Zermatt 07 Course Diary...

Week 4 - Instructor Shadowing and Back Country Awareness

One of our main objectives for the next few weeks is to get 70 hours of instructor shadowing under our belts in order to attain our BASI qualifications. We focused on this with the Swiss Ski & Snowboard School Monday through Wednesday in our allocated classes which consisted mostly of fearless kids, game for anything. From checking their kit is on properly to taking care of their lunches to making sure each child is wearing their armbands, not to mention a constant headcount, we all had our hands full. Classes were always fun packed, with ‘Elephant Washing’ warm ups, ‘Shooting Hoops’ and ‘Hanging The Laundry’ exercises, and of course every kid’s favourite activity – jumps.

The latter part of the week consisted of our Back Country Awareness module which we spent with our three mountain guides Gianni, Urs and Michael, and the Ski Patrol team. The mountain guides taught us all about Avalanche risks and had us hunting down buried transceivers in 3 minute windows. Once they were located, the next step was to probe and shovel out your ‘victim’ (or transceiver in our case). We enjoyed the shoveling so much they decided to let us shovel out a Snow Hole shelter on our off-piste ski safari day over to Cervinia and the motorway pistes of Italy. Not content with injuring himself solely while boarding, Jon decided to inflict a bump on his forehead with the handle of the shovel in the process.

Our last day with the mountain guides introduced us to the job of the Ski Patrol. Yue Zhen played dead in the blood wagon while Viktor explained the equipment and demonstrated the emergency procedures/first aid treatment. As an added bonus, we also got to clamber into the Piste Basher that was parked in the garage! The afternoon took us off-piste once again and onto the glacier where we were told we would ski as close to a crevasse as possible (as you do!). Stephie bravely strapped on the harness and got lowered down into the crevasse while the rest of us had a tea-break up top and contemplated whether we would rescue her.

Between all the shadowing and avalanche training we still managed to muster up the energy for some evening activities. At the ski tuning clinic we got a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on when you hand over your skis or board for servicing. The week also saw a couple of birthday celebrations: Mike-The-Duelling-Aussie’s 21st and also the D.O.B’s 22nd. In honour of his flatmate’s birthday, Martin wanted to look even more stylish than usual and decided to don his kilt. Now, I bet you’re all wondering if he was a true Scotsman underneath? Hmm, best to check with the Zermatt police on that one maybe.

Yue Zhen Ho & Jennifer Chambers

Week 6 – Shadowing / Instruction / Helisking

For the third week in a row our first three days consisted of shadowing instructors.  In addition to following children’s group we were given the opportunity to shadow adults which Yue Zhen, Max and Jenny took full advantage of and got a free lunch out of it!  Another highlight of shadowing was Martin dressing up as the Snowlie Bunny which also led to him getting a red ski school jacket for 3 days and taking his own group. 

The highlight of the week was definitely helisking which Bobbie, Max, Martin, Olivia, Araminta and Stephanie were lucky enough to experience.  The helicopter journey was amazing, however it was not enjoyed by Max who had to hold onto Dario the whole way.  The scenery was outstanding, especially when we were being lowered down a couloir, not a good time to be wearing new skis. 

Even during this busy week, everyone was out in force for Stephie’s birthday, unfortunately she did not make it pass midnight.  Another great night was the playboy night, Martin once again sported his kilt and Dave looked very Hugh Hefner with a leopard print scarf.  Most of the attention was on the girls with whipped cream and strawberries in a bed on stage.

To end the week was TJ’s birthday, on which we were treated to a speech on TJ’s life by Dan.  A certain BMX accident would be remembered by all, ask TJ for more information.  Oh, and just one last thing, Simon in an attempt to die his hair blond is now ginger.

Bobbie Folan & Simon Forsyth

Wednesday 28th February 2007

Last night was the annual seasonaires race from the North Wall bar in town to the Hennu Stall on the slopes. Both are favourite drinking haunts of Peakleaders and other seasoniares. The distance is over a mile and all uphill on snow and ice. Martin, Tom and Max took part alongside a number of other workers from the resort. The race started at midnight and the previous record was 12 mins.

Martin came in first with a great time of 8.50mins followed about 40 seconds later by Tom - both smashing the previous best effort. Both were exhausted but after a beer and a few shots were on the dance floor with everyone else. Martin won a 100CHF meal voucher at a local restaurant as well as a cap and t-shirt. Tom got some beer vouchers and a cap too. The rest of the night was spent dancing to a great live band before the long walk down the hill in the early morning. A great effort by all who took part but especially well done to the Peak Leaders guys for destroying the record! Maybe they'll be back next year to defend the title - next time as instructors!

Week 7 – Powder!

I think it would be fair to say that this week was definitely one to go down in the history books. We’ve finally been given the snowfall a lot of us have been hoping for. Although low visibility was a factor, the Zermatt crew has managed to suffer through the past few powder days. Challenging our “variable terrain” skills in heavy snow and fresh powder was a definite highlight for me.

Hunting for fresh powder was no hard task, the boarders and skiers alike were truly spoilt this week. Learning to effectively teach a proper lesson in weather like this was quite a chore but also enjoyable. Ultimately this week has been challenging, exciting and amazing for any of us closet powder pigs - it was awesome!

Travis Higgerty

Week 8

We have just completed our last week before the serious business of a 10 day final assessment to become BASI Instructors gets underway and, despite considerable dedication to the cause, it was hard not to feel pretty anxious and under prepared. However, on Sunday we met the three BASI examiners who hold our snow sport aspirations in the palm of their hands and they are reassuringly normal - no big sticks to beat us with and no extra eyes in the backs of their heads to spot silly mistakes although they'd probably have us believe otherwise. After hearing several unfounded myths about BASI examiners, the reality has established a positive atmosphere and growing optimism in the group.

