Week 5 of the Peak Leaders ski instructor training in Argentina sees our crew wrap up their BASI Level 1! Our course leader Steve reports in …

Huge week and huge smiles!

This week on the Argentina ski instructor course has been huge!

We have moved from a group of trainees to qualified, professional ski instructors.

Plus unbelievably good weather – the beginning of spring conditions – has really helped to solidify those goggle tans!

Peak Leaders crew getting some goggle tan action!

BASI exams Level 1

Our instructors have been sitting the BASI Alpine Level 1 course with BASI trainers Mike and Lesley.

BASI trainers Mike and Lesley set the week’s goals

On Friday we were delighted to find out that we have 16 new ski instructors … with a 100% pass rate on the teaching element of the course!

Did someone call for a ski instructor?

The week that was BASI Level 1

On Monday we focused mainly on BASI’s “Central Theme” – how to teach a first-timer all the way up to parallel skier.

The trainers explained in great detail all the features and how to use this process to effectively run a lesson.

Practicing the BASI Central Theme

Throughout the week the trainees were tasked with planning two lessons each, which were delivered on Wednesday and Thursday.

Each trainee taught how to do one of the following; plough turning, developing plough turns and plough parallel which were to be delivered in a fun, exciting way with some unique games and analogies to aid learning.

Might I say, there were definitely some “interesting” games!

Great leaps to BASI Level 1

In a week that has been quite full on – and really challenged the trainees’ skills –  everyone has seen a drastic improvement in both skiing and teaching ability!

A long week but a great one!

Each evening after training on the mountain we have been reviewing video feedback … and keeping up with stretching/massage as usual.

Debriefing BASI style …

Outside of training times we have really kicked things up a gear with the table tennis ladder and table football competitions.

The El Retorno competitions have been lively, dramatic and downright emotional!

Asado n’ wine – the perfect combo!

The weekly asado proved a hit as ever.

No-one goes hungry on a Saturday!

Red wine and steak set everyone up well to go out and celebrate after a big week of training!

It’s the weekend

The weekend was a mix of relaxation and adventure.

Mountain biking the famous Circuito Chico

Some of the team chose to battle it out on the football pitch on Saturday – and then mountain bike the famous Circuito Chico in the Llao Llao area next to Lago Nahuel Huapi.

Incredible views, mud from head to toe, puppies, beer …

… and a visit to the Swiss colony (?) made this an adventure to remember!

Humm, a strange looking “Swiss” fisherman?

Unforgettable experience

These are the parts of the Peak Leaders Bariloche Argentina ski instructor course that really make the whole experience unique and memorable.

Team BASI Lesley on the hill

With another week of training ahead next week, the team have had a relaxing Sunday evening.

We’re getting ready for the huge snow forecasted over the next few days.

Bring it on!

Peak Leaders has ski instructor courses starting pre-season in Saas Fee (Switzerland) and St Anton (Austria), plus winter courses in Morzine (France) and Verbier (Switzerland).

For a chat about any of our courses get in touch here.