Banff Blog 2010

Apologies to everyone that has been expecting the blog to be put up on Sundays, but due to some laptop problems it has been delayed. So, for your pleasure below there are 2 blogs to peruse.

Freestyle & Lazy Days (22/02/10 - 28/02/10)

 Monday initiated an intense week of training with The Kenj for the skiers. A blast down Ectasy in the morning where a wild snowboarder appeared, left Law nursing his back all week and glad he was wearing a helmet! With Level 2 drawing ever closer, the skiers were worked hard till the last lift, to maximise training time. Monday Also meant the arrival of Law’s radios...Subsequently code names were needed for all...

Freestyle Tuesday!!! The group had a freestyle session with their instructors, the skiers were with Kyle, and the boarders had Juan as usual. Kyle is awesome in the park, even if he did manage to snap the heel piece of his binding on the first fun! We spent a day hitting kickers, hips and boxes as well as laying down some smooth 180’s, assorted grabs and finishing the day with a Ski ballet session.

Wednesday = Pain. Freestyle Tuesday had certainly taken its toll on some of the group, resulting in a cheeky much needed day off and a sandwich for some to nurse their wounds (much to Kenji’s disappointment – Sorry Kenji!). The others continued to work hard on their coiling in phase 3 up the mountain.

Thursday was back to business as usual, working more on skiing development and teaching – I’m sure the boarders did something useful as well. It marked the end of a tough training week, with everyone looking forward to eating at the Elk and Oarsman that evening (Woooo hooo Turkey Club).

Friday Finally arrived meaning a day off for the majority of the group having not had any time off last weekend with the avalanche training, a long lie in was much appreciated. After everyone had caught up on their beauty sleep, it was off to the pub to watch Canada secure their place in the Olympic final!

Saturday brought about a relaxed day for many with another lie in, followed by a chilled afternoon on the hill. Some hitting the park and some getting a taste for real teaching! Jamie did one run and then went home.

Sunday. Men’s ice hockey final day!! Canada won. Crazy happy riots in the streets of Banff with drunken Canadians filling the streets.

Much Love
Snow Fox and Snow Whale

P.S. Sorry Mrs Poole that this blog entry is late :-)

Lake Louise & A Sad Farewell (01/03/10 - 07/03/10)

This week saw an unusual absence from Kenji, but he had a pretty good excuse as he was doing his Level 4 exam (the top level of CSIA). You'll be happy to know that Kenji is now Level 4 :-) His replacement for the week was James, who the team had had before.

This week was not just a week with a new trainer but we had a new training location as well. On Thursday we took a trip to the self-claimed biggest resort in the Rockies, Lake Louise. The coach ride was about an hour so not too bad but we were welcomed by Mount Hector or if you look closely Snoopy the Dog lying on his back.

We met James and Juan and then hit the slopes. It was great to have a change of scenery, especially the view of the Fairmont Chateau at the edge of the Lake Louise. You can see the lake right next to Juan's, the instructor, pointing hand.

The day was full of exploring the vast expanse of Lake Louise and having plenty of fun :-)

Lunch time was a time for reminiscing as Jamie bought some chicken fingers and we couldn't help but think of Brett, who sadly left the course 5 weeks in. Hope you're doing well mate.

On Saturday we had another farewell to endure. Chris unfortunately left us to go back home and do some farming. Hope you had a safe journey home mate and that your combine harvesters haven't rusted over too badly :-P

Well that's it until Sunday, as long as we don't have any more "laptop problems"

Over and out,

Sam

P.S. Don't forget to click here to checkout more pictures on the Facebook group!!!

 This week has been exam week. The skier CSIA Level 1 started on Tuesday and the snowboarder CASI Level 1 on Wednesday. Although there were many butterflies in everyone's stomachs, with the great tuition from Kenji and Juan everybody felt well prepared and ready to impress the examiners.

After 4 days for the skiers and 3 days for the snowboarders of training and assessing by the examiners Friday rolled round and it was results day. At the snowboard results you could cut the tension with a knife! However that was short lived as we now have 5 out of 5 newly qualified Level 1 Snowboard Instructors :-)

After the snowboard results I had to rush up the gondola to see the skiers at the village lodge. It was a long 18 minutes but it turned out very well because as soon as I arrived all the trainees were receiving their results. After much rustling of envelopes, gleaming smiles and tears of joy I was able to find out that not only had we got 100% pass rate for the snowboarders but we have also got 100% pass rate for the skiers!!!

With this great result it is of course standard practice to get in a round of shots to celebrate as soon as possible :-P

Congratulations to everyone on passing, you have all put in the work and it has paid off. Don't get too complacent though Level 2 is only a month away. Although it has been a great week, with many smiles and laughs it is also a sad one. As one of our number is leaving us to go back to Scotland. Brett it has been a pleasure being your course leader these past 5 weeks and we will all miss your brilliantly silly comments and unobservant manner.

It has been an excellent 5 weeks and I'm sure the next 6 weeks will be equally excellent if not more so.

Your course leader,

Sam :-)

 Monday saw the much anticipated return of Kenji for the skiers as he had been away the week before. The cold weather that had been predicted never really materialised, and instead we had the best weather we’ve had yet with cloudless skies and relatively warm temperatures.

Tuesday was Australia day which happens to be a big event in Banff because as it appears more people in Banff are actually Australian than Canadian. This meant there were many a flag being flown on the slopes and the occasional snowboarder in board shorts.

Wednesday saw the skiers have a couple of runs on a Super G, which was a good experience for all even if some were not completely in control and others getting down the slope in record times to get to the toilet!

Thursday was tense as the boarders were compared against the snow skool group but there was no comparison even with Juan’s helpful parting words to relieve the pressure ‘you guys better not let me down’ and they didn’t disappoint.

Friday night proved to be another entertaining night out, and this week we actually managed to make it into a club which ended in relationships blooming for some in the course (Laurob) while others felt slightly under the weather.

Saturday was a quiet day for some as they nursed hangovers however a few members of the group managed to brave the cold weather and make it out of their rooms to the local thrift shop (second hand shop), this resulted in the purchase of some interesting 80’s ski jackets and Nick joining the Team Alberta ski team.

Sunday was pretty casual with some of the group trekking up to the slopes for freestyle Sunday (now a regular occurrence). But questionable jump making led Robbie going for his second back flip unintentionally, don't worry though Robbie is hard as nails and isn't injured at all.

Peace and love

Nick, Matt and Jamie

P.S. Don't forget to checkout more photos on the facebook group by clicking here!!!