Lulu’s experience of Argentina
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 3:30 pm

Lulu Little’s time in Argentina.

 Argentina overall, for me was simply amazing. I’ve never been so happy or had so much fun in my life! The people on my course were all so different, interesting and friendly and everyone got along really well. We have all stayed in touch and we were really close by the end. 

 The first month with the Argentinian instructors was a lot of fun, spent introducing us to the BASI system. I had an instructor called Jorgé, who was such a laugh and was a really kind, encouraging instructor. I remember really well one brilliant powder day we had with him, so many laughs and videos of us all attempting somersaults. 

In terms of skiing, the scenery is beautiful out in Cerro Catedral. When you get to the top of the mountain you can see 360 degrees of lakes that look like mirrors when the sun is shining! The snow was surprisingly good and despite the few days of bad weather here and there, like any resort really, we had such nice weather! 

Contrary to most people’s thoughts about skiing In Argentina, there were loads of different pistes and areas so it honestly didn’t get boring.

 When the BASI examiners came, things definitely tensed up a bit, it all became very real.

We saw them walking around hotel in their BASI jackets looking very serious, but our nerves were put to rest as soon as they spoke to all of us and introduced themselves in the peaks club.

 Our group played introductory ping pong, where we had to say a short fact about ourselves every time we hit the ball, and our trainer tried to remember one or two of each person so he could get to know us better. Ended up being actually quite fun because of some of the funny facts people were coming up with! Having the BASI examiners ended up being a really good change of routine out there.  They were so helpful and supportive throughout our assessments too! 

 Nights out inArgentinawere a lot of fun. There was an Irish bar called ‘Wilkenny’s’ that we loved. We all watched the world cup rugby EnglandvsArgentina game in there! 

After Wilkenny’s we would usually head over the road to the nightclub Dusk where we had a great time too! 

There were loads of other places to go as well – but those were our regulars!

For one of our friends, on their 21st birthday out there, we rented outfits from a dress up shop in town, which I would definitely recommend if you get the chance! We had everything from monks to prisoners to cave men! 

In terms of the course structure and arrangements made for us, I thought everything was really great. We had a bus driver called Gustav Flores (amazing name) who took us everywhere and became very much part of our peak leadersArgentinafamily! The staff at the hotel were very friendly and welcoming, we were treated so nicely the whole time we were there. I myself do not eat red meat and every meal that everyone ate something I didn’t, they’d happily prepare me some chicken or alternative. When we didn’t have meals at the hotel, there was a take away place of pizza, pasta and all sorts which was conveniently next to a huge supermarket that had everything you needed!

 The hotel is in such a lovely setting, and we were practically the only people there the whole season, felt like a Peak Leaders hotel really! 

Lots of nights out to restaurants and après drinks were arranged for us so we were never short of things to do!

Ivan and Colo were the main guys in charge during our time inArgentinaand they were amazing. Always helping us out with everything, making sure we were happy etc – we felt extremely lucky to have them! Ronnie (Chinese medicine doctor and Physio) was always around to help anyone with injuries or any ill people. We were very well looked after!

To someone who is considering going toArgentina for their BASI courses, I say DO IT! It was an unforgettable experience. If you want to meet different people of all ages, be in a beautiful setting with amazing, kind people around to help you with anything and of course to have loads of fun, go to Bariloche! I really can’t recommend it enough.

Verbier: Mont Gele + powder = happy skiers
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:03 pm

It’s been a mixed week of weather in Verbier, but there’s been a couple of glorious days of powder and sun.  Here’s Mont Gele, the lift-served but off-piste-only mountain in Verbier.

The views are spectacular.

The pitches vary from steep to very steep, but all come with those great views thrown in for free.

Of course, there are other good and easily accessible off piste areas in Verbier (including Fontaney):

But Mont Gele is easily in our top three.  

Verbier: final week of BASI 2
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 3:17 pm

It’s been a challenging two weeks for the Verbier trainees, with widely varying weather conditions and two BASI trainers to satisfy in their Level 2.

One of the group gathers closely round their BASI trainer to hear his words of wisdom...

As well as group instruction, there’s been a great deal of individual feedback for each trainee

Alastair and Joe listen closely while trainer Duncan explains the finer points of performance carving.

Lizzie and Kim look on whilst the trainer assesses the next keen-to-please trainee.

Exhausted from said carving practice, Joe takes some time out...

It was a beautiful day for getting out and improving your skiing.

What not to (mountain) wear #15
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 11:13 am

It’s fair to say that onesies have taken something of a bashing in these posts, and while we consider all onesie wearers to be fair game, some of them have their time and place.

But some don’t.  Step forward the corporate logo-flashing red towelling onesie.  Presumably the world of hire car companies is a tough one – we can’t begin to imagine how many other advertising ideas they must have gone through before they alighted on the skiing onesie.

Corporate sponsorship fail.

Shred NZ!
Posted on April 6, 2012 at 11:31 am

Michel Marchand, Coronet Peak Snowsport Manager on why NZ is THE place to do an instructor course this summer. ‘On behalf of NZski we are delighted to be working again with Peak Leaders and to run their ski and snowboard instructor course.

NZski is committed to providing New Zealand’s highest quality training programme for aspiring ski and snowboard instructors. We utilise New Zealand’s most experienced and qualified snowsports trainers who have successfully trained and exported professional ski and snowboard instructors around the world.

