About the Academy

Warren is one of Britain’s leading professional free skiers and an Internationally Qualified Performance Coach and Instructor. He has been a sponsored Volkl freeski athlete for over 10 years and has represents brands such as Scott Sport, Swiss Airlines and Dalbello.

He has spent many years teaching recreational skiers, developing ski instructors and coaching athletes all over Europe. He is one of the most innovative instructors working in the Alps today and has earned a name for himself for the constant research and development he carries out combining Ski Technique, Ski Biomechanics and Ski Physiology.

Here’s what former England Rugby Captain, Lawrence Dallaglio has to say about Warren’s coaching. “Warren’s coaching method is something I really responded to. It was tough but really effective, a bit like a boot camp, but an enjoyable one. I’ve had so much coaching throughout my rugby career that when I met Warren I quickly realised I had struck gold, his philosophy and teaching methods are different gravy”

He has written, directed and produced the best selling ski technique DVDs, Ski Academy – Lesson’s 1, 2, 3 + 4 which have sold over 35,000 copies globally to date. In 2007 he finished writing an international book titled ‘Go Ski’ for DK Books. DK are part of the Penguin Books Group and the book was published in several languages including French, German, Italian and Spanish to name but a few. The book has now had over 100,000 copies printed around the world and has given Warren an international reputation in the world of ski coaching.

His ski technique and coaching methods are viewed all over the world with his online technique live video clips at

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/skiing-videos/10302346/Ski-technique-series-Unlock-your-powder-potential.html

Originally from Manchester, Rob’s first skiing experience was a damp grey afternoon at Rossendale dry ski slope which sparked a love and passion for skiing that is still ongoing.

Rob has been part of the Academy coaching team for 15 years. His drive for coaching comes from his upbringing in competitive sport. His passion combined with 17 years of professional skiing across the globe and a diploma in sports science, result in Rob being one of the strongest, most versatile and technical ski coaches in the business. Rob’s greatest strength is combining his skiing expertise with a vast knowledge of sports psychology and motivation techniques ensuring a positive route to success.

In the Winter Rob loves to ski Verbier’s endless freeride terrain and enjoys slipping his skins on to go ski touring. When the Winter leaves, he spends his time keeping fit on his mountain bike and road bike.

Jordan has been teaching in Verbier for the last 16 seasons and has rapidly established a reputation as one of its most gifted coaches. It is Jordan’s faultless technical knowledge and communication skills that ensure his clients quickly realise their goals and achieve beyond expectations.

He is deeply passionate about both technical piste skiing and freeriding, and this versatility has made him a valuable member of the Warren Smith Ski Academy team, coaching recreational skiers, instructors and athletes with great success. In his spare time Jordan can be found skiing steep lines though the trees or telemarking on down days.

Fi started skiing aged 3. With a background in ski racing she then went on to develop her skiing though becoming a ski instructor. She has years of coaching experience in a multitude of sports including skiing, hockey, gymnastics and tennis. Through this she has developed a vast toolbox of different teaching skills that she implements on a daily basis up the mountain teaching skiing. After 7 years she has now found her calling in Freeride skiing and when not teaching she is competing in Freeride competitions.

On Fi’s days off you will find her hiking to find secret powder stashes and skiing steep couloirs.

With her endless passion for skiing and coaching Fi gets the best out of her clients. This is why 9 years ago she joined the Academy team as the first ever female coach and we’re very glad she did!

Jamie has been teaching in and around the Verbier 4 vallees area for 12 years and knows the area like the back of his hand. One of if not the most fluid skiers you will ever see, he makes skiing look effortless. He has extensive teaching experience and knows how to get the best out of his clients whoever they may be.

Jamie loves a good cup of tea, although not quite as much as Jordan. He loves to ski bumps but is not as good as Andy, not as Norwegian as Stef and not nearly as enthusiastic as Rob (but who is!). Occasionally, he can be spotted shredding the mountain and the park on his telemark set up, faster and better than most would be able to do on skis!

Claire embraced her love for the mountain’s and skiing at the age of 2 and hasn’t looked back since! The skiing, alpine beauty and the snow are what have always drawn her toward a life and career in ski teaching.

Having had a successful career in property in London, Claire decided to give it up to pursue her childhood dream and passion of a life and career in the mountains. Qualifying and working as a ski instructor has allowed her to do what she loves, work where she is happiest and meet some truly interesting and inspiring individuals.

Outside of skiing Claire is a very motivated Personal Trainer. During the summer months she can often be seen around Verbier out running and out biking most of the team!

For the past 6 years Claire has been based in Verbier and we’re very proud to have her on the Academy team.

Gareth joined the team 5 years ago after having been our first ever gap year student to complete 2 gap courses! He loved it so much that he just needed to do another (and had to miss the exam on the first due to injury :().

Since then he’s excelled in both his personal skiing and teaching.

He is a qualified school teacher and brings this wealth of teaching skills into his ski teaching meaning anyone he teaches get’s a great experience and not only will they improve they’ll also appreciate how skilful a teacher someone can be.

When not skiing Gareth can often be found in the bars playing keyboard and piano for one of the various bands he is part of. If you get a chance to hear him play after skiing you’ll be sure to have a good time and be amazed at his musical talents

Originally from Huddersfield, Nick starting Skiing at the age of 3. A Yorkshire lad, he grew up skiing in the French Alps.

Nick’s boundless enthusiasm, infectious energy and encouragement will inspire skiers at all levels to fresh achievements; honing fluid piste style and control, adventures in powder or 4 valley touring.

