Welcome to Peak Leaders

Argentina – BASI in Bariloche
02/09/2010

We've come to the end of the 4 weeks training with the Argentinian instructors, and BASI level 1 training has started. I think we all feel like our riding has improved so much since the start of the course. Our Argentinian snowboard instructor Pety, has helped us sort out any major problems with our riding and now the BASI instructors are fine tuning things and guiding us through the level 1 course. We've so far been perfecting basic exercises and improving the way we ride generally. I already feel loads more confident riding down steep and irregular terrain, and riding in different conditions such as powder (we've had some amazing powder days) and on ice (which I used to hate as I'd always come home black and blue). So far, our training days have been really varied, and we've also been learning some tricks alongside the standard exercises which has been really fun. We're just about halfway through the training course, and I'm looking forward to improving my riding further by the end, and then looking back at the videos we took of us at the start (and laughing).

New Zealand – Helicopters and Hangovers
31/08/2010

A couple of weeks on and the guys have partied hard but skied and snowboarded even harder, in an effort to get themselves in-shape for the level 2. Training has been really intense and although Queenstown has an abundance of activities that trainees can take-part in on their days off, they've often chosen to kick-back and relax at the hotel. The weather here has been far more temperamental since I last  blogged; a number of storms have come-in from the Tasmin Sea and left us with powder and generally much better snow conditions. 

Only last weekend the trainees were being shuttled by helicopters to the top of the Harris Mountain range for a day of shredding untouched powder. Unfortunately the weather closed-in a bit but there were still some great stashes of powder to be ridden and the Helicopter pilot wasn't shy of showing-off his skills. 

So far this week all of the trainees have handed-in their ILM assignments and the skiers have begun their level 2 examination, with the snowboarders due to start on Friday. A special mention must go to Lettice and Fay who both passed their level 1 assessment last week, both girls showed a great deal of determination over the past few weeks and have really raised their game.

Tom

Argentina – ILM Course
26/08/2010

Here in Argentina it isn't just the ski & snowboard instructors license the trainees are working towards.

Some have signed onto the Institute of Leadership & Management course. This course offers accreditation through the experiential learning and day/evening lectures. In the UK, and abroad, the ILM Level 4 Certificate is highly regarded and a great addition to any CV. The course challenges the trainee to plan, organise and lead a group through a 2 hour experience.

For one trainee here in Argentina - Nichole - all her skills were put to the test!

With the preparatory lectures finished it was up to the trainees to decide on an "experience". Nichole decided on a "Full Moon BBQ" - no mean feat, catering for 35 hungry trainees and Argentine coaches. The date was set and the planning all done. Chefs were 'delegated', BBQ's all checked, a pit for a beach bonfire, an inside venue as well, monies collected, music sorted and all liased with the Hotel staff (they got a night off!). 

The day came (yesterday) for the BBQ and not a Full Moon in sight. In fact not even a sky! Snow and rain fell with abandon. So much abandon that Nichole's "contingency plans" soon came into effect. All of them! A tarp erected over the outside BBQ arrived first. Then the N. Americans got a lesson in starting a BBQ fire in the damp and cold. 

Everyone else swiftly moved inside and eagerly waited. 

A huge table greeted everyone with enough pre-dinner snacks to feed the whole of Bariloche. Music blared, ping pong was played and the rain continued to beat its way down. Soup arrived and salad, next came meat meat meat .. and more meat. The vegetarians were not forgotten, bbq veggies all deliciously cooked soon popped up too.

Suffice to say the "campers" were happy and the food all wolfed down - without even a single howl at the moon (not that it ever appeared?!).
Well done

Argentina – Birthday, Exam Results and POWDER!
23/08/2010

This week has been a busy one here in Argentina. The week started with Nicole's birthday. A low key affair with cake and candles blown out at the diner table. Snow was blowing in too. In the morning the skies were heavy with the first big storm. Up on the mountain the trainees were met with the chance of fresh tracks. Powder brought the smiles to those that can and covered those that can't. All good fun though whichever way up you finished your run!

 Another birthday was then on the cards. Tim hit 21 yrs old with style. His new friends making sure he made it out on the town. That was not looking likely when he stayed up to watch Tottenham - and got stuck at the resort. Eventually the taxis getting through the snow and back to the hotel.

