The resort of Val d’Isere opened today on the 28 November and put on a great show. The snow is not massively deep but the runs above the mid stations of Solaise and the Bellevarde are open offering a large area to explore in beautiful sunshine. It is possible to ski down to La Daille and the link to Tignes is open which means that the excellent snow of the Grande Motte is available.
There is a party atmosphere at the bottom of the ski lifts with everyone amazed at the quality of the snow. The artificial snow making facilities are on whenever possible and with the snow forecast for the end of the weekend it should not be long before even more of the area opens up ready to welcome the World Cup. The development centre started our season with a special lesson for my boy Oscar who loved having skis on for the first ever time. I think we are going back tomorrow.
It has been a bit of a road trip around Europe for Gi recently. Firstly ten days in Hintertux attending and delivering to the BASI conference, followed by a few days running a selection of new trainers for BASI.
Coming back to the Tarentaise and both Tignes and Val d’isere make Zermatt look pretty bare for snow cover. We have had some warm weather here but we had 25cm of snow last night and Val d’Isere will be opening this weekend as planned. Tignes is already open and there is good skiing to be had on the pistes.
The picture is my group on the L1 in Zermatt. The mountain in the background interests me because it reminds me of the Belvarde a bit, or at least a pale imitation.
The winter starts for me tomorrow. I am running a course that trains race coaches at the Chillfactore in Manchester, indoors at the snowdome. I will be running a course that qualifies successful candidates to coach children ski racing.
On Saturday I am running a series private group sessions with the Ski Club of Manchester, so that they can have their ski legs ready for the first snowfalls in Europe, www.scom.org.uk. This is just the beginning. How exciting.
tdc have been running BASI prep courses very successfully over the last number of years. We would like to say congratulations to all those who have then gone on to be successful at their BASI courses. We are running BASI prep courses throughout autumn 2009 and winter 2010 so let us know when you want to book.
These courses are designed to help you get ready for any forthcoming exams or BASI courses. With 5 BASI trainers within tdc‘s ranks these courses provide an ideal opportunity to prepare for success.
All courses include in depth video analysis.
NEW for Autumn 2009
October Courses – why wait until the onset of winter and the November storms. Enjoy the longer days and warmer conditions of skiing in October on the Tignes glacier. Very often the afternoons in October can feel really summery, training feels very different at this time of year.
Cheap accommodation and equipment testing at the Melezes Hotel in Tignes les Boisses. The guys at the Melezes run a ski and board camp where you can test all the latest kit the prices for accommodation and airport transfer have to be seen to be believed, check out the deals at: http://www.skiandboardcamp.com/
Course Details
tdc BASI trainers
Autumn Weeks – Monday to Friday
Prepare for BASI Levels 2, 3 & 4
5 – 9 October
12 – 16 October
23 – 27 November – Train for your teaching course Cost 200 €
Winter Weeks – Monday to Friday
Prepare for Levels 3 & 4
18 – 22 January
be ski ready
Winter Cost Options
350€ full week
200€ 5 half days
50 € per half day
There will also be training throughout the winter season for those people in or near the resort, with less regimented timings – same winter costs apply.
BASI Level 1 & 2 Prep
If you are new to BASI and are thinking of embarking on your first course this level is ideal for you. Equally if you have completed the trainee instructor module and need to brush up your technique before you undertake the Level 2 Instructor Training assessment this is the perfect way to ensure success.
This is best suited for those going for Level 1 Instructor and Level 2 Instructor Training modules.
tdc basi prep courses
BASI Level 3 Prep
This is for people who have successfully completed the Level 2 Instructor assessment and feel they need some training before they take the next technical or teaching level.
Prepare to be at the level before your assessment.
BASI Level 4 Prep
This is for people preparing for their final technical and teaching level. These courses will be run by BASI Trainers who are involved in trainer education and who regularly deliver the BASI ISTD technical and teaching module. With a proven track record for helping people pass their final test this course is a valuable option.
October Courses
