Yasmin and Emma discussing!

After two weeks working hard on the fabled slopes of Verbier, the trainees are already embarking on their BASI Level 1 assessment. This is the first chance the trainees have had to spend time working with BASI Trainers: incredibly experienced snow sports professionals who set the highest standards who will return to assess the trainees at key points throughout their instructing career. We took this opportunity to catch up with trainee Yasmin from Scotland who reflected on her Peak Leaders experience to date.

‘So Yasmin, what was your ski experience before coming to Verbier?’

‘Before joining Peak Leaders I’d skied a lot with my family and had done some race training with my school, but I’ve now realised that I hadn’t really focused on performance and technique before. I have also taught some sports like tennis and athletics before and I think this has helped me remember the principle of keeping in simple when it comes to instructing! And with skiing it’s nice to be teaching something I really enjoy’.

‘How did you hear about Peak Leaders, and what’s your motivation for signing up to the Verbier ski instructor course?’

‘A friend recommended the Peak Leaders course and I was impressed with what I read on-line. I really hope to get an instructing job for the remainder of the season after the course finishes and would like to aim for my BASI Level 3 next season.’

‘Can you sum up the first two weeks?’

‘It’s been very intense! My skiing been throughly deconstructed, but I’ve absolutely loved it. The instructors have told me things I’ve never even thought of before and over the last few days I’m really starting to see improved changes in my skiing. However, I’m still working on widening my stance and skiing a bit more aggressively: a little less ’80s style!’

‘Do you have a single best moment from the course so far?’

‘Last week our instructor Emma Cairns watched me ski a run and explained how I needed to rotate my skis without rotating my hips: suddenly it just clicked and I noticed a big change in my skiing’.

‘You’ve just completed a long first day of your BASI 1 week. How’s it been?’

‘It’s been fun, more relaxed, and feels less like an exam than I expected.’

‘We’ve heard rumours it’s possible to have a decent night out in Verbier. Have you had a chance it explore away from the slopes?’

‘We have been out a few times, and love the famous Pub Mont Fort. However, I’m waiting until after BASI 1 for any further antics!’

Thank you Yasmin! And best of luck on your first assessment week.