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Welcome to Peak Leaders

Jan 3 – Mar 14, 2011

Peak Leaders Zermatt

Zermatt - the best European ski resort in "Where to Ski & Snowboard 05." Zermatt has an unbeatable combination of scenery, extensive high snow-sure slopes and wonderful mountain restaurants. The Zermatt course has been endorsed by BASI and the local official ski school to help create a pool of instructors for future employment in Switzerland. Ralph Schmidhalter, ski school manager, selects his top instructors to coach Peakleaders' trainees.

Skiing and snowboarding in Zermatt is on a vast scale... 29 peaks over 4000m.  All three of Zermatt's ski areas soar to at least 3100m (10,200ft!).  This translates overall into excellent snow conditions and some of the longest runs in Switzerland. 

The Zermatt course has been endorsed by BASI and the local official ski school to help create a pool of instructors for future employment in Switzerland. Ralph Schmidhalter, ski school manager, selects his top instructors to coach Peakleaders’ trainees.

"I wasn’t sure what to expect but my ten weeks in Zermatt have more than exceeded my expectations; a combination of excellent snow, skiing and people have made it an amazing three months. The training though tough was very enjoyable mainly due to our trainer Brendon who never failed to impress with his first class skiing and quick wit. Having completed the course I am finishing the season working here for the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School, I hope to come back and work again in the future!" Georgie Zermatt 2010
 

You'll also have a highly qualified, Peak Leaders group leader on site with you throughout - their job is to ensure that you get the most from your course through regular meetings with you and your local providers and instructors. Whatever your reasons for coming away with Peak Leaders, be assured that by the end of the course your skiing or riding will have improved dramatically and you will be able to tackle terrain you wouldn’t have believed possible! Along the way, you’ll have plenty of time to party with people who’ll become friends for life.

Switzerland is the birth place of winter sports and carries a strong tradition of skiing. Going to Zermatt / Switzerland means experiencing a stunning and efficient journey; starting with the train to the resort and ending with the peak gondola at the top of the mountain.   Furthermore Switzerland and especially Zermatt is an international place with people from all over the world coming to experience the iconic Matterhorn. It has, however, stillmanaged to maintain its Swiss-like mountain-village atmosphere.

Course Outline - 10 weeks

  • Welcome talk & mountain familiarization tour & team building 
  • Personal Development planning
  • Instructor level 1 preparation & video sessions
  • Level 1 exam
  • Tuning Clinic
  • ILM Module
  • First Aid Course
  • Freestyle Introduction
  • Ski  Patrol introduction
  • Avalanche Awareness
  • Backcountry introduction
  • Level 2 prep
  • Ski School Shadowing (on selection)
  • Advice & help on Job seeking
  • Level 2 exams
  • End of course party

Included in the costs

£7400
Minimum 20 hours coaching per week
3* Accommodation
Breakfast 7 days per week
Dinner 5 days per week
Lift Pass
Avalanche Awareness Module
Introduction to Backcountry
Freestyle Introduction
First Aid Certificate
Theory Sessions
Optional ILM Level 4
BASI Level 1&2 Course
BASI Manual
BASI Associate Membership
Optional German Lessons
Risk Assessment Training
Team Leader Training
Job Search Assistance
PL Lanyard & Stickers
End of course Party