About us
Recreational skiers
A week in sunny Saas-Fee certainly took my skiing up a notch. Rob was superb – from his teaching techniques to his expertise in demonstrating and explaining – he has a fantastic ability to get so much out of you. A small group with so much one to one – his enthusiasm is infectious – I couldn’t help but improve under his guidance. The dry land training, far from being dry and dull, was a real eye opener and with something to take back to work on in the UK the winter season doesn’t seem so far away. For me though, the best part undoubtedly was Rob skiing right on my tails giving me continuous and immediate feedback – fantastic. In short the week was (to use Rob’s favourite word) awesome!
Teresa Langridge, Director, Hertfordshire
It is a very rare occasion that I totally enjoy events without complaint, this is one of them. My week with the Warren Smith Ski Academy especially Robs instruction was excellent and equivalent to winning the lottery.
Without doubt each and every day several light bulbs came on and were glowing bright. Without question Robs excellent instruction and personality developed and brought out huge leaps in my skiing ability. It is a rare occasion that someone can capture and hold my attention and respect as Rob achieved from day one.
It was excellent to get proactive interaction with Warren as well, and strangely for me one of the high lights was the gym session, yes a gym session (dry land training). I think and most did agree in that the gym session should be a formal scheduled part of the week.
Marcus C Stone, Bio Medical Engineer, UK
’I had a brilliant time last week in Saas-Fee. Initially I was impressed with Warren and how he personally helped sort my travel arrangements once I had missed the transfer due to my flight being diverted to another airport; thanks for your help.
In resort the week could not have gone better , the whole set up is highly professional and well organised, from the choice of hotel and its location, transfers, the off-slope activities, etc. even the weather was on our side. Apart from this, I was most impressed by the standard and continuity of instruction, the level of feedback, the accuracy of the video analysis, the instructors ability, knowledge and honesty (as Rob said ‘I don’t tell lies’) and overall enthusiasm for the sport shown by the whole team. You have probably heard this many times in the past and I am sure you will many times in the future, but you have great methods and techniques that are suitable for all levels, more importantly you have a great team with the ability to deliver.
What a great way to spend a summer holiday!! Hope to see you same time next year. Special thanks to Rob’.
Nigel Thurstans, Age 50, Water Engineer, West Midlands
’I have been skiing over 30 years and have had numerous one hour lessons. however the level of the Warren Smith Ski Academy course got right to the nub of the standard problems with skiing. A simple approach of stripping skiing back to basics and introducing new concepts gradually over the week which allows one to improve. I have never felt so in control on skis.
I was surprised on the first day how many people had done the course before but I realise that it is a credit to the instructors to give personalised feedback that is so helpful that I can understand now why people would want to return.
My Academy coach, Charlie, what a credit to the firm; such a nice personable chap and extremely diplomatic! What a great skier too – the fluid nature a pleasure to see’.
Mathew & Holly, Manchester
’The experience gained from a Warren Smith Ski Academy course is quite unique. Not only will you improve your skiing dramatically, but you will also learn to analyse your own skiing in more depth than you had previously considered. The teaching style promoted by the Warren Smith Ski Academy is highly focused and professional, yet friendly and self-affirming. The skill of the coaches is shown clearly in their ability to break down skills in numerous ways, and help individuals improve at their own pace whilst learning in a group situation. It is impossible to compare this sort of coaching to ‘ski school’ – it simply has no correlation. This is performance coaching – pure and simple, but made accessible to the likes of intermediate and expert skiers alike.
I have attended several courses, each time taking my skiing to the next level. There’s always a good crowd on the courses, whose like-minded enthusiasm for skiing is infectious, resulting in some excellent nights out. Most of all, I have felt inspired by the sort of skiing promoted by the Academy – I have learnt that I’m capable of far more than I thought possible on a pair of skis and, although I didn’t consider it when I first went on a course, have made some fantastic friends along the way’.
