Snow skool brochure 2011

1. SKI AND SNOWBOARD COURSES
Join SnowSkool for the best instructor training & improver camps.
Courses take place in Canada, France, New Zealand & Switzerland.
SnowSkool. For the best days of your life! No 7

2. Welcome to 03 | CONTENTS: SnowSkool
SnowSkool Resorts
09| Case Studies
04 | CANADA BANFF/BIG WHITE/COP
06
Thank you for your interest in SnowSkool
Since our inception in 2003,
08
SnowSkool has grown into a
company offering ski and snowboard
courses in five world-class resorts
spanning three continents in the
12 | EUROPE
northern and southern hemispheres.
There are only about three months each
year when SnowSkool is not running a THREE VALLEYS/VERBIER
16
course somewhere in the world...don’t
worry, we are working to remedy this!
L YOU
This experience and our long-serving,
14 | NZ
dedicated staff has allowed us to fine-
FOR AL
tune all aspects of the programmes
10 | Why SnowSkool?
TREBLE CONE
we offer to ensure that your time in
resort will be everything you dreamt
it to be: top-notch tuition, epic skiing/
SOCIAL FLIES…
snowboarding, luxurious living and
a vibrant social life.
As well as the courses, SnowSkool
TTER
provides a recruitment service for
BU
graduates of our instructor programmes
to assist you in finding your dream job
and begin a career in snowsports. Snowskool is...Choice!
In 2011, we have added two new We like to think that the word “choice”
programmes to the SnowSkool stable. epitomises what we do at SnowSkool. We’ve
For those looking for a fast-track into got courses, camps & clinics as well as short
the industry, we have a short, early- and long holidays. You can join us for as long or
VIDEOS
season programme in Canada with
as short a period as you wish...anything from a
HOTOS &
working visa and job placement. For
BLOG, P
1 week powder training or freestyle course in
others looking for an entirely different
experience, head to SnowSkool Verbier Verbier to a 13 week Level 2 instructor training
18| Meet the Team
for a modular-style improver course course in Banff.
ITIONS
with a truly mouth-watering schedule.
COMPET
We work with the best resorts in the northern
We look forward to hearing from you, and southern hemispheres ensuring that you
meeting you at a show, sharing a cold have somewhere to ride with SnowSkool all
ENTRE
one at a SnowSkool party or skiing/
year round as we follow winter around the
OURCE C
riding with you in resort!
globe. Your SnowSkool experience can take
RES Phil Purdie. Director, SnowSkool Ltd place in Banff or Big White in Canada, Verbier
in Switzerland, the Three Valleys in France
or New Zealand’s Treble Cone. Hopefully
MORE!!! this guide will do a little justice to how simply
ND LOTS
DISCLAIMER awesome these resorts are.
A
All information contained in this
YP. E OL
brochure is believed to be correct at Close attention is paid to every aspect of the
T ww
time of going to press. For up to date
organisation: before, during and after your
information, please contact SnowSkool.
w KO SnowSkool course, ensuring you will have the
WSk
NO .u
“Best Days of Your Life”!
S .co
SK OOL
/MY www.snowskool.co.uk

3. THE
05 | RESORTS: Banff
BANFF
SnowSkool has now been working
with the ski and snowboard school
at Sunshine Village since 2004 and,
as such, we have cemented a firm
THE HILL
relationship. Being the first operator
to run a programme at 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
BANFF, ALBERTA
Sunshine Village instructors have for
one another.