More snow made mid-week madness! Riding in the trees and deep snow challenged everyone. The crew of top-notch Argentinian instructors making sure the groups kept the big smiles - even if they were covered with big snow.

Mid-week also brought exam result fever. Max, the Irish, was first in and first into university. A great result which he proudly and deservedly celebrated. Everyone else still had a day to wait till theirs were published.

 Day three of snow and changing conditions meant the groups were tiring. Some easier runs and well enjoyed coffee stops kept them all warm. The resort had changed into a Winter Wonderland and the lake side hotel into a sea of white. This is what winter is all about.

For the first time ever since we got here the breakfast room was buzzing early doors. Laptops were out and results were too. Nearly all got the hoped for marks they needed. Those unlucky few were consoled by the fact that winter in the N Hemisphere isn't too far away. Before breakfast was even finished they'd sent off their applications to ski schools. Seems a "Gap Year" means just that, not only 8 weeks in beautiful Bariloche.

Thursday on the hill brought blue skies and fresh snow. The sun was welcome and the groups made the best of the break in the weather. I snagged a point and shoot camera and followed the snowboarders. Check out the video for a chance to see what they get up to on a day on the hill.

 The weather closed in again on friday. With tired legs, from a long week skiing & riding, and the bday/exam fever - the group slowed the pace and kept the turns mellow. With thoughts turning to next week already and the arrival of the "Basi people". The hushed reverential tones letting the groups nervousness belie their normal relaxed nature.

Today - Saturday - the sky has again turned blue. A nice way to end the week for those deciding to ride on their day off. Plus a nice present to Jonny, who turns 18 yrs old and who will also be enjoying a slap up Argentine steak very soon ….

Argentina – Arrival time
23/08/2010

Already 3 weeks into the trip and still in need of a blog! It would be fair to say it is more from lack of time than lack of action and already there are a million stories we could all tell! The obvious place to start is the flight out, which after about an hour and a half of parcel taping skis to boot bags and a small argument with the airline staff later (don’t ask!) we were on our way. 24 hours later we arrived in the snow-covered mountains of the Andes very tired and doing our best to make friends despite the jetlag.

Day one involved a walk up to the slopes at Cerro Catedral and a nice lunch before we started the ski instructor training properly the following day. Most of the first week involved meeting our Argentinean instructors, remembering how skis and snowboards actually felt as well as the odd cerveza or two purely for group bonding reasons! The oddest experience for many though had to be the daily event of crossing a small river clinging to both your skis and your poles in order to make it to lunch. For anybody reading this, it probably sounds like the most ridiculous thing in the world but with the lack of snow at the bottom, it quickly became completely normal and added a bit of excitement to the day. After trying a bit of the local nightlife on the weekend and nursing the odd hangover here or there, we were quickly into week 2.

Week 2 started very differently to the first, descending back to beginners and learning the good old snow plough once again, unless you’re Tom who apparently never did learn this in the first place! After a week of one legged skiing, backward skiing and plenty of bunny runs we were soon ready for the more hardcore stuff!

After a big dump of powder at the start of the third week, we quickly got our wish! Despite poor conditions, the whole group headed out and was greeted by about half a metre of fresh snow ready to be tracked. After a day in the powder we all came back and got ready before going out for Tim’s 21st birthday (I cannot ommit that it was also Nicole’s birthday on the Monday but we made it a joint celebration to try and make sure we made it through the week!). For the safety of Tim and the rest of the group, he decided it was best he kept off the slopes the next day, a decision agreed upon by many! Thursday was another big day of the week, with many of the group receiving A-level results and finding out if they would make it in to university. After a very early morning wake up due to the time difference, almost all of the news was good and we all went out and enjoyed a very cheery days skiing! For now, that brings you all up to date and I can inform you it is currently a Saturday afternoon and we have yet another birthday in the camp tomorrow (I know – it’s been a big week!) so we are off out to celebrate Johnny’s 18th tonight with a meal at a nice steak restaurant and quite possibly a few drinks afterwards. Hope this has just about filled you in on as much as I can manage in one go. Until next time – hasta luego!