Après Ski Bar in North America”.
ACCOMMODATION - The chalets you will be living in during the SnowSkool course are the last word in luxury. Picture the ski chalet of your dreams: polished wood-floors, galleried open-plan living areas, huge windows with mountain views, en-suite facilities with large bathtubs. And that’s not even the half of it! All our chalets offer genuine ski-in / ski-out access and so you can finish your day’s skiing and be in the hot-tub on your porch with a beer in your hand within two minutes of leaving the pistes. After dinner - which is served in your chalet - fall into one of the huge leather sofas, stoke a fire and relaaaaaaax!!
BIG WHITE’S MOTTO IS “IT’S THE SNOW” - IN REFERENCE TO CANADA’S LIGHTEST, FLUFFIEST POWDER
THE HILL
BIG WHITE, CANADA
• Average Annual Snowfall: 25ft • Area: 3000 Acres • Number of Runs: 118 named runs / 27 unnamed • Terrain Breakdown: 18% beginner, 56% intermediate, 26% expert • Top Elevation: 7606 ft / 2319 m • Freestyle: Telus Terrain Park – 500ft super-pipe with 17ft transitional walls, two further half pipes, Race Course, International Skier / Boarder Cross
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN BIG WHITE Qualifications are awarded by the Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance (CSIA), the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) and the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF). CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor CASI Level 2 Snowboard Instructor CSIA Snow Park Certificate CASI Park Instructor CSCF Entry-Level Race Coach “Every SnowSkool programme run so far in Big White has been a resounding success. We are fortunate to have some of the best instructors around and the mountain itself is a classroom that’s second to none. I was massively impressed with the two ex-SnowSkool guys who have been working here as instructors for over 3 years now. Will and Ollie were awarded Rookies of the Year for 2006 and they thoroughly deserved it. We look forward to challenging future SnowSkoolers to achieve the same if not more!” Josh Foster – Director of Snowsports, Big White.
For more information on the specific courses we run in Big White please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
06 | RESORTS: Banff
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES
SnowSkool have now been working with the ski and snowboard school at Sunshine Village since 2004 and, as such, have cemented a firm relationship. Being the first operator to run a programme from Sunshine, we had our first choice of the very best instructors. The fact that we continue to use the same instructors today speaks volumes for the mutual respect that SnowSkool and the Sunshine instructors have for one another. NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of two weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool Banff programme.
BANFF, ALBERTA
Work Hard & Play Hard in Canada’s Premier Alpine Resort THE SKIING - Although there are numerous ski resorts in Banff National Park, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. SnowSkool operates its ski and snowboard instructor courses out of Sunshine Village, a mountain of awesome proportions. The Sunshine area is made up of 3 mountains each with its own character. From heavily gladed areas to big-mountain style open faces, Sunshine will produce the goods. Indeed, it is one of those rare mountains that is well suited to skiers and riders regardless of their ability. Whether you want to practice your technique down a gentle green run, drop into one of the chutes above Delirium Dive, cruise through the powder tree runs on Goat’s Eye or hit the immaculately maintained terrain park, Sunshine has it all! THE COMMUNITY - Despite being a popular and well-known destination, Banff maintains the character of a true modern www.snowskool.co.uk
town. Surrounded by the impressive Rocky Mountains it is difficult to imagine a more stunning setting to spend a ski season. Banff is a real seasonnaires town and, within a few days, you will know the shop-keepers and bar staff on a first-name basis. Don’t let this fool you though, as well as a cinema and sports centre Banff has enough shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs to keep even the most eager of you entertained all season long. ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool course you will be living at the HI Banff International Hostel. The HI Banff is consistently voted as one of the top ten hostels in the world. It is immaculately maintained, well-organised and awesome fun. One major benefit of the HI as opposed to a faceless, non-descript hotel is the sense of community. SnowSkool students tend to relax in ‘SnowSkool HQ’ – a warm and welcoming open plan communal area with a massive fire place. Here, the order of the day
is to chill out, play cards, watch movies, listen to music, or just have a beer and discuss the day’s riding. Along with the communal areas, the facilities at the HI are fantastic with free wireless internet throughout, a fully fitted immaculate kitchen, dining area and laundry facilities (linen is cleaned for you by Hostel staff). On top of that there is a café/ restaurant (Cougar Pete’s) serving healthy and inexpensive meals. The HI also boasts an on-site pub, The Storm Cellar. Affectionately named the Stormy C by locals and seasonnaires alike the bar has free pool, darts and table football as well as Cable TV to keep you up-to-date with all the latest sporting action. Students will benefit from cheap drinks and get to sample the regular theme and karaoke nights on offer. For the more intrepid, why not try your hand at the hostel’s ice climbing wall??!