NB: We recommend that skiers and
snowboarders have a minimum of Work Hard & Play Hard in Canada’s Premier Alpine Resort
two weeks on-snow experience
before committing to the SnowSkool THE HILL - Although there are numerous ski then entertaining them when the chairlifts students tend to relax in ‘SnowSkool HQ’ – a
Banff programme. resorts in Banff National Park, there is one stop running! Other ski towns aspire to be like warm and welcoming open plan communal
that stands head and shoulders above the Banff but nowhere does it better. There is an area with a massive fire place. Here, the
rest. SnowSkool operates its ski & snowboard amazing range of pubs, bars and nightclubs order of the day is to chill out, surf the
If Carlsberg made instructor courses at Sunshine Village, a
mountain of awesome proportions. The
to suit all tastes and your SnowSkool reps will
be there to ensure that you make the most
‘net, listen to music, or just have a beer and
discuss the day’s riding. Not only does the
instructor
Sunshine area is made up of 3 mountains of your season. As well as nights out, we will Banff Alpine Centre have a stunning location
each with its own character. From tight also organise trips to the ice hockey, bingo and friendly international atmosphere, but
tree-skiing to big-mountain style open faces bowling, cinema & DVD nights, football & it also has great facilities including free
and from unbelievable backcountry access to basketball tournaments, fancy dress parties wireless internet throughout, a restaurant,
training courses,
sick terrain parks, Sunshine Village ticks all the and poker nights. an ice-climbing wall, spa, huge communal
boxes. In classes during the week, it has ideal area and an on-site pub (The Storm Cellar).
HQ
training terrain: countless beautiful, big, ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool Affectionately named the Stormy C by
would be
wide-open green and blue runs that are ideal course you will be living at the Banff Alpine seasonnaires, the bar has free pool, darts
for the instructor course but, for your freeskiing Lodge. The Lodge is ideal for hosting and table football as well as cable TV to
Banff
weekends, you can let your hair down and a SnowSkool course. It is immaculately keep you up-to-date with all the latest
scare yourself on some of Canada’s toughest maintained, well-organised and awesome fun. sporting action. Students will benefit from
in-bound slopes. Try the Delirium Dive for One major benefit of the Lodge as opposed to cheap drinks and get to sample the regular
• Average Annual Snowfall : 30ft
size…although entry is only permitted with a hotel is the sense of community. SnowSkool theme and karaoke nights on offer.
• Area: 3358 Acres an Avalanche transceiver pack and a buddy!
• Number of Runs: 107 named runs
• Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner - 55% intermediate - 25% expert
• Top Elevation: 9000ft/ 2730m – highest lift- served skiing in Canada
THE COMMUNITY - Banff is a very beautiful
and also a very cool little town in the middle BANFF IS A SKI AND SNOWBOARDING MECCA...
WITH A NIGHTLIFE TO MATCH!
For more information on the specific courses of the Canadian Rockies. The town is hugely
we run at Sunshine Village, Banff please get
in touch: team@snowskool.co.uk or visit... • Freestyle: Two terrain parks geared towards skiers and snowboarders, and
www.snowskool.co.uk
www.snowskool.co.uk

4. BIG 07 | RESORTS: Big White
THE WHITE
SnowSkool runs a wide variety of
courses at Big White taking advantage
of the awesome terrain and dry, fluffy
powder on offer. The Big White Ski
& Board School is 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
BIG WHITE, BRITISH COLUMBIA
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
Luxury Accommodation in Canada’s Largest Ski-in/ Ski-out Village
committing to the SnowSkool Big
White programme. THE HILL - Despite being one of Canada’s THE COMMUNITY - Big White is Canada’s ACCOMMODATION - Feedback tells us that
five biggest ski resorts, Big White remains largest ski in/ ski out village - the High the main draw of the SnowSkool Big White
surprisingly off the international skiing radar. Street in Big White is actually a pisted ski- course is the accommodation! All students are
This Canadian skiing and snowboarding run! Although commonplace in Europe, ski housed in a series of luxurious and spacious
behemoth is well-regarded by those “in the in/ ski out access is not so common in North ski-in/ ski-out apartments, each with a private
know” in search of pristine powder snow. America. The benefits of being able to strap hot tub on the porch as well as access to a
Big White:
The weather rolls in from the Pacific and when in to your gear at the back door of your chalet swimming pool and gym. Whatever we say
it hits the Monashee Range above the Okanagan are hard to over-emphasise – simple things about it, you will be overawed! With genuine
Valley, it produces a phenomenal amount of like an extra half hour in bed or the ability to ski-in/ ski-out access, you can finish your
Canada’s driest, fluffiest powder snow. return home for lunch! And the slopes are the day’s lessons and be in the hot-tub on your
sssshhh... main way to access all the local amenities – porch with a beer in your hand within two
don’t tell
The mountain itself is incredibly fun to ski. restaurants, bars, shops etc. The atmosphere minutes of leaving the pistes. After dinner,
Big White has a diversity of terrain that is in Big White is friendly and relaxed but with fall into one of the huge leather sofas, stoke
almost peerless – and something to offer every some great bars and a good nightlife. a fire and relaaaaaaax!!
