All of sudden, we find ourselves at the end of week seven of this nine week course – so we are at the end of the second training block.

The trainees are now ready for the BASI L2 exam!

Over the last 3 weeks we have been treated to amazing conditions and pretty much, empty pistes! Most of the pro racers and freestylers have moved on, leaving the resort just for us!

It’s great to be able to ski on grippy, winter conditions at this time of year and it creates the perfect environment for the trainees to learn and develop their skiing further.

This is one of the reasons why we love Saas Fee!

During this training block, we have been focussing on both technical and teaching skills. As we shift our focus to the level 2 exam, we start to ramp things up with the piste performance skiing tasks. We also introduce some new tasks such as steeps, bumps and off-piste skiing.

We had a few great afternoons in particular, getting to grips with skiing bump-lines for the first time. Always a compelling challenge for the trainees, with a few good wipeouts thrown in there!

Also, midway through the training block, our freestyle coach Marco paid us a visit.

Marco, Italian freestyle legend (and qualified mountain guide) is always a favourite amongst the trainees. Taking them through the basics of freestyle on the piste, while also giving them chance to have a go at flinging themselves off some small jumps. We even had a few successful 360 attempts which was really cool to see!

The freestyle element is something we like to add in to our GAP courses, not only is it fun, but it also challenges balance and agility, which can really help trainees with the other tasks they are examined on.

Also, BASI recently announced the addition of some basic freestyle tasks to the level 2 exam, so we’re glad to be ahead of the game on that one!

If you’re reading this thinking this all sounds very exhausting, then you’d be right.

But thankfully tired legs from back-to-back weeks of skiing can be rehabilitated in Saas Fee’s spa – literally a stone’s throw from the hotel.

This year’s group have been maximising the spa time! A mix of sauna’s, steam rooms and jacuzzis, with incredible panoramic views of the mountains, it’s pretty cool!

They have also welcomed the opening of a few après-ski bars at the weekends.

Here’s Luca, Cole and Joe enjoying a few post ski beers!

Check in soon to see how the trainees get on in the final weeks, with the BASI level 2 exam!