SKI AND SNOWBOARD

INSTRUCTOR COURSES
Book today for the best days of your life
Courses in Canada, New Zealand and France NO.6
 ’
03 | CONTENTS: SnowSkool

Ain’t no-one too cool WELCOME TO SNOWSKOOL

04 | RESORTS 08 | SKI INSTRUCTOR

for MySkool! o.uk/myskool
Check Out Where It’s At!!! Case Study Examples

Thank you for your interest in SnowSkool 

Since our inception in 2003,
06
www.snowskool.c
SnowSkool has grown into a
company offering ski and snowboard
courses in four world-class resorts
14
spanning three continents in the
northern and southern hemispheres.
There are only about three months
16
each year when SnowSkool is
not running a course somewhere
in the world...don’t worry, we are
working to remedy this!

This experience and our long-

10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
Why We Offer The Best Courses

serving, dedicated staff has
allowed us to fine-tune all aspects
of the programmes we offer to
ensure that your time in resort
will be everything you dreamt it
to be: top-notch tuition, epic skiing/
snowboarding, luxurious living and
a vibrant social life.
 
MySkool is another part of the
SnowSkool offering of which I am
very proud. MySkool is essentially a
resource centre that gives you all the
information you could require before
booking onto a SnowSkool course, to
maximise your time out in resort and
to make the most of your experience
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
and qualifications after the course.
The snowsport recruitment database
is a particularly valuable resource
Regardless of your taste, time constraints and level of
experience, SnowSkool’s wide range of programmes puts
13 | SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR
Case Study Examples
that has enabled us to place many the choice firmly in your hands. With resorts in the northern
former students in jobs at ski resorts and southern hemispheres we can offer courses throughout
throughout the world
 
the year at the world’s best ski and snowboard
We look forward to hearing from resorts. Whether you are looking for a constructive gap
you, meeting you at a show, sharing year to pick up professional qualifications, a career break to
a cold one at the SnowSkool party or improve your skiing/ snowboarding or a chance to develop
skiing/ riding with you in resort! 
a new career as a ski or snowboard instructor, SnowSkool
 
Best regards has a programme to suit your individual needs. 
Phil Purdie

18 | MEET THE TEAM

Director, SnowSkool Ltd
DISCLAIMER
All information contained in this brochure
is believed to be correct at time of going
to press. For up to date information, please
contact SnowSkool.
Although we take care to work closely with local ski and
snowboard schools at each resort in which we operate, Putting A Face To A Name
you can be sure that all SnowSkool courses are run under
the remit of national bodies that are members of the
International Snowsport Instructors’ Association (ISIA).
This represents the planet’s highest standard of ski and
snowboard instruction.