• Average Annual Snowfall: 25ft type of skier from the big mountain skier to
anyone!!!
the park rats. There is everything from cruisy
• Area: 3000 Acres
greens, tougher blacks, the renowned double
• Number of Runs: 118 named runs/ 27 unnamed
BIG WHITE’S MOTTO IS “IT’S THE SNOW”
black diamond Cliff Area to the Telus Terrain
• Terrain Breakdown: 18% beginner, 56% intermediate, 26% expert Park, one of Canada’s most revered freestyle
- IN REFERENCE TO CANADA’S LIGHTEST,
terrain parks. But Big White is probably most
• Top Elevation: 7606 ft/ 2319 m
famous for its tree-skiing…cast the piste map
• Freestyle: Telus Terrain Park – 500ft super-pipe with 17ft transitional
FLUFFIEST POWDER
For more information on the specific courses aside and dive into the trees to experience a
we run at Big White please get in touch:
team@snowskool.co.uk or visit...
walls, two further half pipes, Race Course, International Skier/ Boarder Cross different line every day!
www.snowskool.co.uk
www.snowskool.co.uk

5. C.O.P. JOB!
THE 08 | RESORTS: C.O.P. 09 | CASE STUDIES: SnowSkool
+
CASE STUDIES
SnowSkool Alumni from the past five years...
After graduating the COP3 course,
you will be issued with a working visa
and assigned to work in a resort in
Western Canada. Rather than place
JENNA
HOWARD, 23
WILL 26
SOUTHON,
HELEN
BOWATER, 34
you in a huge resort where you will
be a rookie amongst hundreds of Ski Instructor Course, Ski Instructor Course, Ski Instructor Course,
full-time, experienced instructors, Three Valleys 2009 Big White 2006 New Zealand, 2008
SnowSkool has selected a number of
smaller resorts where you should be
more valued and able to pick up 40+ After graduating from UCL with a degree in “Big White was the one place I wanted to “Because it ran during the school holidays, the
hours of work per week. Biology, Jenna signed up for the SnowSkool work after SnowSkool and, fortunately, I was SnowSkool NZ programme suits teachers like
Three Valleys course and obtained her BASI offered a job (and a sponsored working visa) myself very well. Wanaka is the most amazing
This is an apprenticeship, you will Level 1 and 2 ski instructor qualifications. After for the following season! In my first season, place ever – breathtakingly beautiful…like one
have to work hard helping throughout the course, Jenna applied for jobs in Australia I picked up my CSIA Level 3 qualification massive outdoor playground: skiing, hiking,
C.O.P., ALBERTA
the resort but it will be very rewarding through Snowpros (SnowSkool’s recruitment and was awarded Rookie of the Year! The mountain-biking, canoeing, sailing, bungee
not only in terms of your weekly pay service) and managed to secure a job Down secret to succeeding as an instructor is to jumping, sky-diving. Truth be told, I checked
packet but also in terms of your Under working in the Fall’s Creek Ski & Board volunteer for everything: treat your first out vacancies at the local School and am
experiences of working in a ski resort School in Australia. Jenna is currently working season as an apprenticeship and help out weighing up my options with one eye on a
a “normal job” somewhere or other in London! wherever you can.” permanent move out there!”