BANFF IS A SKI AND SNOWBOARDING MECCA... WITH A NIGHTLIFE TO MATCH!
THE HILL
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN BANFF BANFF, CANADA
• Average Annual Snowfall : 33ft (three times that of nearby Lake Louise) • Area: 3358 Acres • Number of Runs: 107 named runs • Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% expert • Top Elevation: 9000ft/ 2730m – highest lift-served skiing in Canada • Freestyle: Two terrain parks
Qualifications are awarded by the Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance (CSIA), the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) and the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF). CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor CASI Level 2 Snowboard Instructor CSIA Snow Park Certificate CASI Park Instructor CSCF Entry-Level Race Coach “The SnowSkool course here in Banff is the perfect learning ground for potential instructors. The programme gets better each season and the Sunshine instructors can’t wait for January to come around each year for the programme to begin! The 5 days per week of instruction the students receive gives them the very best chance of succeeding in their exams. We have employed many ex-SnowSkoolers in the past and I look forward to more joining our successful Ski and Board school soon!” Stewart Laver – Director Sunshine Village Ski and Board School.
For more information on the specific courses we run in Banff please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
08 | CASE STUDIES: Gap Year
GAP YEAR CASE STUDIES
Kirsty Probert, 18 • Snowboarder, New Zealand 2007 • CSI Instructor • NZSIA Instructor Stage One
Identical twins Will & Ollie Southon, 23 • Skiers, Banff 2005 • CSIA Instructor Levels 1&2 (Now both Level 3) • CSCF Race Coach 1
Rachel Adcock, 18 • Skier, Banff 2006 • CSIA Instructor Levels 1&2 • CSCF Race Coach 1
Kirsty joined the SnowSkool New Zealand course three days after finishing her final A-Level exam and leaving sixth form. With only three weeks experience, Kirsty found the first few weeks extremely intensive but she progressed well under the guidance of the instructors at Cardrona’s High Performance Centre and ended up achieving her CSI and NZSIA Stage One. Kirsty then went on to teach at Lake Louise in Canada for the northern winter season before returning to the UK and enrolling at University.
“Our season in Big White was epic. Our qualifications, and a good reference from SnowSkool, enabled us to work the Adult programme so there was no first season teaching kids which was what we hoped to avoid! Instructor development at BW is second-to-none and, as a result, we passed our Level 3 exam. And to top it all off at the end of the season we were awarded “Rookies of the Year”!
“I have been skiing since I was four years old and competitively since the age of thirteen, so skiing during my gap year after school was a pretty obvious choice. Mum and I did a lot of research but I chose SnowSkool when I realised that the SnowSkool team possibly loved skiing even more than I do! The opportunity to work on my racing as well as my instructor badges was another huge factor.”
Will and Ollie have worked at Big White ever since their first season.
Rachel worked as a Race Coach at Fall’s Creek Ski Resort in Australia after her SnowSkool course and plans to return to teach at Sunshine Village after obtaining her degree. She is currently studying at Newcastle University, is the number one rated female University ski racer in the UK and is sponsored by SnowSkool. Rachel’s brother Jamie, a graduate of Banff’s 2008 programme is currently working as a ski instructor at Sunshine Village.
I CHOSE SNOWSKOOL WHEN I REALISED THAT THE SNOWSKOOL TEAM POSSIBLY LOVED SKIING EVEN MORE THAN I DO
www.snowskool.co.uk
10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
[email protected]
WHY SNOWSKOOL? Tuition: • The best instructors • Group sizes
One of the reasons behind SnowSkool ‘s phenomenal historical success rate is the fact that we offer more instruction than any other operator. Not only that, but we also work with some of the best instructors available – our size and our reputation guarantees this. Indeed many instructors have been working the SnowSkool programme since our first course in 2004. We also speak with the Ski & Board schools involved to restrict group sizes and to ensure an optimal instructor: student ratio. Choice: This is where the feedback from previous students really comes into play. Since SnowSkool’s inception – when we ran one small course in Banff – we have listened to former students and grown to offer courses in a number of resorts in the northern and southern hemispheres. This allows you to take a course all year round with start dates in December, January, March, April and July. More than this we offer courses of differing lengths in an attempt to fit in with your busy lifestyle. On an individual level, if you want to arrive early to earn a few cheeky turns before the programme starts, or even stay out longer to enjoy the corn snow and sunshine that spring brings, SnowSkool can organise your accommodation and any other needs you may have. Extra-Curricular Activities: Whereas SnowSkool courses are all about skiing and riding, we also fully appreciate
www.snowskool.co.uk
MYSKOOL
that you will want to experience the life of a seasonnaire. Of course, it depends on where you are in the world as to what activities we can provide but the SnowSkool team, with their in-depth knowledge of the resort, will be able to make sure you make the most of your travels and soak up the local culture. Whether you fancy visiting another resort, trying your hand at a new sport or experiencing the local nightlife the SnowSkool team will help you fit it all in.
