As our thoughts start to turn to winter, we find ourselves, starting to think more about the excitement of the oncoming season. We find ourselves getting skis and boots out of the locker, even though we know that it is another two months until we get to play on them.
Computers are busy with preparations and talk of new snow, and our minds start running wild with thoughts of seasons past. Memories of the best powder days, of the finest blue bird days, of the friends, of the laughter, of the fun all start to coming to the fore of the mind.
With all these thoughts and emotions flying around, here at TDCski we have found ourselves starting to tell each others stories.
“Do you remember that time when…”, “What about when we…”, “The thing I loved that day the most was…” the stories go on.
If we’re having these thoughts then we bet you are too.
it was deep
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get everyone to share their stories?
So we thought it might be fun if we run a little competition – the winner gets a free TDCski Val d’Isere 3hr Private Lesson (€230-€280), or a free place on a 5 day Early Season Clinic (€300).
Win a Free Private Lesson or 5 day Early Season Clinic
Fun day out with friends
To win this prize all you need to do is to post a photo and a story, or an heartfelt recollection, of what it is that you love about skiing the most on our Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/tdcski
A great photo, well written words, an overall passion for skiing.
The competition will be open until Val d’Isere’s opening day 28th Nov 2015.
Photos and stories will be reviewed by a select TDCski panel.
The Panel is looking for/judging based on – a great photo, well written words, an overall passion for skiing.
Winner will be announced on Val d’Isere opening day – 28th Nov.
We love skiing, we know you do too, so share those stories.
We love skiing, we know you do to, so share those stories with us and win some fantastic ski coaching.
After a bonkers couple of weeks of winter weather, the cold fluffy powder is restricted to the high north faces. But don’t fret. We have warm settled conditions now and my 2nd favourite type of snow – Spring Snow. It can be hard to find and get it good, so here is Coach Kieran explaining:
What is it? When the sun thoroughly heats the snow pack from the surface down to the earth, the prevalent moisture spreads uniformly across it’s depth. Given the right temperatures, this freezes solid in the evening and over night. The next day the sun can heat up the top inch or so, creating a ‘corn’ feel, on a firm base. It’s great to ski and potentially quite safe.
Problems?
To early = smooth, slick, solid ice. Both dangerous and uncomfortable.
To late = slushy to the base of snow pack. Serious avalanche territory.
Too few cycles = bumpy, other skiers tracks, variable depths, variable thaw rates.
So what do you consider when finding Spring snow?
Timing: at 09:00 most of the East faces (Belvarde, Borsat, Charvet, etc) have been in the sun for a few hours, and given time to absorb those rays and soften. South faces late morning and lunch time. West faces are best in the afternoon.
Temperatures: The previous afternoon needs to be hot enough to melt out the other tracks and uneven nature of the slope. This will hopefully be +5 ish with direct sunlight. Overnight, the colder the better -5, brilliant. Especially with a deeper snow pack. As soon as the temperatures approach 0, or go above, combined with direct sunlight the snow will soften. It may be a short window of 1 hour to hit the slope at the right time.
Cycles: The more melt freeze cycles, the more compact the snow will be, and the fewer skiers tracks from previous days. This makes the snow and slope as a whole more predictable, and safer as it’s glued together at the bottom.
Aspects: The sun rises due East on the 21st March, and sets due West. After that date, it rises gradually more North East, but still takes a trajectory around the south of the sky. So North faces will remain mostly in the shade for the season. Southerly facing slopes at this time of year take a beating from the high sun. Take for instance the Fontaine Froid; probably the first slope to run out of snow at the end of April.
Angles: A slope will absorb more sun if it directly faces it. A very flat slope will be softened less than a 40 degree slope. Especially early East faces, and late West faces.
Slope base (anchors, rocks, grass, smooth slabs): This is a safety point more than anything. Rocks in the snow pack create pockets of air, and they heat up in the sun. A slope dotted with rocks is probably more unstable at this time of year than a big open white slope. A shrubby, or large scree based slope will have better anchors to hold the snow from avalanching than a smooth rock slope or fine grassy slope.