in Canada. Course, Visa, Job
Course >
New for 2011/12, the three-week SnowSkool THE PACKAGE – The training for the SnowSkool
Course > Working Visa > Job is the culmination Course > Working Visa > Job takes place at Canada
of many months of research as well as feedback Olympic Park (C.O.P.) on the outskirts of Calgary,
from former SnowSkool students. The course Alberta. Your package will include accommodation,
STUART LAURA JAMIE
Visa > Job.
is open to all but SnowSkool can only provide breakfast, ski/ snowboard training, lift passes,
working visas to students registered with CSIA/ CASI Level 1 exam fee, working visa and a job
Universities in the UK, this includes school placement. Although a relatively small hill, C.O.P.
leavers who have a guaranteed (deferred) has a strong squad of experienced instructors
SELKIRK, 18 ROBERTS, 22 JONES, 29
degree place and those who have graduated ready to maximise your training time. Being close
Bish, Bash,
Snowboard Instructor Snowboard Instructor Snowboard Instructor
within twelve months of the start date of the to Calgary and its international transport networks, Course, New Zealand, 2007 Course, Banff, 2008 Course, Big White, 2009
course. For others, you can either join the course the onward journey to your job placement should
only but if you want to work, you must obtain a be relatively simple.
“With only four weeks experience, I Laura graduated from the SnowSkool Banff “I was working in Sales in London but managed
Canadian working visa.
Bosh!
struggled for the first couple of weeks but course in April 2008 with her CASI level 1 & to secure a sabattical. Big White was ideal:
SNOWSKOOL COURSE > WORKING VISA > JOB
the SnowSkool instructors were awesome 2 and her CASI Snowpark Certificate. Due to good powder, nice community and luxury
Once these conditions are satisfied, you are free The Restrictions:
and kept me going. After the course, I got her qualifications and overall popularity, the lodgings! I was bored of being an OK rider and
to embark on the experience of a lifetime. You • Maximum 20 students per year
a job working at Lake Louise in Canada Ski & Board School at Sunshine Village offered wanted to turn it up a few notches.”
will travel out to Canada in November where • Minimum 8 weeks on-snow experience.
through Snowpros and had an awesome Laura a job for the 2009/2010 season: Jamie was such a popular member of the
SnowSkool will train you to pass your CSIA or • You must be competent to ski/ snowboard all
season instructing (and riding other hills “I had always worked in my mum’s Nursery group that SnowSkool offered him a job as a
CASI Level 1 instructor qualification. Armed on-piste terrain.
nearby: Sunshine Village, Kicking Horse and and wanted to teach children. It’s fun and rep for future seasons. Jamie accepted and
with these qualifications and your working
Revelstoke). But I always had a yearning they learn so quickly. I really enjoyed Freestyle the three-month sabbatical was extended
For more information on the specific courses
visa, SnowSkool will then line you up with a
job working as a ski instructor or snowboard
THE FIRST STEP TO A JOB to return to NZ and so I applied to the Fridays when I take eight kids into the terrain indefinitely – Jamie has now worked three
we run at C.O.P. please get in touch: team@
snowskool.co.uk or visit...
instructor in a resort in Western Canada. AS A SNOW PRO... University of Canterbury and am still there!” park! Bring on next season!” seasons as a SnowSkool rep!
www.snowskool.co.uk
www.snowskool.co.uk t: 01962 855138

6. 10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
WHY SNOWSKOOL?
We love it when you ask us why we think you should book with SnowSkool instead of one
of the other operators...it’s our chance to shine!
BEFORE/ DURING/ AFTER: Your course fees do not just pay for your flight, accommodation, tuition and the other aspects of
the course that are listed on the What’s Included pages.
BEFORE THE COURSE: FINANCIAL SECURITY: FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
You will be sent a comprehensive SnowSkool SnowSkool is ATOL-bonded. “Do Company X include flights in the price?”