team@snowskool.co.uk 

savoie france

www.snowskool.co.uk
04 | RESORTS: Banff
BANFF, ALBERTA
Work Hard & Play Hard in Canada’s Premier Alpine Resort
THE HILL - Although there are numerous ski
resorts in Banff National Park, there is one
that stands head and shoulders above the
rest. SnowSkool operates its ski & snowboard
instructor courses at Sunshine Village, a
mountain of awesome proportions. The
Sunshine area is made up of 3 mountains
each with its own character. From tight
tree-skiing to big-mountain style open faces
and from unbelievable backcountry access to
sick terrain parks, Sunshine Village ticks all
the boxes. During the week, it has a wealth
of training terrain: countless beautiful, big,
wide-open green and blue runs that are ideal
for the instructor course but, at the weekend,
you can let your hair down and scare yourself
on some of Canada’s toughest in-bound
slopes. Try the Delirium Dive for size…
although entry is only permitted with
an Avalanche transceiver pack and a buddy!
THE TOWN - Banff is a very beautiful and also
a very cool little town in the middle of the
Canadian Rockies. The town is hugely geared
towards skiers and snowboarders, and then
www.snowskool.co.uk
entertaining them when the chairlifts stop
running! Other ski towns aspire to be like
Banff but nowhere does it better. There is an
amazing range of pubs, bars and nightclubs
to suit all tastes and your SnowSkool reps will
be there to ensure that you make the most
of your season. As well as nights out, we will
also organise trips to the ice hockey, bingo
bowling, cinema and DVD nights, football &
basketball tournaments, fancy dress parties
and poker nights.
ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool
course you will be living at the Banff Alpine
Lodge. The Lodge is ideal for hosting
a SnowSkool course. It is immaculately
maintained, well-organised and awesome
fun. One major benefit of the Lodge as
opposed to a hotel is the sense of community.
BANFF IS A SKI AND SNOWBOARDING MECCA...
WITH A NIGHTLIFE TO MATCH!
THE BANFF
THE HILL SnowSkool has now been working
with the ski and snowboard school
at Sunshine Village since 2004 and,
as such, we have cemented a firm
relationship. Being the first operator
to run a programme from Sunshine,
we had our first choice of the very
best instructors. The fact that we
continue to use many of the same
instructors today speaks volumes for
the mutual respect that SnowSkool
and the Sunshine Village instructors
have for one another.
NB: We recommend that skiers and
snowboarders have a minimum of
two weeks on-snow experience
SnowSkool students tend to relax in before committing to the SnowSkool
‘SnowSkool HQ’ – a warm and welcoming Banff programme.
open plan communal area with a massive
fire place. Here, the order of the day is to
chill out, play cards, watch movies, listen to
music, or just have a beer and discuss the If Carlsberg made
instructor
day’s riding. Not only does the Banff Alpine
Centre have a stunning location and friendly
international atmosphere, but it also has
great facilities including free wireless internet
training courses,
throughout, a restaurant, an ice-climbing wall,
spa, huge communal area and an on-site pub
HQ
(The Storm Cellar). Affectionately named the
would be
Stormy C by seasonnaires, the bar has free
pool, darts and table football as well as cable
Banff
TV to keep you up-to-date with all the latest
sporting action. Students will benefit from
cheap drinks and get to sample the regular
• Average Annual Snowfall : 30ft
theme and karaoke nights on offer.
• Area: 3358 Acres
• Number of Runs: 107 named runs
• Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner - 55% intermediate - 25% expert
• Top Elevation: 9000ft/ 2730m – highest lift- served skiing in Canada
For more information on the specific courses
we run at Sunshine Village, Banff please get
• Freestyle: Two terrain parks in touch: team@snowskool.co.uk or visit...
www.snowskool.co.uk
06 | RESORTS: Big White
BIG WHITE, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Luxury Accommodation in Canada’s Largest Ski-in/ Ski-out Village
THE HILL - Despite being one of Canada’s
five biggest ski resorts, Big White remains
surprisingly off the international skiing radar.
This Canadian skiing and snowboarding
behemoth is well-regarded by those “in the
know” in search of pristine powder snow.
The weather rolls in from the Pacific and when
it hits the Monashee Range above the Okanagan
Valley, it produces a phenomenal amount of
Canada’s driest, fluffiest powder snow.
The mountain itself is incredibly fun to ski.
Big White has a diversity of terrain that is
almost peerless – and something to offer every
type of skier from the big mountain skier to
the park rats. There is everything from cruisy
greens, tougher blacks, the renowned double
black diamond Cliff Area to the Telus Terrain
Park, one of Canada’s most revered freestyle
terrain parks. But Big White is probably most
famous for its tree-skiing…cast the piste map
aside and dive into the trees to experience a
different line every day!
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COMMUNITY - Big White is Canada’s
largest ski in/ ski out village - the High Street
in Big White is actually a pisted ski-run!
Although commonplace in Europe, ski in/
ski out access is not so common in North
America. The benefits of being able to strap
in to your gear at the back door of your chalet
are hard to over-emphasise – simple things
like an extra half hour in bed or the ability to
return home for lunch! And the slopes are the
main way to access all the local amenities –
restaurants, bars, shops etc. The atmosphere
in Big White is friendly and relaxed but with
some great bars and a good nightlife.
BIG WHITE’S MOTTO IS “IT’S THE SNOW”
- IN REFERENCE TO CANADA’S LIGHTEST,
FLUFFIEST POWDER
THE BIG WHITE
SnowSkool runs a wide variety