possible and will organise social activities, instructor exams and away-days. Close bonds are always formed between students and staff and it is always awesome meeting up at SnowSkool reunion parties! Finally, we place a huge emphasis on employing a mix of male and female staff. This creates a much more balanced atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. This is probably one reason why we always seem to have a good ratio of guys and gals on our programmes.
Staff: • Dedicated and Experienced Resort Staff • High Staff : Student Ratio • Male and Female • All SnowSkool staff are former students
Safety: For those of us that love to ski and board, some of our best experiences come when we spend time in the mountains. However, despite being beautiful, the mountain environment can also be unpredictable. At SnowSkool we promote further understanding of the mountains and snow conditions so that students are as well prepared as possible to full enjoy the alpine environment.
After all is said and done, the real reason that SnowSkool excels is down to our staff. From various backgrounds (investment banking, the military, teaching and former SnowSkool students) we feel that the team we have brought together are our greatest asset. Every member of our crew is a qualified ski or snowboard instructor and, with an age range of 25-33, we provide a perfect blend of responsible management with an ability to empathise with students of all ages. The enthusiasm of SnowSkool staff shines through on every programme we run. SnowSkool has a high staff to student ratio. We interact fully with the students on a daily basis. It is not a matter of us being a phone call away; a SnowSkool team member will be there for breakfast and dinner, we will see you on the hill each day and will spend time with you in the evenings and weekends. We are always happy to help out in any way
Along with an initial safety brief, students can attend an Avalanche Awareness Course giving fundamental knowledge about backcountry safety, snowpack analysis and the use of transceivers. You can also gain a 1st Aid qualification with a wilderness focus.
WITH AN AGE RANGE OF 25-33, THE SNOWSKOOL STAFF PROVIDE THE PERFECT BLEND OF RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT AND AN ABILITY TO EMPATHISE WITH STUDENTS OF ALL AGES
The MySkool section of the SnowSkool website has taken on a life of its own! MySkool allows past, present and future SnowSkool students to come together as part of a virtual community. What can I do on MySkool? You can check out and upload cool pix and vids, play games online, enter competitions to win great prizes, read our forum and blog (or give us your views!), keep up-to-date with snowsport news and you can even create your own profile on MySkool’s own social networking. This enables SnowSkool students to get in touch and get to know each other before the course and remain in touch after the course has finished. Perhaps the most popular section in MySkool is the Instructor Recruitment Database. At SnowSkool we understand that many of you take an instructor programme to get your qualifications to allow you to work as an instructor. Using our instructor recruitment database, SnowSkool has placed many former students at resorts in Canada, North America, New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Our jobs database contains all the information, contacts and know-how to help you get a job in the snowsports industry. The database is for the exclusive use of SnowSkool students and allows you to apply for jobs directly through the database. SnowSkool has personally contacted all the resorts and has created a database which is easy to use, up to date and reliable. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a SnowSkool course and you are just a click away from becoming a ski or snowboard instructor!
SportSkool goes Green - Let’s work together to ensure there is enough snow left for future generations to enjoy what we all love…! Like most people who ski and snowboard and anyone who enjoys spending time in the mountains, we care greatly about the beautiful environment that is our winter home. Thankfully, most of us are now becoming more aware about the damage the earth has suffered due to global warming caused by the rise in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, but not everyone is aware of what they can do to minimise their own personal carbon footprint. At SportSkool we have finished discussing it and are acting now… isn’t it about time you did the same??! Tourism, by its very nature, is reliant on transportation, whether it is in a car, on the train or flying all of which produce damaging CO2 emissions. These are the actions we have taken to minimise our effect: • This SnowSkool brochure is produced using paper from trees planted in sustainable forests. • All SportSkool staff walk or cycle to work • SportSkool tries to use only public transport to travel to Gap Fairs and Snow Shows • SportSkool recycles everything both in the office and at home!
