Zermatt Blog 2010

This past week has been quite an eventful one. Not only did we help out the ski school as part time employees, but our skiing also came together. Everyone’s carving looked very sharp and fundamentally sound. Kasper continues to make sure that our off-time is well spent.

For anyone serious about their skiing or about pursuing a snow sports career, Peak Leaders in Zermatt is a must.
Lukas

Last week on the Peak Leaders BASI Instructor course it was an eventful week for all.....we had just finished the BASI Level 1.

So, the week began with the group chilling and partying, to celebrate being qualified instructors! The group had a nice few days off at the beginning of the week to have relaxed skiing and nights out in Zermatt, enjoying the clubs. we were then shown on Wednesday a back-country and avalanche training day where we learnt about snow conditions, and when to expect the risk of avalanches. We had the chance to practice using some of the avalanche equipment, which meant the group was able to search for buried items under the snow using trackers and the correct techniques of shovelling, which is not to tiring. Our mountain guide demonstrated a compression test in the snow and showed us the layers that form from different snowfalls and showed us how easily sometimes snow can slide away from the underlying layers.

On Thursday the group was down to four people (some people had to go home for a bit)/  We had a freestyle day learning the basics in the park and what can be done on a piste like switch skiing, 180, 360 and air time jumps. In the park we did big kickers....we were able to attempt grab tricks and spins..... with variable degrees of success! Lastly we were shown rails and all of us attempted the rails and had some success in learning and being able to stay on them and landing off at the other end.

Finally on friday Zermatt showed us why it is an amazing resort.......we had about 40-50cm of snow and the whole of Zermatt was covered!Saturday was an amazing powder day and the group got to see the best bits of skiing in Zermatt with amazing knee deep powder skiing and variable lines across the mountain and a perfect day to have but not use the knowledge we had acquired from our back country and freestyle days. In conclusion another great week in Zermatt with lovely skiing, amazing scenery and exciting activities.

From Gus Persson