For most of us the week started with completion of the 70 hours of Ski School shadowing required to receive our Instructor license as soon as we (hopefully) pass. It's surprising how the odd 'rest' day here and there has, in some cases, resulted in an unwelcome deficit of these hours - especially when the hope was to use Monday to Wednesday to get stuck into the BASI manuals, polish our riding skills and gradually wean ourselves off the booze before the grueling assessment ahead.

Week 8...(cont.)

The on-slope highlight of the week had to be Wednesday. Everyone in the village woke up to see nothing but fog and drizzle outside their windows and most decided to stay in bed. As I always say "If this fog would clear it wouldn't be mist (missed)" and those clever enough to venture up the mountain found themselves rising above the bad weather to find an untouched paradise of sunshine and deep, deep powder.  Brendan's group (plus one imposter) had changed their tuition day from Sunday to Wednesday and he took his group around the mountains on an amazing fresh tracks safari! - the best day of the season according to many locals.

The rest of the week was spent with our Swiss School instructors ironing out any last minute issues with technique and teaching - also the 'boarders where given some extra curricular instruction in the small free-style park which has appeared at Blauherd.

In the ski group final preparations were also underway. Brendan encouraging his guys to "ski hard and not take any s@&*"! Dario fine tuned his group and Stephi and Olivia held the last "fake" lesson. There seemed to be something lost in translation when Stephi highlighted to the group the benefits of parallel turning, "if you ski faster, it's easier to stop"... It kept Dario amused for some time! Then in the evening his group headed up the slopes to his idyllic mountain retreat for fondue, poker (and whiskey) and a death defying decent back to the village in pitch darkness! 

Everyone agrees they've improved dramatically since the start of the course, both in our riding/skiing and, of course, with our teaching; now there is just the small matter of the BASI assessment to get through!

Andy, Pete, Dave & Martin

Week 9

Traumatically, for the first week since our arrival in Zermatt we were not able to visit the Hennustall on a daily basis due to the rather daunting prospect of EXAM WEEK.  We therefore had to amuse ourselves by other means which took the form of real life cluedo.  Having all written on separate pieces of paper our own names, any feasible location and also a murder weapon, we then randomly picked three pieces of paper and the week long game commenced.  Murders took places in the local supermarket with items of underwear and Steffi came to an untimely end standing on the bar with an empty bottle of Jaegermeister.  Martin was the eventual winner having performed his homicides with subtlety and skill, he ended the game by taking Olivia out on the bus with a pair of fluorescent braces.

Our penultimate week was marked by snow plough and stunning weather.  The latter making the former infinitely more bearable and to our pleasure the urban myths regarding our BASI examiner turned out to be entirely unfounded, the ice maiden proving to be great fun.  

As Friday and the last day of our course finished, the Hennustall was once again paid a long overdue visit.  Multiple shots of caramel vodka’s and Jaeger bomb’s seemed child’s play in comparison to Sally’s cameo on the stage in a life size chicken suit with Nick looking proudly on taking photographs for posterity.  The evening continued with Bobby making an untimely visit to the river but happily Jenny came to the rescue nursing him back to health…

Despite these minor indiscrepancy's the whole week was typified by hard work, revision and, of course, the perpetual practice of snow plough.

Olivia, Stephie, Jenny and Araminta

Final Week

After a good weekend off from BASI and some free skiing/riding to work on points from the trainers last week it was straight back into the last 5 days of Instructor Training.

The focus this week was teaching across the board. The group were given lessons to prepare and then deliver to each other. Typically the weather took a turn for the worse, a few centimetres of snow here and there meant that conditions were good but the temperature was really low – perfect timing for standing around teaching beginner lessons!

The feedback throughout the week was positive and the group really got stuck in – I think the takings in the Hennu Stall and Papperrla Pub will have seen a noticeable drop as everyone was either too tired to go out or too busy getting their lessons ready for the next day.

Andy from the office was out visiting and made a good impression on Steve’s ski group by falling over in front of everyone. Paul was also out visiting with his wife George so a good Peak Leaders presence in resort for the last few days.

The BASI trainers have been excellent – a big thank you to Helen, Steve, and Rob for all their hard work getting the skiers and boarders through what is a very intensive week on and off the mountain.

The final evening in the Sonnenblick saw a record turnout and we all enjoyed a meal of spare ribs followed by the favourite Apple Strudel! Thanks to Astird, George, Marianne, Celine and of course Manuel for looking after us so well over the last 10 weeks.

The final day on the mountain saw some credible performances from all skiers and boarders resulting in a 100% pass rate for all peak leaders here in Zermatt. This is testament to the hard work and commitment from all throughout the last 10 weeks but especially over the last 10 gruelling days of Instructor Training. Well done everyone – you all thoroughly deserve your instructor certificates!

Tonight will see the final group party in the Pipe where we have a spread of “Fusion” food laid on to fill stomachs before what I imagine will be a great night out in town!

The last 10 weeks have flown past. Everyone has improved in their skiing and riding skills and had an average of 6/7 days per week on the mountain. Despite the rigours of the program all have managed to have numerous evenings out and will return home with a new group of friends for life. For our first year in Zermatt it has been a great course. Thank you to everyone here who has made us feel welcome, Susi, Cybil, Ralph, Brendon, Patrick, Dario, Rui, George, and Astrid to name but a few.

Good luck to everyone in whatever they do next be it working for the Swiss Ski School here in Zermatt (Martin, Bobby, Yue Zhen, and Jenny) or heading to New Zealand to try their new instructor qualifications out there. I have had a great time and hope to see you all again soon. Best of Luck.

Nick Griffiths