Course Pack which contains full information If an ATOL tour operator If it is not apparent straight away, the chances
about your course, the schedule, the resort, kit fails, the ATOL scheme are they do not. Where group flight bookings
list, guide to buying skis/ snowboard/ helmets ensures customers of the are possible, SnowSkool will always include
and visa information. As well as this, we will ATOL holder do not lose flights. Flights are included on all long courses
provide you with lots of useful advice and tips any money they have paid and/ or that in Canada and New Zealand although you can
from previous students and SnowSkool staff. those customers are not stranded abroad. opt out and make individual arrangements. For
For your additional security and convenience, European courses, we do not include flights
SnowSkool is also set-up to take payments by because participants will fly from different
DURING THE COURSE: debit and credit card. cities. For short courses, we do not include
We work hard to look after the needs of flights because your return date is often subject
every student. The role of the SnowSkool to change. 90% of our clients will be on group
rep is to bring together all the elements of COURSE ORGANISATION: flights included in the price of the package. And
the course and ensure you make the most The year-round organisation of SnowSkool these flights will be escorted by at least one
of your time in resort. All SnowSkool reps courses is now in the hands of two people: SnowSkool staff member.
are former students, all are snowsport ex-Military Man, Adrian “Dunk” Gourlay and
instructors and, all have, at least, one ex-PR guru, Marion Fagan, ensuring that
season’s experience of the resort in which our courses offer the perfect mix of ARMY MORE/ BETTER TUITION
they are working. With an age range of 24 to (punctuality and precision) and PARTY Our phenomenal historical success rate is down
34, SnowSkool reps provide a perfect blend (customer-focussed and hands-on)! This to the fact that we only employ the most senior
of responsible management with an ability blend of organisation means that we can instructors in the Ski & Board Schools with whom
to empathise with students of all ages and confidently assert that we run the best we work and we restrict group sizes - a maximum
their enthusiasm shines through every day! courses out there. Some of the reasons are of eight per instructor - to ensure an optimal
listed on this page but we encourage you to instructor: student ratio. Not only that but we
give us a call/ drop us a line to get a good feel offer more tuition than any other course with up
AFTER THE COURSE: for SnowSkool and her staff members. to 30 hours of structured tuition per week.
Graduates of SnowSkool instructor courses
will be granted full access to Snowpros
(SnowSkool’s instructor recruitment service)
to help you to find a job working in the
industry. With connections to over 75 resorts in WE CONTINUE TO PLACE MANY
both the northern and southern hemispheres,
Snowpros is an incredibly valuable resource SNOWSKOOL STUDENTS IN JOBS THROUGHOUT LIVE THE DREAM
and we continue to place many SnowSkool
students in jobs throughout the world. THE WORLD JOIN A SNOWSKOOL COURSE!

7. THE
13 | RESORTS: Three Valleys
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,
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE
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 The Largest and Most Diverse Ski Area in the World
BASI ISTD Ski & Snowboard Instructors.
NB: We recommend that skiers and The Hill - We could have chosen from a whole The Three Valleys unique mix of pedestrianised bustle of Meribel Chaudanne. The perfect
snowboarders have a minimum of ten range of resorts to host the SnowSkool BASI villages, spa towns, family resorts and lively mix - giving participants the chance to soak
weeks on-snow experience before course but we really wanted to be based in bustling towns offer a little bit of everything up the French culture whilst enjoying a
committing to the SnowSkool Three France. And when we had narrowed down our to the seasonnaire. Although a massive resort, dish of Tartiflette washed down by a demi-
Valleys programme. search to French resorts, the Three Valleys was the Three Valleys still retains the local and pression in one of the many local bars in
the most obvious choice – it is, after all, the personal feel of many of Europe’s smaller town or on the slopes on the way down!
