A Skiers and Snowboarders Dream
Wow, what an epic day yesterday was. Where to start… Waking up in the mountains with incredible snow and bright sunshine really makes you feel special and I know I share this feeling with the 40 others lucky enough to be part of this skier and snowboarders dream. Yesterday was one of those days that you remember for a season and with day two of lessons over I can successfully say that everyone is stoked and settling in.
With the sun shining I couldn’t resist getting amongst it with the skiers. I followed the BASI groups, who are all getting on very well. We have some top quality skiers with us this season whom seem to be tearing up the mountain in the guidance of Steve Rickets and Craig Halliday. These guys are the best in Val d’Isere and have dedicated their lives to teaching skiing and their experience and skill is most definitely filtering into the Basecampers. We finished the day with a game of killer pool in Le Petit Danois, which was won by Ash Padmore and seconded by Elliot Stone, the bar kindly gave the guys some free drinks and I left with the group in great spirit. I’ll let the photos do the rest…
We have a busy week ahead with ski and snowboarding equipment tuning sessions planned for tonight and Thursday evening. These will be given by the head coaches and will give the guys a great insight into looking after their equipment, something that is extremely important when spending a lot of time in the mountains. On Wednesday, it’s Georgie’s Birthday, it’s gonna be a good one, it’s also the same day that the guys are having an avalanche awareness talk from HAT (Henry’s Avalanche Talks). Henry has dedicated his whole life to avalanche safety, and with the current snow conditions (best and most snow since 1965), it’s extremely important that the Basecampers have a good understanding of the do’s and don’ts of off piste and back country touring.
This times well with the performance skiers off piste day on Thursday. The sun is going to shine and they have 6 hours of off piste heaven waiting for them. Don’t worry each and everyone will have a transceiver and will receive training of how to use them. Their coaches, all local, know the Espace Killy better than anyone and they are all in for a day of champagne powder!
Friday brings us another day of training, with a Basecamp night out in Val and a mountain picnic on Saturday with a visit to the Folle Douce, an open air mountain bar with the best Dj’s in town. We will finish the week with the first aid course on Sunday, which is an essential part of the instructors course. All in all a great few days ahead, and bring on the sun…
Until next time,
Tom
