Any advice on which Gap year ski instructors course to do?

GarMani

I want to do it January to March 2011, preferably in Europe.

Loadsa factors to consider:
accreditation body,
who and where you'd be qualified to teach afterwards,
prospects of job afterwards, possibly with that ski school
cost,
accommodation,
food: how many meals, how many days per week, how tasty
how many hours of instruction per week,
quality of work experience,
pupil-teacher ratios,
quality of resort,
awkwardness of resort:i.e. ski-in, ski-out or walk to bus to long queue at gondola to ski to another bus stop to get to a separate ski area.
what's included or optional: tobogganning, avalanche course, language courses, first aid course etc.

All advice appreciated.
Thanks

Fattes

GarMani
Check out Warren Smith's offering they are BASI accredited courses which are recognised pretty much world wide.

His instructors are all top drawer and they do a savage amount of work both on and off the slope in terms of bio mechanics etc

Plus it is in Verbier resorts dont come better and you will get 2 rounds of the world freestyle tour when you are there.


http://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/gap/gap-program_10_review.html

robinph

I did the PeakLeaders summer version in New Zealand last year and highly recommend it, don't know what courses they run in Europe though. I aslo did a shorter course with NonStop in Canada as well.

Both seemed to be well run groups.

markhenry5

If you want a ski in ski out village, a choice of BASI or CSIA courses. Awesome training, a smaller intimate company, a great mountain, 30 % less cost than most programmes then check out the www.proskitraining.com website.
It might be hard to get catered for individually with the big gap operators. Sometimes up to a 150 gappies on a programme. This might be a factor. I have often see gappies sent shopping as part of their "relevant ski school hours experience" because there aren't enough instructors to shadow.
Another big factor is to train somewhere you can work the following season while you work up through your qualifications. Switzerland, Canada, Andorra are good for this, France is a No No.

markhenry5

Oh yeah. I nearly forgot Pro Ski Training are an Irish company.

GarMani

everyone says their course is the best.

Everyone who has done a course has loved it and that's what gets published as testimonials on course websites, but most of all:

NOBODY DOES THE GAP COURSE MORE THAN ONCE and hence has only got experience of one Gap Course provider. I'd suspect that many people who do Level 3 and beyond would probably stick with their original course provider.

BASI are so unbiased and impartial that they wouldn't even give me a list of BASI course providers...even this would've been a start.

Fattes

For Level 3 (ISIA) qualification the gap year model does not really apply pretty sure no one does it in that foromat, you are required in most cases to have a minimum of 300 teaching hours before you can sit the Tech part of the Course and in General depending on the awarding body there are approximatley 8- 10 modules to complete.

Warren Smith does provide a level 3 Training programme but it is not geared toward any particular organistaion ie(BASI ETC). More a general Level 3 training and prep programme.For work in Europe BASI is one of hte most recognised with the fewest issues.

Not all ski schools will take the Canadian/NZ qualification but that does not mean it is not accepted anywhere.Your original criteria where quite clear I would look at the options out there that fit that and base my decision on it.

robinph

I have been with two different providers of gap courses and was very happy with both, although one of them I was only on a two week course. But from getting to know people on another course running at the same time in NZ when I was there we got a good idea of what the differences were though...not a whole lot really.

The one I was on we had no more than two to a room, breakfast and evening meal every day, free wifi, bar in the hotel, our own bus to take us to the mountain everyday.

The other course was accommodated in more dormitory style place, no food was provided so had to cook or go out to eat everyday. They got the normal bus up to the resort everyday.

Other than those there wasn't much difference between the two. Both courses had the same amount of training days (ours was Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri theirs was three days training three days off so it meant different days off each week), both courses seemed to have the same set of extra activities thrown in (heli ski day and the like), both courses were trained by the same people on the mountain. My examiner was actually one of the owners of the other course company.

There isn't much to choose between the different courses because as far as the actual training and exams go they have to follow the national bodies criteria. The differences you will find are to do with the extras though. Do you want a cooked meal every day or are you prepared to cook for yourself? Do you want extra activities thrown in, or is if just ski/ board and nothing else your looking for? Those are the things that you have to make a decision on.

jimdev

Fattes wrote: »

Not all ski schools will take the Canadian/NZ qualification

Who is that aimed at?

