Become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor with SnowSkool

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03 | CONTENTS: SnowSkool

Ain’t no-one too cool WELCOME TO SNOWSKOOL

04 | RESORTS 08 | GAP YEAR

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 14
16
in four world-class resorts spanning
three continents in the northern and
southern hemispheres. There are only
about three months each year when
SnowSkool is not running a course

10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
somewhere in the world...don’t worry,
we are working to remedy this!
This experience and our long-serving, Why We Offer The Best Courses
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. With everything from
media galleries to social networking,
forums & blogs to online games &
competitions, it really helps us to
stand head and shoulders above our
competitors. The snowsport
recruitment database is a particularly
valuable resource that has enabled us
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Regardless of your taste, time constraints and level of experience,
SnowSkool’s wide range of programmes puts the choice
13 | CAREER BREAKS
Fancy Some Time Out?
to place many former students in jobs
at ski resorts throughout the world.  firmly in your hands. With resorts in the northern and
  southern hemispheres we can offer courses throughout the
We look forward to hearing from you, year at the world’s best ski and snowboard resorts. Whether
meeting you at a show, sharing a cold you are looking for a constructive gap year to pick up
one at the SnowSkool party or skiing/ professional qualifications, a career break to improve your
riding with you in resort!  skiing/ snowboarding or a chance to develop a new career as
 
a ski or snowboard instructor, SnowSkool has a programme
Best regards
to suit your individual needs. 

Although we take care to work closely with local ski and

snowboard schools at each resort in which we operate,
18 | MEET THE TEAM
Putting A Face To A Name

Phil Purdie
you can be sure that all SnowSkool courses are run under
Director, SnowSkool Ltd the remit of national bodies that are members of the
International Snowsport Instructors’ Association (ISIA).
DISCLAIMER This represents the planet’s highest standard of ski and
All information contained in this brochure is believed
to be correct at time of going to press. For up to date snowboard instruction.
information, please contact SnowSkool.

savoie france
team@snowskool.co.uk 

www.snowskool.co.uk
04 | RESORTS: Big White www.snowskool.co.uk

THE COURSES
SnowSkool runs a wide variety of courses at Big White taking
advantage of the awesome terrain on offer. The ski and 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 gaining 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 two weeks on-snow experience before committing
to the SnowSkool Big White programme.

BIG WHITE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Luxury Accommodation in Canada’s Largest Ski-in/ Ski-out Village
THE HILL
• Average Annual Snowfall: 25ft
• Area: 3000 Acres
BIG WHITE, CANADA QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN BIG WHITE
Qualifications are awarded by the Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance
(CSIA), the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI)
and the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF).

THE SKIING - Despite being recognised
as one of Canada’s best resorts, Big White
remains surprisingly off the international
skiing radar.
This Canadian skiing and snowboarding
Mecca is a place of pilgrimage for riders 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.
Don’t be fooled by its recent award of “North
America’s Family Resort of the Year”,
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. There
is no better place than Big White to host a
SnowSkool instructor course.
THE COMMUNITY - Big White is Canada’s
largest ski in / ski out village. Although
commonplace in Europe, ski in / ski out
access is hard to come by in North America.
The benefits of getting up each morning and
clipping in to your gear at the back door of
your chalet are hard to over-emphasise.
The High Street in Big White is actually a
pisted ski-run providing fast access to all the
local amenities – restaurants, bars and shops.
The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed
where everyone is always made to feel
welcome. Snowshoe Sam’s (one of the local
bars) was voted the “Best Après Ski Bar in
North America”.
ACCOMMODATION - The chalets you will
be living in during the SnowSkool course
are the last word in luxury.
Picture the ski chalet of your dreams:
polished wood-floors, galleried open-plan
living areas, huge windows with mountain
views, en-suite facilities with large bathtubs.
And that’s not even the half of it! All our
chalets offer genuine ski-in / ski-out access
and so you can finish your day’s skiing and
be in the hot-tub on your porch with a beer
in your hand within two minutes of leaving
the pistes. After dinner - which is served
in your chalet - fall into one of the huge
leather sofas, stoke a fire and relaaaaaaax!!
BIG WHITE’S MOTTO IS “IT’S THE SNOW” - IN REFERENCE
TO CANADA’S LIGHTEST, FLUFFIEST POWDER
• 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 CASI Level 2 Snowboard Instructor
walls, two further half pipes, Race Course, International
Skier / Boarder Cross
CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor
CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor
CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor
CSIA Snow Park Certificate
CASI Park Instructor
CSCF Entry-Level Race Coach
“Every SnowSkool programme run so far in Big White has been
a resounding success. We are fortunate to have some of the
best instructors around and the mountain itself is a classroom
that’s second to none. I was massively impressed with the two
ex-SnowSkool guys who have been working here as instructors
for over 3 years now. Will and Ollie were awarded Rookies of the
Year for 2006 and they thoroughly deserved it. We look forward to
challenging future SnowSkoolers to achieve the same if not more!”
Josh Foster – Director of Snowsports, Big White.
For more information on the specific courses we run in
Big White please get in touch on team@snowskool.co.uk
or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk

www.snowskool.co.uk
06 | RESORTS: Banff
BANFF, ALBERTA
Work Hard & Play Hard in Canada’s Premier Alpine Resort
THE SKIING - 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 and snowboard instructor courses out
of Sunshine Village, a mountain of
awesome proportions.
The Sunshine area is made up of 3
mountains each with its own character.
From heavily gladed areas to big-mountain
style open faces, Sunshine will produce
the goods. Indeed, it is one of those rare
mountains that is well suited to skiers and
riders regardless of their ability.
Whether you want to practice your
technique down a gentle green run, drop
into one of the chutes above Delirium
Dive, cruise through the powder tree runs
on Goat’s Eye or hit the immaculately
maintained terrain park, Sunshine has it all!
THE COMMUNITY - Despite being a
popular and well-known destination, Banff
maintains the character of a true modern
www.snowskool.co.uk
town. Surrounded by the impressive Rocky
Mountains it is difficult to imagine a more
stunning setting to spend a ski season.
Banff is a real seasonnaires town and, within
a few days, you will know the shop-keepers
and bar staff on a first-name basis. Don’t let
this fool you though, as well as a cinema and
sports centre Banff has enough shops, bars,
restaurants, cafes and nightclubs to keep
even the most eager of you entertained all
season long.
ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool
course you will be living at the HI Banff
International Hostel. The HI Banff is
consistently voted as one of the top ten
hostels in the world. It is immaculately
maintained, well-organised and awesome
fun. One major benefit of the HI as opposed
to a faceless, non-descript hotel is the sense
of community. SnowSkool students tend
to relax in ‘SnowSkool HQ’ – a warm and
welcoming open plan communal area with a
massive fire place. Here, the order of the day
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES
SnowSkool have now been working with the ski and snowboard
school at Sunshine Village since 2004 and, as such, 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 the same
instructors today speaks volumes for the mutual respect that
SnowSkool and the Sunshine instructors have for one another.
NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a
minimum of two weeks on-snow experience before committing
to the SnowSkool Banff programme.
QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN BANFF
THE HILL
Qualifications are awarded by the Canadian Ski Instructor’s
is to chill out, play cards, watch movies, listen BANFF, CANADA Alliance (CSIA), the Canadian Association of Snowboard
Instructors (CASI) and the Canadian Ski Coaches
to music, or just have a beer and discuss Federation (CSCF).
• Average Annual Snowfall : 33ft (three times that of nearby
the day’s riding. Along with the communal
Lake Louise)
areas, the facilities at the HI are fantastic CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor
• Area: 3358 Acres CSIA Level 2 Ski Instructor
with free wireless internet throughout, a
• Number of Runs: 107 named runs CASI Level 1 Snowboard Instructor
fully fitted immaculate kitchen, dining area
• Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% expert CASI Level 2 Snowboard Instructor
and laundry facilities (linen is cleaned for
• Top Elevation: 9000ft/ 2730m – highest lift-served skiing in Canada CSIA Snow Park Certificate
you by Hostel staff). On top of that there is CASI Park Instructor
• Freestyle: Two terrain parks
a café/ restaurant (Cougar Pete’s) serving CSCF Entry-Level Race Coach
healthy and inexpensive meals. The HI also
boasts an on-site pub, The Storm Cellar. “The SnowSkool course here in Banff is the perfect learning
Affectionately named the Stormy C by locals ground for potential instructors. The programme gets better each
and seasonnaires alike the bar has free pool, season and the Sunshine instructors can’t wait for January to
come around each year for the programme to begin! The 5 days
darts and table football as well as Cable TV
per week of instruction the students receive gives them the very
to keep you up-to-date with all the latest best chance of succeeding in their exams. We have employed
sporting action. Students will benefit from many ex-SnowSkoolers in the past and I look forward to more
cheap drinks and get to sample the regular joining our successful Ski and Board school soon!”
theme and karaoke nights on offer. For the
