 Poster: A snowHead
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A quick Google seems to show there's only one native English speaking instructor in Val Thorens who works for ESF?
I'm looking to get a at least a few half day lessons with particular focus on skiing off piste. I've seen Marmalade mentioned a few times on here but they're Meribel based-would it be feasible to get down there and back from VT?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated I'm there 15/3/14.
Cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Many ESF instructors speak good English.
Given the number of medals that we brits have won on snow compared to Alpine countries I know I would rather be taught by a local who didnt speak perfect English than a Brit who spoke good English but skied like a Brit.
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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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Look at prosneige - they're used for the EOSB, and I've had private lessons with them doing a lot of off-piste. My instructor is frnech but speaks great english, and they have english instructors too.
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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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Ski-cool is also very good with english speaking instructors. Look at their website
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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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emwmarine, not sure what the correlation is between an olympic medal haul and the quality of a ski instructor from the UK? I'm sure that anyone with a BASI qualification has to do an equivalence test to be able to work in France. My point being I'd probably prefer a fully qualified native english speaker to someone equally qualified with english as a second language, unless of course I can get specific suggestions.
fixx, & garethjomo, thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a look at those.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Bene wrote: |
emwmarine, not sure what the correlation is between an olympic medal haul and the quality of a ski instructor from the UK? I'm sure that anyone with a BASI qualification has to do an equivalence test to be able to work in France. My point being I'd probably prefer a fully qualified native english speaker to someone equally qualified with english as a second language, unless of course I can get specific suggestions.
fixx, & garethjomo, thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a look at those. |
Simplistically, we Brits are pretty rubbish skiers compared to those who have grown up in the alps and I would rather be taught by an expert.
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I think we've had this debate before repeatedly, but i'd rather be taught by someone who understands my perspective and communicates and teaches well, than someone who is an expert at DOING the thing in question. I want them to be GOOD at doing it, but not necessarily the best, and not necessarily the one who has been doing it longest. Hence I prefer brit native instructors who at some point at least will have had to cope with the 1-2 weeks year on snow experience which is my life....
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Yeah, it doesn't really matter how much of an expert somebody is if all they communicate is "No, no, that's all wrong. Like this!"
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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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emwmarine, Most recreational skiers simply don't need to learn to race on skis, which is a different technique altogether (In part because the skis barely resemble recreational skis, especially GS and up)
I'd vote for an instructor who has learned to teach, something the BASI system excels at.
If you insist on a native French, ask Claude Decagny (snowarea.net) who is based in Courchevel, fairly easy to reach from Val T.
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So let me see. Take Rugby for example. The best Premiership coaches at the moment are Richard Cockerill, Mike Ford, Jim Mallinder, Dorian West, Dean Richards (despite floodgate) and Dean Ryan.
Let's see. Yep, all pretty excellent players themselves in the past.
I think i'll leave the BASI instructors in the snow covered tilted ice skating rinks and see locals who have grown up skiing.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Alex ferguson and jose muhrino were pretty rubbish at pig bladder kicking.
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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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| hobbiteater wrote: |
| Alex ferguson and jose muhrino were pretty rubbish at pig bladder kicking. |
They were both professional footballers which puts them into the top 1% of ability.
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| emwmarine wrote: |
I think i'll leave the BASI instructors in the snow covered tilted ice skating rinks and see locals who have grown up skiing. |
excellent! that will leave more availability for others who value some truly excellent English instructors
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You know it makes sense.
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emwmarine, who is the best coach for the local schools under 10s rugby? Still an ex pro or would you think the boys might be perfectly fine with someone who used to play for their university blues team but was great fun?
I am in no way in the skiing premiership - if I was we'd agree, but like most brits i doubt I'm even in the local village team equivalent 
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