What an odd choice of foreign qualifications to quote...

GarMani

jimdev wrote: »

Who is that aimed at?

What an odd choice of foreign qualifications to quote...

I'd suspect that these would be the most popular English language Ski and Snowboard instructor qualification accreditation bodies. When researching online, I've seen very little reference to any bodies other than the British, New Zealand and Canadian ones. Hopefully we'll be enlightened by the experts. Thanks for all advice so far.

Fattes

Jim,
Based on experience of some of the Swiss schools and the odd Austrian one from talking to the guys that make the decision

When given the option of BASI versus the Canadian/ NZ qualification they tend to take BASI no idea why but just feedback from talking to some of them

It is not a criticisim of the qualification and as I have said before on here its not about the paper they hold but the person holding it that is important.

Case in Point I know one particularry lanky instructor with a Canadian qualification who is an incredible instructor

markhenry5

Here is the lowdown in my humble opinion from being involved in both systems.
BASI have a very good system, very well recognised and thorough, it is quite academic ( relative ) and a little bit complicated. It is also very expensive due to the sheer volume of modules that have to be undertaken. Basi are one of 5 or 6 countries that subscribe to the speed test, however to get a full cert is very difficult unless you have a racing backround or can devote a lot of time to race training. They have approx 6000 members.
The CSIA ( Canadian system ) is also very well recognised, based on simple bio-mechanical principles with a lot of input into their ski technique from a world class racing pedigree. It is less academic and more about good fun skiing. They are not part of the speed test group so you cannot achieve a full french cert through their system. They have approx 35,000 members.
Regarding which systems ski schools prefer. The individual applying will be the key factor. Both systems are very good and well recognised

robinph

If the system follows the speed test or not is not a issue for GAP level courses though, that is only seasons later when that might be an issue.

Would there be any problem with doing your Canadian level 1 and 2, working a few years and then deciding that you really want to work in France, so you then go an the the Basi or equivalent level? If they insist on you doing their versions of level 1 and 2 first then they really shouldn't be a problem for you at that stage.

Fattes

robinph: The issue would be the cost BASI will allow you to transfer across your canadian qualification but you must sit the equivilant exams, so if you are a Canadian/NZ/Irish etc level 2 to gain equivelance you must sit the BASI LEVEL 2 form what I know.

Where some organisations will allow transfers without having to resit the test.Also you are required to have your full ISTD qualification to work in France which will include your Eurotest and probably the local Test Technique despite the European courts saying it was not required.

Canadian system has a huge ace up its sleeve in the form of its race training it is the best in the world by a long shot and if you have managed to assartain the modules you will never be short of work

markhenry5

Your right robinph. The eurotest is irrelevant for somebody thinking of doing a gap programme. Down the road after a couple of seasons you may be thinking I want to work at this long term and in France /Italy. Then it will be an issue.
The gap programme we run in Soldeu, ( www.proskitraining.com ) Andorra allows candidates to choose either the BASI or CSIA system. Both organisations run a full range of courses in the resort.

GarMani

I thought it was just France.


And now there's mention of the Canadian qualification's race training making someone more employable. This discussion poses more questions than it answers.
Should I do Canadian and then requalify as BASI or do BASI and try to get the Canadian race training?

robinph

You should do whichever course/ location takes your interest, suits your pocket and fits in with the dates. Anything to do with speed tests really isn't an issue until long after you've done the gap year up to level 2 courses.

Fattes

The BASI and Canadian race training are one in the same! BASI paid a very large sum of money to the Canadians to buy their programme, It makes you more employable if you are focusing on race work etc not day to day teaching.

For work in Europe I would go with BASI, British Clients make up a large % of ski school business and ski schools know they like having British instructors!!!!! Was actually speaking to someone who works in Chamonix about this last night.

The gap between Level 2 and ISIA (Level 3) is huge so dont be worrying about after your GAP one step at a time get your level 1 then your level 2 and you can worry about other qualifications then. As both myself and robinph have said pick the course that suits you.

