Ski Instructor Course Update
Latest update from our ISIA Ski Instructor Course team member Katherine Dunn.
Kat, along with the other components of the ISIA Training team, had a quite a busy couple of months, between February and March. Enjoy the read!
The ISIA Ski Instructor Course from a team member’s view!
We returned from Engelberg, with a 100% pass rate on the Mountain Safety exam, in need of some well-earned rest, but all happy at the new experiences and challenges we overcame during the course.
The ISIA Team on a tour day in Engelberg
The working weeks in Zermatt.
Headed straight back into February peak weeks, we rested up and all had busy weeks of teaching. Zermatt was bustling, with a huge mix of people from all over the world.
Good amounts of snowfall and bluebird days were mixed in for good measure.
The temperatures were low at the start of the week, adding the challenge of keeping clients warm whilst engaged and learning, especially for those of us who were teaching children.
The Matterhorn!
And some fun too!
We finished off these busy teaching weeks the best way possible… a team sledging evening. With the ski school crew, we gathered in town after work to carefully selected our sledge. We headed up the mountain on the last train to Sunnegga. Then and there the competition kicked in and as we let loose, sliding down the mountain with questionable control and technique, but unquestionable style. We stopped at Restaurant Reid for a delicious meal, with lots of catching up and of course a little wine.
We descended down the last section of the mountain with just the light of the moon for help.
Team Sledge
It’s training time! – with a trip-
The good times continued as we started the next block of training. This time working towards the upcoming Tech and Teach exams. The focus was high, with skills to solidify before the exams.
We took a road trip over to Verbier to scope out the possible terrain to be used for the Technical exam. Due to the unexpected amounts of fresh snow, we spent quite a lot of time in the un-groomed bumps fields… quote team member Matt Grundy ‘This is just too much fun!”.
We also practised the plough, plough parallel and parallel technical progression on the gentler blue terrain (“sorry guys” – note of the coach). After lunch the cloud lifted and we got a glimpse of the amazing panoramic views Verbier has to offer.
Verbier delivering again
Last surprise at the Ski Instructor Course
After the busy week of training, we were treated to another team day out. This time, only given a meeting time and place with no hint of what was to come. We drove down the valley and ended up in snowy Crans-Montana, which at the time was hosting the Ladies FIS Alpine World Cup.
However skiing was not on the agenda, we were to be introduced into the sport of Mushing. For most, this is known as dog sledging. We were given a tutorial on how to drive the sledge, the main skill focus being stopping, then we were left in the hands of an eager pack of Siberian Huskies. We all got our fill of excitement and of course cuddles (regrettably after learning they do not wash the dogs for the whole winter…). Nevertheless, we returned home happy and content that only one of us tipped the sledge.
Mushing time!
We wish the ISIA team the best of luck in their exams and hope they all get the outcome they deserve!
Katherine Dunn
Our Kat above the clouds
Stay tuned for more updates from the coaching team and the trainees team!
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For more info on our training programmes follow the link here!