of courses at Big White taking
advantage of the awesome terrain
on offer. The Ski & Board School is
run by Josh Foster, who oversees
one of the most progressive schools
in North America. You will have
the benefit of riding with a pool
of instructors, therefore gauging
feedback from numerous sources
during your time in resort. In Big
White, a massive emphasis is placed
on daily instructor development
ensuring that the bar is constantly
being raised on your learning.
NB: We recommend that skiers and
snowboarders have a minimum of
four weeks on-snow experience
before committing to the SnowSkool
ACCOMMODATION - Feedback tells us that
Big White programme.
the main draw of the SnowSkool Big White
course is the accommodation! All students are
Big White:
housed in a series of luxurious and spacious
ski-in/ ski-out apartments, each with a private
hot tub on the porch as well as access to a
swimming pool and gym. Whatever we say
about it, you will be overawed! With genuine
sssshhh...
don’t tell
ski-in/ ski-out access, you can finish your
day’s lessons and be in the hot-tub on your
porch with a beer in your hand within two
minutes of leaving the pistes. After dinner,
anyone!!!
fall into one of the huge leather sofas, stoke
a fire and relaaaaaaax!!
• Average Annual Snowfall: 25ft
• Area: 3000 Acres
• Number of Runs: 118 named runs/ 27 unnamed
• Terrain Breakdown: 18% beginner, 56% intermediate, 26% expert
• Top Elevation: 7606 ft/ 2319 m
• Freestyle: Telus Terrain Park – 500ft super-pipe with 17ft transitional
For more information on the specific courses
we run at Big White please get in touch:
walls, two further half pipes, Race Course, International Skier/ Boarder Cross team@snowskool.co.uk or visit...
www.snowskool.co.uk
08 | CASE STUDIES: Ski Instructor
SKI INSTRUCTOR
Case Studies
Rachel Adcock, 18 from Leicestershire, UK.
• Ski Instructor Course, Banff 2007
• CSIA Ski Instructor Levels 1 & 2
• CSCF Level 1 Race Coach
• Worked as Race Coach, Fall’s Creek, Australia
• Currently President of BUSC
“I had been skiing since the age of four and
competitively since the age of thirteen, so
it seemed natural to spend my gap year on
the slopes. I joined the 2007 SnowSkool
programme in Banff and had such a blast on-
and off- the slopes! Over the eleven weeks, I got
my CSIA Ski Instructor Level 1 & 2 qualifications
and the CSCF Level 1 Race Coach.”
Rachel worked as a Race Coach at Fall’s Creek
Ski Resort in Australia after her SnowSkool
course before enrolling at Newcastle University
in October. In 2010, Rachel took over the
Presidency of BUSC – British Universities
Snowsports Council. Rachel’s brother Jamie,
a graduate of SnowSkool’s 2008 Banff
programme has worked as a ski instructor at
Sunshine Village for the past two seasons.
www.snowskool.co.uk
Will Southon, 24 from Surrey, UK.
• Ski Instructor Course, Big White 2006
• CSIA Ski Instructor Levels 1 & 2
• CSIA Snowpark Certificate
• Currently CSIA Level 3 Ski Instructor, Big White
“After the SnowSkool Big White course,
there was only one place that I wanted to
work: Big White. And, fortunately, I was
offered a job there for the following season
and a sponsored working visa! In my first
season, I worked very hard on my skiing and
picked up my Level 3 qualification and was
awarded “Rookie of the Year”! The secret to
succeeding as an instructor is to volunteer
for everything: treat your first season as an
apprenticeship and help out wherever you
can. When not teaching, I worked Carnival,
helped clear snow off the Ski School roof
and waxed skis. You will earn the respect of
fellow instructors and earn enough to enjoy
your time out there.”
I CHOSE SNOWSKOOL WHEN I REALISED THAT
THE SNOWSKOOL TEAM POSSIBLY LOVED SKIING
EVEN MORE THAN I DO
Helene Bowater, 34 from Hampshire, UK
• Ski Instructor Course, Cardrona, 2008
• NZSIA Ski Instructor Levels 1 & 2 (originally
CSI & Stage 1)
• Currently working as a Primary School teacher
“Helsa” was working as a primary school
teacher but fancied a break and so joined the
SnowSkool New Zealand programme in 2009.
“Because it ran from July to September, the
SnowSkool NZ programme fitted in well with
the School summer holidays and so I did
not need to take any time off. Wanaka is the
most amazing place ever – breathtakingly
beautiful…like one massive outdoor
playground: skiing, hiking, mountain-biking,
canoeing, sailing, bungee jumping, sky-diving.
Whatever you want to do! Truth be told, I
checked out vacancies at the local Primary
School and am weighing up my options with
one eye on a permanent move out there!”
LIVE THE DREAM
JOIN A SNOWSKOOL SKI INSTRUCTOR COURSE!
Be trained by the top ski instructors at the best ski resorts in Canada,
New Zealand and France and work to become a ski instructor…
t: 01962 855138
10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
WHY SNOWSKOOL?
Not the cheapest...the best!
Although people always seem hesitant to ask,
we love it when an enquirer asks why he or she
should book with SnowSkool instead of one of
the many other instructor courses out there.
THE FULL SERVICE:
Your course fees do not just pay for your
flight, accommodation, tuition and the other
aspects of the course that are included in your
package. Your SnowSkool experience begins
from the moment you contact the company!
To ensure all students have full information
about the SnowSkool course, we send out
comprehensive Course Packs which include
many documents such as:
• Kit List
• Communications Schedule
• Guide to Buying Skis/ Snowboards/ Helmets
• Exam Overview
• Course Schedule
• And many more.
During the course, we work hard to look after
the needs of every student. The role of the
SnowSkool rep should not be underestimated
as they bring together all the elements of the
course as well as making sure you make the
most of your time in resort. All SnowSkool reps
are former students who have gone through