Stewart Laver – Director Sunshine Village Ski and Board School.
more intrepid, why not try your hand at the
hostel’s ice climbing wall??!
BANFF IS A SKI AND SNOWBOARDING MECCA... For more information on the specific courses we run in
Banff please get in touch on team@snowskool.co.uk or visit
WITH A NIGHTLIFE TO MATCH! our website www.snowskool.co.uk
08 | CASE STUDIES: Gap Year
GAP YEAR
CASE STUDIES
Kirsty Probert, 18
• Snowboarder, New Zealand 2007
• CSI Instructor
• NZSIA Instructor Stage One
Kirsty joined the SnowSkool New
Zealand course three days after finishing
her final A-Level exam and leaving
sixth form. With only three weeks
experience, Kirsty found the first few
weeks extremely intensive but she
progressed well under the guidance
of the instructors at Cardrona’s High
Performance Centre and ended up
achieving her CSI and NZSIA Stage One.
Kirsty then went on to teach at Lake
Louise in Canada for the northern winter
season before returning to the UK and
enrolling at University.
I CHOSE SNOWSKOOL WHEN I REALISED THAT
THE SNOWSKOOL TEAM POSSIBLY LOVED SKIING
EVEN MORE THAN I DO
www.snowskool.co.uk
Identical twins Will & Ollie Southon, 23
• Skiers, Banff 2005
• CSIA Instructor Levels 1&2 (Now both Level 3)
• CSCF Race Coach 1
“Our season in Big White was epic. Our
qualifications, and a good reference from
SnowSkool, enabled us to work the Adult
programme so there was no first season
teaching kids which was what we hoped
to avoid! Instructor development at BW is
second-to-none and, as a result, we passed
our Level 3 exam. And to top it all off at
the end of the season we were awarded
“Rookies of the Year”!
Will and Ollie have worked at Big White
ever since their first season.
Rachel Adcock, 18
• Skier, Banff 2006
• CSIA Instructor Levels 1&2
• CSCF Race Coach 1
“I have been skiing since I was four years old
and competitively since the age of thirteen,
so skiing during my gap year after school
was a pretty obvious choice. Mum and I
did a lot of research but I chose SnowSkool
when I realised that the SnowSkool team
possibly loved skiing even more than I do!
The opportunity to work on my racing as
well as my instructor badges was another
huge factor.”
Rachel worked as a Race Coach at Fall’s
Creek Ski Resort in Australia after her
SnowSkool course and plans to return to
teach at Sunshine Village after obtaining
her degree. She is currently studying at
Newcastle University, is the number one
rated female University ski racer in the UK
and is sponsored by SnowSkool. Rachel’s
brother Jamie, a graduate of Banff’s 2008
programme is currently working as a ski
instructor at Sunshine Village.
10 | WHY SNOWSKOOL?
WHY
SNOWSKOOL?
Tuition:
• The best instructors
• Group sizes
One of the reasons behind SnowSkool ‘s
phenomenal historical success rate is the
fact that we offer more instruction than
any other operator. Not only that, but we
also work with some of the best instructors
available – our size and our reputation
guarantees this. Indeed many instructors
have been working the SnowSkool
programme since our first course in 2004.
We also speak with the Ski & Board schools
involved to restrict group sizes and to
ensure an optimal instructor: student ratio.
Choice:
This is where the feedback from previous
students really comes into play.
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.
This allows you to take a course all year
round with start dates in December,
January, March, April and July. More than
this we offer courses of differing lengths in
an attempt to fit in with your busy lifestyle.
On an individual level, if you want to arrive
early to earn a few cheeky turns before the
programme starts, 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.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Whereas SnowSkool courses are all about
skiing and riding, we also fully appreciate
www.snowskool.co.uk
that you will want to experience the life
of a seasonnaire. Of course, it depends
on where you are in the world as to
what activities we can provide but the
SnowSkool team, with their in-depth
knowledge of the resort, will be able to
make sure you make the most of your
travels and soak up the local culture.
Whether you fancy visiting another
resort, trying your hand at a new sport
or experiencing the local nightlife the
SnowSkool team will help you fit it all in.
Staff:
• Dedicated and Experienced Resort Staff
• High Staff : Student Ratio