Sara Whalley, 35, Educational Training & Consultancy , East Sussex
’I have been fortunate enough to have attended several summer and winter camps with Warren since 2001 as well as having numerous private lessons with him. Having skied in over 40 resorts around the World I have seen the best and worst the ski teaching profession has to offer. I can honestly say without doubt Warren is the best ski coach that I have ever come across.
As well as his obvious technical ability he has a unique approach to the mental side of the sport which is so important. His ability to ‘dial’ into the psychological needs of his clients is almost uncanny. As an example I was in Verbier a couple of years ago skiing one morning and having one of those days we all have when you can’t put a turn together and lose confidence. I gave Warren a call and told him I was having a nightmare, within an hour he was up the mountain and without a word he just said ‘follow me’ as we hiked across Mont Gele and dropped into a 45 degree couloir. I didn’t even think twice about following him and we ripped it up. At the end of the run he said ‘that’s what you needed’, and he was right. Confidence well and truly restored and absolutely buzzing, job done. The bloke is an absolute legend, the best’.
Andre Austin, 38, Sales Negotiator, Guernsey
’I got so much out of skiing with Warren in Saas-Fee in July that I signed up for the GAP course the following January. Back then I was a skier firmly stuck on the intermediate plateau. Warren’s insight and encouragement revolutionised the way I ski – he and his team have got a way of making things click. I’d done years of ski lessons waiting for that ‘eureka’ moment, but I find you get one every day skiing with Warren and the Academy.
If you’re someone who looks at other skiers and thinks “I wish I could ski like that” then you should definitely book onto one of the Academy courses. I’ve found myself pretty comfortable on terrain that you’d never have got me on before. And I’ve met and skied with so many great people as a result, as the Academy positively encourages that skiing should also be a social experience’.
Ed Grimsby, Marketing Manager, London
’At 34 years old and with 20 plus years of skiing behind me I had hit a plateau, despite working hard I felt a major step forward wasn’t ever going to come, that was until I spent a week last December with Warren and the team in Verbier. The snow conditions weren’t ideal and the off piste was limited but I came away feeling I had made a major leap forward and could tackle almost anything. The real proof came a month later where I spent a week cruising through waist high powder after a well timed dump in the 3 valleys. I’ll definitely be coming back to the Academy year after year, however next time I’ll have a bunch of jealous ski buddies in tow. They have seen the results first hand and can’t wait to get into the action’.
Nicholas Tilley, 34, Project Manager, London
’I started skiing at the age of 16, and have always considered myself to be a fairly competent skier. However, I became increasingly aware that my standard of skiing had reached a plateau, and year on year there was no improvement. I had several lessons from a local ski school in Val d’Isere, which were totally useless, and a complete waste of time and money. Consequently, I tried an English organisation, which was better, but did not particularly teach anything new, and failed to inspire me.
It all changed when I signed up for the Warren Smith course at the indoor ski slope at Castleford. Within the first hour I realised that this was something completely different, and after the single session, I was skiing much more competently. I met another skier on the course (who was a much better skier than myself), and asked her how long she had been skiing. Her reply was; “only one year, but I have been on a couple of Warren Smith courses”. As I have been skiing for over twenty years, I think this speaks for itself.
I subsequently attended a one week course in Verbier, and have since not looked back. My skiing has improved to a level beyond which I ever considered possible, both on and off piste!
The instruction is second to none. All the instructors are more like friends than instructors. They have an abundance of enthusiasm, and their approach and encouragement provide the perfect atmosphere to develop the new skills.
What can I say……..very enjoyable and a great way to revolutionise your skiing!!
Craig Cook
’I have recently completed my 5th Academy week in the last 10 months which highlights exactly how addictive the Academy is! The blend of expert and motivational coaching together with the pure enjoyment of discovering new skills has resulted in me putting my name down to join Warren and the team in Japan in February 2009.