www.snowskool.co.uk
it c
get better.
the SnowSkool course and have, at least, one
season’s experience of the resort in which
they are working. With an age range of 22 to
32, SnowSkool reps provide a perfect blend
of responsible management with an ability to
empathise with students of all ages and their
enthusiasm shines through every day.
After your SnowSkool course, we will help you
to find a job using the SnowSkool Instructor
Recruitment Database. This is an incredibly
valuable resource and we have placed many
people in jobs throughout the world.
CHOICE:
Since SnowSkool’s inception – when we ran
one small course in Banff – we have listened
to former students and grown to offer
courses in a number of resorts in the northern
and southern hemispheres, all of which offer
a unique experience to meet the different
expectations of each individual customer.
SnowSkool allows you to take a course all
year round with start dates in December,
January, April and July. More than this we
offer courses of differing lengths – between
four and fourteen weeks - in an attempt to fit
in with your lifestyle. On an individual level,
if you want to arrive early to earn a few
cheeky turns before the programme starts,
howev
er
the cour good
se is,
an alway
s bound to have lots of questions. One
or even stay out longer to enjoy the corn
snow and sunshine that spring brings,
SnowSkool can organise your accommodation
and any other needs you may have.
ATOL PROTECTION:
SnowSkool is ATOL-bonded. If an
ATOL tour operator fails, the ATOL
scheme ensures customers of the
ATOL holder do not lose the money
paid over or are not stranded abroad.
COURSE ORGANISATION:
Ex-Military Man, Dunk, has been working
for SnowSkool since 2005 and his job is to
organise every aspect of the SnowSkool
course in resort. Through feedback from
past students, regular in-depth research and
visits to the resort, Dunk works tirelessly
to improve every course with the motto:
“however good it is, it can always get better.”
SnowSkool is confident that we offer the best
courses out there because we do not just
take the easiest option. The organisation of
every course is carefully researched, and then
researched again, before we commit. This
strict criteria relates to every element included
in your package. On the next page are a few
examples of where we really add value:
Flights.
All season-long courses offer group flights
with established airline carriers. SnowSkool
organises group bookings so that students
can sit together and get to know each other
en route to the slopes. All flights are escorted
too with at least one SnowSkool staff member
on the flight.
Tuition.
Our phenomenal historical success rate is
down to the fact that we only employ the
most senior instructors in the Ski & Board
School and we restrict groups sizes to ensure
an optimal instructor: student ratio.
Accommodation.
We strive to select the best accommodation
available in the destination resort according
to the course budget. We insist that an
accommodation meets our criteria when
it comes to facilities and SnowSkool
accommodations throughout the world have
hot-tubs, saunas, gyms, swimming pools,
spas, steam showers, wireless internet, an
ice-climbing wall, on-site pub & restaurant
and games rooms – although not all in the
same place! They also have to be conveniently
located and close to the resort’s amenities
Meals.
On an intensive instructor course, filling and
nutritious meals take on a greater importance
than at home. We understand this and work
with caterers in resort to ensure that the
meals are the tastiest, healthiest and most
filling that they can be.
Safety:
For those of us that love to ski and board,
some of our best experiences come when
we spend time in the mountains. However,
despite being beautiful, the mountain
environment can also be unpredictable. At
SnowSkool we promote further understanding
of the mountains and snow conditions so that
students are as well prepared as possible to
fully enjoy the alpine environment.
Along with an initial safety brief, students can
attend an Avalanche Awareness Course giving
fundamental knowledge about backcountry
safety, snowpack analysis and the use of
transceivers.
You can also gain a 1st Aid qualification with a
wilderness focus.
MYSKOOL
MySkool is your gateway into
SnowSkool. MySkool is a ‘resource
centre’ – a place where you can find
out everything you need to know
about SnowSkool and it is split into
three main sections:
BEFORE: Am I Doing The Right Thing?
Before you book your course, you are
of the most common questions we
get asked is: “What questions should
I be asking?”!!! This section should
be able to give you the answers to
that question and any subsequent
questions including; Why to choose
SnowSkool, The application process,
Which course to choose and Is it worth
the money?
DURING: What’s It Like Out There?
Good point! What kit will I need to
take? Which skis/ snowboard should I
buy? What insurance should I get out
there? What do we do on a day-to-day
basis? Who will I be rooming with? The
only way to experience SnowSkool is
to go on SnowSkool but we have set
up this section to allow you, as best
as we can, to ‘try before your buy’ and
meet the others that are buying too!
AFTER: What Next?
Your reasons for enrolling in
SnowSkool are your own. You may be
looking simply to improve your skiing
or to have a fun gap year or as the
first step to working as a snowboard
instructor. After the course, SnowSkool
will help you with career advice and
give you access to our Instructor
Recruitment Database – a valuable
resource for those looking to work in
the industry. We will also try to give
you an idea of what it is like to work
as a instructor with a number of case
studies of current instructors.
t: 01962 855138
 13 | CASE STUDIES: SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR

SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR
Case Studies

Stuart Selkirk, 18 from Berkshire, UK Laura Roberts, 21 from Yorkshire, UK Jamie Jones, 29 from London, UK
• Snowboard Instructor Course, New Zealand • Snowboard Instructor Course, Banff • Snowboard Instructor Course, Big White
• SBINZ Snowboard Instructor Levels 1 & 2 • CASI Snowboard Instructor Levels 1 & 2 • CASI Snowboard Instructor Levels 1 & 2
(formerly CSI & Stage 1) • CASI Snowpark Certificate • Currently working as a SnowSkool Rep in
• Worked as a Snowboard Instructor at Lake • Currently working as a Snowboard Big White
Louise, Canada Instructor at Sunshine Village, Banff
• Currently at the University of Canterbury, “I was working in Sales in London but
New Zealand Laura graduated from the SnowSkool Banff managed to secure a three month sabattical.
course in April 2009 with her CASI Level 2, her SnowSkool Big White was ideal for me: good
“I only had four weeks experience before CASI Snowpark Certificate and a lot of new powder, nice community feel and luxury
SnowSkool but I felt confident as I was fit friends – she was a very popular member of the accommodation (the hot-tub was nothing
and a natural sportsman. I admit though that group. So much so that the Ski & Board School to do with my decision!). I was also bored of
I struggled through the first couple of weeks at Sunshine Village, Banff offered her a job being an ok snowboarder…I wanted to turn it
but the SnowSkool instructors at Cardrona working the slopes for the 2009/2010 season. up a few notches. Had a great time over there
were awesome and got me through that “I had always worked in my mum’s Nursery and and, at the end of the season, Phil approached
course. After the course, SnowSkool set me so wanted to teach children. It is such fun, they me and asked if I would be interested in
up with a job at Lake Louise in Canada and learn so quickly and I really enjoy Freestyle repping a course. Would I?!? My career break
I had a great time working there and riding Fridays when I take eight under 10s into the was extended indefinitely and I spent the
other nearby hills: Sunshine Village, Kicking terrain park and teach them how to slide boxes summer season in New Zealand working under
Horse, Revelstoke, Big White & Fernie. But I and some basic grabs and spins. It is such a SnowSkool’s head rep, before returning to Big
always had a yearning to return to NZ and so fulfilling job and the tips are pretty good when White in December 2009. My family thinks I
I applied to the University of Canterbury and the kids tell their parents how much fun they am having a mid-life crisis and, in truth, I do
am still there!” have had!” not know where I am headed but I am enjoying
myself and that is justification in itself.”
Stuart’s sister, Ellie, is currently working
towards her CSIA Level 2 ski instructor

