Leaving El Retorno …
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 10:09 am

The group have packed up and waved goodbye to El Retorno one last time.

In the Big City of Buenos Aires now .. swapping big avenues and cars for dirt tracks and horses!

BASI check, HORSES check, ESQUEL here we come!
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 12:28 pm

The crew out here in Argentina have finally made it through the BASI exams. The last couple of days made the decisions for the trainers. With the final result being much the same as in NZ – roughly 80%. With the exam results given out on the hill the Quilmes beers soon started flowing. Everyone passed their Teaching part of BASI, so congratulations for that, with those unlucky few not quite reaching the Technical level. However it shows that the BASI course Level 2 is no give away! Plus, I’m sure those unlucky few will soon resit and be successful. For sure everyone gave it 100% which is all anyone can ask for.

On returning from the mountain the crew were greeted by the smells of the BBQ pit. A feast was once again laid on. This time an awards ceremony was taking centre stage for the night. The trainers decided on their “Most promising instructors” and the rest was left to the groups:

Andy Lockerbie “Most Promising Instructor” – Neil Jones
Steve Ricketts “Most Promising Instructor” – Eleanor Purdon
Neil McNair “Most Promising Instructor” – David Poole
Kerr Stewart “Most Promising Instructor” – Phil Underwood

With those awards out of the way the group voted their favourites into top spot:

Best Wipeout! Phil Underwood
Most Glamourous Claire Heath
Sexiest Short Turns Mark Lewis-Taylor

And won by a landslide vote:

Best Drunk! Anoop Patel

Then the groups voted their own:

Most Improved Andy’s group John Mark Atkinson
Most Improved Steve’s group Eleanor Purdon
Most Improved Neil’s group Nichole Sheperd
Most Improved Kerr’s group Jo “Swans” Matthews

With only one last award to go the lights dimmed and “Careless Whisper” started playing on the speakers:

Peak Leaders Prom KIng & Queen Tim Round & Eleanor Purdon

… then the festivites began!!!

The next day while most slept late a few got up to test their swings. Local golf courses don’t come much more beautiful than in Argentina. Except for a few lost balls, and sore heads, overall the fairways were hit and greens found. With some of the group playing off handicaps of 3 (!) the competition was fierce.

Then a relaxing day was followed by a day in saddle. We arrived in the wilderness and could have been stepping into a Wild West set. Horses whinnied and the meat was already slow cooking as the group saddled up. Not just for a quiet trek but a 3 hr trail taking in woods, river crossings and canters. The site of the fire and the beers chilling in the river were welcome to all. It was a real Argentine BBQ this time. Meat and bread with local smiles all around!

Today we’ve made our way down to Esquel – an old Patagonian meeting point. We’re here for some racing on the slopes, freestyle in the afternoons and relaxing evenings.

A perfect way to unwind after 8 weeks.

We’ll catch you again when we leave just before Buenos Aires and home …

BASI in Bariloche
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:54 am

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 more confident riding down steep and irregular terrain, and riding in different conditions such as powder (we’ve had some amazing powder days) and 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).

ILM Course
Posted on August 26, 2010 at 2:27 am

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

Birthday, Exam Results and POWDER!
Posted on August 23, 2010 at 9:16 am

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 ….