4 Week Snowboard Performance Course
This course is specifically designed for all you guys and girls who want to tear up the backcountry alongside learning new tricks in the park. The 4 week performance course takes you all over the mountain and our French instructors show you places no one else knows about. If you are looking to get a seasonaire's experience but can’t make the whole sesaon, then this is the course for you!
Course Features
Basecamp snowboard performance courses open your eyes to new ways of snowboarding leaving it up to you which path to follow.
If 4 weeks is not long enough, but a Level 1 Award is all you need why not check out our All Mountain Snowboard Courses – combining the level qualification with a full Performance Course taking your boarding to the next level
What's Included?
For a full breakdown of the course, as well as a chance to compare the 3 week Performance Course in Whistler with our other courses check out what's included.
On the Mountain
A combination of backcountry and freestyle training all depending on snow conditions. If there has been a heavy snow fall then your instructors will take you to the best off-piste in the Espace Killy. If the conditions are not as good then you will spend more time in the park and on the piste developing your all round snowboard skills. You will cover everything from digging snow pits to learning about avalanches, hiking, flatland tricks and even trips to other resorts.
Off the Mountain
Course extra activities include: Avalanche training, Basecamp clothing, plus regular social events organised by your Resort Managers.
Your freestyle coaching will be from the best professional freestyle riders in France, learning from these guys makes a huge difference and you should feel a huge boost in confidence after just a few hours riding with them.
Who is this course best suited to?
Everyone who has the drive to push their snowboarding up to the next level but does not want qualifications. It also is well suited to any seasonnaire who wants a snowboard development programme to accompany their job.
How good do you have to be at Snowboarding before the course?
On this course your snowboarding will not be assessed at any stage, but being able to ride most of the mountain comfortably is needed.
If you would like to head out to the resort before hand in order to have a week or two's riding and dust off the cobwebs please speak to your course advisor, as this is something we can arrange.
If I want to work during the season will I have the time to do the course?
This performance course itinerary fits in well for people who want to do a season, but havent got the time and looking to make sure that they push their ability to the maximum level. The course consists of 4 coaching afternoons a week, with a lot of the training being about telling you what you need to focus on in your own time. This not only brings the cost down, but also means that the course is suitable for those working out in resort.
What if I realise I want to become a snowboard instructor, and get the qualifications?
Having completed this course you can expect your snowboarding to be at a very high level, so will be well placed to go on and take your instructor qualifications at a later date, and in time for your next season. The Basecamp team will be able to point you in the right direction with this.
What if I'm travelling on my own?
The majority of people will do this course as solo travellers. There is a large Basecamp community in resort, and your Resort Manager will make sure you're quickly introduced to everyone.
Travel Insurance
Insurance is compulsory on all Basecamp courses and as all payments are non-refundable we recommend you take out insurance before the time of the first invoice. Basecamp recommends World Nomads insurance, the details of which are available on request. Though recommended by us for its comprehensive nature it does not cover every eventuality and you should be happy with the policy yourselves – please make sure you read and understand the policy details thoroughly before purchasing. We would also emphasise the insurance policy is a personal arrangement between you and the insurer.
Please make sure you have read and fully understand the policy before the start of he course. If you wish to arrange your own insurance Basecamp will require proof of cover, and full details before you start the course. Any such cover must be no less favourable than World Nomads policy.
BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH WORLD NOMADS
Flights
Deals on flights are best found by booking early, so if you have booked your course early then you are more likely to get a cheaper fare. You will need to arrive in Geneva on the start day of your course where we will meet you at the aiport and transfer you over to Val d'Isere.
Where to buy a flight?
We reccommend STA Travel. STA (Student Travel Association) are great at finding good deals on flights, round the world trips and much more. They offer flexibility with changing flights and will be able to offer you support whilst you are away. Please see below for contact details of the STA Basecamp Travel Agent:
Claire Purvis
Tel – +44 (0)1618 308758
Email – [email protected]
STA WEBSITE
Expedia and Opodo are always places to look for cheap flight options. Whilst they may come in cheaper than STA they may not offer as much flexibility on changing flights/destinations. However if you are set on arriving and departing on set dates have a look at either website.
With a flight time of only 1hr30 minutes from London to Geneva, another option is to book a flight with a budget airline:
EASYJET
What happens if I want to stay out in resort longer?
We reccommend that you buy a return flight for the finish date of your course and then you can change it whilst in Val d'Isere for a smaller fee than buying two singles if needs be. Please check the flight change flexibility options before you purchase your flight.
Transfers
Transfers are provided on all courses strictly on the arrival and departure dates only. Please make sure you are in Geneva by 2pm so we can pick you up at the airport. Getting a direct flight that leaves anytime after 9am will be fine.
Arriving in Resort
Transfers are included on our Courses, to resort on the start day of the course, a Basecamp representative will be at the information desk in the arrival hall with a Basecamp sign and a Basecamp jacket. Please see travel details above.
If you are arriving before the course starts then we can arrange for you to pick up your ski pass. We will try and help you best we can to settle in but we are unable to offer full support in resort as we are concentrating on preparing for the course. Please make sure we have all your details particularly your photo and date of birth as these can cause delays.
Please submit the travel information Rider information sheet as soon as possible. It is very important to make sure that your details on the form are correct, as this is the information upon which we base our transfer itineraries, etc.
Depending on timings (whether flights are delayed etc) there will be a short social drinks in the evening of the first day of the course. Most courses will start the next day with an introductory talk after breakfast from our Ski Director and Resort Manager. We will also make sure that each person is fully equipped with lift pass and ski or snowboard equipment so that you can head up the mountain for a couple of hours practise that afternoon if you wish.
Coaching will begin early on the first or second morning of the Course or Camp and there will be various events planned during that first week where you will have a chance to get to know your way around the resort and meet everyone on the course. Please be patient as we settle everyone into the resort over the first few days and weeks – there will be people from all across the world, with very different needs and requirements and we will do our best to help everyone get the most out of the course as quickly as possible.
Accommodation Deposit
We will need to take an accommodation damage deposit before you arrive in Val d'Isere. We will be in touch with the finer details before you leave. The damage deposit will be £250. This is refundable at the end of the season once inventories have been completed. It can take between 4-6 weeks to finalise everything, however we will do our upmost to have it finalised as soon as possible.
Kit List
Below is a brief list of some essentials we advise you to bring but please try and keep your packing to a minimum as much as possible – you will value the additional space, less clutter and it will leave room for the inevitable in-resort purchases! Please also be aware that many airlines now have quite strict regulations in place regarding excess baggage. We very strongly recommend you check these before you fly – excess baggage fees have risen substantially, particularly on budget airlines.
Footwear
Comfortable indoor shoes
Walking boots or tough trainers
Casual Clothes
Socks
Trousers/Skirts
T-shirts/Tops
Shirts
Pullovers/Jumpers
Jacket
Scarf
Wash bag
Towels
Ski / Snowboard Clothing
Socks
Thermals
Vests
Pullovers
Ski/Snowboard Jacket & Pants
Hat
Neck Warmer/ Face Protector
Goggles
Gloves
Sunglasses
Sun Tan Cream
Other things to bear in mind
Small Notepad to fit in Coat Pocket & Retractable Pencil (Pens will freeze)
Plug Adaptor
Mobile Phone – internationalise. See client FAQs.
Ipod
PC/Mac
Music
Camera – plus chargers, etc.
Books
DVDs
Card
Lots of clients choose to bring laptops but we don’t recommend travelling with many valuables.
Pre Season Information Pack
We will be sending you a pre season information pack nearer the time of the start of your course. If you have any questions in the meantime please just let us know.