world’s favourite ski area! The Three Valleys resorts. The SnowSkool Chalet is based in Chalet Ballenberg offers the ultimate in
is the largest ski area in the world (yes, the Meribel Chandon, a postcard-perfect hamlet comfort and luxury. Although built in the
Three Valleys:
world!) and boasts eight different ski resorts with ski-in access and just a few minutes from Savoyard style, Ballenberg has many modern
spread across three huge valleys all covered all the facilities in Meribel Chaudanne. With features. The chalet consists of a large, open-
under one lift pass and all joined by mile its bars, nightclubs and restaurants, it is the plan living and dining area and students will
good enoug after mile of slopes! With such a large area to perfect place to host the SnowSkool Three enjoy home-cooked meals together around
h
choose from, not only will you be able to find Valleys course. the banquet table. Warmed by the open-fire,
runs to suit your skills and experience but the the comfortable sofas in the lounge are the
for mountain will soon invite you to pick up new ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool perfect place to put your feet up after a day’s
Posh &
skills and challenge yourself. From cruisey course you will be staying in the charming skiing and enjoy the range of multimedia on
greens to wide, sloping blues, there is plenty and picturesque hamlet of Meribel Chandon. offer: cable TV, DVD player, sound system
for the novice rider. For the more intrepid, This village is the epitome of Gallic charm and games console have all been fitted to
Becks
why not try your hand at a steep red run or whilst offering close access to the hustle and give the chalet that SnowSkool edge.
• Average Annual Snowfall : 25ft even a black run? Pushing on further, take a
ride on the dark side and hit the extensive off-
• Area: 600km of pistes piste on offer throughout the area.
• Number of Lifts: 296
THE COMMUNITY - The Three Valleys area
KICK OFF THE MORNING IN MERIBEL, HIT UP VAL THORENS
• Terrain Breakdown: 25% beginner, 50% intermediate, 25% expert
For more information on the specific courses • Top Elevation: 10600ft/ 3230m – highest village in Europe (Val Thorens)
is home to 16 different villages giving you
plenty of choice for not only where to ride
FOR LUNCH AND THEN CRUISE AROUND COURCHEVEL IN THE
we run in the Three Valleys please get in
touch: team@snowskool.co.uk or visit...
• Freestyle: Numerous terrain parks/ half-pipes but also where to stay and where to hang out. AFTERNOON...UNBELIEVABLE DIVERSITY
www.snowskool.co.uk
www.snowskool.co.uk

8. www.snowskool.co.uk 15 | RESORTS: Treble Cone
THE
TREBLE CONE
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.
SnowSkool’s team of international
TREBLE CONE, NEW ZEALAND
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 Soulful New Zealand Town with the Country’s Highest Lift-Served Skiing
snowboarders have a minimum of five
weeks on-snow experience before
THE HILL - It took some extensive research THE COMMUNITY - By any measure, Wanaka ACCOMMODATION - We offer two packages
committing to the SnowSkool New
throughout the southern hemisphere before must be one of the coolest places on earth. for the SnowSkool NZ course. The luxury
Zealand programme.
we selected a resort that would live up to Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka and package offers accommodation in the family-
the standards laid down by SnowSkool. New surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Wanaka run Belvedere Apartments. Close to the
I thought Zealand was the obvious choice and, from
there, we could really only go to Treble Cone
lies at the heart of a World Heritage site.
Its residents are extremely friendly and very
centre of Wanaka, the apartments have two
spacious (twin-share) bedrooms and boast a
I’d died
– NZ’s premier big mountain resort. The first outdoorsy – there is so much to do, the town is large open-plan lounge/ kitchen/ dining area,
thing that grabbed us was the unbelievable just like a massive playground with world-class laundry facilities, entertainment systems and
view down the hill and over Lake Wanaka. skiing, mountain biking, kayaking and hiking. private balconies. Students can also make
and gone to...
Snow reliability, the country’s most exciting Nearby Queenstown is the adrenaline-fuelled use of the sauna and heated locker room.
terrain, an extremely high standard of capital of the back-packing world and, with The standard package offers accommodation
instruction and a great town clinched it for us. 3 bungee jumps, numerous sky dives, white at BASE backpackers which is situated slap-
TC has a wealth of fantastic training terrain water rafting, canyon swinging and jet boating, bang in the centre of Wanaka. The modern
New Zealand
ideal for the SnowSkool course but it is also it has enough to keep every adrenaline junkie backpackers offers great facilities such as
very much a local’s mountain and offers wild on the edge of their seat! New Zealand will wireless internet, communal kitchens, large TV
• Average Annual Snowfall: 10ft (plus snowmaking) terrain such as the double-black diamond offer you the experiences of a lifetime. room and a restaurant and bar downstairs.
