 Poster: A snowHead
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Cheers for the info rob@rar, having a location next to the gondola sounds pretty good and even better if we can leave equipment up on the hill. Never been one for strenuous labour unless it can be helped!
People earlier in the thread were debating if you could teach with Interski with CSIA Lv1, the official Interski line is that you can't but one of the guys who is comming in our group rang up the office and they've accepted him at that level. As far as I know he doesn't have a sneaky CFCF tucked away somewhere but mebe they're pressed for instructors that week and can make a few exceptions.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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SkiTigger, when are you teaching? I think they are always pressed for instructors in peak weeks.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Getting to resort on 29/03 so think the fun commences the next morning. Really looking forwards to both the initial teaching and hopefuly the week afterwards going to hire a car and explore the surrounding resorts, looks like there is quite a bit on offer in the Aosta valley and might have to nip through the tunnel to Chamonix if its within reasonable distance.
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SkiTigger, Chamonix is easy distance (30 mins or so), the only drawback is the cost of getting through the tunnel. 
Has anyone worked for Ski Astons or Skiing Europe? Thinking of trying to get some work with one of them over Easter.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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beanie1, no worked for either of those, but one of the guys I was teaching with had done lots with Skking Europe. He said they were OK, but nowhere near as well organised as Interski.
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rob@rar, I think i could cope with slight disorganisation! Given I'm soon to be unemployed I'm trying to fill up as much of the rest of the season as poss with teaching. Going to do a week with Interski on 07/03.
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beanie1, I heard that TM Ski & Travel is pretty desperate for instructors the end of this month and possibly for the rest of the season, they mainly work in Livigno and Passo Tonale as far as I know. You can contact Marcus Bishop on 01502 589 244 or 07920 097 418. Bad luck about the job! .Have you considered a season in NZ over the summer?
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SkiTigger, yes, looking into that as we speak! Unfortunately it's much easier if you've got your ISIA as they'll then offer you a job in advance and sponsor your visa, but I'm only halfway through mine.
I'll try TM, thanks for the tip off!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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beanie1, I worked for NZ Ski last season with my CSIA 2, every e-mail i sent ect was ignored but I found out that they run a hiring clinic on the first day of the season. You turn up at the hill split into groups and have various ski offs with weaker people seperated out as the day goes on. They hired 15 of us but If you're well into your ISIA training I can't see you having any problems at all esp as most people were being booted out for not taking time to understand what the trainers wanted from the various demos!! Still a bit risky though I must admit as i'd have been on a plane back home the next day if it hadn't worked out.
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SkiTigger, that's interesting, certainly worth thinking about if I don't get anything back off the applications. I'm applying for the kids instructor job which doesn't say it needs ISIA - I have quite a bit of experience working with kids so hoping they will look at my cv. If not will have to give thought to what you did, though like you say is a big risk!
How many turned up for the hiring clinic? I.e. what percentage did the 15 who got hired represent? If you don't get an instructor job is there much chance of other work? Wouldn't want to waste my one chance of a working holiday visa!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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beanie1, There were around 60 skiers for the hirinc clinic with 15 people hired. The ski school obviously had a ballpark figure that they were looking for but there was no one who made the grade and was then passed over for lack of a job; I got the impression that if there were 20 suitable candidates then they would all be hired (this may vary season to season though). If you are hired via this route you are obviously the bottom priority wise so in quiet periods you may suffer workwise although IMO it offers a good incentive to strive to get private lessons and build up a client base - if the school see that you are getting plenty of clients requesting you for private lessons you'll soon have lots of work (via the unofficial priority list).
If you do decide to take the plunge and are heading Queenstown direction then accomodation can be a problem as there is a shortage so i'd suggest getting there mid/late May to get set up. If you don't get the instructor gig (though cant see why not) then there is other work both on the hill and off but competition is fierce for the good stuff. However some things (especially bus drivers - coach and minibus) are in real demand so if you could talk to the Kiwi DVLA and sort something out you could be driving to the hill skiing 5+ hours then driving back to town and getting paid a full days work.