Yep the Italian instructor system requires you pass the Eurotest before you even enter or I think they allow you in if you have below 70 FIS points also

robinph

If you've got any FIS points though, what are you doing looking for instructor courses. It's new sponsorship deals you should be investigating for the money, and getting faster.

Fattes

80 FIS Points will not even get you on the Europa cup tour!!!There is a big diffrence between an 80 point racer and a World Cup racer most of the world cup race guys haev approx less than 20 points in their disciplines

robinph

Still, it's more than I've got. Or is that less than I've got.

Fattes

The lower the better but just to give you an idea below is Lyndsey Vonn's Points Chemmy alcotts and Ireland full list. Great fun to serch for all the diffrent ones, by country racer etc

Irelands highest place racer is Kirsty McGarry with 53 points and Shane O Conner for the men with 88.2 points compare this to Ted Ligity USA 5.93 points.

It is a big jump even to make up 10 points you would probably have to knock approx a second or so

http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/607.html?sector=AL&listid=158&lastname=VONN&gender=&firstname=&nation=&order=Lastname&fiscode=&birthyear=&Search=Search&limit=80
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/607.html?sector=AL&listid=158&lastname=alcott&gender=&firstname=&nation=&order=Lastname&fiscode=&birthyear=&Search=Search&limit=80

http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/607.html?sector=AL&listid=158&lastname=&gender=&firstname=&nation=IRE&order=Lastname&fiscode=&birthyear=&Search=Search&limit=80

Apologies for the cramming together work pc wont let me put in spaces

GarMani

They'll benefit me, but hopefully others who'll have similar choices to make in future also.

Printer

Hey guys

I never did a GAP course but I am qualified with the NZ, Canadian and British systems. I also run a theory course here in Ireland for people thinking of getting into the industry so I thought this info might be useful.

I think there is valid discussion for all accreditation bodies - I have worked in Canada, Switzerland and New Zealand and from what I have found the NZ system is probably the most highly thought of (I was given my job in Zermatt because I had NZ level 2 and it was held in very high esteem). However, all systems have a lot of merit.

Note I am talking about snowboarding here though lads. Not sure about the skiing. The BASI system is good but takes far too long and goes in to way too much details in my opinion.

Anyway, I am Director of The Learning Curve Institute here in Ireland and we do classroom learning for people who want to by-pass the whole full time GAP courses and go straight into a level 1 exam. The Level 1 for both skiing and snowboarding has a lot more to do with professionalism and ability to teach than it does your actual riding ability. Anyone I have seen fail is down to their demo's or their teaching.

Our courses are being expanded next year to take in 4 weeks of riding on the hill aswell so if people feel like they want to go on to do their level 2 then they have that option. It's basically 4 weeks of high end lessons with a focus on rider improvement. The course is always being developed and it sprang really from people coming to me saying they would love to just do their level 1 and see if the whole industry "is for them" - then if they feel like "yeh i really wouldn't mind going for the level 2" then we do everything we can to get them there.

I work for European Snowsport in Zermatt, so The Learning Curve is teamed up with them and their instructor academy courses for the training. Basically our courses are a way for people to dip their toe in from the safety of their Irish home and see if maybe this is something they want to do... without spending €10,000 on it!!

We also give people the option of doing an internationally recognized fully accredited French or Spanish course at the same time and then when they do the 4 weeks rider improvement course they continue this in a camp style format so at the end of it all they are solid all round riders, speak another language and have the certificate to prove it.

The beauty of the course is the power it has on the old CV... we are a FETAC Registered Provider of Education and Training, and you get an official certificate from us saying that you did an 8 hour theory course (and possibly 4 week FETAC course in Training/Teaching/Languages) as well as then going for the Level 2. So when you present your CV for a job you have all these Cert's to add to your application. The whole industry is saturated with so many instructor training courses out there and this really separates you from the rest of the bunch.

