What not to (mountain) wear #12
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:52 am

Pyjamas.  Often used in the bedroom, less often seen in an outdoor alpine environment.  On this occasion, the snowboarder in question has plumped for the red pyjamas with white flower motif detailing.  One is forced to conclude that a heavy overnight fall of fresh pow meant he had no time to waste getting up the mountain in the morning.  Should have gone to sleep in his snowboarding gear.  Bedtime fail.

What not to (mountain) wear #11
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:46 am

This man-chicken was first spotted alone on the mountain.

But birds of a feather apparently flock together, and that turns out to be true of man-chickens as well, as three of the feathery skiers had fluttered together by the end of the day.  One of them sporting a rucsac that seemed decidedly un-man(or chicken)-like.
Man-chickens: got to love them.  Or perhaps not.

Verbier: the new course starts
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 2:16 pm

In a seeming blink of an eye, but actuallly after what was an intensive ten-week course, the first group of skiers all passed their BASI Level 2, and now a whole new group of trainee ski instructors have arrived hoping to tread (ski?) the same successful path.

There’s no rest for the wicked, or the trainees – so the first week saw them plunge straight into to training every day, as well as shadowing actual instructors teaching lessons.

Rest at the weekend?  Not for these trainees, the first aid course beckoned.  As has been typical for Verbier, the snow returned again to fall thickly as the outdoor part of the course took place.  Here the trainees took it in turns to play both victim and rescuers.

On occasion, looking suspiciously like they were just hiding from the falling snow,

But with fun being had by all…

Steeps, bumps and Park
Posted on February 19, 2012 at 8:27 pm

Post CASI/CSIA level 1 success for all of the Peak Leaders Banff group has been about steeps, deeps and park.

The riders have been hitting the park daily.

Billy J hitting the boxes and big kickers…..

The skiers used their big 3 lift passes for a day of steeps and bumps at Lake Louise Ski Area with their bump slaying trainer Kenji.

.

Skiing the steep back chutes at Lake Louise

The early morning crew of Tony, Billy B and Andy got the first lift up and fresh tracks in the Sunshine Village powder.

Banff is in the middle of one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. And some times it is not only the humans who use the pedestrian crossings to get across Banff Avenue!

Thursday was freestyle training day for the skiers……. after a bumpy start the guys were loving it!

Moral of the story is …….. don’t lean back when sliding on a box!

Once you find the “Gorilla centred stance” all is good…..

Rob “rocking” it

Anna riding the rainbow box

Emily laid down the most stylish 180′s of the day. Here she is half way round on the ‘star trek’ kicker

Level 2 training is being cranked up and everyone on the course are showing what 6 weeks of training can do to their skiing and riding.

Week 7 here we come…..

What not to (mountain) wear #10
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 8:43 am

Mountain cows.  Difficult to track down and easily spooked, which meant that these shots had to be taken with a high-powered telephoto lens.  On balance, it’s fortunate that husband and wife matching cow outfits remain a rare sight on the mountain.

What not to (mountain) wear #9
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 8:53 am

Ask yourself: am I Superman?  If the answer is yes, then consider asking: is my girlfriend a skeleton?  Only in the unlikely event that the answer to both questions is yes, then looking like this on the mountain is entirely appropriate.  Superhero fail.

Everyone is a WINNER!
Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:47 pm

HUGE week for the skiers & riders on the Banff 2012 course.

Level 1 CSIA & CASI exams dominated the week with everyone working on their technique and delivering lessons under the watchful eyes of the course conductors.

Charlie Valentine who is now a level 3 instructor and originally did his level 1 with Peak Leaders in Argentina several seasons ago was one  of the course conductors assessing the Peak Leaders skiers.

Day 1 on the CSIA level 1 course – meet the course conductors

Weeeeeeeee Billy being assessed on his beginner snowboard teaching

Billy ‘the big face‘ B and Andrea ‘you guys’ teaching snowploughs and developing the art/skill of bending double whilst skiing backwards.

Grace working on her balance and posture

Judgement day came for the riders on Thursday and the guys nailed it with a 100% pass rate.

Judgement day 2 came on Friday for the skiers and matched the riders with a 100% pass rate.

The pass rate is down to the amazing training the guys have had from the Sunshine Ski School but mostly due to the hard work everyone put in on all the sessions.

A celebratory meal at the Elk & Oarsman….. “umm ribs” followed by several lemonades brought a perfect 48 hours to a close.

One of the highlights of Peak Leaders Banff courses is the chance to go and watch a live NHL ice hockey match.

Saturday was national ice hockey day in Canada and the crew were not disappointed in the fierce rivalry between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks in the Olympic Saddledome Arena in Calgary.

In a game that had goals, big hits and fights (which are allowed in ice hockey) the Flames won in a shootout after the scores were level after fulltime and overtime.

Everyone in Canada skates ….. Banff public skating rink on the way to the game.

On the bus to the game

Scott and Rob soaking up the pre game atmosphere

Get your hot dogs and pizzas here……….

The fastest team sport in the world

fight fight fight…… whilst the refs and other players watch on!

Two of the flames newest fans….. Jonny and Anna

Now that everyone is a Level 1 snowsports instructor the training begins for the Level 2 exam.

Bring it on!

What not to (mountain) wear #8 (Skirt special)
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:29 am

Kilts and a mountainous environment: a traditional Scottish scene.  Relocate to Switzerland and add a snowboard = misplaced national pride fail.

A girl and a skirt: another traditional combination.  But on the mountain on a snowboard?  Hmm.  Inappropriately drafty clothing fail.

Verbier: images from the last day of training
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 8:55 am

On the final day of training, the trainees not only had an opportunity to go through the teaching steps, but also to run through the snowpark and generally have fun.

Here’s one of the snowboard trainees combining all of those elements: teaching a trick to the other trainees in the snowpark whilst simulaneously levitating on her own board…

Other snowboarders attempted front flips and/or 360s…

Amongst the skiers, some went off piste…

Others went into the park (with varying degrees of success)…

There was even some synchro.  (Each to their own).

Verbier: as training neared its end, freestyle and freeride lessons beckoned
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:00 am

The first week of the trainees’ BASI Level 2 assessment has flown by, just one more week to go.  While the guys rest up for the weekend, here’s a look back at the off-piste day they enjoyed at the end of their training.  The snow had fallen thickly, enabling some awesome tree skiing:

With snow up the waist in places, it was inevitable that there’d be falls – fortunately the landings were soft.

There was even time for the occasional jump, with the trainees being led by Rasmus from European Snowsport.  Only one brave soul watched Rasmus’ attempted corked backflip with handplant:

and then followed it with an attempted backflip of his own…

but everyone had a go at something, and all had a good time.