• Male and Female
• All SnowSkool staff are former students
After all is said and done, the real reason
that SnowSkool excels is down to our staff.
From various backgrounds (investment
banking, the military, teaching and former
SnowSkool students) we feel that the
team we have brought together are our
greatest asset. Every member of our crew
is a qualified ski or snowboard instructor
and, with an age range of 25-33, we
provide a perfect blend of responsible
management with an ability to empathise
with students of all ages. The enthusiasm
of SnowSkool staff shines through on
every programme we run.
SnowSkool has a high staff to student ratio.
We interact fully with the students on a daily
basis. It is not a matter of us being a phone
call away; a SnowSkool team member will
be there for breakfast and dinner, we will see
you on the hill each day and will spend time
with you in the evenings and weekends.
We are always happy to help out in any way
possible and will organise social activities,
instructor exams and away-days.
Close bonds are always formed between
students and staff and it is always awesome
meeting up at SnowSkool reunion parties!
Finally, we place a huge emphasis on
employing a mix of male and female
staff. This creates a much more balanced
atmosphere where everyone feels
comfortable. This is probably one reason
why we always seem to have a good ratio of
guys and gals on our programmes.
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 full 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.
WITH AN AGE RANGE OF 25-33, THE
SNOWSKOOL STAFF PROVIDE THE PERFECT
BLEND OF RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT AND
AN ABILITY TO EMPATHISE WITH STUDENTS
OF ALL AGES
team@snowskool.co.uk
MYSKOOL
The MySkool section of the SnowSkool SportSkool goes Green - Let’s work together to ensure there is enough snow left
website has taken on a life of its own!
for future generations to enjoy what we all love…!
MySkool allows past, present and future
SnowSkool students to come together as Like most people who ski and snowboard and anyone who enjoys spending time in the mountains,
part of a virtual community. we care greatly about the beautiful environment that is our winter home. Thankfully, most of us are
now becoming more aware about the damage the earth has suffered due to global warming caused
What can I do on MySkool? You can check by the rise in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, but not everyone is aware of what they can do to
out and upload cool pix and vids, play minimise their own personal carbon footprint. At SportSkool we have finished discussing it and are
games online, enter competitions to win acting now… isn’t it about time you did the same??!
great prizes, read our forum and blog (or
give us your views!), keep up-to-date with Tourism, by its very nature, is reliant on transportation, whether it is in a car, on the train or flying all of
snowsport news and you can even create which produce damaging CO2 emissions.
your own profile on MySkool’s own social
networking. This enables SnowSkool These are the actions we have taken to minimise our effect:
students to get in touch and get to know
each other before the course and remain • This SnowSkool brochure is produced using paper from trees planted in sustainable forests.
in touch after the course has finished. • All SportSkool staff walk or cycle to work
• SportSkool tries to use only public transport to travel to Gap Fairs and Snow Shows
Perhaps the most popular section in • SportSkool recycles everything both in the office and at home!
MySkool is the Instructor Recruitment
Database. At SnowSkool we understand
that many of you take an instructor
programme to get your qualifications to
allow you to work as an instructor.
Using our instructor recruitment database,
SnowSkool has placed many former
students at resorts in Canada, North
America, New Zealand, Australia and
Europe. Our jobs database contains all
the information, contacts and know-how
to help you get a job in the snowsports
industry. The database is for the exclusive
use of SnowSkool students and allows
you to apply for jobs directly through
the database. SnowSkool has personally
contacted all the resorts and has created a
database which is easy to use, up to date
and reliable. So what are you waiting for?
Sign up for a SnowSkool course and you
are just a click away from becoming a ski
or snowboard instructor!