The whole ski school set up for NZ Ski is pretty proffessional and they put a big effort into instructor training (although I found some of the NZSIA theory slightly at odds with what I'd already learned to say the least). If you are looking to start prep for Test Technique (or just want to learn) they run two half day instructor slalom lessons every week with a Kiwi national coach which I found amazing having never raced before although did nearly castrate myself on a gate early on 
Good luck and go for it - have just had to decline my re-hire for the season coming and am thoroughly gutted!!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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First of all, please note that I've spent all evening drinking Genepi and beer, so apoologies for any typose...
| SkiTigger wrote: |
| People earlier in the thread were debating if you could teach with Interski with CSIA Lv1, the official Interski line is that you can't but one of the guys who is comming in our group rang up the office and they've accepted him at that level. As far as I know he doesn't have a sneaky CFCF tucked away somewhere but mebe they're pressed for instructors that week and can make a few exceptions. |
When I contacted Tracey at the office I got the response that CSIA L1 is perfectly acceptable - and thus, from my own summation, hence it is on the drop down menu. (I do of course, have the sneaky CSCF tucked away...)
Just to add to my earlier posts, there are 'free' weeks (i.e. weeks that do not count towards your accepted allowance of 1 or 4 weeks/ This week, alf term, is one of those. I will try and confirm which others are allowed - as one instructor out here at the moment appears to be pencilled in for Easter already, after one week plus half term. This is something I shall be asking about.
I'll reportt back later.
Just to add, having a fun time with an advanced group (which I got by mistake, though SSD said he would have given them to me anyway if he'd recognised my name   ). Also just written that one of the co-ordinators is fit on the back of a coach - apologies if said co-ordinator is a snowHead, but it's true... 
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skisimon,
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there are 'free' weeks (i.e. weeks that do not count towards your accepted allowance of 1 or 4 weeks/ This week, alf term, is one of those. I will try and confirm which others are allowed
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I asked Tracey this only this week and was told it's only half term. I'm sure she would have told me if otherwise as I am willing and able to work the busy Easter week too!
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You know it makes sense.
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I'm teaching Interski with the CSIA Level 1 - Tracey said that was fine. I'm also likely to teach Skiing Europe with CSIA level 1 (although I may have passed my BASI level 2 by then  .
So, go for it! Both have quite a lot of availability still, from what I gathered with my conversations with both companies.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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snowqueen11, cool, will give Skiing Europe a call for Easter.
When are you working for both?
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Poster: A snowHead
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snowqueen11, excellent, I might try Skiing Europe then. Heard many good things about them from other Interskiers, but thought that they required CSIA II.
beanie1, yep, that's right. We double checked with the ski school's permenent staff in Courmayeur yesterday and it is now only half-term that is a free week (it used to be Christmas, New Year and Easter too...)
Had a cracking week, one more day to go. My group are a bit crazy, and I've been had to ski some stuff I normally wouldn't myself. (And skied it suprisingly better than I normally would have too. We spent most of Tuesday and yesterday off piste, and most of today in bumps... 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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beanie1, I'm doing Interski i n Pila w/c 28th Feb. I'm thinking I might stay out there for a week afterwards, as I'm then off to Courchevel to do my BASI 2 course. I'm not sure about staying in Pila alone though, might not get to know anyone?
Skiing Europe - not sure - have sent off availability forms and Di Williams said they had requirements for ski instructors for the Easter weeks, so hopefully will get one of those.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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snowqueen11, your BASI L2 Instructor or your ISIA (old Basi 2)?
I'm sure you'll meet people in your first week in Pila you can be mates with in your second! I'll ne there that week for a start, for socialising in the evenings!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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hi beanie1, I'm doing the 'new' BASI 2. My quals are CSIA, so I've decided to come and join BASI too. I love everything about the CSIA, apart from the fact I'm too far away to take advantage of the free instructor PDP days, so off to BASI.
And you're in Pila - excellent. This is a great excuse to go up to every skier I see and ask them if they're 'beanie1' - that will be a great conversation opener!!!!!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| snowqueen11 wrote: |
| This is a great excuse to go up to every skier I see and ask them if they're 'beanie1' - that will be a great conversation opener!!!!!! |
The traditional question to ask is "Excuse me, are you Frosty the Snowman?"
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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hahahaha!
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snowqueen11, suggest you stick to asking the twenty something females in interski uniforms, might save you a few bemused looks!
