Instructor Training
Saas-Fee – Summer 2012
GAP Year Ski Instructor Summer Course Dates
From 7th July – 8th September 2012
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About the GAP Year Ski Instructor Course
The Academy is famous for its level of experience at training ski instructors and performance skiing athletes. Over the past 10 years, more than 500 ski instructors have benefited from coaching at the Academy. The GAP Ski Instructor course is run in association with BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) and consists of nine weeks residence in the prestigious resort of Saas-Fee, Switzerland. It takes successful students up to BASI Level 2 (Formally known as BASI 3) ski instructor level is designed to develop the following aspects of the students skiing skills:
• Personal Development for Performance Carving, Moguls, Steeps, Freeride,
• Powder, Freestyle with the Warren Smith Ski Academy Team
• Preparation for BASI Level 1 Ski Instructor Course
• Understanding and effective use of the BASI Central Theme
• BASI Level 1 Instructor Course – 5 Days
• BASP 2 Day First Aid Course
• Avalanche and Mountain Awareness Courses
• Ski Maintenance Training
• Sport Psychology and Science
• Ski Biomechanics and its importance with Ski Instruction
• Professional Video Filming and Analysis
• Core and Ski Specific Physical Training
• Shadowing with Ski Schools and Hands on Ski School Experience
• BASI Level 2 Ski Instructor Course – 10 Days
About the Ski Instructor Qualification
The qualification for the course is part of the BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) ski instructor sylabis. BASI is the national governing body for ski instructing in the UK. BASI is a member of the ISIA (International Ski Instructors Association) and Eurogroup.
The BASI Level 2 qualification (formally BASI 3) will enable you to work in most ski schools in Europe. All ski schools in Saas-Fee and Verbier accept the BASI Level 2 qualification for full or part time employment opportunities. To obtain the BASI level 2 qualification as part of the GAP program you will complete a 5 day BASI Level 1 Ski Instructor Course (week 2 of the program) and a 10 day BASI Level 2 Ski Instructor Course (week 8 and 9).
A Typical week
During the course of a typical week, you will participate in several daily activities from aspects of athletic skiing to video analysis and learning progressions of teaching.
- On Snow
Coaching will run from Sunday to Friday each week with the Wednesday as a day off to practice what you’ve learned. It will start early morning and finish early afternoon. Meeting place for the coaching sessions will be outside the Hotel du Glacier. After two or three warm up runs we will work through an aerobic warm up routine that will last for about 15 minutes, developing flexibility in your muscles. During the day coaching will develop your personal skiing level and focus on Carving, Steeps, Moguls, Freeskiing/All Terrain skiing and Freestyle. Skiers will normally work in small groups relevant to your skiing level.
The coaching will pick up in and identify your weaker turning direction. Nearly all skiers have a weaker turn direction, and with the Academy Biomechanics Assessment this will be identified, worked on and corrected. It is also treated as an educational insight into teaching your first clients and how to look for weaknesses and check out Left/Right side body differences.
There will be a short lunch on the mountain. After lunch, coaching will be developed further and drills that were worked on in the morning will be put into practice on specific terrain. Coaching will finish early afternoon. At this time you can head down and rest or take advantage of the numerous summer activities in resort. Lifts in Saas-Fee are open from 7am to 1.30pm early summer and then 7.30am to 2pm late summer.
Video analysis will take place on a weekly basis. This footage will be analysed later that evening at the hotel. A full analysis will take place on your skiing and any biomechanical issues you have with your skiing will be visually explained giving you a specific pathway to change.
- Off Snow
There is much for you to do after skiing. The first thing will be to run yourself through a warm down and stretch routine. After that you should (strongly recommended) make notes from the days skiing on the personal feedback you received and teaching progressions worked on. After you have completed this, you are free to do what you please. In Saas-Fee you have so many opportunities for sporting activity including Golf, Tennis, Mountain Bike, Climbing, Football, Basketball and much more. See www.saas-fee.ch for full listing.
The Accomodation
There are 2 accommodation options for the nine weeks, the first being the 4 Star rated Hotel du Glacier spa hotel, a hotel that the Academy GAP course has been working with for the last 4 years in Saas-Fee.
The second is the 3 Star rated hotel Popcorn based in the centre of town, walking distance from the Hotel du Glacier. Breakfast, evening meals and video analysis sessions will take place in the du Glacier for the GAP students.