CAREER BREAK
CASE STUDIES
Andy Freeland, 29
• Skier, New Zealand 2007
• CSI Instructor
• NZSIA Instructor Stage One
“As an avid skier I had always dreamed
of training to become an instructor but
as a full time PE teacher my options
were limited. Then I stumbled across
SnowSkool’s New Zealand course and it
seemed perfect. I took the NZ programme
during my summer holiday break and it
was the best thing I could ever have done.
Even if I never work as an instructor I made
some lifelong friends and the focused and
intensive training has given me that extra
edge on the school playing field.”
ONE DAY I DECIDED TO JUST TAKE THE PLUNGE
...THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME
Sarah Sadler, 34
• Skier, Big White 2008
• CSIA Instructor Level 1
Sarah joined the Big White SnowSkool
programme along with her husband Chris
who had just left the Army. Unlike many of
the other people on the course who were
simply on a career break Sarah and Chris
had their sights set on something more
permanent. Whilst Chris took the full level
1 and level 2 course, Sarah busied herself
training on the hill and working in the
local village sweet shop! Once she passed
her CSIA level 1 qualification on the 4 week
Spring course, Sarah and Chris settled
down to a life in Big White and have been
enjoying life there ever since!
13 | CASE STUDIES: Career Break
Dan Colman, 30
• Snowboarder, Banff 2008
• CASI Instructor Levels 1 & 2
“I had been working in recruitment for
years and felt like I needed a break to
reassess my working goals. I had been
snowboarding for about ten years and
had always dreamt of doing a season and
becoming a snowboard instructor but it
never seemed the right time.”
“One day, however, I decided to just take
the plunge and, after I spoke to my boss
and the guys at SnowSkool, I realised that
I wouldn’t be the first and that this was
the right time. The course was fantastic,
my time away was both great fun and very
constructive and I met some great people.
Not only did I come back to work refreshed
and refocused but I achieved my main
goal of being able to snowboard better
than all my friends!”
www.snowskool.co.uk
14 | RESORTS: Cardrona
CARDRONA SKI RESORT, WANAKA
Soulful New Zealand Town with the Country’s Highest Lift-Served Skiing
THE SKIING - After searching the southern
hemisphere for a ski and snowboard resort
that would stand up to the high standards
set by our resorts in Canada & Europe,
we settled on Cardrona on New Zealand’s
majestic South Island. Snow reliability,
varied and extensive terrain, a high
standard of instruction and a great town
were the key criteria in helping SnowSkool
find the most suitable resort possible.
This ‘summer’ you could be in New Zealand,
skiing and riding the best ski field in
Australasia whilst earning internationally
recognised qualifications.
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.
It is renowned for its snow reliability, due to
a high elevation and the fact that it is largely
south facing (like north facing slopes in the
northern hemisphere). In addition, there is
extensive snow making facilities if required.
The terrain is incredible and well suited to
riders of all standards – wide open slopes
www.snowskool.co.uk
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. During the course you will have
time to explore the entire area and become
a master of your chosen discipline.
THE COMMUNITY - Wanaka, situated on
the shores of Lake Wanaka, is one the most
beautiful towns in New Zealand. It lies right
at the heart of a World Heritage site with
awe-inspiring scenery all around. Wanaka is
extremely friendly and easy to find your way
round and the town has an ample supply
of bars, cafes and restaurants to match up
to any ski town. Queenstown down the
road from Wanaka is the adrenaline-fuelled
capital of the back-packing world and, with
3 different 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!
No visit to New Zealand is purely about
skiing or boarding – it is an awesome country
that is bound to get into your soul and
provide you with some of the most fantastic
experiences of your life.
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 sharing a bedroom
