2 weeks ago I had the experience with a 5 day summer ski course with Warren Smith Ski Academy and would like to share my experience with you.
The original idea was not the course itself, but just an excuse to ski in real snow since most of trips in winter got cancelled because of the corona situation, turns out the course was REALLY good for me.
As many of you know, first time I stepped on a ski was in 2018 and I had only 20 days of skiing(including indoor) so I thought this could be a nice way to learn and get to know people in the same level. Well... I did learned a lot, but I was WAY behind those guys in the group, most of them were skiing for 5+ years, and many of them for more than 15 years, so I was the rookie one
We had around 20 people that were split into 3 groups according to their level based on a simple short-turn run in a steep zone.
First day was more chilled, not really focusing on technique but more getting your body back used to the skis and doing some runs following the instructor.
The following 4 days were focused on technique each day a different thing, like steep techniques, carve, body position, etc.
I guess when you are as beginner as I was, the improvements are faster than in those really experienced because I have so much more to learn than them, but at the end of the week my stance was completely different from the first day, I go much more confident in higher speed and was able to do some nice carving(although I still have a MASSIVE amount of mileage needed to improve my angles).
Bottom line:
I really enjoyed, my instructor(Rob Stanford) was crazy skilled and such a nice guy, teaching is natural for him and I would love to have him as an instructor again, I am a different skier today than I was 2 weeks ago.
I got to meet many nice like minded people, including 2 very nice snowHead fellows: @MancSkier and @Themasterpiece
The conditions in Zermatt were good in the morning, but after 11am the snow got slushy and it was not so fun, some days were really hot, the last day I was skiing only with a tshirt , the t-bars stops at 12:45.
After the 13h, usually we had lunch and around 17h we all met for some drinks and dinner, it was a great experience, our hotel in Cervinia had a perfert view, check some pics below, I'll definitely going back in 2021 summer!
From left to right: Me, Steve(@Themasterpiece), Garry(non snowHead) and Anthony(@MancSkier).
I’ll definitely try and get on another WSSA course next summer. Loved the course and hanging out with everyone there.
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?
@AndreSilva, Good to see people still skiing and running courses this summer. Do you know where your instructor Rob was from? I have a feeling I may have gone to school with him...
@AndreSilva, Good to see people still skiing and running courses this summer. Do you know where your instructor Rob was from? I have a feeling I may have gone to school with him...
He is from England(near Manchester I guess), but he has been living in Switzerland for a while.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@AndreSilva, That fits. If he's late 30s, then I think he might be who I think he might be
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@AndreSilva, it was definitely a wise decision, i met your SH buddies on previous bashes and it felt good skiing with them.
The Masterpiece's dashing speed made me get faster than expected to Val d'Isere' glacier area
See you and Anthony next February.
After all it is free
After all it is free
drporat wrote:
@AndreSilva, it was definitely a wise decision, i met your SH buddies on previous bashes and it felt good skiing with them.
The Masterpiece's dashing speed made me get faster than expected to Val d'Isere' glacier area
See you and Anthony next February.
Looking forward to 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.
I saw you on the WSSA video on youtube!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
swskier wrote:
I saw you on the WSSA video on youtube!
I'm basically a celebrity now
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Nice to see your feedback on the course as it's something I've been considering doing, either next summer or maybe something pre-season.
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.
I intend to do it in the winter, although it's more expensive (Zermatt vs Cervinia....)
The All Mountain factor is decisive for me
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Sitter wrote:
Nice to see your feedback on the course as it's something I've been considering doing, either next summer or maybe something pre-season.
You should, for me it was a nice excuse to justify skiing in the summer
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
drporat wrote:
I intend to do it in the winter, although it's more expensive (Zermatt vs Cervinia....)
The All Mountain factor is decisive for me
Indeed, I wish I had some basic powder classes, but in the summer is almost impossible I guess.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@AndreSilva, nice one! Faz tempo que estou interessado em fazer um curso deles!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Quote:
Indeed, I wish I had some basic powder classes, but in the summer is almost impossible I guess.
You'd be surprised - I did the summer course with Warren quite a few times back when it was in Saas Fee. We had the odd day of knee deep powder after a afternoon / night-time storm!
Obviously you don't ski as much on the summer course, and getting up early can be difficult; but the course is great and the social side something really special. As you say, Rob's a great teacher and a really nice guy.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Gustavobs wrote:
@AndreSilva, nice one! Faz tempo que estou interessado em fazer um curso deles!
Você fala Português ?
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?
AndreSilva wrote:
Gustavobs wrote:
@AndreSilva, nice one! Faz tempo que estou interessado em fazer um curso deles!
I’ve done 2 WS courses. 1 winter in Verbier and 1 summer in Saas Fe. If you’re late to skiing and needing to catch up with some mates on an annual ski trip, as I was, it’s ideal. Saas Fe was great. Like a ski holiday and a summer holiday in one. Rob and team are decent guys
That said, 10 years on, I look back and think Warren had some left field ideas and I’ve had some truly excellent instructors elsewhere - I’m not sure I’d go again.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
, the t-bars stops at 12:45.
