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ISIA TRAINING COURSE
If you already have your BASI Level 2 Instructor License, take your qualifications to the next level with our 8 week intensive training program and exams in the most famous resort in South America, Bariloche. All of your training will be delivered by BASI Trainers.
The mountain, Cerro Cathedral is ideal for training – challenging terrain, epic lift accessed backcountry and the whole experience offers fantastic value for money. It also offers an amazing overall experience – the locals are some of the most friendly people you’ll meet and when you’re not training, the list of things to do is endless, from massive Argentine BBQs, to riding out with the local Gauchos in the mountains, to exploring other resorts nearby.
The program is made up of 5 weeks training, 5 days per week and 3 weeks of exams, BASI ISIA Technical and Teach Exam modules. You can add on either Level 1 Ski or Snowboard as your second discipline too.
The training is intensive and there will be off snow sessions, video analysis and feedback weekly. We’ve designed this course to put you in the best possible position to pass your ISIA tech and teach modules. Here’s the indepth program of the on and off snow training week by week.
WEEK1
- Introduce you to the beautiful country of Argentina and the slopes of Catedral. This week is to familiarise you with the Team we have in place here in Argentina. Meet your experienced BASI Trainer, Course Leader and the other Peak Leaders trainee’s from all Levels. In a relaxed environment you will get to know the resort, outline for the next 8 weeks, and Peak Leaders will make sure your ready:
- Prep your equipment
- Prep yourself
- Understand the levels BASI require by Week 8
- Explore all 5 Strands for the Level 3 ISIA
- Develop understanding of the Teaching level for L3 ISIA
- Action Plan for the L3 ISIA Peak Leaders Course
WEEK 2
- Focus here is on solid Piste Performance to set the groundwork for the weeks to come.
- Learn about your stance, approach and movements required to ensure Piste Long & Short turns are on track for BASI L3 Tech.
- At the same time discuss the way in which the BASI Trainer is working in a relaxed environment to bring about the best in your performance.
- Video will supplement the on snow work to ensure that your technical understanding and analysis at L3 is of the highest level.
WEEK 3
- Focus this week is on Bumps & Variables (Bumps more focussed this week for Skier group / Variables for Snowboarders).
- All the skills required will challenge your ability to take the solid foundations to stance & movements and show you how to adapt them into more demanding terrain.
- More than just a ‘technical’ focus to the week however, we will show you how to make the most of the other BASI Performance Threads, by introducing “Tactical / Psychological / Psychical” Threads into this week.
- Again video will always supplement on snow activity to make the most out of the learning, both for technical performance and teaching preparation.
WEEK 4
- Focus this week will make the best use of any fresh snow and off-piste for the Steeps & Variables – with Freestyle days in the park included for Snowboarders.
- Moving into more difficult snow conditions and environments, Peak Leaders will make best use of their extensive knowledge of the Catedral Resort, and close relationships with the Ski Patrol and Guides, to get you into the best new snow.
- Expect some energetic days of hiking, exploring and learning about new techniques to make the most challenging conditions easy.
WEEK 5
- Refresher week! A week for you, led by you.
- Get to ask the questions and review all the techniques and teaching approaches covered.
- The BASI Trainer will hand over the week to the group and expertly lead you to the answers of your questions.
- A chance to get everything in place, in mind and body, before the BASI exams.
WEEK 6 AND 7
- BASI L3 Tech exam
WEEK 8
- BASI L3 Teaching exam.
“The Peak Leaders Argentina course offers two unmissable experiences in one: a visit to the lake district of Patagonia – one of the most beautiful places on earth – and off course the opportunity to do a winter season.
In 2009 I was fortunate enough to assess the Peak Leaders students in Cerro Cathedral, Bariloche. The resort is the best of the South American resorts and has a large number of pistes as well as easily accessible and enjoyable off piste. Peak Leaders team up with the Barilorche Alpine Club to provide training prior to the BASI course, some of the most professional people I met while traveling in South America. This combination of challenging terrain and quality coaching prepares the students really well.
If you are considering a course, and perhaps want something a little different from what the European resorts have to offer, I would highly recommend Argentina. Who knows, you may even learn another language!”
Blair Aitken, BASI Trainer
Blair Aitken, BASI Trainer
HOTEL AND FOOD
In Bariloche we stay at the fantastic El Retorno Lodge right on the shore of Lago Gutierrez (see photos) a brilliant expanse of deep crystal water behind Cerro Catedral. Breakfast and dinner is served in the hotel's restaurant. There's a bar and free Wi Fi & Internet Services. This is the view from the hotel...right outside the front.
An Argentine welcome is like no other. After travelling from the airport through stunning scenery of mountains and lakes, the group is given a welcome meeting and their first taste of the legendary Argentine asado (BBQ).
For the past 10 years we have used the 3* El Retorno hotel. We are about a 12 minute drive to Cerro Cathedral and to the centre of down town Bariloche. The hotel is in the most magnificent setting, surrounded by mountains and with stunning views across the lake.
On days off the you can either hang out at the hotel to relax after coaching, have a glass or two of Merlot, go to Bariloche shopping, or if you are feeling active, go exploring on the hotel’s mountain bikes.