During the 4 week riding course we can offer any range of FETAC programme depending on the needs of the people - for example we have been asked to do a FETAC Level 6 Course in Starting Your Business for a group that want to set up a training school and then other people have asked us to the Train the Trainer FETAC Course as it essentially teaches you how to teach... and you get a National Certificate which is internationally recognised and accredited while learning how to rip the mountain!!!

Anyway, here is the link:
http://www.thelearningcurve.ie/content/certificate-level-1-snowsports-instructor-theory

If you have any questions about it then please fire away.
Liam

GarMani

It seems cheap, but includes nothing except new kit. You may have to travel for exams and (I suspect) would have to pay for them separately.

I suspect that the Polish course would not be well received by future employers (am I wrong?).

Internet reviews of the resort seem to think that the queues are long to get out of the valley and that there are several different unjoined ski areas.

All of which doesn't appeal, unless cashflow becomes very bad and it'd probably be my last resort.

Fattes

Printer Well done on settting this up, which awarding body certifies your course? FEETAC is not recognised by the ISIA to award snowsports qualifications???Unliess you have a ISIA certified body associated with your course it is not going to be worth a whole lot?

markhenry5

For people who want a taste of being a pro or want to dip their toe a little. We offer 2 and 3 week intensive training programmes that include a level 1 CSIA 4 day course / exam. It can even be done over seperate 1 week holidays. We recommend candidates should have 10 to 12 weeks on snow before enrolling. This programme which is seperate to our full 11 week gap course can be viewed on www.proskitraining.com
I think it's important to experience standing in front of a group of learner skiers to see if you like it or want to pursue it as a career.

Printer

Printer Well done on settting this up, which awarding body certifies your course? FEETAC is not recognised by the ISIA to award snowsports qualifications???Unliess you have a ISIA certified body associated with your course it is not going to be worth a whole lot?

Hey Fattes - I'll try and explain it a bit better. The classroom based course is internally accredited and is just meant for people who want to do their CASI, NZ or BASI level 1 as a course to learn the terminology, do some practice teaching, find out more about the whole industry and do theory based learning as preparation for their level 1 exams. Students get a certificate in "Level 1 Snowsports Instructor Theory" from The Learning Curve Institute. It is not a qualification to teach, just a theory based course for people who want to go on and do their Level 1 (and 2) but can't afford going on a full training programme.

If they want to go on and do their level 1 and/or level 2 BASI or NZ course and want to get on-snow training then they can do that through The Learning Curve Institute's partners, European Snowsport and ES Ride, in Zermatt and Verbier. ES are aligned with Peak Leaders aswell and have a training academy for instructors which are all recognised of course by ISIA as students do their exams through BASI. If they are going to New Zealand they would train with us at ES Ride and then take the NZSIA exams when they arrive in New Zealand.

Having spoken to many ski schools around the world they all agreed that a candidate who had done our theory course and then went off and got their Level 1 and 2 would be much more employable than someone who had not done the theory course as they have an extra certificate from a recognised FETAC accredited education and training provider to along with their snowsports qualifications.

Just imagine, if you ran a ski school and were sent two CVs of young instructors of similar age and experience; both had their level 1 and 2 IASI certificates and one of them had also done a theory based course delivered by a qualified experienced instructor through a FETAC Registered Education and Training Institute who would you be more likely to give the job to? So the idea of the course is two fold really - one to allow people to do some theory based learning, learn how the system works and dip their toe in the water of becoming an instructor and two to give people who want to go on and become instructors another certificate to add to their CVs and future job applications.

@MarkHenry: The short intensive course sounds like a great idea in my opinion. I completely agree when you say "I think it's important to experience standing in front of a group of learner skiers to see if you like it or want to pursue it as a career." Really good point!

On the note of short terms courses, our French and Spanish Ski and Snowboard Language Camps are starting this season too. They are aimed at transition year students but they can also be catered for business groups, team building holidays, corporate groups etc. We are also going to be running FETAC Courses in a variety of subjects (Business, Languages etc) combined with the Ski and Snowboard tuition so you go off for a week with your colleagues to the French Alps and you get to be coached by The Irish National Snowboard Champion and come back with a FETAC Component Cert. in Business or Languages! Not bad for a weeks work (well... holiday really)
http://www.thelearningcurve.ie/content/snowboard-ski-language-camps

GarMani

Printer wrote: »

Just imagine, if you ran a ski school and were sent two CVs of young instructors of similar age and experience; both had their level 1 and 2 IASI certificates and one of them had also done a theory based course delivered by a qualified experienced instructor through a FETAC Registered Education and Training Institute who would you be more likely to give the job to?