4* Du Glacier Hotel
Hotel du Glacier is located in the centre of Saas-Fee, 3 minutes walk from the lift station and is next to Migros and Co-op super market. The hotel has a 4 Star rating and has a spa with 2 saunas, 3 jacuzzis and a steam room, ideal for relaxing after skiing and keeping your body in shape for the duration of the program. Please not that the spa is included in your price and free for the duration of the program.
The use of the W-LAN connection @ the Ice-Bar, @ the Café Mondial or on the sunny terrace with the personal laptop is included in the price for the duration of the program as well. The inviting sunny terrace is open daily to the sunset and offers a breath taking panorama view of Saas-Fee on one of the most beautiful sun terraces in town.
The spacious rooms have a Flatscreen TV, DVD Player and telephone. They are in good locations in the centre of Saas-Fee, close to the shops and apres-ski bars. The bedrooms are spacious and will work as twin rooms with 2 persons sharing. Breakfast will be served each morning from 7.30 – 8.30am. The evening meal will be served between 7.30 and 8pm every night.
PLEASE NOTE: The Hotel Du Glacier is an official sponsor of the GAP 2012 Summer Program and has kindly offered to fix the already heavily discounted rate (almost half of the normal retail price) in Sterling for the Academy Gap students.
Accommodation Prices
4* Hotel du Glacier
Double room (shared with another GAP participant; not possible for single use)
Spacious and bright double room with bath or shower, non smoker room
CHF85 per night
CHF5355 per stay (63 nights)
Prices include:
- 63 nights accommodation
– Breakfast with glacier view
– 3 course menu at the hotel’s “Mondial” restaurant
– DVDs to rent free of charge at the front desk
– LCD HD-TV with DVD in the room
– Access to our panoramic-spa with Jacuzzi, saunas and steam room
– Electrotaxi from/to car park/bus station on your arrival/departure.
3* Hotel Popcorn
(shared with another GAP participant; not possible for single use) Spacious and bright double room with bath or shower, non smoker room
CHF65 per night
CHF4095 per stay (63 nights)
(Breakfast and evening meal will be in the du Glacier hotel)
Prices include:
- 63 nights accommodation
- Breakfast with glacier view
- 3 course menu at the hotel’s “Mondial” restaurant
- Access to our panoramic-spa with Jacuzzi, saunas and steam room
- Electrotaxi from/to car park/bus station on your arrival/departure.
On the Mountain
One of the best ski resorts in the summer, Saas-Fee has it all. An attractive chalet style village surrounded by a stunning panorama of high mountain and glacial peaks. The summer skiing is at 3500m. There is a vast area for summer skiing including moguls, steep slopes, race pistes, and several wide open pistes with 3 T-Bars.
Saas-Fee also maintains one of the best summer snowparks in Europe, with various kickers, a halfpipe and a selection of rails. It is now home to the Warren Smith Ski Academy summer program, many national ski teams including the British Ski Team and also the British Freeski Camps.
Payment Details
Course Fee: £4,799
Included in the Cost of the GAP Year Ski Instructor Course
• 5 weeks Personal Ski Development and Performance Coaching with
• the Warren Smith Ski Academy Team
• Full Season Lift Pass (July to September)
• Preparation for BASI Level 1 Instructor Course
• Understanding and Using the BASI Central Theme
• BASI Level 1 Instructor Course – 5 Days
• BASP Emergency First Aid Course – 2 Days
• Avalanche and Mountain Safety Course with UIAGM Guide
• Sport Psychology and Sports Science
• Ski Biomechanics and its importance with Ski Instruction
• Professional Video Filming and Analysis
• Core Strength Building and Ski Specific Physical Training
• Ski School Training and Shadowing with Ski Schools
• BASI Level 2 Instructor Training Course – 10 Days
• BASI Manuals & Course Material
• Biomechanical Assessment on Skier Symmetry and Alignment
• Off Mountain Video Analysis once a week
• Ski Maintenance Training
• Free Internet Access for the whole season
Payment
Payment for the Warren Smith Ski Academy GAP Program in Saas-Fee will be taken in 3 separate instalments which are as follows: An initial deposit of £1000.00 will be taken upon receiving your booking form. A second instalment of £2000.00 will be taken on or before 30th April 2012 with the final payment of £1799 on 30th May 2012. All 3 instalments will be taken from the card details provided on the booking form. For any payment queries please use our contact form.
Pre-Course Assessment
All applicants will need to go through a telephone interview with Warren Smith before receiving a placement on the course. The aim of the interview is for Warren to assess your skiing standard, experience and general attitude towards the course. Contact Warren on his UK number +44 7775 500599 or his Swiss number +41 79 359 6566 to arrange a convenient telephone interview time.
