Welcome to Peak Leaders

Banff – WOW, What a Week! The Final Farewell :-(
27/03/2010

 With all the exams finished, it was time to have some serious FUN!!! We started the week on Tuesday  with a trip to Calgary to watch the NHL Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks at the Saddledome. It was a very eventful trip with a few issues of getting lost on the highway :-P Also we stopped off at one of the largest shopping malls I've ever seen, Cross Irons Mills. Inside were some ridiculously cool shops, such as Outdoor World. Checkout the pictures below, it was awesome :-P

After yet another lost trip on the highway we made it to downtown Calgary and made it to the Saddledome!

Calgary Flames

The game was incredible, with a fight starting with in 2 minutes of the game starting. Everyone was cheering for the Flames and it worked as the final score was 3-1 to the Flames. GO FLAMES GO!!!

Kicking Horse

Wednesday we got up at 6am to get on the bus to go to Kicking Horse, one of the newest resorts in the world, it opened in 2000! We had an amazing day and with hardly anyone else at the resort it was like having our own resort for the day :-P

Delirium Dive

 Thursday was another hunt for powder but a little closer to Banff. We headed up to Delirium Dive, one of the best in bounds freeride areas in the world. It is considered an avalanche area, so transceivers were compulsory along with shovels and probes. Don't worry though, no avalanches were set off and we all went through uninjured.

End of Course Party

That night we had the end of course party, organised by Mal. We started off in the Elk and Oarsman for dinner and a few pitchers, then we went to the Rose and Crown for a pool competition, surprisingly won by Jamie. The next pub sport on the agenda was Foosball at The Devils Gap, won by myself, Sam (Ranked 270th in the UK at Foosball!) and Rob. The night ended with some darts at Tommy's. Although it was sad it was a brilliant night to end things on :-)

Sulphur Mountain

Friday was a day of recovery for some but for four of us we decided to go on a hike up Sulphur Mountain then dip in the hot springs afterwards. A 5.6km hike certainly cleared some heads after last night and the dip in the hot springs afterwards was very much welcome! Especially with some wearing the 1930s style swimming wear :-P

Departure Day

Saturday was departure day for the team. I very sad affair after 11 weeks of fantastic fun and magical moments that everyone will carry with them forever. I'd like to thank everyone involved; Kenji, Juan and the whole Sunshine Village Snowsports School for giving us top notch training; Irwins Mountain Inn for the great accommodation; all the restaurants for the fantastic food and finally the team. It's been a pleasure being your course leader for the past 11 weeks and I wish you all the best of luck in all your future endeavours. Have a safe journey home and make sure you go rip it up whenever you can :-P

All the best,

Your course leader,

Sam Feltham

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

Banff – Level 2 D-Day!!!
21/03/2010

 Well, it has been a fantastically sunny week and I couldn't help but post up some of the stunning views we've had this week at Sunshine Village.

Although the views have been stunning the team have had other things on their mind, the Level 2 exam!!! All week they have been studying, being assessed and making sure they get enough rest, even getting 40 winks in at lunch time.

After 5 days of assessment for the skiers and 4 days for the snowboarders the results were handed out and overall we managed to get a very respectable 77.7% pass rate :-) It is unfortunate for those that didn't make the grade but they'll be retesting in a week or two, so fingers crossed we'll be at 100% pass rate then!

We still have another week in Banff and with no exams or training to worry about it's going to be a fun filled week of an ice hockey trip, Kicking Horse trip and of course an end of course party.

Over and out,

Sam

P.S. Don't forget to checkout the facebook group for more pictures!!!

Banff – Double or Nothing!
11/03/2010

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!!!