Motatapu Basin that will take your skiing/
• Area: 1350 acres
riding to the next level. Off-piste skiing and
• Number of Runs: 56 named runs
• Terrain Breakdown: 10% beginner, 45% intermediate, 45% expert
free-riding at TC is legendary with chutes,
bowls, gullies, natural half-pipes and terrain
AN INTENSE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON AN AWESOME
SKI HILL IN A LAID-BACK TOWN
For more information on the specific courses
we run in Treble Cone please get in touch: features all over the mountain.
team@snowskool.co.uk or visit... • Top Elevation: 6850ft/ 2800m - highest lift-served skiing in NZ
www.snowskool.co.uk
www.snowskool.co.uk

9. 17 | RESORTS: Verbier
THE
VERBIER
SnowSkool has joined forced with
AlpineMojo to offer arguably the
most exciting ski & snowboard
course west of Timbuktu! The ten-
week SnowSkool Verbier Improver
course consists of ten separate week-
long modules and each week has a
different focus – including general
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
ski improvement, freestyle, powder,
race, moguls, backcountry touring -
and so those joining us for the entire
ten week programme will undergo
arguably the most comprehensive Undisputed Powder Capital of Europe
ski/ snowboard training in the world.
Those unable to join us for the ten- The Hill - Situated in a high, sunny and après-ski in Europe, with nightclubs that ACCOMMODATION - SnowSkool students
week programme are at liberty to pick sheltered position in Switzerland’s southern kick out almost as lifts open for the morning! will be accommodated in a large chalet or
and choose their weeks according to Alps, Verbier is home to a great deal of the But we have to take our hats off and admit apartment with all mod cons. Students will
their specific training needs. most challenging skiing in the Alps. Verbier that Verbier’s heady mix of phenomenal be allocated a single bed in a room of two
is the jewel in the crown of the huge Four skiing and vibrant nightlife has resulted people although double room upgrades
Please see Appendix for more details Valleys (Les Quatres Vallees) which also in a popularity that has not fallen victim are available on request. The chalet has a
on the structure/ price and dates comprises the ski areas of Savoleyres, to the current trend of austerity sweeping large kitchen and open-plan living/ dining
of the modules on the SnowSkool Bruson and Mont Fort. The Resort’s through the rest of the continent, i.e. it ain’t area where SnowSkool students will take
Verbier Improver course. claims that it is the beginner-intermediate the cheapest place in the world! However, their home-cooked breakfasts and evening
equivalent to France’s Three Valleys fool no- fear not, SnowSkool reps are long-time meals. After dinner, the large living area
SnowSkool one, Verbier and the Four Valleys is not for Verbians…(?)…Verbites…(?)…Verbetarians… boasts an open fire, cable TV, DVD, stereo
Verbier;
the faint-hearted! (?)…and they remember the good old and WiFi. Downstairs, there is a large ski/
days when Oil Companies in Russia were board storage and boot room.
The area attracts a hardcore crowd… state-owned and people were humble and
particularly in the Verbier and Mont Fort friendly. These guys and girls will make sure Accommodation is included in the ten-
come for one
sectors; the non-pisted slopes from Mont that you know the places in the resort worth week course package. For those on shorter
Gele are super-sick, the bumps in the Tortin knowing and that you know where to grab a programmes in Verbier, please contact
stay for week,
bowl are not for the weak and the routes pizza and a beer without doing your nuts/ the SnowSkool team for alternative
from Col des Gentianes and the front face dipping into your trust fund. accommodation options.
of Mont Fort will test the skills of any skier/
• Average annual snowfall: 24ft
ten weeks...
snowboarder. And we have yet to mention
VERBIER IS A CAPITAL CITY TWICE OVER.
• Area: 410km of pistes Stairway to Heaven. Why not find out about
that one yourself…?