13 | CASE STUDIES: Career Break
CAREER BREAK CASE STUDIES
Andy Freeland, 29 • Skier, New Zealand 2007 • CSI Instructor • NZSIA Instructor Stage One “As an avid skier I had always dreamed of training to become an instructor but as a full time PE teacher my options were limited. Then I stumbled across SnowSkool’s New Zealand course and it seemed perfect. I took the NZ programme during my summer holiday break and it was the best thing I could ever have done. Even if I never work as an instructor I made some lifelong friends and the focused and intensive training has given me that extra edge on the school playing field.”
Sarah Sadler, 34 • Skier, Big White 2008 • CSIA Instructor Level 1
Dan Colman, 30 • Snowboarder, Banff 2008 • CASI Instructor Levels 1 & 2
Sarah joined the Big White SnowSkool programme along with her husband Chris who had just left the Army. Unlike many of the other people on the course who were simply on a career break Sarah and Chris had their sights set on something more permanent. Whilst Chris took the full level 1 and level 2 course, Sarah busied herself training on the hill and working in the local village sweet shop! Once she passed her CSIA level 1 qualification on the 4 week Spring course, Sarah and Chris settled down to a life in Big White and have been enjoying life there ever since!
“I had been working in recruitment for years and felt like I needed a break to reassess my working goals. I had been snowboarding for about ten years and had always dreamt of doing a season and becoming a snowboard instructor but it never seemed the right time.”
ONE DAY I DECIDED TO JUST TAKE THE PLUNGE ...THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME
“One day, however, I decided to just take the plunge and, after I spoke to my boss and the guys at SnowSkool, I realised that I wouldn’t be the first and that this was the right time. The course was fantastic, my time away was both great fun and very constructive and I met some great people. Not only did I come back to work refreshed and refocused but I achieved my main goal of being able to snowboard better than all my friends!”
www.snowskool.co.uk
14 | RESORTS: Cardrona
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES
On SnowSkool’s New Zealand programme you will sit two different qualifications regardless of whether you ski or snowboard. The NZSIA qualifications are well respected throughout the international skiing and snowboarding community and will stand you in good stead should you wish to follow a career in snowsports. On the SnowSkool course not only will you work towards your instructor qualifications, but your all-mountain riding will improve dramatically. The team of international Cardrona instructors will ensure you receive the very best level of tuition in all aspects of your skiing or boarding.
CARDRONA SKI RESORT, WANAKA Soulful New Zealand Town with the Country’s Highest Lift-Served Skiing THE SKIING - After searching the southern hemisphere for a ski and snowboard resort that would stand up to the high standards set by our resorts in Canada & Europe, we settled on Cardrona on New Zealand’s majestic South Island. Snow reliability, varied and extensive terrain, a high standard of instruction and a great town were the key criteria in helping SnowSkool find the most suitable resort possible. This ‘summer’ you could be in New Zealand, skiing and riding the best ski field in Australasia whilst earning internationally recognised qualifications. Situated between beautiful Wanaka and Queenstown, Cardrona is New Zealand’s most popular ski and snowboard resort with excellent riding for both skiers and boarders. It is renowned for its snow reliability, due to a high elevation and the fact that it is largely south facing (like north facing slopes in the northern hemisphere). In addition, there is extensive snow making facilities if required. The terrain is incredible and well suited to riders of all standards – wide open slopes
www.snowskool.co.uk
to gain confidence and develop technique to steep powder fields and chutes for expert skiers. The freestyle facilities are second to none with 3 terrain parks, 4 half pipes, a boarder cross course and countless rails and kickers. During the course you will have time to explore the entire area and become a master of your chosen discipline. THE COMMUNITY - Wanaka, situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka, is one the most beautiful towns in New Zealand. It lies right at the heart of a World Heritage site with awe-inspiring scenery all around. Wanaka is extremely friendly and easy to find your way round and the town has an ample supply of bars, cafes and restaurants to match up to any ski town. Queenstown down the road from Wanaka is the adrenaline-fuelled capital of the back-packing world and, with 3 different bungee jumps, numerous sky dives, white water rafting, canyon swinging and jet boating, it has enough to keep every adrenaline junkie on the edge of their seat! No visit to New Zealand is purely about skiing or boarding – it is an awesome country
that is bound to get into your soul and provide you with some of the most fantastic experiences of your life. ACCOMMODATION - Whilst out in NZ, you will stay in family run apartments close to the centre of Wanaka. The SnowSkool accommodation is well located, providing easy access to all amenities that Wanaka has on offer. Students will be accommodated in the Belvedere Luxury Apartments in the centre of Wanaka and sharing a bedroom with up to one other person. The 2 bedroom apartments boast spacious bedrooms, communal lounges, fully fitted kitchens, laundry facilities, state of the art entertainment systems and private balconies. On top of this the students can make use of the complex sauna, heated locker room and private parking making the Belvedere the perfect place to spend your season in New Zealand.