Altitude: This will usually relate inversely with the temperature, unless there is a pressure/temperature inversion in which the valley is colder than the high mountains. Generally the higher you go, the longer it takes for the Spring snow to transform from hard icy snow.
Wind: The same conditions as the day before mean very little if the wind is 5mph stronger. Slightly more wind can slow the transformation by more than an hour, and can stop it all together.
Cirrus Cloud: That very hazy, high level cloud that slightly dims your shadow. This can have a massive effect by absorbing the suns rays and stopping the transformation.
There are countless other factors to consider, especially when managing a group in this kind of terrain, but these are the main contributors to good snow.
Always carry at least a Transceiver, Shovel and Probe with you. We hand these out for use during our Spring Clinics, where you will be guided to cool spots, educated in finding good safe snow, and improve your technique!
Be safe, and try to get out for some high altitude resort fun in Val d’Isere over the next few weeks… We have spaces on our group clinics. The snow is amazing, the lifts will be dead quiet, and the sun is out!
In the Vanoise national park that incorporates Val d’Isere and Tignes, TDC coaches and clients ski to extremely cool and inaccessible places, then get a helicopter back out. Being dropped on top of a mountain is not permitted in France, but getting picked up in certain places at the bottom is fine.
photo credit – Siobhãn Miller
Some of our coaches have had the requisite training and been signed-off allowing them to call in the helicopter and arrange the pick up. Amongst other things, this entails stacking skis, pacing out distances, and sticking your arms up in the air facing the correct way (over simplified).
Destinations that the development centre heliski guide / instruct to include:
Lac du Chevril – big dammed reservoir below Tignes, usually via an exhilarating route down.
Bonneval – over the back of the Pissillias Val d’Isere Glacier and down the other side.
The Heli works out way cheaper than a taxi. Credit google maps
The heli pilot (undoubtedly the coolest looking guy I’ve ever met) can then drop back to the top of Solaise, bottom of La Daille, or in Val Claret to continue the off piste experience.
If any of this takes your fancy, then speak to our office [email protected] about arranging a half day trip (instructor and heli) from 340eu, or just bolt on a helicopter ride to your already arranged lesson, from 115eu
If you are looking to get in some quality training for your Level 3 or Level 4 BASI technical exams, then have a look at the new course that we are putting on in March 2015.
TDCski have been running a number of prep and training courses through Dec and Jan.
Due to demand a new course has been added.
New Course Added March 2015!!
Level 3/4 2nd-6th March 2015
Price 300€/week (5 hrs a day plus video)
Some feedback from people how have previously trained and prepared with TDCski
“I’m just writing to say thank you for a great two weeks of preparation for the BASI Level 4. I still can’t believe I’ve finally got there! The TDC training really made a difference I think.”
If you are interested please contact us +33 (0)6 15 55 31 56 or email [email protected]
We all strive for awesomeness on the slopes, however not all success can be attributed to these on snow endeavours. Here are 5 simple and effective ways to improve your skiing…. without even skiing!
Get your skis serviced.This means taking them to a shop where the staff will sharpen the metal edges, grind down the bases slightly to flatten them; getting rid of unwanted rock gauges, and then add some wax to keep the base healthy. It was a pretty tough December here in Val d’Isere, and some of the TDC coaches’ skis took a hammering on rocks. I took my skis into SnowBerry here in town and got them back good as new! Now going into mid-January, we have some icy piste conditions, and my edges are gripping and working well for me. Making me better at skiing!
Get your boots fitted properly with a good footbed.We at TDC all feel that the support of your boots is paramount to your ability to ski well. A moulded footbed will ensure that when your brain wants to influence the skis, there is no slack between your foots command and the skis reaction. Whatever movement your foot makes is transferred directly to the ski. Many of the TDC team have their feet computer analysed and custom soles made by SureFoot in Val d’Isere.
