 Poster: A snowHead
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There've been a few reviews of/threads on Phil Smith's Snoworks courses on sH already:
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=3386
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=5223
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=99508
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=10746
The quality of his offering is irrefutable and imho excellent value to boot. I haven’t had a lot of instruction in recent years but was determined to do a higher-level course this season and narrowed my choices to Phil or Warren Smith. Though they don’t really offer identical products Snoworks won out largely because Tignes suited my circumstances better than Verbier, and I’d’ve been very happy to do either. 
I wanted to do an All-Terrain course rather than one which concentrated on a specific aspect of skiing. Most Snoworks courses are mornings only but I chose the only all-day one on offer as I thought my skiing needed that much more work  . An accommodation package was available at the Hotel Curling but I didn’t take this up.
The course ran over 5 days with an evening meeting pre-course on the Sunday. This gave everyone a chance to meet each other and the instructors for the week. There were a lot of alumni who were reacquainting as well as a few newbies like me. There were just over 20 participants on this course, of all ages but mostly middle-aged and men  . The instructors for the week were:
Phil Smith himself
Mark Jones - Trainer for the British Association of Snowsports Instructors and runs Mountain Masters, Val D'Isere
John Arnold – ex-Director of Coaching for Snowsport Scotland
(Emma CA was on a course working towards completing her instructors qualifications) 
There is a minimum standard for most Snoworks courses which is what they refer to as Level 4 – Adventurous Intermediates / Advanced so capable of “ ‘reds’ at a good pace whatever the conditions and ‘easy blacks’. Difficult ‘blacks’, bumps or going off-piste, hmm, definitely need some work!” On the first evening everyone was asked to confirm which levels from 4-6 they felt they belonged in. Most people put down ‘level 4/5’! I put down level 4  . Safety kit (transceiver, probe, shovel in a rucksack) was issued to every participant.
I was lucky enough to have Phil teaching me in the bottom of 3 groups of 7. Most in the group were level 4 but there were a couple of members who whilst clearly not very technically capable were very fit  , and another who mid-week Phil almost made other arrangements for (if you’ve over-stretched yourself he very occasionally is forced to make other arrangements for you satisfactory to all parties) but who had really gelled with the group and whose absence would’ve changed the group’s dynamics.
Phil’s philosophy is simple but extremely effective. He fully admits it’s not entirely original, and indeed commonly utilized by the more progressive ski schools in one form or another, but he has a way of presenting, thinking about and teaching it that makes it very clear and is highly effective. It was quite amazing during the week to see how his techniques could be easily taught to and used by the weaker in our group to ski safely off-piste! He also has that talent essential to all good ski teachers, the ability to judge his students capabilities and diagnose their weaknesses accurately. I’ve always been quite introspective about my skiing and he certainly had insights into my technique, not immediately apparent to the untrained eye, which not only matched my own, but further enlightened me as to my errors. It was also amazing that when he was looking at members of the group ski down and predicting that they were getting into trouble and would fall, a fall would inevitably happen . He could tell that a fall was coming before they and certainly I could, and yell out ‘Stop!’ or ‘Don’t turn!’. At first each would ignore him and invariably fall, but they soon learned to listen  and he’d tell them how to recover instead. He’s also a thoroughly good bloke. 
At the end of the first morning, he promoted me out of his group. I went reluctantly. I spent the afternoon with the middle group, which apart from not having any technically very weak skiers, was fitter. I got tired and as I don’t believe you can learn technique when tired asked to be demoted, which Phil kindly but reluctantly agreed to (ok, I admit I can sometimes be a pain in the  ). He felt I needed to be pushed more and if it had been only half-day lessons I might’ve been more inclined to go with it but I was also keen to stay in his group, despite excellent reports of the other two instructors from the other participants.
We spent the week being taught the 3 fundamental ways to turn a ski in all the conditions available. Half our time was on-piste and half off-piste. We were taught to vary intensity and duration of pressure on piste and its application to powder and deeper snow of varying heaviness off-piste. We were taught twisting and side-scraping on a smooth icy piste and its application to moguls. We were taught to cyclically extend and retract each leg and its application to carving. We made lots of fresh tracks on the powder days despite the relative inexperience of the group. We were taught drills for each and something of how, where and when to blend the techniques. Video analysis was used to slightly embarassing but very telling effect. The course meal was great and lots of laughs were had by all. It was without doubt the best ski teaching experience I’ve yet had. He gave me lots to think about and go away with and try to incorporate into my skiing. I’ll definitely be back for more. 