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Does anyone know if the dry slopes around London need any instructors between now and the end of the season?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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beanie1, You could try Welwyn.
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snowqueen11, have you sorted your work with Skiing Europe yet? I had an email from them today, they need instructors for the first week of Easter. £250 with BASI 2, £200 with BASI 1 (or equivalent) plus accom and transport.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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beanie1, what resort do they operate in?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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rob@rar, all over I think Rob, but the resorts they mentioned for that week are Wengen and Kitzbuhel.
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Going to see if I can get Wengen as I know the resort, but they didn't say how many they need. They also need a couple of board instructors for that week.
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You know it makes sense.
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beanie1, can you send me contact details for them. I might get in touch if I can make some changes to Easter arrangements.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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rob@rar, done.
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Poster: A snowHead
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rob@rar, I remember you said you may be looking for a few weeks next year so...
We will be putting an advert in BASI news later in the year as we will be looking for more people for half term 2K10, we need around 15 people.
L2 = £800 cash per week
ISIA = £900 cash per week
ISTD = £1000 cash per week
We supply flights, hotel, uniform, transfers, pass, etc.
Still not finish this season yet but plans already underway for next year, OMG it never stops.
L1's (£300 per week) can work as reps and get thier shaddowing hours with us and signed by off by the school.
We had Sh*t loads of problems with some BASI's in the past so not too sure how they'll do this for next year ??
Send me a PM and I'll keep your details on file till around October, or give me a call (number on website) - but only here till Friday then back to alps, or just leave it till mid year then give me a buzz
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Wayne, that is a great rate of pay for L2 by comparison to other companies who employ instructors for half term. Do you need anyone over Easter by any chance?
What do you mean by
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We had Sh*t loads of problems with some BASI's in the past so not too sure how they'll do this for next year ??
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| beanie1 wrote: |
Wayne, that is a great rate of pay for L2 by comparison to other companies who employ instructors for half term. Do you need anyone over Easter by any chance?
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No - we have plenty for this year. Sorry.
Can't comment on the rates other companies pay, but we get less than the locals as it's paid in £'s. I think the ESF get about double, like I said in another post, I think there is a ski slope somewhere in France but this is only a rumour so I can't confirm this. so the ESF may not actually exist.
It's not me that needs teachers by the way, I'm just a ski instructor, bottom of the pile here, just where I like to be. During the summer I run a team of over 60 sports teachers so the winter for me is a rest. Ski, drink, sleep, 
It's not up to me who they employ, like I said bottom of the pile looking up, the school will decide.
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What do you mean by
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We had Sh*t loads of problems with some BASI's in the past so not too sure how they'll do this for next year ??
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Ha Ha - if you come over, I'll tell in the bar. But like I said to rob@rar in the PM "some" people need to grow up and remember that they are being paid to do a job, enough said (till I'm full of Grappa)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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skisimon, rob@rar, (et al),
Thanks for a fascinating thread. Mrs Axs, the kids and I all learned to ski with Interski at all three Aosta valley resorts some years ago. We were VERY impressed with the quality of instruction and organisation, and have reccomended them to others many times. It's fascinating to hear how things appear 'from the inside' as it were, your Blog in particular made great reading Rob.
Interestingly, 2 years ago I took two non-skiing mates away (at their request) for their first ever week on snow. I took them to Pila with Interski and they spent the week having lessons on Grimod, which is where I had started too. It was just as much fun for me to return and ski it as it had been to learn there, although this time the other mate (ex military instructor) took me down Couis which was a slightly different proposition 
My mates teenage daughter also went with the school to courmayeur through Interski last year and she too had a great time, and came back having learned to parallel and be confident on blues and reds which says something about the quality of the instruction.
Glad to hear you both had such a good time there, best of luck with the rest of the season.
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Axsman, glad you enjoyed reading the blog.
Grimod is a great teaching slope, and I think Interski is a pretty good setup for people first starting out with skiing.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Axsman wrote: |
| Both my newbie mates got the bug and our 'lads week' has become an annual event. |
Glad to hear it!
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FAQ
) but I don't know what the criteria is for that qualification. As long as it's OK with the school (would think it would) then I can't see a problem. Other than pay scales, is it ISIA, L2, ISTD, etc. Who knows, not me.