LIVE THE DREAM

JOIN A SNOWSKOOL SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR COURSE!
qualification in Big White, Canada. Who’s the
best skier/ rider, guys?!?!
ONE DAY I DECIDED TO JUST TAKE THE PLUNGE
SnowSkool uses only the most highly-qualified and experienced
snowboard instructors to train our students. Take the next step in life... ...THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME
www.snowskool.co.uk t: 01962 855138
14 | RESORTS: Cardrona
CARDRONA, NEW ZEALAND
Soulful New Zealand Town with the Country’s Highest Lift-Served Skiing
THE HILL - After searching the southern
hemisphere for a ski and snowboard resort
that would meet the strict standards laid
down by SnowSkool, we could only really go
for Cardrona Alpine Resort on New Zealand’s
South Island. Snow reliability, varied and
extensive terrain, an extremely high standard
of instruction and a great town were the
key criteria in helping SnowSkool find the
most suitable resort possible. Situated
between beautiful Wanaka and Queenstown,
Cardrona is New Zealand’s most popular ski
and snowboard resort with excellent riding
for both skiers and boarders. The terrain is
well suited to riders of all standards – wide
open slopes to gain confidence and develop
technique to steep powder fields and chutes
for expert skiers. The freestyle facilities are
second to none with 3 terrain parks, 4 half
pipes, a boarder cross course and countless
rails and kickers allowing you to widen your
on-snow skills.
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COMMUNITY - By any measure, Wanaka
must be one of the coolest places on earth.
Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka and
surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Wanaka
lies at the heart of a World Heritage site.
Its residents are extremely friendly and very
outdoorsy – there is so much to do, the town is
just like a massive playground with world-class
skiing, mountain biking, kayaking and hiking.
Nearby Queenstown is the adrenaline-fuelled
capital of the back-packing world and, with
3 bungee jumps, numerous sky dives, white
water rafting, canyon swinging and jet boating,
it has enough to keep every adrenaline junkie
on the edge of their seat! New Zealand will
offer you the experiences of a lifetime.
AN INTENSE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON AN
AWESOME SKI HILL IN A LAID-BACK TOWN
ACCOMMODATION - Whilst out in NZ,
you will stay in family run apartments
close to the centre of Wanaka. The
SnowSkool accommodation is well located,
providing easy access to all amenities
that Wanaka has on offer. Students will be
accommodated in the Belvedere Luxury
Apartments in the centre of Wanaka and
share a bedroom with one other person.
The 2 bedroom apartments boast spacious
bedrooms, communal lounges, fully fitted
kitchens, laundry facilities, state of the
art entertainment systems and private
balconies. Students can also make use of
the sauna and heated locker room.
THE
CARDRONA
On SnowSkool’s New Zealand
programme you will sit two
different qualifications regardless
of whether you ski or snowboard.
The NZSIA/ SBINZ qualifications
are well respected throughout the
international skiing and snowboarding
community and will stand you in
good stead should you wish to
follow a career in snowsports. On
the SnowSkool course not only will
you work towards your instructor
qualifications, but your all-mountain
riding will improve dramatically.
The team of international Cardrona
instructors will ensure you receive the
very best level of tuition in all aspects
of your skiing or boarding.
NB: We recommend that skiers and
snowboarders have a minimum of six
weeks on-snow experience before
committing to the SnowSkool New
Zealand programme.
I thought
I’d died
and gone to...
New Zealand
• Average Annual Snowfall: 10ft (plus snowmaking)
• Area: 800 acres
• Number of Runs: 56 named runs
• Terrain Breakdown: 25% beginner, 55% intermediate, 20% expert
• Top Elevation: 6100 ft/ 1860m – highest lift-served skiing in NZ
For more information on the specific courses
• Freestyle: 3 Freestyle parks, 4 half pipes, boarder cross. we run in New Zealand please get in touch:
team@snowskool.co.uk or visit...
www.snowskool.co.uk
16 | RESORTS: Three Valleys
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE
The Largest and Most Diverse Ski Area in the World
The Hill - We could have chosen from a whole
range of resorts to host the SnowSkool BASI
course but we really wanted to be based in
France. And when we had narrowed down our
search to French resorts, the Three Valleys
was the most obvious choice – it is, after
all, the world’s favourite ski area! The Three
Valleys is the largest ski area in the world