Good points, but would you not just give the job to the person who got the highest marks in the IASI level 2 cert?

Do you just pass or fail these exams? or
are you awarded pass, merit, distinction?
or are you given a percentage?

Is it possible to get stats on what course providers get most students to pass their exams?
Or get the highest average grades?
Or whose graduates are most successful at getting jobs after?
Also which accrediation body is most likely to get you a job in what country?

Thanks again for all the info. My finances are now looking like I'll be able to choose between all available gap courses rather than just pick the cheapest.

robinph

Was just a pass/ fail for mine, although we did get told what parts we were good/ bad/ indifferent at.

markhenry5

Did you get a 5 or a 6 out of 6 in your variable terrain run, BASI level 3 exam or did you get 9 out of 10 in your GS in the bumps on your CSIA level 4. The answers to these will be pretty irrelevant. Ski school employers rarely if ever look closely at the results you have achieved. Are you qualified and to what level in which system is the first factor in getting a job. The second is how you come across on the phone or in interview combined with your CV. At Pro Ski Training we put a huge value on a persons ability to interact and empathise with clients. It is a service industry and qualifications only tell part of the story.

Printer

yeh I totally agree, once you have the certificate you are qualified to that level. It doesn't matter at all what mark you got. I think people forget how much of instructing comes down to your ability to be an enthusiastic, inspiring teacher. The best instructors I have met were not the best skiers or boarders, they were amazing teachers who were brilliant at breaking down a skill and instilling a passion and love for the sport in their students.

Fattes

Excellent thanks for that makes perfect sense.Hope it goes incredibly well for you. As above once you have achived the level most places do not care what you are stronger/weaker at within that level but for example if a client wants a bump specific course they will pick their strongest bumps skier to take it etc etc.

GarMani

Just in case anyone else wants the info: I found the following discussion:

http://www.welove2ski.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=632&id=140&last=0

Which compares Gap courses in:

Nendaz in Switzerland www.onthemountainpro.co.uk/nendaz-ski.php?school&valais-shop-location=BASI-GAP-Instructor-Course-Nendaz-Verbier

Pila in Italy www.interskisnowsportschool.co.uk/gaptraining.asp

Verbier in Switzerland www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/gap/gap-program_winter_10.html

GarMani

Has anyone got anything to add to the list below? I got a small bit more information from BASI. I also inquired if there were any BASIgap courses in India? Answer: No.

snowskool.co.uk in meribel, france

Warren Smith Ski Academy

Interski

Ski Force

http://www.instructor-academy.com/datesandprices.htm in Zakopane, Poland bookable through SunshineWorld

proskitraining.com with a choice of accreditation bodies

Altitude Futures
Base Camp
OnTheMountain Pro
Peak Leaders
Rookie Academy
Snoworks

BASIGAP.COM: ICE (The International Centre of Excellence) Val d’Isere, New Generation Courchevel and Meribel

markhenry5

Don't forget, Pro Ski Training are the only Irish gap course provider on this list.

GarMani

PeakLeaders in Verbier and Zermatt :

"We offer the ILM Level 3 module - a highly credible and well recognized Leadership module to enhance your CV."
ILM is the Institute of Leadership Management.
http://www.i-l-m.com/

Anyone got any opinion if this is of much benefit?
Is it worth the effort and extra cost (if any)?
How well regarded and useful is it when looking for a ski instructors course?

My cashflow situation (thanks to Credit Union) is sorted, giving me options of any of the European courses. A ski instructors course should happen for me, unless I burst myself ice skating or crash driving to the resort. Your advice has been useful, thanks.

GarMani

http://www.ski-injury.com

He's a Doctor in Scotland and references many scientific studies and particularly the mechanisms of injury and the associated statistics.