Watch a Ski Movie and be inspired.There are many incredible ski films available, and we can all argue about the best. A great one to cut your teeth on is “Claim”. With big mountain powder scenes, acrobatic freestyle segments and a huge dosage of charisma, this film is a great way to spark inspiration and motivation to get better. Sometimes this bit of motivation is all it takes to become a better skier. (To take on the bigger cliff drops maybe think about getting one of us to teach you…! Off Piste Adventure Courses )
Drink some water, and eat more bananas.Altitude naturally dehydrates you, and I’ve heard Bananas are good for you. This will prevent cramp, and assist recovery. A great short term preparation before hitting the slopes. Simples
Off-Piste prep: Do some transceiver searching and watch this video.Many of our courses and lessons at TDC revolve around the amazing off-piste in the area. To personally improve your ability to ski with others in that terrain, you must work hard and practice. Having confidence in your avalanche knowledge and transceiver craft will allow you to concentrate more on the tactical aspects of your skiing and be mindful of any technical improvements you could make. You can search for transceivers around the house, in the garden, or out in bracken and bilberry fields. All good fun learning.
Terry prides himself on being able to improve peoples skiing, without skiing. With on snow coaching too – a definite recipe for success!
Ski, Play and Love it with TDCski, Val d’Isere, Tignes and Meribel
Ski…
2002 was a great year – it was the year we started TDC The Development Centre.
14 seasons later we still have the passion and the drive which allows us to create amazing ski lessons and experiences.
We love skiing and we love to pass on that passion – why do we love it? Read on…
We all say that we love skiing, and we have a passion for the sport, and have a passion for teaching people to take part in the sport. But what does that really mean?
We decided that we needed to ask a few of the TDCski coaches to see what they said.
What the Coaches said…do you agree?
Here is a summary of some very common reason about why we love skiing…
Being Outdoors – There is for sure a definite feeling of freedom in the mountains. When you are skiing, that perfect day with the ridiculously blue sky, the white snow, the fresh air. Nothing can beat it. Being outside was a big factor for all the coaches.
But we realise that it is not always a perfect day. Skiing allows us to get out there even when the weather is challenging, and then at the end of the challenge there is the feeling that you have done something to “deserve your lunch.”
Play…
Exhilaration – release the child inside. At the end of the day we are all sliding down a hill on two planks. The worlds trouble are forgotten and for that fleeting second or two (which lasts for minutes and hours) we are released. We are flying, we are going fast but with control, we are all big kids again. Love it!
You can alway get better – no matter what level you are. Each individual can set the level of their own challenge, there is always something to work on. Every turn is different. It is as if we are always searching for the “perfect turn” but we know we will never find it, it is the searching that is fun. Your personal goal might be technical, it might be in the mind, it might be a physical thing, but everyone can have their own little goal, and achieving that goal is a lot of fun.
It is an individual sport done in a group! – Whatever your own personal objectives are when skiing you can be working on your own things, enjoying it your way, while everyone else does their thing, and then every now and again we all get back together and ride a chairlift, or stop for a hot chocolate or lunch. The group element of skiing (apart from just safety) gives every day a purpose, but the pleasure of skiing comes from the individual.
Skiing has to be one of the few sports that all the family can do together, where each member of the family might be doing their best – what other sport do you find dad doing his very best to keep up with his 8 year old daughter?
Love it!
Apart from the above reasons to Love Skiing, the TDC coaches had a few more “unusual” reasons to love it…
“I like being able to come home and wear my thermal underwear around the house for hours at the end of the day.”
“On a beach I once got asked by a stranger “are you a ski instructor?” – I replied “yes, but how did you know?” The stranger said “because you are wear ridiculous looking sunglasses, and you have a Match Stick Tan – a red head on top of a skinny white body!”
“I am yet to see a hollywood movie that doesn’t make skiing look really cheesey. I don’t think filmmakers can capture what it is that makes skiing so much fun.”
We would love to share our passion for skiing this season.
We hope we can.
Improve your skiing and enjoy the mountains more than ever before
Simple ways to Inspire
We all know that feeling – the mountains, the snow, the freedom!
When it all comes together there is no better feeling – we love it!
Improve your skiing and that love and enjoyment just keeps growing.
Below are 5 simple things that you can do in order to maximise your improvements, and therefore maximise your fun and enjoyment of the mountains.
TDCski coaches look at 5 ways that you can improve your skiing
Over the years the TDCski coaches have seen lots of people who under their guidance have taken their skiing from basic, to advanced, to expert.
How was this achieved?
