BARILOCHE 2018 – WEEK 7 & 8
It’s go time – BASI level 2 has arrived! For the previous 6 weeks the Peak Leaders have been working hard on their skiing skills and now it’s time to put all that effort into practice. The level 2 exam comprises of high performance piste skiing, learning how to teach high quality lessons and also skiing bumps and variable snow. So if there is powder about then everyone needs to show off their skills. Here is a video of Jas and his group charging!
The level 2 exam is intense as there’s loads to do each day and so after a full on first week the trainees know that a relaxing weekend is necessary so they can recharge and be ready to go again on Monday. With that in mind Emily and the girls quickly found an après bar to get that Friday feeling going, cerveza’s all round!
Peak Leaders have been going to Argentina for nearly 20 years and as a result they know the best places to explore. In the middle weekend of the exam the Peak Leaders visited a huge Argentinean ranch where they can go horse riding through the stunning Patagonian scenery.
There were definitely a few nervous people as we mounted the horse for the first time but by the end everyone loved having the chance to go horse riding and see all the spectacular sights. Callum had never been on a horse before but he was a natural!
After spending the morning exploring on horse back we arrived back at camp and Ivan had prepared a traditional Argentinean Asado (BBQ) cooking various delicious meats. The experience was truly magical and topped off by excellent weather and fantastic hospitality. Thanks to Ivan and all the local guides who made it such an unforgettable day!
So after a perfect middle weekend the Peak Leaders are ready for their final week of the level 2 exam and all the trainees know what they have to do. Jas and Tom have been awesome trainers for the team creating a fantastic learning environment that allows the trainees to be focused yet relaxed each day. Some days are spent working on central theme and learning how to teach great lessons. Other days focus on high level skiing and how each individual can improve their performance even further.
Throughout the course we are lucky to stay at the amazing Refugio Del Lago headed up by Ruben and his fantastic staff. The location is perfect for getting to Cerro Catedral and the rooms are literally on the shores of the ‘small’ lake Gutiérrez. Anytime we have needed anything Ruben is always on hand to help out! Thanks Ruben!
As we drew nearer to Friday and results day there were some nervous people about but the whole team came together to support one another and delivered some excellent lessons and some quality final skiing. Congratulations to everyone for completing BASI level 1 and 2 and 5 weeks of full on training.
This course is a fantastic way to spend 8 weeks in Argentina learning to become a BASI qualified ski instructor but it also offers so much more. The course offers the chance to improve your Spanish, learn how to Tango, explore the amazing Patagonian lakes and countryside and loads more! And to top it off Bariloche is an amazing town rich in culture and has loads of fantastic steak restaurants, what more could you want!?
And so the Argentina Peak Leaders course for 2018 has finished. It was rammed full of skiing, Patagonian expeditions, pub quizes, steak eating, wine drinking and partying! So it just remains for Tom and Jas to wave us off…until next year. Or, if you want to start sooner, our Saas Fee course which starts next week!
