Greetings to you all from beautiful Banff where SnowSkool’s instructor training course for 2012 is off and running. We’ve finished our first week of training and we’re ready to update you with news of what we’ve been up to since we got here.
As always, some keen beans from the UK and Oz arrived in town a few days early. A bunch of Aussies travelled together on the group flight from Perth, Melbourne and Sydney to Auckland, on up to Vancouver and over to Calgary – nothing a good 24 hours won’t take care of! – to arrive the day before Skool officially started. Those departing from the UK (which included a Kiwi, a South African and another Aussie - there's got to be a joke in there somewhere, right???) all arrived safe and sound after a very early start at Gatwick where they were greeted by travel buddies Phil (SnowSkool founder) and Tom (our rep here in Banff this season). On arrival at Calgary, the group was met by Adrian (SnowSkool’s ops manager) and me, AJ, course leader for Banff this year. The group jumped on two coaches for the two-hour drive to Banff where we checked into what would be our accommodation for the next 13 weeks – the Banff HI Alpine Centre. Once there, the guys had a couple of hours to relax, settle in and make nice with the others.
By Saturday evening, the group was nearly complete. We assembled for a barbeque and an introductory talk from the Ski School director, Stuart, about the course up at Sunshine Village and what the next 13 weeks had in store. After dinner some of the guys headed down to the Storm Cellar, our on-site basement bar, for a few drinks but many just decided to have an early night to start work on that jet-lag.
After breakfast on Sunday it was time for proper introductions all round, with proper "how-do-you-do's" for the SnowSkool and hostel staff here in Banff. We then all headed into town for a tour of beautiful Banff before those needing new equipment hit the stores. It was a much more relaxing day, at the end of which most met in the Storm Cellar for a drink before heading to bed early for the start of lessons the next day.
After what was a late breakfast by usual standards, the group took the bus to Sunshine Village to collect their lift passes. After a brief introduction to their trainers, the groups all ventured out onto the snow for their first taste of CSIA Level 1 training. Reports from the instructors say the ones to look out for are Chris Naco (on the skis) and Ryan Richmond (on the snowboard). That evening’s spaghetti dinner went down very well and the feel in the group is that of excitement for the next 13 weeks on snow!
What would become the usual early start of 7:20am breakfast complemented by an 8:15am bus ride to SV (Sunshine Village) saw a slightly less eager group on Tuesday! An early start, a bit of jetlag, a few sore bits from the previous day can do that to even the hardiest! The training groups reviewed their own ability and technique as they started to work towards the level at which they need to perform for their exams.
It was another great day on snow with the guys starting to find their snow legs. We were very excited to have our first birthday in the group on Wednesday – Cameron, our only Canadian, turned 19 is style and headed out to dinner. We also welcomed late-arrival Oliver Hamer to SnowSkool and were pleased to report he slotted straight in to his snowboarding group out on the mountain.
Thursday was the last day of lessons for the week due to the annual Celebrity Day up at SV on Friday (more about that later). The guys continued to show improvement and the word from the slopes is that they are a group of skiers and snowboarders with good potential. Because Cameron had been out to dinner the night before for his birthday, the group gave him a belated birthday song and cake, with special thanks to his mum for dropping off the candles. After the festivities, it was time for a trip to town to Tommy's Bar, the local English-style pub. It was a great chance for the almost the entire group to unwind together over a beer without the thought of an early start the next day. Some decided to make a night of it and stay out in the Dancing Sasquach (hard to escape the wild life theme here in Banff) while others decided they wanted an early night so they could get a full day on snow tomorrow, in order to have a play in what SV has to offer.
Even though there were no lessons, impressively many did decide to go up the hill. Whether this was because of the prospect of a day of free skiing or riding OR because of the possibility of seeing some celebrities, I couldn't possibly comment! All I know is that Benji, Ryan and Tom H showed their skills on their boards and Chris, Justin and Matt showed off on the skis – and we did see Alec Baldwin, who hosts the charity event each year.
Friday night is karaoke night in the Storm Cellar and our guys didn't disappoint on the singing front. We had such classics as Neil Diamond’s Cracklin' Rose and Tom and I did an admirable interpretation (well, we thought so) of Like a Virgin. The group gave it a good go too. We celebrated Cameron's birthday for the third day in a row (any excuse!) and a good night was had by all. Our last late arrival, Eimear O’Hare, arrived but sadly for her, we think she missed out on seeing our best performance. Not to worry – there's an excuse to do it all again for her next week!
Come Saturday, a hardcore contingent of SnowSkoolers hit the slopes of SV for the sixth straight day. Apparently you can never get too much of a good thing! Those who didn't venture up the hill took the day to relax tired muscles and minds with a trip to the famous hot springs. The water comes out of the ground at 47.3oC and is cooled to a far more respectable 40oC. They enjoyed themselves in the steaming water, looking up at the Rockies with snow falling from the heavens. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon, hey?
Most of the group spent Sunday in the hostel, chilling with each other and talking over their first week in Alberta. Some walked to town to resupply the fridge for their lunches during the week and to check out the discounts on offer in the local shops to SnowSkool students.
Click here for some photos of us out and about this past week.
And so went our first week. What a start – we have seen some celebrities as well as some very average singing from the group. Most have started to settle in to life in Canada, the Rocky Mountain weather and the challenge of becoming an instructor. It has been a mighty change from last week to this. We have had a great start to training and have seen some great potential in the group, from whom we expect big things.
Until next week....
AJ and Tom
Course Leaders - SnowSkool Banff 2012
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January 16, 2012
You say Cameron is the only Canadian eh. Check out Tarryn from Perth who is a Canadian in sheeps clothing (maybe kangaroo clothing is more appropriate
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