The ways to improve are not complicated, it can be a simple ongoing task.
Here are 5 rules to follow.
1) Have a Goal
It is all about having fun, and enjoying yourself
Having a goal doesn’t need to be an overly complicated or technical thing.
Your goal could be as simple as you want to ski relaxed, or you want to ski without worrying what is round the next corner.
Alternatively you could have a more specific goal. You might want to be able to ski a certain challenging run or you want to be able to “ski the bumps”.
Whatever it is, having a goal means that you will be able to move towards it.
In every ski lesson that we will ever take out, at some point at the beginning of your lesson whether you realise it is happening or not, the coach/instructor will negotiate a goal for that lesson with you. This will give you a target and as you move forward towards that target it is enjoyable. Achieving the little milestones will give you a satisfaction – a sense of achievement – it makes it fun!
2) Have a Focus
One of the greatest things about skiing is that it allows you to NOT focus on the regular days to day things that we all have to deal with in daily life.
If however you DO have a simple focus about your skiing, then it will allow you to keep your mind on the job at hand – enjoying yourself and getting that wonderful feeling of mountains, snow and freedom!
Skiing – We love it!
If you focus on absolutely nothing then it is very easy for the job at hand to go wayward.
Keeping a simple focus will allow you to monitor and measure what you are doing and if the job at hand is going wayward, you can adjust, change or even stop and start again.
A skiing focus does not have to be complicated; it can be as simple as making rhythmical turns or focusing on balancing on the outside ski.
Setting a focus is the pathway to achieving your goal. You need a more specific focus to achieve your wider goal. – see above!
3) Understand that Focus
It is a really good thing to understand WHY you are focusing on something, don’t just take someones word for it. Take ownership of what you are doing and try to understand the reasoning behind what you are focusing on.
TDCski Coaching Sharing their Knowledge
Skiing is a blend of different skills so as you are skiing around the mountain there will be many times when you need to adjust the blend of what you are doing in order to adapt to a different situation – it might get steeper, or bumpy, or there is fresh snow.
If you understand WHY you are doing something and understand what skill it is that you are practicing/developing then you will be able to take that skill with you into any different situation.
4) It’s Not Just all about Technique
It is a really common misconception that getting better is just about what you are doing technically. There is more to improving your performance than just doing “x” with your little toe, or doing “y” with your hands.
Quite often you might take what we call a Tactical approach – where it the best place to turn, should I turn quickly, what line should I take? A good tactical approach to any given situation allows you to maximise the technical skills that you have at that time.
Skiing like any sport has its up and downs. Some days you feel really confident and some days….not so much. It is times like this that maybe we have to take a Psychological approach. Work out what it is that is not working today – is it in the mind? Maybe the weather has changed or there are lots of people around. The actual movements required to ski are the same – but it is how our mind is viewing it.
Being able to understand these things and tap into them will give you far greater success when you get down to the job of sliding down a hill and enjoying yourself.
5) Challenge Yourself
Challenge yourself
“Challenge” – this word I think means different things to different people, but whatever way you look at it, challenging yourself is a very enjoyable, rewarding thing to do and it will allow you to realise your best.
To some it means that you take on something that is harder than normal. Then you dig deep, you focus and you overcome, you rise up and take on the challenge.
To others this idea of increasing the level of difficulty is in itself very off putting. If this is how you feel, then your “challenge” is to keep the task the same, keep skiing on the same run, keep skiing at the same speed, but make sure that you set a challenge that means you do have to be more accurate, more precise with what you are doing. e.g. do all of your turns balancing on the outside ski early, don’t only do half and then start thinking about what’s for lunch.
Whichever way you look at the idea of “challenging yourself”, by giving yourself little challenges you will set yourself on a path for improvement that will be lasting, enjoyable and it will be fun!
What now?
Come ski with us
These are some of the principles that TDCski use to develop skiers to their full potential.
We invite you to achieve that feeling with TDCski this winter.
We’ve teamed up with the fantastic VIP SKI again this winter. VIP SKI are offering an amazing package that includes a 5 day TDCski Early Season Coaching Clinic and a week of accommodation in VIP SKI’s wonderful Aspen Lodge chalet, with the usual VIP SKI service and catering.