(yes, the world!) and boasts eight different
ski resorts spread across three huge valleys
all covered under one lift pass and all joined
by mile after mile of slopes! With such a large
area to choose from, not only will you be able
to find runs to suit your skills and experience
but the mountain will soon invite you to pick
up new skills and challenge yourself. From
cruisey greens to wide, sloping blues, there
is plenty for the novice rider. For the more
intrepid, why not try your hand at a steep
red run or even a black run? Pushing on
further, take a ride on the dark side and hit
the extensive off-piste on offer throughout
the area.
THE COMMUNITY - The Three Valleys area is
home to 16 different villages giving you plenty
of choice for not only where to ride but also
www.snowskool.co.uk
where to stay and where to hang out. The
Three Valleys unique mix of pedestrianised
villages, spa towns, family resorts and lively
bustling towns offer a little bit of everything
to the seasonnaire. Although a massive resort,
the Three Valleys still retains the local and
personal feel of many of Europe’s smaller
resorts. No more so than in St Martin de
Belleville which SnowSkool students will call
home. With this local charm as well as plenty
of shops, restaurants, bars and activities, it is
the perfect place to host the SnowSkool Three
Valleys course.
ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool
course you will be staying in the charming
and picturesque village of St Martin de
Belleville. This village mixes Gallic charm with
KICK OFF THE MORNING IN MERIBEL, HIT UP VAL
THORENS FOR LUNCH AND THEN CRUISE AROUND COURCHEVEL
IN THE AFTERNOON...UNBELIEVABLE DIVERSITY
THE
3 VALLEYS
SnowSkool is working with a British-
owned Ski & Board School to offer
you the most comprehensive BASI
course on the market. The course
offers up to 35 hours of structured
tuition per week and, along with
general ski/ ride improvement and the
compulsory 70 hours of Ski/ Board
School experience, we also cover
mountain safety courses, race training,
piste performance, bumps clinics,
steep slope techniques, off piste
skiing/ riding, freestyle and much
more. All of this is delivered by BASI
ISTD Ski & Snowboard Instructors.
seasonnaire bustle giving participants the NB: We recommend that skiers and
chance to soak up the French culture whilst snowboarders have a minimum of
enjoying a dish of Tartiflette washed down by nine weeks on-snow experience
a demi-pression in one of the many local bars before committing to the SnowSkool
in town or on the slopes on the way down! Three Valleys programme.
Chalet Pascale, situated near the centre of
St Martin offers the ultimate in comfort and
Three Valleys:
luxury. Although built in the Savoyard style,
Pascale has many modern features. The chalet
consists of a large, open-plan living and dining
good enoug
area and students will enjoy home-cooked
h
meals together around the big table. The
comfortable sofas in the lounge are the perfect
place to put your feet up after a hard day’s
for
Posh &
riding and enjoy the vast range of multimedia
on offer: cable TV, DVD player, sound system
and games console have all been fitted to give
the chalet that SnowSkool edge.
Becks
• Average Annual Snowfall : 25ft
• Area: 600km of pistes
• Number of Lifts: 296
• Terrain Breakdown: 25% beginner, 50% intermediate, 25% expert
• Top Elevation: 10600ft/ 3230m – highest village in Europe (Val Thorens) For more information on the specific courses
• Freestyle: Numerous terrain parks/ half-pipes we run in the Three Valleys please get in
touch: team@snowskool.co.uk or visit...
www.snowskool.co.uk
18 | MEET THE TEAM: team@snowskool.co.uk
MEET THE TEAM
The beautiful people who make it all tick
THE BACKCOUNTRY TOURER - phil purdie
left the city and the world of investment
banking to set up snowskool in 2003 with a
small loan from the old man, jj purdie, who is
now the company secretary. after a decade
of snowboarding (including two research
seasons in canada) phil switched back to
skis and loves the freedom and speed it
offers. a good ole-fashioned ski fanatic,
phil now has seven seasons experience
in canada, europe and new zealand, and
has skied (or snowboarded) well over fifty
resorts throughout the world in places as
diverse as japan and south africa. phil’s
current favourite pursuits are growing a
beard and getting out into the canadian
wilderness with his touring bindings,
avalanche beacon and a shotgun to ward off
bears and wolves.
THE BUSINESSMAN - “big” steve purdie
was drafted into the snowskool fray after
ten years of working as a management
consultant in london and picking up
a mba from cambridge university.
