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Why choose this course?
- Optional add on to our 9 week snowboard instructor course in Saas Fee
- 2 week freestyle camp
- 2 week lift pass
- BASI Snowboard Freestyle Coach Level 1 exam included
- On and off snow video analysis
- One on one goal setting with your coach
- 3* centrally located, catered hotel accommodation
- Breakfast and 3 course evening meals included
- Twin rooms, all ensuite. Most with balconies
- Free WIFI
- 4 yoga sessions included
The Freestyle Camp is designed to push your park riding to the next level. The camp is designed for intermediate and above snowboaders who are comfortable on all types of terrain and who wish to take their riding to the park. You can take part in the camp and then stay on to complete our snowboard instructor course, or just take part in the camp. During the two week course, you will have 8 full days coaching, plus the 3 day Level 1 exam and 3 days off to ride and explore Saas Fee. On the afternoons that you’re not having video feedback and analysis you can take a yoga class - which will compliment your park training perfectly.
You’ll receive the highest level of coaching possible from experienced and qualified coach Rob Norton. A BASI Trainer, freestyle examiner and Director of es-ride snowboard school, Rob has coached in Europe, Argentina, New Zealand and Japan for the last 10 years. He’s passionate about his riding and you’ll always find him in the park on his days off.
Below – The coaches from ES Ride hitting the jumps!
THE COACHING
Our camp offers you a unique package. To improve your park riding and the opportunity to become qualified as a BASI Level 1 Freestyle Development Coach. During the course the coaching will focus on riding kickers, boxes/rails and halfpipe.
We will focus on flat land and freestyle skills, basic box and kicker skills and an introduction to the half pipe to improve your riding.
The BASI Snowboard Level 1 Coach Course is designed to give you the understanding and skills required to become an effective coach. If you are interested in working with snowboard clubs and or have an interest in performance coaching, this is the perfect course for you. Further information on the qualification can be found on our Qualifications page.
HOTEL & FOOD
During the freestyle camp (and if you stay on for the instructor training course after the camp) we use the Park Hotel. It is centrally located in Saas Fee village, and an easy 5 minute walk to the lift station and only a 2 minute walk from the bus station. No dragging of snowboard bags across the village required. The hotel's sunny terrace is ideal for relaxing after a day in the park and there's a lounge and bar within the hotel. We offer twin ensuite rooms, each with a television and most have a balcony. (We can arrange a single room for you – contact us for more info and prices). The hotel has a room for waxing and repairing your board and a large drying area for your kit. Patrick and Jutta, the owners will take great care of you during your stay. Patrick runs the hotel kitchen as well. It really is home away from home. We wouldn't want to stay in a grotty apartment, so why would you? A Peak Leader's group leader lives on site to make sure you the most of your time in Saas Fee and help with every aspect of the course and encourage your development.
The hotel below in the sunshine. Perfect for sitting in the sun with a drink, working on the tan after a day in the park.
Food is included in the price. Breakfast is included 7 mornings a week, and dinner is included 6 nights. For breakfast we offer a fantastic continental breakfast typically, croissants, ham, cheese, eggs, cereal, fruit, yoghurt. Dinner includes 3 course meal to choose from. There will be a fondue/raclette night and a BBQ. The food is of a really high standard – you won’t want to ever cook again!
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The lounge area in the Park Hotel.
Once you have finished your days' coaching in the park in Saas Fee, there is plenty to do in the village. Included in the course are 4 yoga sessions - perfect for stretching your muscles after at day in the park.
The Bielen Sports centre is a 5 minute walk from the hotel and has a 25 metre pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath and tennis courts. There are all weather pitches for playing football and a skate park too.
If you're feeling less energetic, there are restaurants and bars in the village to explore. A firm favourite with our clients is the Popcorn Bar that has live bands playing and open till late.
Or you can chill in the afternoon sunshine at the hotel. We have free WIFI in the hotel.
Boasting one of the best parks in Europe, Saas Fee is ideal for running our coaching course. The park is made up of 2 lines of kickers, a half pipe, hip, and endless boxes and rails. It is a year round resort that attracts some of the world's best riders to train on the glacier during the summer and autumn months. You might spot Burton Global team rider Freddy Kalbermatten in the park, who is also a local. Scandinavian, Japanese and Chinese teams train in the park during the off season.
Here's the park plan for 2010. Although it may change during our camp it gives you an idea of the variety and quantity of the features for you to ride.
Saas Fee village lies at 1800 metres in the Swiss Alps with the ski area at 3500 metres. It is easily accessible from Geneva airport in under 3 hours. You can take a direct train from the airport to Visp, then take the bus up to the resort. It's a car free resort, so if you choose to drive to Saas, you can leave your car in the multi-storey car park at the entrance to the resort.
The BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) Snowboard Freestyle Development Course Level 1 aims to introduce you to the basic philosophies and skills required in order to become an effective Coach.
During our 2 week course, your personal riding will develop and improve as well as teaching you how to coach. This course is aimed at people who have an interest in coaching snowboard clubs/teams as well as those with an interest in performance coaching. Are you planning on joining a snowsports club whilst at university, or do you want to coach freestyle to kids? The Development Coach Level 1 Certificate is a stand alone qualification.
Our coaches will cover these areas below to prepare you for the 3 day exam, which is included in the course and will happen during the last 3 days of the camp.
- How to design & deliver a well structured coaching session (Introduction, Warm Up, Activation Period, Cool Down, and Roundup), emphasizing the subtle but important difference between teaching and coaching
- Introduce people to performance snowboarding
- Methods of rider analysis, analyze and develop performance riding
- Ethics in sport
- Introduction to the prioritization of skills and drills pertaining to age and ability of a young athlete. Effectively develop performance skills through these drills.
- Prepare people for snowboard competitions.
