Friday, December 30, 2011

Salmo Ski Instructors


A very successful CSIA Level One Course for Salmo Ski Hill.  Top Photo is Linsey Grey in fine form.  Group photo Newly certified Ski Pros: L-R Kelly Humphreys, Levi Smith, Steve Ramsbottom, Levi Huser, Mark Impey, Linsey Grey, Kimberley Pegg, and Darya Huser.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Situational Teaching

The conditions at Ski Salmo today were probably the most challenging I have ever had to deal with on a CSIA course.  The new snow we had on Day One melted slightly yesterday and then froze solid last night.  Because it was so warm the groomer could not get out, so today we had snow that was once wet and tracked up freeze solid, tracks and all.

We made the most of it, and worked out how we would teach in a situation like this.  There were quite a few actual beginers skiing, we got in there and offered our instructional help.  It is a new concept I have come up with: "Reality CSIA Course Conducting".

The good news is that it is dumping snow right now, heavily.  I am guessing there is 20 cm on the ground, it started about three hours ago and it is still going strong.  It should be a great Red Mountain and Salmo ski day tomorrow.



Wednesday, December 28, 2011

CSIA Level 1 at Salmo Ski Hill


Today was Day two of the level one course I am running at Salmo Ski Hill. We had quite a bit of new snow, unfortunately most of it fell at a temperature of about plus 2 C.  The snow was very heavy, conditions were challenging.  However my group made the most of it, I heard a lot of comments but not a single complaint.

At least it is setting us up with a good base.
Photos are of Steve Ramsbottom from Nelson, and Gayle Bourke-Shepherd from Australia embracing the Level One challenge.


 


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Salmo Ski Hill

I am running a Level One Instructors course at Salmo Ski Hill this week.  Salmo is a one Tbar hill, it has a small day-lodge, about 10 runs and it is such a peaceful place to ski.  The place always surprises people in a positive way, the runs are long, staff are great, and the snow today was superb.  It was the first day I used my new 2012 Fischer RC4's (not a scratch on them).  The sense of pride of a club having its own hill is something that corporate mountains can not replicate (not in my experience anyway).

Friday, December 23, 2011

Girls Day at Red Mountain

I skied today with my daughter Isabelle and her friend Charlotte.

The snow that we have is good, we just need more of it. We skied Paradise most of the day. Ruby Tuesday is turning into a bump run, good bumps. The girls ripped it up.



Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Red Mountain Crowd Control




Red Mountain is back to its normal crowd problems, there are none!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Red Mountain Day 2

Beer Belly was open today, and great. Day two of operation and conditions were better than day 1. It seems the runs are improving as they are being skied. Still early conditions though, I could have used my new skis today as I did not hit anything, but we still need another dump or two for me to be at full confidence.

This video clip is Jay Maloney showing that he can spin off pretty much anything.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Red Mountain Opening Day


A great start to the Red Mountain 2012 season. Conditions were quite a bit better than I expected them to be. Still definitely early season but I had a great day with the Freeski Academy athletes and with Isabelle and Simon in the afternoon.

Isabelle and Simon had a big day, skiing Silverlode all morning on their own and then with me on Paradise all afternoon.

Top photo is of the Hillis family once again securing first chair of the season. Bottom photo is of two satisfied Red Mountain customers.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Red Mountain promo

Click the link below for Red Mountains latest promo video.


http://youtu.be/WozPQcSVSPI