Having spent over 8 years skiing around Verbier, Nick loves to continue exploring new areas!

During the summer, you will find Nick running around a rugby pitch, surfing on lake Geneva and enjoying the mountains.

Skiing has always been a big passion of Lewis’. He started at the age of three and has never looked back. He has taught all across the world, in Canada, Japan, Australia and of course Switzerland. He also has qualified in both the Canadian system and achieved the BASI level 4. He has a degree in Sports Science and Biomechanics, which means his understanding of how the body moves on skis isn’t too bad. On his days off he can often be found playing in the bumps and enjoying a burger on the mountain!

Meet Meg, your friendly neighbourhood skiing aficionado, welcomes you to an adventurous world of snow and slopes. With a passion for skiing that’s as boundless as the winter terrain, Meg brings with her six full seasons of experience as a dedicated skiing instructor.

Beyond her prowess on the slopes, Meg’s life journey has taken her through a diverse range of roles. As a nurse, she has nurtured and cared for countless individuals, making a real impact in healthcare. Her time in the army reserve has instilled in her a sense of discipline and commitment that transcends into her teaching. But that’s not all – Meg has been a circus performer, bringing her daring spirit and showmanship to the stage.

When the snow melts, and the slopes turn to grass, you can find Meg pursuing her other passions. Whether she’s gliding on a skateboard, riding the waves on a surfboard, or pedalling her bike down some gnarly routes, she thrives in the great outdoors.

Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Álvaro started skiing when he was 5 years old in Colorado. For most of his life skiing was just a traditional family vacation, that never seemed to be enough for him. While doing his masters degree in Los Angeles he went to different ski resorts around the west coast and hit the slopes as much as possible; even managing to do a few heli-ski trips in Canada with his father and really fell in love with deep powder skiing.

Always wanting to have the full experience of a winter season he decided to do a gap course to get his qualifications and by pure luck ended up in Verbier. Having one of the best times of his life, he gave up his career as a film/tv/theatre producer and has dedicated himself to be a ski instructor in Verbier for the last 5 winters.

Throughout those seasons he has kept up with his training, improved his skiing and teaching and coached all levels including trainee instructors. He is a firm believer that no matter how good you are there is always something new to learn. His goal on the slopes is making people fall in love with a sport that has brought him so much joy in his life.

This winter Alvaro is coming back with a clear mission. He wants to make up for all those days he missed last season due to an injury. Normally he’d spend his summers in upstate New York managing a summer camp for kids. Instead, he decided to stay in Switzerland year round to dedicate all his time in recovering his knee and be stronger than ever!

Rob first put on a pair of skis aged 5 at a dry ski slope in south London and has been hooked ever since!

After university Rob headed to Val d’Isere where he skied by day and served shots of toffee vodka by night. During his time in the French alps is where he started his ski instructing qualifications.

A career in the British army as a helicopter pilot, was a small interlude to winters, until he realised he could bring a ski team out and compete in alpine ski racing. This is how he ended up in Verbier, the resort he now calls home.

Rob loves all aspects of alpine skiing and is quite at home ski touring as well as tackling the famous itineraries of Verbier. A big mountain biker, Rob enjoys riding with other members of the team and exploring the same terrain in the summer without the snow.

Meet Ethan! We’ve had the pleasure of coaching him from the incredibly young age of 8 when he was already a very accomplished skier and Athlete so you can only imagine what he’s like now! Having grown up with the Academy he embodies much of our teaching and skiing philosophies and you’ll see this when you have the please of watching him ski or having him as your coach.

Ethan lives in Nottinghamshire, England but lucky for us is officially Spanish! Over the years, he’s competed in moguls, freestyle, and Junior Freeride competitions and has now moved onto the Freeride World Tour qualifiers.

He has coached a wide range of clients from first timers to seasoned skiers as well as using his knowledge and experience to coach up and coming junior freestyle and free ride athletes.

Ethan can also snowboard and is a snowboard instructor. In his spare time he loves shredding back country and fresh lines or grooming his moustache – fashioned after our very own Andy Bennett circa 2014.

Johan is a 25 year old guy from Denmark and has been skiing his entire life! The last few years he has been teaching skiing in Sweden, Norway, Austria and New Zealand. He is a fully certified ski instructor in the Danish system. On days of he enjoys skiing bumps, big mountain skiing and a cold beverage in the sun. When not skiing, Johan likes to use his bachelor degree in sports and journalism to find short and funny stories about people to write. Maybe you’ll make it into one of his stories after a session with him!

Tobi started skiing when he was six and has skied ever since. He’s originally from Denmark from the city of Aarhus.

Tobi loves having fun skiing, learning and teaching. He wants to give you a good experience and believes everyone can improve their skiing with a good mindset and sharp edges.

He’s totally at home in the mountains and has spent the last seven winters enjoying different resorts around the world and honing his skills!

In the summer you’ll find Tobi on rollerblades enjoying the wind in the mullet.

Emma began skiing at the age of three on family holidays. She grew up in Denmark, a country without mountains, but skied and snowboarded once a year in the alps. After finishing high school she decided to spend, what was meant to be, one season in the French alps but skiing quickly became a big passion and turned into five seasons in France, Austria and Canada.

Emma especially loves the technical parts of skiing and the “aha” feeling you get when new things finally click. Though she prefers skiing now she used to love to snowboard and is a L1 snowboard instructor as well.
When Emma is not skiing she loves to go on hikes, travelling, cooking, baking and most of all to sew.

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