• Number of lifts: 89
• Terrain breakdown: 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% expert THE COMMUNITY - In amongst the original EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF POWDER AND WORLD CAPITAL
architecture, Verbier has a bustling town
For more information on the specific courses
we run in Verbier please get in touch: team@
• Top Elevation: 10900 ft/ 3330m
• Freestyle: Number of freestyle parks
centre offering some of the most insane OF FREE-RIDING
snowskool.co.uk or visit...
www.snowskool.co.uk
www.snowskool.co.uk

10. 18 | MEET THE TEAM: team@snowskool.co.uk
MEET THE TEAM
The beautiful people who make it all tick
THE BACKCOUNTRY TOURER - Phil Purdie expected. Steve has a hand in every single REP: Jamie Jones - Big White ‘09, ‘10 & ‘11, NZ
left the City and the world of Investment thing that SnowSkool sticks its nose into. ‘09 & ‘10. London boy with a heart of gold.
Banking to set up SnowSkool in 2003 with Although a half-decent skier, Steve prefers Cracking snowboarder and top photographer/
a small loan from the old man, JJ Purdie, spreadsheets to park skis and accounting to videographer. Has been known to get a little
who is now the Company Secretary. After a backcountry shredding (thankfully for us!) bit fat off-season.
decade of snowboarding, Phil switched back and was recently suspended for two days
to skis and loves the freedom and speed it “thinking time” for suggesting that there is REP: Pippa Perrier - Banff ‘10 & ‘11. Last
offers. A good ole-fashioned ski fanatic, nothing wrong with snowblades. season’s “voice of the people” and now
Phil now has eight seasons’ experience in bringing a little glamour to the SnowSkool
Canada, Europe and NZ, and has skied (or THE PARK RAT - Former Paratrooper team as well as keeping us up-to-date with
snowboarded) throughout the world in Adrian “Dunk” Gourlay is SnowSkool’s what is going on in The Hills.
places as diverse as Japan and South Africa. Course Organiser. With the benefit of his
Phil’s current favourite pursuits are growing extensive military training, he spends every REP: Jordi Bartlett - Banff ‘08, ‘10, ‘11. Probably
a beard and getting out into the canadian day (and most nights & weekends) thinking the world’s best-looking man (his words)
wilderness with his touring bindings, about, and working on, all aspects of every and the best skier (his words)…oh and best
avalanche beacon and a shotgun to ward SnowSkool course to ensure it is as awesome photographer (his words). Less well-known is
off bears and wolves. as you’d expect. On-snow, Dunk is a freestyle- that Jordi speaks Swedish and Urdu.
snowboarding guru and it is rumoured that
THE BUSINESSMAN - “Big” Steve Purdie he once nose-pressed a sixty-one mile long REP: Nick Coates - Banff ‘07, France ‘10.
was drafted into the SnowSkool fray after kinked S-rail somewhere in the backcountry Freestyle rider with long, blonde hair. Men
ten years of working as a Management between Banff and Revelstoke, all in aid of want to be him, ladies want to be with him.
Consultant in London and picking up a charity. We have yet to see photographic Some men do too apparently...
MBA from Cambridge University. Suffice evidence but, whatever the case, Dunk is a
it to say, Big Steve is brainy. His role sick rider…so much so that SnowSkool now REP: Sarah Vujcich - Big White ‘09, Banff
revolves around ensuring the businesses sponsors him to appear in rail jams in the UK ‘10, NZ ‘10. All-singing, all-dancing Kiwi bird.
finances are all in order and everything and in resort. Going to press, Dunk has racked Loves a good party and loves a good ride
behind-the-scenes is ticking over as up six seasons in Canada and two in NZ. (snowboarding...)
www.snowskool.co.uk

11. SnowSkool Ltd, 37-39 Southgate Street, Winchester,
Hampshire, SO23 9EH, England, UK
www.snowskool.co.uk e: team@snowskool.co.uk
t: 01962 855138 int: +44 1962 855220