Training is conducted on the slopes of world class resorts Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. You will receive intensive training on and off the mountain focusing on teaching progressions and your personal skiing/riding skills.

You’ll have the opportunity to gain internationally recognised New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA) qualifications which will open the door to a career travelling the world working in the mountains.

 So whether you’re looking for a change in career or just want to improve your skiing/riding skills, your NZ ski and snowboard course will help you realise your goals, and you’ll have loads of fun doing it.

This is the 8th year that Peak Leaders have run their ski and snowboard instructor courses inNew Zealand.

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the South Hemisphere…its where bungee jumping was invented and we have world famous jet boating on the Shotover river next to your hotel. A very popular extra activity over the past few years has been heli skiing in theSouthern Alps.

Coronet Peak has world-class facilities, superb terrain and conditions to make Coronet Peak New Zealand’s most exciting destination for snow lovers of any ability.

An easy 20 minutes from picturesque Queenstown,Coronet Peak is perfect for serious action. Stunning high points and rolling trails offer seasoned skiers and riders something to really get your teeth into – including thrilling weekend night skiing.

The après ski is as impressive as the slopes. Stretch out your muscles and take in the sights and live music at the base building, or heat for a hot or cold drink and a hot pizza at Heidi’s Hut.

Across the valley from Coronet is the Remarkables which is a much bigger mountain with some wicked off-piste and one of the best parks in NZ…..if you like park riding then you won’t be disappointed; there is everything from Pro features to small jibs, and everything in between. The Remarks is also one of 5 resorts in the world to have a Burton Stash Park. ‘ Check out all the details on our summer NZ program 10th July to 11th September 2012 here

What not to (mountain) wear #14
Posted on April 6, 2012 at 9:03 am

Okay, you’re all wearing ice hockey jerseys.  But if you look around you, you’ll find that although the temperatures are freezing and it is cold underfoot, that’s snow not ice underfoot, and those are skis not ice skates on your feet.  It looks like you’re all looking for something, an ice rink perhaps?  Wrong winter sport fail.

What not to (mountain) wear #13
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 8:47 am

Okay.  So we’ve seen chickens before (see episode #11), and cows (#10), and even superheroes (#9).  It’s all so passe, darlings.

But step forward a group that feels able to harness chickens, cows and superheroes (well, Bananaman probably just qualifies) – all in a single outing.  Proof that three wrongs sometimes can make a right.

Verbier: race training
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:25 am

It’s race training day, and instructors Mike, Emma and Lee took the trainees for a day of giant slalom gate racing – a first for almost all the trainees.  Here’s Mike, who previously worked with the Scottish and British alpine race teams, talking the guys through what’s coming up.

First up through the gates were Joe, Henry and Hector…

Closely followed by Liam, David and Poppy..

Everyone learned a lot during the session – as well as built a lot of confidence in high-speed carving.  Here’s a few more photos from the day:

Verbier: final phases of training
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 6:00 pm

With only two weeks of training before the big BASI Level 2 fortnight, training has upped to a new level of intensity.  Today the guys have being doing video analysis in the bumps:…

It’s hard to say what top-level instructor, Sandy, is trying to explain here – so we’ll let the photo speak for itself…

All the trainees had different aspects to work on, and it’s fair to say that some have more work than others!  But with two weeks of full-day training to go, everyone’s got Level 2 in their sights.

Here Sandy demonstrates correct pole-planting technique to one trainee, and the amount of knee-flex required in moguls to another…

Overall.  A fun, challenging and sunny day had by all.

100% exam pass rate, record snow, in the Dive & Wild West and the 80′s
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 5:49 pm

This week, was exam week for the Banff Peak Leaders skiers and riders, a great experience …….. if a little bit stressful!

100% PASS RATE 100% PASS RATE 100% PASS RATE 100% PASS RATE ……. EVERYONE PASSED.

Congratulations to all, the effort everyone has put into the 11 weeks of training has paid off ……. you are now CSIA & CASI Level 2 qualified instructors.

Some of the guys pre level 2 exam results…… nervous smiles?

Natasha – the smile says it all.

We  passed!!!

Kenji “the legend” ski trainer opening his thank you present.

Time to celebrate.

During the week Sunshine Village smashed its record for seasonal snowfall, the resort has had over 9 metres of snow with still 7 weeks of the season to go.

Delirium Dive and Wild West are Sunshine Villages famous off piste, big mountain, double diamond black runs.  David Sharples a former Peak Leaders Banff trainee who is now in his 4th season as a Sunshine Village ski instructor went skiing & riding with Tony from Peak Leaders in the steeps and deeps to experience some of the record snow…….

David picking his line

Dropping in.

Powder face shots

After the stress of exam week time to relax…… Noquay Ski Area had an 80′s theme day with 80′s classic music playing all over the hill and bright & tight onesie ski suits out in force. Cameron, Emily, Grace & Andrea crew joined in the retro look…

For those of us old enough to remember these outfits were the height of fashion back in the day!

We have one week left on the course, time for everyone to hit the park, steeps, powder, apres, Sunshine Village, Norquay & Lake Louise and maybe Kicking Horse.

It is going to be hard giving up our office for the past 11 weeks -

DID I MENTION EVERYONE PASSED THEIR LEVEL 2 EXAMS?????????