 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
Looking for opinions on whether there is much difference between ski schools at each of the Scottish venues? I've survived two seasons scraping around on blues and easy reds on the back of two Xscape lessons and some Youtube tutorials. However, I'm thinking I should get my finger out and get some proper tuition before my... variable, shall we say, technique becomes indelibly ingrained.
I live in the central belt so Glencoe, Nevis, Glenshee and Cairngorm are all fine to hit in a day. The Lecht is the only one I wouldn't bother travelling the distance for. In terms of average proficiency of instructor, suitable terrain for learning etc., are there any schools that stand out for positive (or negative) reasons? Or, as per the thread title, will you get more or less the same quality of coaching at any of the venues? Where would you go in my situation?
Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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G3, Aviemore.
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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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Th ones you mention are all fine for choice of terrain for learning. As for choice of instructing - be specific when you book. Ask for an experienced instructor, at least L2, with the emphasis on experience. A lot of the young instructors simply do not have the toolkit to unlock any issues you may have with your technique.
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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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| sobmaj wrote: |
| Ask for an experienced instructor, at least L2, with the emphasis on experience. A lot of the young instructors simply do not have the toolkit to unlock any issues you may have with your technique. |
L1s are not permitted work in the Scottish mountains unless under the direct control (within eye contact and hearing distance) of a L2 or above.
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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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Thanks for the replies folks.
Stephen59: G3 look relatively expensive for 1-to-1 coaching, although they do say as such on their website. I see that they specialise in telemarking; would you still say the expense is worth it for your average piste punter?
Sobmaj: Are they generally OK with discussing which instructor you get? I can imagine some might take the stance of they're all trained to a certain level so you'll get whoever is free? Not sure as never booked lessons before.
Gaza: I'm not enitrely sure of the differences between L1 and L2, but does your comment mean that in Scotland your guaranteed an experienced instructor or at least a inexperienced instructor being coached at the same time?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Taurig, L1s are only qualified to instruct at a basic level, on a dry-slope or in a snowdome.
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| Taurig wrote: |
| Gaza: I'm not enitrely sure of the differences between L1 and L2, but does your comment mean that in Scotland your guaranteed an experienced instructor or at least a inexperienced instructor being coached at the same time? |
A BASI L1 is only allowed to instruct on a dry or indoor slope while a L2 can instruct in the mountains. I was commenting more in respect to what @sobmaj posted. If you phoned and asked for an L2 that is the minimum you would (should) get.
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L1s can and do instruct in Scotland. Its up to the ski-school to assess their capability and allocate classes. In principle, they can I think legally employ instructors with no Licences at all, but they then take accountability for the standard of teaching. Typically this does not happen but they do employ L1s
Interested to hear what others say. I think Aviemore raised the Instructor minimum qualification for employment to L2 this year but I've not been there this year yet so maybe others can confirm.
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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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| sobmaj wrote: |
L1s can and do instruct in Scotland. Its up to the ski-school to assess their capability and allocate classes. In principle, they can I think legally employ instructors with no Licences at all, but they then take accountability for the standard of teaching. Typically this does not happen but they do employ L1s
Interested to hear what others say. I think Aviemore raised the Instructor minimum qualification for employment to L2 this year but I've not been there this year yet so maybe others can confirm. |
An L1 who teaches on the mountains in Scotland is operating outside of the scope of their license and therefore BASI will wash their hands of them if there is an incident. As I said above the only way they can work is if they are under direct supervision as per below.
| BASI Website wrote: |
| Successful students will be issued a certification to work only on dry slopes or indoor snow slopes or in a mountain environment for a BASI Approved Ski School, if working under the direct supervision of a L2 or above qualified member (Direct supervision means within sight and hearing distance). Students will be able to work with novice and early intermediate skiers. |
Legally, anyone can call themselves a Ski Instructor in the UK as it is not a regulated profession. If a Ski School chooses to employ L1s outside the scope of their license I think they would be on very dodgy ground with their liability insurance.
Snowsport Scotland have cited the lack of available L2 and above as the reason for introducing their own qualifications. The SSS Instructor award can be obtained by doing a full course or by doing a one day 'alignment' course for BASI L1, ISIA L1, CSIA L1, etc. I've done this and now have my SSS License as well as my BASI.
| SSS Website wrote: |
| Remit: To instruct novice and early intermediate skiers or snowboarders in confined environments within the UK as directed by an Authorising Body. A confined environment is; an artificial slope, an indoor slope, the defined beginners area at the 5 Scottish Mountain resorts. |
What this means is the Authorising Body can give authority for an SSS Instructor to move out of the beginners area if their class are ready and the Authorising Body give the instructor permission. This would eman the instructor is still operating within the limits of their license.
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Sorry but this is not the real situation.
Of course BASI or SSS for that matter can refuse insurance liability if someone is teaching outside the written remit of their Licence.
But so what? The BASi/SSS Liability Insurance only applies if the Instructor is not working under a Ski Schools Employee Liability Insurance.
All (I think all) Ski Schools, and Dry Slopes for that matter, have their own Employees Liability Insurance, which takes precedence in case of incident. There are Instructors teaching on dry slopes all over the UK with no BASI or SSS or equivalent as the dry slope has trained them themselves, and have assessed their competence.
BASI/SSS are nothing more than qualifications authorities and their Insurance is redundant if you work for a ski-school with Insurance.
But anyway back on topic, we have established that L1s teach on Scottish ski slopes so my recommendation to the OP remains - talk to the ski school, and ask for experienced L2, with the emphasis on experienced. Experienced Instructors have "seen it all" and are better equipped to handle issues with clients ski-ing. imo
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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As an aside - I'm guessing you are BASI1 and you did the alignment course to SSS Instructor. I am a L2 but it looks like SSS don't offer similar conversion to Advanced Instructor. I'd say they are missing an opportunity there.
Unless I'm misinterpreting their plans.
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