suffice it to say, steve is brainy. his
role revolves around ensuring the
businesses finances are all in
order and everything
www.snowskool.co.uk
behind-the-scenes is ticking over as
expected. steve has a hand in every single
thing that snowskool sticks its nose into.
although a half-decent skier, steve prefers
spreadsheets to park skis and accounting
to backcountry shredding (thankfully for
us!) and was recently banished to the store
cupboard for two days “thinking time” for
suggesting that there is nothing wrong with
snowblades.
THE PARK RAT - former paratrooper adrian
“dunk” gourlay is to snowskool what the
stig is to top gear…a living legend whose
true persona is known only to 2 or 3 people
worldwide. it is rumoured that even his own
mother has only managed to narrow down
his identity to one of six people. some say he
was born wearing a beanie and goggles with
a bandanna covering his face. whatever the
case, dunk is an awesome rider…so much so
that snowskool now sponsors him to appear
in rail jams and freestyle comps in the uk and
in resort. going to press, he has now racked
up five seasons in canada and two in new
zealand. that said, it is rumoured that dunk
has never actually ridden a piste as he is
said to get from the bottom of the chairlift
to the top of the park through a process of
teleportation. snowskool can neither confirm
nor deny this.
REP: jamie jones - big white 2009, cardrona
2009, big white 2010. london boy with a
heart of gold. cracking snowboarder and top
photographer/ videographer
REP: sarah vujcich. big white 2009, banff
2010. kiwi bird. the loudest small person
in new zealand (the world?). sweet
snowboarder
REP: jordi bartlett. banff 2008, banff 2010
probably the world’s best-looking man (his
words) and the best skier (his words)…oh
and best photographer (his words)
COURSE GUIDE/ QUALIFICATIONS
Where? What? When? Why?
Before booking a SnowSkool course, the
majority of our clients do a significant amount
of research into the pros and cons of the
different providers of ski instructor courses and
snowboard instructor courses on the market.
After settling comfortably into the decision that
SnowSkool provides the best instructor courses
at the best prices, the question is now about
which course: SnowSkool Banff, SnowSkool
Big White, SnowSkool Cardrona or SnowSkool
Three Valleys.
In our experience, one of the main concerns
is the perceived quality of the qualification
that you are training for. In Canada, skiers
work towards the Level 1 & 2 of the Canadian
Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA), whilst
snowboarders shoot for the Level 1 & 2 of
the Canadian Association of Snowboard
Instructors (CASI). In New Zealand, skiers
are trained to obtain the Level 1 & 2 of the
New Zealand Snowsport Instructors’ Alliance
(NZSIA), whilst snowboarders’ goal is to pass
the Level 1 & 2 of the Snowboard Instructors of
New Zealand (SBINZ). In France, SnowSkool
offers the qualifications of the British
Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI).
Skiers and snowboarders alike sit the BASI
Level 1 & 2 ski or snowboard instructor exams.
Some of the most common
questions we are asked are:
Which course
Can I work with my Level 1 Qualification?
Yes. With your Level 1 instructor qualification,
is best for me?
you can work in a few countries throughout Different SnowSkool courses will suit
the world including Australia, Canada, Japan, different people. We always ask three
smaller European countries and the USA. questions to help you make your decision:
With your NZ Level 1 qualifications, you can
also work in New Zealand. 1. How old are you?
Where can I work with my Level 2 2. How many weeks ski/ snowboard
Qualifcation? experience do you have?
Armed with your Level 2 instructor
qualifications from CSIA/ CASI, NZSIA/ SBINZ 3. What are you looking to get out
or BASI, you are entitled to work in many of your SnowSkool course
different countries throughout the world. (improve riding? Fun gap year?
The Level 2 instructor qualification is well- New career as an instructor?)
recognised. In the past six years, graduates
of SnowSkool courses, who have obtained Once you can answer those question, the
their Level 2 qualification and who have SnowSkool team can offer you more detailed
the required working visa, have succeeded advice and get the ball rolling for you!
in obtaining instructor jobs in Andorra,
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria,
Canada, Chile, Italy, Japan, New Zealand,
Spain, Switzerland, UK and the USA.
 SportSkool Ltd
37-39 Southgate Street, Winchester,
Hampshire, SO23 9EH, England, UK
www.snowskool.co.uk e: team@snowskool.co.uk
t: 01962 855 138 int: +44 1962 855 138