Never again will you see a package this good…
Early Season Clinics only €280 for 5 half days. You can book just the Clinic and organise your own accommodation, or you can take up the amazing deal from VIP SKI.
A TDCski 5 day clinic in the full winter season costs 375€ per person. Early Season Clinics are available at a reduced cost of €280 pp, but book the accommodation package with VIP SKI and effectively pay just €150 per person for the ski clinic!
VIP SKI Prices from £599 per person for 7 nights catered chalet accommodation and 5 days ski clinic (3 hours per day)
Get a head start on your ski development and enjoy a pre-Christmas trip to the French Alps. Enjoy the famous TDCski coaches in their ability to improve your skiing whilst delivering a fun and inspiring course. Rather than pre-planned lessons and drills, TDCski’s approach is based around coaching you on your style as an individual, allowing you to really make a breakthrough in confidence and ability.
The snow conditions have been consistently impressive at this time of year and with access to two glaciers (Val d’Isere and Tignes) snow is assured.
Never again will you see a package this good…
With access to two glaciers (Val d’Isere and Tignes) snow is assured
Week commencing 30 Nov
Exclusive package price = £599pp Saving up to £225 (price excludes travel)
Week commencing 7 Dec
Exclusive package price = £649pp Saving up to £225 (excludes travel)
Week commencing 14 Dec
Exclusive package price = £1079pp Saving up to £225 (includes Gatwick flight & transfers)
Package price includes 7 nights accommodation as described and TDCski Coaching Monday to Friday, 3hrs per day. Price on 30 Nov & 7 Dec does not include flight or transfer (this can be arranged for a supplement). For limited period only single supplement is an additional £100. (applies to 30 Nov and 7 Dec only)
Catch up with Steve, dust off the ski boots, and get involved in some clinics.
Steve will be there there all day and will run a variety of clinics and / or private training sessions depending on who signs up for the day.
Great opportunity to get the ski legs working during the summer months.
Dates 2014
Saturday 21st June
Saturday 12th July (Olivia and Clare probably coming with me too!. Please note that there is a freestyle event on in the evening that day so there will be slightly limited slope space so it will not be a day for long turn carving!)
Saturday 30th August
Saturday 27th September
Saturday 11th October
New dates may be added at a later dates AND other dates may be available on request…. please email [email protected]
What’s the plan?
Each session: 3.5 hours long and comprises approx 2.5 hours on slope followed by video time. The ‘start’ time for the sessions on each day will be 9am, 1.30pm and 6pm (provisional times – could shift a little). To be confirmed exactly.
Each session will be SMALL in size (participant wise to ensure a high level of training / feedback and ski time), minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 people per session.
Prices?
Please pay in cash on the day (A credit card number may be required in advance to hold the booking!) it will be £60 for a morning / afternoon session or £40 for the evening session. If you would like to attend the whole day then it will be £120 per day.
If any TDCski client would like a private session this is offered on the same days special prices of £60 for the first hour and £15 each hour thereafter of 1-1 private coaching.
Lift Pass is not included in these prices – that will need to be organised by the individual.
For further information and to book then please email [email protected]
Get your skis on before it snows…Hemel Snow Centre
What’s On: Piste performance and All Terrain clinics at Hemel Snow Centre.
What do you do?: 3 hours on snow training plus video analysis time.
When: Clinics run from 4-9pm on Saturday evenings
Saturday 14th September – afternoon / evening
Saturday 28th September – afternoon / evening
Saturday 5th October – afternoon / evening
Saturday 19th October – afternoon / evening
Meet TDC coach Steve from 4pm…. ski from 4.30-6.30pm, coffee break, then 6.30-8pm back on snow. Followed by video analysis then depart for 9pm.
Technical content tailored to individuals needs and wants.
You should be able to ski confidently on a blue run. Equally you could have a high level of performance and still develop your skills and understanding during these sessions.
Cost: £75 per clinic with a reduced rate of £60 if you book a second session. Price includes – slope entry fee, lift pass, equipment hire, coaching.
Min of 2 and max of 4 people a session.
Après-Ski: Video analysis and performance development discussion