with up to 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. On top of this the students can
make use of the complex sauna, heated
locker room and private parking making the
Belvedere the perfect place to spend your
season in New Zealand.
AN INTENSE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON AN
AWESOME SKI HILL IN A LAID-BACK TOWN
www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES
On SnowSkool’s New Zealand programme you will sit two
different qualifications regardless of whether you ski or
snowboard. The NZSIA 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.
THE HILL CARDRONA, NEW ZEALAND NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a
minimum of four weeks on-snow experience before committing
to the SnowSkool NZ programme.
• 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: 1894m QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN NEW ZEALAND
• Freestyle: 3 Freestyle parks, 4 half pipes, boarder cross. Qualifications are awarded by the New Zealand Snowsports
Instructor Alliance (NZSIA)
NZSIA Certificate of Snowsports Instructor (skiers and
snowboarders)
NZSIA Stage One Ski Instructor
NZSIA Stage One Snowboard Instructor
“Cardrona Alpine Resort is an excellent destination for skiers and
snowboarders on a SnowSkool course. The mountain facilities
here are world-class and our professional instructors are amongst
the top coaches in their field”.
Georgina Cleave, Director of Skiing – High Performance
Centre, Cardrona.
For more information on the specific courses we run in
New Zealand please get in touch on team@snowskool.co.uk
or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
16 | RESORTS: Three Valleys
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE
The Largest and Most Diverse Ski Area in the World
THE SKIING - When SnowSkool decided
to launch a new programme in Europe
we were inundated with possible resorts.
Once we settled on France there was
really only one area that would live up
to and (if possible!) exceed our offerings
in Canada and New Zealand and that
was the Three Valleys. The Three Valleys
is the largest ski resort 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 skiable terrain.
Nestled in the Savoie region of the French
Alps, the Three Valleys quite literally has
terrain to suit each and every skier.
With such a large area to choose from
not only will you be able to find runs to
suit your skill and experience but the
mountain will soon invite you to pick up
new skills and challenge yourself. From
the cruisy green runs to the numerous
wide sloping blues there is plenty of
choice for novice skiers. For the more
intrepid amongst you why not try your
www.snowskool.co.uk
hand at one of the mountain’s steep black
runs or take a ride on the dark side and hit
the extensive off-piste on offer?!
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 where to stay. 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’ for three months. You will soon
know everyone on a first name basis; with
shops, restaurants, bars, and activities
galore the Three Valleys really is the perfect
place to host a SnowSkool course.
ACCOMMODATION - On the SnowSkool
Three Valleys course you will be staying
in the charming and picturesque village
of St Martin de Belleville. This town mixes
French charm with seasonnaire bustle
giving participants the chance to soak up
the French culture whilst enjoying a dish
of tartiflette washed down by a
demi-pression (or two) in one of the many
local bars in town, or on the slopes on the
way down. Chalet Pascale situated near
the centre of St Martin offers the ultimate
in comfort and luxury. Although built in
the traditional Savoyard style, Pascale has
plenty of modern features.
The chalet consists of a large open plan
living and dining area and students will
enjoy banquet-style 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 riding
and enjoy the vast range of multimedia on
offer: Cable TV, a DVD player, sound system
and games consoles have all been fitted to
give the chalet that SnowSkool edge!
KICK OFF THE MORNING IN MERIBEL, HIT UP VAL
THORENS FOR LUNCH AND THEN CRUISE AROUND COURCHEVEL
IN THE AFTERNOON...UNBELIEVABLE DIVERSITY