GarMani

GarMani wrote: »

Has anyone got anything to add to the list below? I got a small bit more information from BASI. I also inquired if there were any BASIgap courses in India? Answer: No.

snowskool.co.uk in meribel, france

Warren Smith Ski Academy

Interski

Ski Force

http://www.instructor-academy.com/datesandprices.htm in Zakopane, Poland bookable through SunshineWorld


proskitraining.com with a choice of accreditation bodies

Altitude Futures
Base Camp
OnTheMountain Pro
Peak Leaders
Rookie Academy
Snoworks

BASIGAP.COM: ICE (The International Centre of Excellence) Val d’Isere, New Generation Courchevel and Meribel

GapYearAcademy.com
GapSki.com


Additionally, I came across an online discussion thread that spoke very negatively about Rookie Academy, claiming that their website misled people into thinking they were getting much more for their money.

markhenry5

If money is an issue and it usually is, the proskitraining.com gap course is approx €2500 cheaper than the same course with the large French/ swiss providers. Also equipment, beer and food are a lot cheaper plus you have the choice in resort of doing BASI or CSIA. And best of all there are no compromises. Top class mountain, great course, cracking night life. You'd be mad not to !

GarMani

I've signed up and paid for the ProSkiTraining.com 11 week Level 1&2 Gap year ski instructors course in Soldeu, Grandvalira Ski Area, Andorra.

I visited the guy who runs it and he seems to be a nice guy who knows his stuff (more than I at least) and is passionate about skiing. He convinced me that this is a good course with personal attention and small group numbers. Even if any of the other courses are better (I'm not convinced), they'd hardly be thousands of euro better.

Plus, the lady who focuses on the teaching technique end of the course is the second best instructor I've yet had, as I had her for ski school in 2008.

Booked Rosslare-Cherbourg CelticLinkFerries.com ferry too.


Thanks again for all your assistance and opinions. If I survive it I'll give submit opinions on the course.

robinph

Excellent.

Have fun, learn lots, enjoy it and become an awesome skier and ski instructor.

psydereyes

just going to add this one to the list

http://www.section8ski.com/

Its based in Mount Washington on Vancouver Island (Canada)

I dont work for or are affiliated with them but i know some of the lads involved in it.

I work myself in the Ski school there and this year there is quite a number of Ski/board pro's working who completed the Section 8 course last season.
Obviously the snow school director must think highly of the course etc if he is more then willing to employee them and sponsor their visa's!

Down side for me is that myself and my girlfriend used to be only irish ski instructors there and now we are joined by a cork man and a kerry man who both did the section 8 last year :P

any quesitions pm me or go through their website.

Ki ki

Down side for me is that myself and my girlfriend used to be only irish ski instructors there and now we are joined by a cork man and a kerry man who both did the section 8 last year :P

Ha, ha, you could be even less of a novelty next year then! Thanks for the tip, looks good

GarMani

I had a ball, met loads of really cool people, did some great skiing, improved loads, played loads of table soccer (foosball). I've no local bar where I live, but I now have a local in Soldeu: The Harp. Found 2 brilliant restaurants (The Merlot in Soldeu and El Piolet on the slopes in Grau Roig). AND WE ALL PASSED!!!

A rival course is running there for years and they had 2 out of 9 pass their level 1 and 2 out of 5 pass their level 2. We had 7/7 and 4/4. Now most of us were better skiers than the other gang to begin with, but whilst they needed much more attention, we got much more attention. Our instructors were more qualified than our examiners and were absolutely brilliant...thorough, relaxed, entertaining, passionate. The instructors we shadowed were excellent, and all hand picked based on how good they were as instructors and what ski school group they had for the week. I was terrified of teaching kids, as I thought there could be messers, but my mind was put at ease.

There were 2 separate horror stories from the other course: guys arrived and were supposed to be met off the bus. No one showed, didn't answer phones and eventually the people in a pub took pity on them and brought them to a hotel where they were allowed to sleep on a couch for their first night. In contrast, we got multiple guided tours of the entire Grandvalira Ski Area and were shown where to practice bumps, powder, good off piste opportunites, jumps etc. If we needed to purchase equipment we'd get put in a car, brought to one of the bigger shops in the area, given loads of advice, and a discount negotiated for us.