From a woman’s perspective many technical courses seem to be dominated towards strong male skiers and aspiring expert female skiers are rarely seen or talked about; this is where the Academy is different. Warren has unleashed new power and stronger steering skills within my ski technique which has allowed me to ski alongside expert guys down steep couloirs on Backside of Montfort. I have stuck rigidly to the land based training exercises over the summer and highly recommend them as it has made an incredible difference to my flexibility, core strength and speed. For those of you out there looking to be pushed beyond your comprehensible ski limit, sign up, turn up and let the Academy unleash your hidden potential to the max’.
Emily Fryer, 36, Ski Instructor, Guildford
I first went on the Warren Smith Ski Academy week in Saas-Fee in the summer of 2005, thinking that I was a pretty good skier! Imagine my surprise when I found out I wasn’t.
I’ve done five Academy courses in total (3 weeks and 2 day courses) and will be going to Saas-Fee again this Summer.
All Warren’s coaches team are knowledgeable, and really have the desire to get the most out of people (and themselves). In the time I have done on the course I have improved dramatically. I never would have been able to ski like I do now without the help of the boys.
But the best things about the course is being part of a big extended family; I’ve made so many friends and it’s always a buzz when Academy time comes around. In one word WICKED!
Andy Wallace, 34, Shift Manager, Coventry
’For me, the benefits of skiing with Warren and his Academy have been the personal attention to my abilities and limitations, pushing me to try harder and get better and more confident in myself without pushing me too far. I guess the level of trust that has been built is very important: I trust him and the staff implicitly – as does my son, who thinks Wozza is just brill!!’
Marj & Jamie Crocket
’I have skied with Warren on several occasions, both in Verbier and Saas-Fee. Like so many people, during my 1st couple of weeks skiing I attended lessons with a regular ski school and then thought I could ski. It was not until I visited Verbier for the 1st time that I realised that I needed to develop further in order to ski the whole mountain. Whilst in ‘Pub Mont Fort’ somebody kindly suggested that I arrange lessons with Warren. The following year I booked another trip to Verbier and arranged to attend one of Warren’s ‘All Mountain’ weeks. It was probably the hardest weeks skiing I had ever done. However, it was also one of the most enjoyable weeks. My skiing ability leapt forwarded, whilst also giving me the confidence to ski places I never thought I would be able to. At the end of the week Warren advised me to go away for a couple of years and just ski. So I did.
After a couple of years I returned to Verbier to ski with Warren. The Ski Academy had developed; he now had Melody working with him doing some filming. The use of video analysis was of immense benefit. The ability to see yourself skiing whilst also having Warren giving constructive feedback enabled me to get the correct picture in my mind of what I needed to correct and how to do it.
I enjoyed myself so much on that 2nd week that I immediately booked to go to Saas-Fee that summer. Yes, summer skiing. You ski from 08.30 till 13.30 and then the afternoon is yours unless Warren has organised a group activity. Great for developing your on slope technique and your dry-land preparation.
Skiing with Warren has enabled me to develop my technique and given me the confidence to ski the whole mountain. Thank you Warren’
Alun Hughes, Age 45, School Teacher, Middlesbrough
’Just wanted to say many thanks for an enjoyable and educational course which really made me think about the way I ski and question some of my long held and taught ski technique. In particular I would like to pass on my thanks and praise to Academy Ski Coach Tom (Scouse) who not only has a gift for teaching but inspired with his enthusiasm and was able to give excellent feedback and explain in detail via the video analysis exactly where we were going right and wrong. On top of that he was also great fun to ski with ! Well done Tom and sorry I was not able to join in for the last night farewell drink and celebration’.
Philip Hastie, Age 51, Telecoms Analyst, Guildford
’I can’t thank the Warren Smith Ski Academy team enough for what they have taught me in January past and Jan 2007/2006. The Academy has provided me with the tools to ski far beyond the normal piste and has raised my skill level above the intermediate plateau that I have been stuck on for years. It has also allowed me to realise one of my goals, that is to ski off piste under control down the fall line. I can safely say that it has been an experience – often challenging (Tortin, Mont Fort, Mont Gele and Highway) and way outside my comfort zone and I wouldn’t change any of it. I will always remember their words to me on my first trip into Tortin (you can f**k** do this). I think that was all the encouragement I needed and it has stuck with me ever since.