AN INTENSE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON AN AWESOME SKI HILL IN A LAID-BACK TOWN
THE HILL
CARDRONA, NEW ZEALAND
• Average Annual Snowfall: 10ft (plus snowmaking) • Area: 800 acres • Number of Runs: 56 named runs • Terrain Breakdown: 25% beginner, 55% intermediate, 20% expert • Top Elevation: 1894m • Freestyle: 3 Freestyle parks, 4 half pipes, boarder cross.
NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of four weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool NZ programme.
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN NEW ZEALAND Qualifications are awarded by the New Zealand Snowsports Instructor Alliance (NZSIA) NZSIA Certificate of Snowsports Instructor (skiers and snowboarders) NZSIA Stage One Ski Instructor NZSIA Stage One Snowboard Instructor “Cardrona Alpine Resort is an excellent destination for skiers and snowboarders on a SnowSkool course. The mountain facilities here are world-class and our professional instructors are amongst the top coaches in their field”. Georgina Cleave, Director of Skiing – High Performance Centre, Cardrona.
For more information on the specific courses we run in New Zealand please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
16 | RESORTS: Three Valleys
www.snowskool.co.uk
savoie france
THE COURSES
SnowSkool has chosen to run the course with a British owned BASI Training Academy based in Meribel. Students will receive the very highest standard of BASI instruction and spend valuable time gaining the necessary experience working with the Ski & Board School - 70 hours of Ski & Board School experience is required as part of the course. The lessons will teach you to become a better skier or rider and focus on the mechanics of the sports. The ski school experience will allow you to learn more about the teaching aspect of becoming an instructor as well as getting an insight into the operations of a Training School.
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE
The Largest and Most Diverse Ski Area in the World THE SKIING - When SnowSkool decided to launch a new programme in Europe we were inundated with possible resorts. Once we settled on France there was really only one area that would live up to and (if possible!) exceed our offerings in Canada and New Zealand and that was the Three Valleys. The Three Valleys is the largest ski resort in the world (yes the world!) and boasts eight different ski resorts spread across three huge valleys, all covered under one lift pass and all joined by mile after mile of skiable terrain. Nestled in the Savoie region of the French Alps, the Three Valleys quite literally has terrain to suit each and every skier. With such a large area to choose from not only will you be able to find runs to suit your skill and experience but the mountain will soon invite you to pick up new skills and challenge yourself. From the cruisy green runs to the numerous wide sloping blues there is plenty of choice for novice skiers. For the more intrepid amongst you why not try your www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COMMUNITY - The Three Valleys area is home to 16 different villages giving you plenty of choice for not only where to ride but also where to stay. The Three Valleys’ unique mix of pedestrianised villages, spa towns, family resorts and lively bustling towns offer a little bit of everything to the seasonnaire. Although a massive resort, the Three Valleys still retains the local and personal feel of many of Europe’s smaller resorts. No more so than in St Martin de Belleville which SnowSkool students will call ‘home’ for three months. You will soon know everyone on a first name basis; with shops, restaurants, bars, and activities galore the Three Valleys really is the perfect place to host a SnowSkool course.
French charm with seasonnaire bustle giving participants the chance to soak up the French culture whilst enjoying a dish of tartiflette washed down by a demi-pression (or two) in one of the many local bars in town, or on the slopes on the way down. Chalet Pascale situated near the centre of St Martin offers the ultimate in comfort and luxury. Although built in the traditional Savoyard style, Pascale has plenty of modern features. The chalet consists of a large open plan living and dining area and students will enjoy banquet-style meals together around the big table. The comfortable sofas in the lounge are the perfect place to put your feet up after a hard day’s riding and enjoy the vast range of multimedia on offer: Cable TV, a DVD player, sound system and games consoles have all been fitted to give the chalet that SnowSkool edge!
ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool Three Valleys course you will be staying in the charming and picturesque village of St Martin de Belleville. This town mixes
KICK OFF THE MORNING IN MERIBEL, HIT UP VAL THORENS FOR LUNCH AND THEN CRUISE AROUND COURCHEVEL IN THE AFTERNOON...UNBELIEVABLE DIVERSITY
hand at one of the mountain’s steep black runs or take a ride on the dark side and hit the extensive off-piste on offer?!
THE HILL
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE
• Average Annual Snowfall: 30ft • Area: 600km of pistes • Number of Runs: 336 named runs • Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner, 60% intermediate, 20% expert • Top Elevation: 3230m • Freestyle: 5 parks, 3 boarder cross, countless rails, jumps, pipes all over the valleys
NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a minimum of five weeks on-snow experience before committing to the SnowSkool France programme.
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN FRANCE
Qualifications are awarded by the British Association of Snowsports Instructors (BASI) and the British Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP) BASI Level One Instructor BASI Level Two Instructor BASP First Aid Course Child Protection Basic Awareness “The BASI qualifications represent some of the world’s highest standard and most renowned ski and snowboard instructor qualifications. And where better to learn those qualifications than in Britain’s favourite ski resort: the Three Valleys? Sean Longmuir - Head of Training & Development, BASI
For more information on the specific courses we run in the Three Valleys please get in touch on [email protected] or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
18 | MEET THE TEAM: [email protected]
MEET THE TEAM The Backcountry Tourer, Phil Purdie left the City and the world of investment banking to set up SnowSkool in 2003 with a small loan from the old man, JJ Purdie, who is now the Company Secretary. After a decade of snowboarding (including two “research seasons” in Canada) Phil switched back to skis and loves the freedom and speed it offers. Now with seven seasons experience in Canada, Europe and New Zealand, and having skied or snowboarded well over fifty resorts worldwide, Phil now enjoys growing a beard and getting out into the wilderness with his touring bindings, avalanche beacon and a shotgun to ward off bears and wolves. The Graceful Skier, Laura Hopps or “Hopper” as she is known to her colleagues is a graduate of the SnowSkool 2006 Banff programme. And, after a season spent working the ski hills of New Zealand, Laura was coaxed back to the UK with the offer of a full-time job at SnowSkool HQ. Her primary role is dealing with all customer enquiries and making sure that you are happy with every single detail
of the course before arrival. Not an aggressive skier, Laura’s honed technique and stunning good looks attract many an admiring glance from the male populace in resort. Though, boys, before any impure thoughts enter your head, it is worth noting that Laura is almost nun-like in her complete devotion to SnowSkool. The Park Rat, and former Paratrooper, Adrian “Dunk” Gourlay is to SnowSkool what the Stig is to Top Gear... a living legend whose true persona is known exclusively to two or three people in the world. It is rumoured that even his own mother has only managed to narrow down his identity to one of six people. Some say he was born wearing a beanie and goggles with a bandanna covering his face. Whatever the case, Dunk is an awesome rider…so much so that SnowSkool now sponsors him to appear in rail jams and freestyle comps in the UK and in resort. Going to press, he has now racked up four seasons in Canada – three in Banff and one in Big White - and two in Cardrona, New Zealand. That said, it is rumoured that Dunk has never actually ridden a piste as he is
said to get from the bottom of the chairlift to the top of the park through a process of teleportation. SnowSkool can neither confirm nor deny this. The Businessman, “Big” Steve Purdie was drafted into the SnowSkool fold after ten years of working as a management consultant in London and picking up a MBA from Cambridge University. Suffice it to say, Steve is brainy. His role revolves around ensuring the businesses finances are all in order and everything behind-the-scenes is ticking over as expected. Steve will also work on expanding SnowSkool operations in an organic and routine structured fashion. The Graphic Guru, Craig Langston makes SnowSkool look pretty. After years of working in two of London’s top design agencies, Langers went freelance and regular work for SnowSkool ensured he quickly became a firm friend of the company. Craig shreds for fun but is more into skateboarding and if he is not tweaking designs, he’s riding his board in the skate parks around South East England and sometimes Barcelona.
©
www.snowskool.co.uk
w w w . w i s k i . c o m
SportSkool Ltd 37-39 Southgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9EH, England, UK www.snowskool.co.uk e: [email protected] t: 01962 855 138 int: +44 1962 855 138
