Peace of mind
Peakleaders are proud to be full members of The Year Out Group. It is a not-for-profit umbrella organisation which gives the most comprehensive reassurance available when choosing an instructor course. This combined with our quality of product makes Peakleaders the best instructor training company bar none. As members of YOG we must adhere to
- The YOG code of practice and terms and conditions
- The YOG charter, signed up to each year
- Providing annual accounts
- Having a crisis and risk policy in place, together with trained staff
- Having public liability insurance of £2million
This gives you the re-assurance and support that may be essential and will provide help and assistance if required. It also ensures that the cost of your trip is completely covered if anything were to go wrong. No other organisation outside of YOG can give this type of guarantee.
Quality of Product
Our course offers the best overall package out of any others in the Canadian Rockies. We have been running courses in the Rockies for the last 8 years and have a fantastic relationship with the teams in Banff and at Sunshine. Peak leaders and the Sunshine Village ski and snowboard school have a mutual respect for each other meaning that only the highest qualified and experienced coaches train you for your exams. Please note that you are not guaranteed this with other companies, with many using instructors that have low level qualifications meaning they can pay them less and increase their profit margin. Because of our unique arrangement, we can guarantee small groups that give you as much attention as you need. In 2008 we had 12 instructors working with the team! We are also the only course to offer the ILM certificate – a management certificate which runs alongside with and overlaps with much of your instructor training. This gives you an extra qualification to put on your CV at the end of the season.
Location
Banff not only offers incredible skiing and riding but fun après as well! Many other companies run in smaller, less well know resorts as their costs are lower and they can make more money - often this means living in a small resort with few amenities and things to do off the mountain. Don't be bored in a resort in the middle of no where! Resorts like these have one or two bars and not very much going on. In Banff we go night skiing / riding at Norquay, go to Lake Louise, visit hot springs, go to see Calgary Flames ice hockey team in action, as well as go out to many of the many bars with club nights, live bands, and general team beers and partying (with Mel's being a favourite last year.) More on Banff
Value for money
We clearly outline what is and is not included in the costs, meaning that there are no hidden extras once you get to the resort. You will get a discount of around 20% of normal food and beverage prices up the mountain. Extras to consider in the resort are lunch, extra trips and beer money. In Banff you can expect to pay around $8 for lunch and a hot drink up the mountain with drinks in bars costing the same as the UK. We have negotiated a discount deal with one of the shops in Banff and will make sure that the team get the best deals on eating and going out in Banff.
Irwin's Mountain Inn
Beware of courses that operate from hostel – style, cramped accommodation. We chose to use Irwin's after the director's, David and Annie went on holiday there. They loved it so much they decided to use it for the Peaks team. At Irwins you have spacious twin rooms with big beds, wireless internet, a gym, hot tub, helpful staff and good cleaning staff, meaning that it will really feel like home. More on Irwins
Mentor available 24/7
Our course leader, Ed Cornfield has BA (Hons) Adventure Tourism Management - An Adventure Guide and Leadership Coach with over 15 years as an outdoor professional. Expeditions have taken him from 1st descents at 5000m in Tibet and to the deep canyons of the Zambezi in Africa. On top of that, Ed is an excellent leader, great freeride skier and general all round good guy. He lives in the hotel with the group and is available 24/7 should you need him. Check out our course diary from the 2008 season.
BANFF COURSE DIARY 2008 |
