 Poster: A snowHead
|
update:
Still really keen to get away and am trying to save money but its tough! Found some friends who are doing seasons in the French Alps next season which will always be an option...
... to be continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
mikee_j,
If you want to get a qualification and get some skiing you could take a week off over the summer and do your Basi level 1 in a fridge in the uk and get the hours in you need to do so that you could do your level 2 during the winter 2012.
Combine a level 2 course with a couple of weeks skiing before to get to the requred level and still have some money left if you cant do a season 
level 1 in a fridge is about £500 so depending on whether you need to travel or premier in u can do it reasonably cheap- 70 hrs shadowing/instruction can be free as some fridges like the help.
a level 2 course is about £550 but you'll need lift pass, accomodation and flights but will still be cheaper than a GAP course especially if you can find somebody to share the accomodation with, when i looked at it for this year it was the accomodation that was expensive for one person.
Im about to start a thread as I plan on acheving my goals in life and i'm 41.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
You are clearly not enjoying your career and at 28 it's a very long haul to retirement! I don't think a few months away skiing is going to close any doors for you (apart from losing your current job of course) so I wouldn't consider it a big gamble. But I'm not sure I'd bother with an instructor course unless you really want to instruct in future. When I was out in BC this season I spoke to a few guys on the 11 week courses and they were getting a bit bored with the routine towards the end. Just buy some big fat powder skis and get out with the locals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I'd add my voice to those saying only do an instructor course if you want to instruct, although it will undoubtedly improve your skiing you will also spend a lot of time learning how to teach skiing and other aspects that are very relevant to instructing but not so much your personal skiing. I'd suggest you spend the money that would go on course fees on high level private instruction focussing on your personal goals, occasional lessons throughout a season interspersed with skiing with good skiers will see a massive improvement in your ability.
Obviously if you aren't on a long term course you have to be pretty focussed on getting out all the time, it sounds easy now but it's easy to avoid heading out on a cloudy, icy day when it hasn't snowed for a while and then miss a few more similar days and before you know it you haven't been on the hill for a week. The best way to avoid this is to find a number of regular ski partners you can do this by advertising on sites like this, TGR, pistehors and skipass you'll also meet people in resort.
Best thing I ever did and so good I did it again the next season 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
IMHO unless you really want to make a career out of being an instructor (and think carefully, how long will that career be?), then your money may be more economically spent enjoying a season at leisure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
mikee_j, Just do it, i have always been of the opinion that i would much rather regret something i have done rather than regret something i had'nt.
Good luck
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mikee_j - have you thought of looking for a development surveying job in Geneva?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bf and I decided in January we fancied it, apartment booked, part time jobs almost landed, sabbatticals agreed.
Stop dithering and do it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
for those who contributed and followed this thread, and by way of an update, i have now taken another job in London so the career break thing will have to wait for a few years.
I believe i have made the right choice now as the job is a great opportunity. Maybe i should focus on the career in london in order to afford an apartment or chalet in the alps??
still feel a little annoyed that i'm not 'following my dreams' but hey, one day i will!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| mikee_j wrote: |
I believe i have made the right choice now as the job is a great opportunity. |
Congratulations!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
This thread has inspired me. Thanks all
I'm 28 and had several jobs since leaving school (I was in line to go to veterinary school, but life sort of jinked and I went into IT, my other childhood passion) and like you (perhaps?), was promised things by bosses that never materialised / did an excellent job and was never recognised (or the boss buggered off to a competitor in one particularly galling situation)... So frustrating.... So much in the working world comes down to luck (two self-made millionaires told me that separately, so I'm inclined to believe them) and mine for many years stunk. But I learnt a huge amount...
I'm now (thank God) in a job/company where the Directors reward commitment and appreciate and recognise talent... Which makes life so much happier...
... But I've recently connected back to skiing (after a few years without any trips ; learnt to ski when I was about 3 I think, skied regularly till about 20 odd) and really am desperate to get my ability level up as high as possible; also my fitness ; and make skiing a huge part of my life again. Work hard/play hard stylee...
I will use this thread as the somewhat needed motivation to ensure I'm not going to have regrets when I hit 50, 60, 70.... And I'll kick a$s at work till I'm 30 ; then probably use the 5 week sabbatical option the company offers to get away from it all and head to Argentina or Chile (I speak Spanish) and get some serious private tuition in / make some local contacts and investigate what the possibilities are for regular visits out there / options on employment out there / possibilities for consulting in UK whilst based out there. Maybe I can find a way to work on UK time out there (5am - 1pm would be 8am - 4pm in UK) ; that'd be awesome. Bah much, much more research needed but thanks all for your input and if anyone has more to add please do.
mikee_j, 'Grats on the new position ; I hope it works out well for you and that you still find a way to make a go of incorporating more skiing into your life. Perhaps keep your ear out for anyone who is working from home in the existing organisation or keep an eye out for consulting roles that could see you working remotely ; it's similar working remotely from the UK as from afar... Lots of people do it in the UK (and from my experience, achieve far less than those that attend the office, but who's to say) and it makes for a fantastic "model" to use to get more slope time in... Hard to do regular site visits though....  Anyways good luck man. Hope to see you on bashes soon! I'm just back from the PSB and as a Part 1er only (half the trip), it was a great short break, for a piddly sum! Recommended.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
JaMMi, whereabouts in the UK do you live? Anywhere near an indoor or dry slope? You can go a long way towards improving your skiing by skiing regularly with a ski club.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
thanks for the congrats on the job... i'm pretty excited about it.
JaMMi, glad this thread has inspired others too... your in a good situation where you can take a sabbatical! Hopefully me new place will offer this in a few years time. This is probably the perfect way to get some more skiing in.
Nadenoodlee, nice!! and not jealous ha!! Sounds perfect as you got the job to come back to... enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
mikee_j, have you just moved to London? Make the most of it! For all it's crazyness I love the place 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Nadenoodlee, no, been here 4 years. I love London and am making the most of it!!! Just no mountains and snow 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