savoie france www.snowskool.co.uk
THE COURSES
SnowSkool has chosen to run the course with a British owned
BASI Training Academy based in Meribel. Students will receive
the very highest standard of BASI instruction and spend valuable
time gaining the necessary experience working with the Ski
& Board School - 70 hours of Ski & Board School experience
is required as part of the course. The lessons will teach you to
become a better skier or rider and focus on the mechanics of the
sports. The ski school experience will allow you to learn more
about the teaching aspect of becoming an instructor as well as
getting an insight into the operations of a Training School.
NB: We recommend that skiers and snowboarders have a
THE HILL
minimum of five weeks on-snow experience before committing
THREE VALLEYS, FRANCE to the SnowSkool France programme.
• Average Annual Snowfall: 30ft
• Area: 600km of pistes
• Number of Runs: 336 named runs QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE IN FRANCE
• Terrain Breakdown: 20% beginner, 60% intermediate, 20% expert Qualifications are awarded by the British Association of
• Top Elevation: 3230m Snowsports Instructors (BASI) and the British Association of
• Freestyle: 5 parks, 3 boarder cross, countless rails, jumps, pipes all Ski Patrollers (BASP)
over the valleys
BASI Level One Instructor
BASI Level Two Instructor
BASP First Aid Course
Child Protection Basic Awareness
“The BASI qualifications represent some of the world’s highest
standard and most renowned ski and snowboard instructor
qualifications. And where better to learn those qualifications
than in Britain’s favourite ski resort: the Three Valleys?
Sean Longmuir - Head of Training & Development, BASI
For more information on the specific courses we run in the
Three Valleys please get in touch on team@snowskool.co.uk
or visit our website www.snowskool.co.uk
18 | MEET THE TEAM: team@snowskool.co.uk
MEET THE TEAM
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.
Now with seven seasons experience in
Canada, Europe and New Zealand, and
having skied or snowboarded well over
fifty resorts worldwide, Phil now enjoys
growing a beard and getting out into
the wilderness with his touring bindings,
avalanche beacon and a shotgun to ward
off bears and wolves.
The Graceful Skier, Laura Hopps or
“Hopper” as she is known to her colleagues
is a graduate of the SnowSkool 2006 Banff
programme. And, after a season spent
working the ski hills of New Zealand,
Laura was coaxed back to the UK with
the offer of a full-time job at SnowSkool
HQ. Her primary role is dealing with all
customer enquiries and making sure that
you are happy with every single detail
www.snowskool.co.uk
of the course before arrival.
Not an aggressive skier, Laura’s honed
technique and stunning good looks attract
many an admiring glance from the male
populace in resort. Though, boys, before
any impure thoughts enter your head, it is
worth noting that Laura is almost nun-like
in her complete devotion to SnowSkool.
The Park Rat, and former Paratrooper,
Adrian “Dunk” Gourlay is to SnowSkool
what the Stig is to Top Gear... a living legend
whose true persona is known exclusively
to two or three people in the world. 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 four
seasons in Canada – three in Banff and one
in Big White - and two in Cardrona, 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.
The Businessman, “Big” Steve Purdie
was drafted into the SnowSkool fold 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
behind-the-scenes is ticking over as
expected. Steve will also work on
expanding SnowSkool operations in an
organic and routine structured fashion.
The Graphic Guru, Craig Langston makes
SnowSkool look pretty. After years of
working in two of London’s top design
agencies, Langers went freelance and
regular work for SnowSkool ensured
he quickly became a firm friend of the
company. Craig shreds for fun but is
more into skateboarding and if he is not
tweaking designs, he’s riding his board
in the skate parks around South East
England and sometimes Barcelona.
w w w . w i s k i . c o m
 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