Our course was very well organised but flexible, consultative and relaxed rather than dictatorial. This was helped by our small numbers. After our level 1 exam we were asked if we needed time off, which combination of instructors we'd prefer, how much shadows we wanted, how we would distribute the hours of instruction we had left.

I'll be trying to get a bit of instruction in next season, possibly through someone like interski.

If I can get extra time off I'll do ProSkiTraining's level 3 preparation course.

In summary:
1. Was this the best possible course? Probably
2. Was this the course with the best possible pupil-teacher ratio? Almost certainly
3. Was this the best location? Well, it had better snow than most resorts in the Alps 2010-2011 season, nearly 200km of pistes and queueing more than 5 minutes for a lift was very rare, even during peak season.
4. Were the courses (and packages for accommodation etc) in the alps €4000-5000 better? IMPOSSIBLE

robinph

Congratulations.

GarMani

markhenry5 wrote: »

If money is an issue and it usually is, the proskitraining.com gap course is approx €2500 cheaper than the same course with the large French/ swiss providers. Also equipment, beer and food are a lot cheaper plus you have the choice in resort of doing BASI or CSIA. And best of all there are no compromises. Top class mountain, great course, cracking night life. You'd be mad not to !

I think you'll find that there is an even bigger difference in price if you factor everything in. With ProSkiTraining.com, for less than €6000 I got 12 weeks course (including shadows), level 1 course fees, season pass, single room in 2 bedroom apartment, underground parking at our apartment...and accommodation for April too.

Some of the Alpish courses were £8000 sterling to begin with, add a grand extra for a single room, add another grand for April accommodation (although some, more desperate, course providers were offering April for free)...that's £10000 sterling which converts today to €11,337 or approximately €5500 more than I paid.
Some of these courses include half board accommodation, but self catering is more flexible (and quite cheap in Andorra) plus I'm a better cook than most and have yet to get a decent curry in a ski resort that I didn't cook myself.

paulharte

Heyhey,

I have a friend who runs this one, definitely worth a look, hes a top bloke


www.skiforce.org

GarMani

I had a quick look at skiforce.org site. It looks good, but gives the impression that they only do BASI.

I've a level 2 CSIA which wouldn't be recognised, I'd have to do level 2 again, then do about 6 courses to get a level 3 BASI (but what really put me off BASI was the 6 days hiking up and down mountains [off piste mountain rescue course] ...I'm more of a downhill kind of guy).

Whereas with my existing level 2 Canadian I can just do one 6-day course for CSIA level 3 and I'll be just as qualified (apart from the ridiculous countries where they want me to be European qualified and olympic level slalom superhero too).


At this stage it would take lots of persuasion (try me though) to get me to convert to BASI or to do my Level 3 CSIA with anyone except ProSkiTraining. As far as I know, there are only 3 course providers in Europe who do CSIA, one's in Zakopane, Poland and you'd still have to go to Soldeu, Andorra to do your exams anyway, plus I've read that Zakopane is a disjointed, crowded resort. The other 2 course providers are based in Soldeu. ProSkiTraining is run much more professionally than the other Soldeu course and had a 100% pass rate this year as opposed to 2/9 and 2/5 for their level 1 and 2.

GarMani

I worked for 4 weeks in February for Interski in Courtmayeur in the Aosta Valley in Italy. Hugely rewarding and a generally great experience that could do with a few minor tweaks. They want me back next season again for 4 weeks.
ProSkiTraining's level 3 gap course was cancelled due to only 2 of the 4 of us that did our level 2 with them being interested. I trained in Livigno, Italy instead and did the official CSIA level 3 extended course in Soldeu, Andorra. I was advised not to take the exam as I was not going to pass. Decent of them to get me to not waste my money. I improved loads as a skier and instructor. Only 1 of the 7 of us passed her teaching part of the course (and failed the teaching) and everyone else either didn't take the exam or failed it.