BARILOCHE 2017 – WEEK 6
Now that we’ve just completed Week 6 of Peak Leaders’ unique 9-week ski instructor course in Bariloche, Argentina, the storms have finally subsided and the fresh snow has settled under beautiful South American blue skies.
As a quick reminder of the previous week’s successes – all of our trainees passed the BASI Alpine Level 1 exams to become qualified ski instructors!
🇦🇷 Peakleaders team 2017 ✌ #peakleaders 📷 @_charlotteworkman_
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With the pressure of exams lifted the newly qualified instructors spent this week looking ahead, training towards the BASI Alpine Level 2 exams with our BASI Trainers, Emma and Jim.
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The BASI Alpine Level 1 qualification is designed to qualify you to teach on dry slopes or indoor snow domes.
Once you have your BASI Alpine Level 2, your job opportunities increase significantly. At this stage, you can teach in the mountain environment. With a BASI Level 2 qualification our newly qualified instructors will be able to work in countries such as Switzerland, USA, Canada, Japan, China, Italy, Germany, Austria, Andorra, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and even here in Argentina!
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Up at Cerro Catedral as we’ve moved into September there has been a clear change in conditions as we edge towards Spring. In contrast to the Northern Hemisphere this time of year, the sun’s rising earlier and days are gradually getting longer. The huge snow storms that have blanketed the Andes over the height of winter have passed and the sun is out most days!
Blue skies and incredible snow make for perfect training conditions.
🇦🇷 @rory_sandison charging! 🐂 #peakleaders 📷 @_charlotteworkman_
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Off the mountain (as it’s not an exam week!) the guys have been making the most of their down time. A few days freeskiing to practice all the newly acquired techniques followed by apres ski or dinner out in the bustling town, Bariloche are great ways to unwind.
Happy Humpday!!! ❄️⛷🇦🇷 #wednesday #peakleaders #gapcourse #argentina
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During the week, we decided to do something a little different – a Come Dine With Me style cook up! Out accommodation at Refugio Del Lago offers a unique advantage over your standard hotel – we have our own private apartments. Each apartment was tasked with cooking their own signature dish to share with the group. After aperitifs at the BASI apartment, Condado crew provided the starter of Chorizo, salad and Sangria. The main came from two different apartments with Veganos providing the veggie option in the form of fajitas while the Jovens dished up a delicious Spaghetti Bolognese.
While the Sangria and wine were running on empty, the singing was approaching unbearable! Sam and Cameron rounded of the night perfectly with an Argentinian-inspired banana split.
🇦🇷 Fresh snow + sunshine = smiles here in Cerro Catedral! #peakleaders 📷 @_charlotteworkman_
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Some of the guys used the weekend to visit Chile. Rent a car, hit the road and enjoy the adventure! As the two countries are separated by the Andes mountain range the landscape on either side is incredibly different only a few hours either side of the border!
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Time is flying here in Bariloche, Argentina. Weeks 7 and 8 will be largely dominated by the BASI Alpine Level 2 exams but the pay off at the end is absolutely worth it. CV’s are flying out the door and new ski instructor jobs are just around the corner!