Rooms are usually twin, but please contact us if you wish to pay for a single room supplement.
FOOD:
Included in the cost is breakfast (7 days) and dinner 5 days per week. Breakfast is continental with croissants, ham, cheese, fruit, yogurt and cereal. Lunch is included on coaching days. Once you get back the hotel you can start all over again! Another reason to choose our course! Feedback from previous courses showed that our clients preferred the flexibility of eating out at the weekend. You can work your way through the list of excellent restaurants in Bariloche.
THE RESORT
Cerro Catedral: The ski area at Cerro Catedral is the largest in South America with 67 km of trails and 27 major lifts with a capacity of 20,000 skiers per hour. The top of the mountain is 2050m and the vertical drop is 1000m. It is one of the best places in the world for ski / board freeriders where you can blast your way through deep powder in one of the mile long chutes and take in the stunning views across Lake Nahuel Huapi to the surrounding high Andes. The off-piste runs on the best tree covered slopes of South America are magical.
CERRO CATHEDRAL
Cerro Catedral is world class and attract athletes from every corner of the globe. In the past Peak Leaders groups have brushed shoulders with British Race Team member, Noel Baxter whilst he was training at Cerro and legendary freestyle ski guru Pep Fujas in the terrain park. Freestyle coaching is given by Argentine sponsored riders & skiers. On days off, the course leader encourages the group to practice on the mountain for the exam as well as getting in some free riding and park time.
CONDORS
You can see condors at Cerro Cateral. The Andean condor is the largest bird of prey in the world. Condors are usually seen in the air in numbers ranging from one to sixty or more. Its range is now reduced to only several South American countries including Chile. They roost and nest in the mountains, although not usually above 18,000 feet (5,500 meters). Their normal food is carrion, dead, dying or sometimes newborn animals. Condors have commonly been killed for their feathers (used for decoration) as well as for being considered pests. Some Indian religions considered a hunted condor a rite of passage for men. In captivity condors have reached ages in excess of 70 years. Condors have wingspans exceeding 12 feet (four meters) and weigh up to 25 lbs. (11 kg).
Bariloche is the main ski resort town in Northern Patagonia. The town is also a favourite party destination for students from Buenos Aires and Peak Leaders' trainees as well as being an adventure sports' town.
Located in the western area of the Province of Río Negro, Bariloche is in the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Not only is San Carlos de Bariloche a rite of passage destination for students on graduation, but it also welcomes visitors from all over the world who come to one of the main ski resorts in South America: Cerro Catedral.
There is a wide range of activities for visitors. During the summer, adventure tours are popular: rafting, hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding and fly fishing excursions. In winter it is all about snow sports.
Likewise, lake excursions across the Nahuel Huapi provide access to spots that are unique in the world, such as the Myrtle Forest and Victoria Island.
ARGENTINE CULTURE & TRIPS
During your time with Peak Leaders in Argentina, there are trips organised, when you'll experience the richness and fun of South American culture. You'll go from the Atlantic to the Andes, ride with gauchos, learn spoken Spanish, see the soaring condors of Patagonia!
LA TROCHITA
Mate. (pronounced ma-tay)
Many of the locals drink mate instead of tea. Yerba mate is a species of holly native to subtropical South America.The infusion made from the plant is called mate and is prepared by steeping dry leaves (and twigs) of yerba mate in hot water, rather than in boiling water like black tea or coffee. It is a slightly less potent stimulant than coffee and much gentler on the stomach. Drinking mate with friends from a shared hollow gourd with a metal straw is an extremely common social practice in Argentina.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTS
In Argentina we offer the BASI ISIA Tech and Teach qualifications. The qualification is recognized worldwide and is crucial if you want to teach in France later on in your career. BASI requires you to have completed 200 hours teaching experience prior to taking the exams.
This qualification is for international instructors working full time in international snowsport schools. By joining our 8 week programme, we offers an excellent way to fast track to undertaking your ISIA qualification. You will also need to complete a 2nd discipline Level 1 course, Common Theory, second language, Level 3 Mountain Safety course and Coaching Level 1&2. For the ISIA Snowboard qualification, you'll also need to complete a written project and take part in an interview.
Peak Leaders run professional courses which deliver more all mountain technical training and skills than anyone else. After three years of intense assessment, Peak Leaders UK Ltd are members of the exclusive "Year Out Group"; the governing body for structured year out opportunities.
We pride ourselves in offering certification in aspects above and beyond the snowsports qualifications, so preparing you for a variety of jobs.
QUALIFICATIONS...
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SNOWSPORT INSTRUCTORS
“To create a National and International reputation for excellence through the provision of the highest quality of training and support services for Ski and Snowboard instructors"
BASI offers a full range of training courses in all disciplines - giving a clearly defined path of learning, leading to some of the most respected and in-demand qualifications in the world.
SPANISH CLASSES
Whatever level you are, lessons can be arranged. Evening classes focus on spoken Spanish and are conducted by qualified teachers. The aim is to give people the basic technical vocabulary for an understanding of mountain safety and for day to day living in a Spanish speaking society. For trainees who already have an understanding of Spanish, the aim is to learn more snowsports' related vocabulary.