Thanks to Warren and to the others in the team especially Phil, Rob and Scouse Tom for their encouragement and feedback, it has been invaluable’.
Dan Kennedy, Age 52, Civil Servant, Carrickgergus, Northern Ireland
’As a certified ski instructor, I read almost every ski book out there and I have to say that “Go Ski’ by Warren Smith is the best ski book I ever come across. The reason I say this is because 1) It is one of very few ski instructional texts that teaches modern ski technique – this is technique that fully utilizes the latest in ski equipment technology 2) It is very well-written and concise. Concise being really key if you have a short attention span like I do. Don’t be fooled though. Every word in this book is not wasted and if you miss just one word in this book, you probably something really important. 3) It has full-color pictures. This may not sound important, but it is when you’re learning a highly technical sport like skiing. Granted there are other great ski books out there, but they have b/w pictures (The Skier’s Edge) or b/w illustrations (The All-Mountain Skier)! 4) It comes with a 30-minute DVD! This may sound like a gimmick, but wow, for something like skiing, it does wonders! You can learn just by watching the DVD and not read the book at all (for people with shorter attention spans) Although 30-minutes may not sound long – it is so well done, and instruction-packed, you will need to re-watch it, rewind, slo-mo just to get everything in your head. If you see this book in your bookstore, you might not pick it up since it is very small, like a children’s book. And the title “Go Ski” does not do it any justice at all. How can that title compare with “The Skier’s Edge” or “Breakthrough on Skis” – all really good books as well. But believe me, “Go Ski” is the best book if you are a beginner and want to learn, or if you are intermediate or even if you are advanced like myself. I simply read the last 1/3 of the book and even reading the beginning 2/3, I’ve learned something new.
Das, Brooklyn, New York, USA
’I’m a cross country ski instructor in the U.S. U.S. ski instructors belong to a national organization called the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA for short). Every four years, PSIA has a national tryout for their national team of instructors. These teams represent the best teachers and instructors in the country. There are four teams: Alpine, Nordic, Snowboard and Adaptive.
Since I’m a cross country guy, I tried-out for the Nordic team, which also includes telemark skiing. Tele skiing is by far the weakest element of my skiing, but it’s a large component of the Nordic tryout process. I saw several video clips on Warren’s website for alpine skiing. Tele and alpine, with the advent of shaped tele skis and plastic boots, share a lot of similarities.
Despite the horrible exchange rate right now, I “threw down” and purchased all four DVDs. I watched them religiously all the way through the tryouts. The technique, drills and teaching were superb, and helped in a large way to improve my technical understanding and skiing abilities.
The tryouts were a five day job interview at Mammoth Mountain in California, USA. At the end of five days, they announced the team. Due in some part to Warren’s videos, I made the PSIA National Nordic Team! Thanks so much for helping me chase down my dream’.
Alpine and Nords unite!’
David Lawrence, Owner, Pangaea River Rafting, Montana, USA
In 2 afternoons at Milton Keynes, Academy coach Tom Goldney has reinspired me and given me the confidence to leave the pistes behind again! Now dreaming of powder and steeps! Commitments prevent Japan this season but hopefully I will come to Verbier! I really valued Tom’s instruction and will be booking again with you soon.
Heather Bruce
Can just one day on a short slope make a difference? You bet….. I’ve just spent one day at the indoor slope at Hemel Hempstead and had a great time. Using both slow and fast speeds we built on existing skills, learnt new ones and took some techniques away to work on for the future. Can’t wait for the winter season to begin now. Thank you Jordan – money well spent!
Teresa Langridge, Director, Hertfordshire
