team snowskool
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Office Staff
The Backcountry Tourerphil purdie left the city and the world of investment banking to set up snowskool in 2003 with a small loan from the old man, jj purdie, who is now the company secretary. after a decade of snowboarding (including two research seasons in canada) phil switched back to skis and loves the freedom and speed it offers. a good ole-fashioned ski fanatic, phil now has seven seasons experience in canada, europe and new zealand, and has skied (or snowboarded) well over fifty resorts throughout the world in places as diverse as japan and south africa. phil’s current favourity pursuits are growing a beard and getting out into the canadian wilderness with his touring bindings, avalanche beacon and a shotgun to ward off bears and wolves!
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The Park Ratformer paratrooper adrian “dunk” gourlay is to snowskool what the stig is to top gear ... a living legend whose true persona is known only to 2 or 3 people worldwide. it is rumoured that even his own mother has only managed to narrow down his identity to one of six people. some say he was born wearing a beanie and goggles with a bandana covering his face. whatever the case, dunk is an awesome rider ... so much so that snowskool now sponsors him to appear in rail jams and freestyle comps in the uk and in resort. going to press, he has now racked up five seasons in canada and two in new zealand. that said, it is rumoured that dunk has never actually ridden a piste as he is said to get from the bottom of the chairlift to the top of the park through a process of teleportation. snowskool can neither confirm nor deny this.
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Aussie Aussie Aussie ... Oi! Oi! Oi!Marion may not have graduated from SnowSkool herself but she is the mother of a graduate from the 2007 programme in Banff - and she was so impressed, she joined the company! A good technical skier, Marion is always the last one down the hill to ensure she keeps the number of knee reconstructions at just the two. Marion has been skiing forever and can boast of having skied 48 resorts across five continents. Her aim is to ski a resort starting with every letter of the alphabet - she’s still missing ones starting with I, N, Q, U, X and Y. With a long career in advertising and marketing, organiser extraordinaire and travel devotee, Marion is SnowSkool’s rep in Oz.
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The Businessman“big” steve purdie was drafted into the snowskool fray after ten years of working as a management consultant in london and picking up an mba from cambridge university. suffice it to say, steve is brainy. his role revolves around ensuring the business finances are all in order and everything behind-the-scenes is ticking over as expected. steve has a hand in every single thing that snowskool sticks its nose into. although a half-decent skier, steve prefers spreadsheets to park skis and accounting to backcountry shredding (thankfully for us!) and was recently banished to the store cupboard for two days “thinking time” for suggesting that there is nothing wrong with snowblades.
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The New BoyAfter qualifying as a level 2 Ski Instructor on the 2009 New Zealand course Adam, or ‘Aj’ as he is better known, spent a few seasons repping the New Zealand and Banff courses before being “promoted” to the office. Aj is an excellent all round skier and rumour has it that he has just bought a snowboard, he has been warned to stay out of the park as he has a history of injury but that’s not to say that he’ll listen. His main roles are keeping in contact with new students, updating the website and making tea for everyone else.
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Reps
our new zealand 2012 repAmelia is a graduate of the New Zealand 2011 programme. Her technical skiing is second to none and she lives for having a great time whether on the hill or off it. Her season in New Zealand last year as a student left her wanting more so this year she’s back in her favourite place on Earth, Wanaka!
our big white 2012 repGeorge is our Big White Rep (that’s not us saying he’s Big and White). A really nice guy who is loved by all. George shreds the hill on his board by day and keeps everyone entertained by night, so if you’re off to Biggy there is no one better to have around!
our banff 2012 repTom is a graduate of the Big White course and after a few season instructing at Big White and Park City he came back to SnowSkool to Rep the Banff course in 2012. Tom is a great technical skier and spends his time in the tree runs or on his telemark skis.
Our Banff 2011 Repjordi bartlett. banff 2008, banff 2010 and banff 2011. probably the best-looking man (his words) and the best skier (his words) ... oh and best photographer (his words)
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Instructors
Richie johnston - treble cone, New ZealandRichie Johnston is an incredible snowboarder. He likes to keep the lessons fun for everyone with his freestyle focused style and park abilities. Richie is also a 3 times winner of the British Colombia Provincial Boarder Cross, so you can be sure you’re in good hands.
brooke lester - treble cone, new zealandBrooke has a style of his own and has instruted all over the World. His amazing park riding abilities and great attitude make him a great trainer whether you’re on the piste or in the park.
Doug Beech - Treble Cone, New ZealandAnother Kiwi, Beech, as he is better known, has a patient and calm manner. He always wants the best for his students and gives them the best training to reach their full potential. When he’s not on his skis he loves nothing more than a spot of fishing.
Dean Hunter - Treble Cone, New ZealandHailing from New Zealand Dean has been an NZSIA examiner since 1994 and is arguably the best skier you’ll find on the hill. His technical ability and experience make him a force to be reckoned with on the mountain. Dean is a nice guy who loves Skiing, Rugby, Skiing, Golf, Skiing and a drink or two, oh and Skiing!