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 24-04-06 15:23; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Good report slikedges, I'm defo going to go on one of these next year tho I don't think I can persuade Mr C to come with me so will probably have to do it by myself - waheyyyyy, freedom! I don't think I'm confident or able enough to go on the all-terrain so will book the easy course for those who have probs on blacks. I think I'd find all-day instruction too tiring. Just waiting until they bring out their schedule for next year (or at least its not on their website yet). I want to try to go on one at the beg of the season so I can build on what I've learnt within a few months without having to wait all year - my time is going to be really tight though next winter but if there is something in Jan that would be ideal.
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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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Cathy Coins, I went before Christmas to Tignes - was a good way of making the most of not great snow.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Cathy Coins, yes, I'm waiting for their schedule too. Will prob do a race or off-piste week in March though. Would like to go to Courchevel though in an effort to improve my kids' ski-school experience so I'll have to see what's available when.
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slikedges,
Very interesting report and something that it sounds like I could do with as my technique is a lacking and I have not taken a series of lessons as opposed to the odd lesson for a long time.
As a matter of interest what are the three fundamental ways of turning a ski? Without getting technical as I never understand the threads when folk get technical. 
PS having had a look at their progeamme I would consider St Anton as well if you are interested in childrens ski school. Our kids have always enjoyed Austrian ski school and with the numbers they get at St Anton there should be no problems with appropriate levels for the children.
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slikedges, Great report. That March off-piste course sound interesting.
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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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T Bar, pressure/pushing on the ski, twisting/pivoting and edging the skis. Phil gets you to try to do each in isolation, with as little of the other two as possible, so you can feel the difference, and then use combinations to varying degrees as appropriate. Thanks for the tip on St.Anton - will look into it.
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slikedges,
Thanks, I didn't think my own technique of chucking the body around and hoping the skis follow would count, but I had never realised that edging could be seperated from pressuring, probably shows that I don't really edge 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks for the review. I've also enjoyed instruction with Phil and his colleagues, and happily recommend their courses to others.
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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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IncogSkiSno, I'm sure you'd have no problem whatsoever coping with the course
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You know it makes sense.
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slikedges, Phil emailed me that he brochure is in the post, and I am now trying to get fit and convince my SO
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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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slikedges,
How was John? He had two accidents this year. Last time I saw him was in January after the first.
Bod.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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T Bar, Look at the BASI website - I think you'll find the diagram in there somewhere. Edge, pressure and turn are the three elements and you can change the order of these to suit the circumstances etc. I don't know how to put a diagram in here so I can't do it for you, but think of a circle, divided into three with one of these elements in each section and you'll have it.
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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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easiski, didn't Phil Smith write most of the Central Theme stuff for BASI a few years ago?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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rob@rar.org.uk, yes! However the concept of PET, TEP or EPT has been around longer than him I think! I did shadow a group of trainers once in Aviemore who were all trying (under Phil's guidance) to make turns with the different orders - very interesting: the older ones like Kenny Dixon and Alan Hole could start the turn on the edge, and the younger ones like Pete Kuval and Mike ??? couldn't pivot to start the turn!! Phil could do it all, but the ability to do it all was his baby, and the idea of teaching foot skills was his. (AFAIK)
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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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easiski,
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However the concept of PET, TEP or EPT has been around longer than
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Wasn't it John Shedden - Skilful Skiing ?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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ski, that's where i first read it, still got the book 1983 reprint! Of course I only bought the book for the pictures of the girl in the red boots and white bikini...
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ski, I'm sure you're right. I've got the book, but it's currently buried under a pile of stuff so I can't check. John has certainly been a very original thinker in his time, and is not often credited (by BASI).
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easiski,
Couldn't find any instruction on the BASI website, but thanks for trying. To be honest though I struggle to understand how to do any sport from books. I have a few old instructional skiing books but don't really know how I turn, just point skis in new direction after unweighting I guess.
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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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T Bar, Aah - sorry about lack of stuff on their website (I'm not a member any more), but I thought they had some of their manual stuff on it - now I know better! You shouldn't refer to old instructional books anyway now, as they'll all be pre-carvers - nice to keep for souveniers though.
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| T Bar wrote: |
To be honest though I struggle to understand how to do any sport from books. I have a few old instructional skiing books but don't really know how I turn, just point skis in new direction after unweighting I guess. |
don't fret t-bar... I'm a uber-geek re ski instruction... I need to understand it all to be able to think about even moving.... I keep special instructors just to fill in the gaps(translate??) the bits the others are not quite sure about (or if 2 seem to not agree).... I have had ski school directors comment on my technical knowledge... most instructors find me a bit "weird" to deal with - at least until they have taught me a couple of lessons and work out how I function....
but even I have reached a point where I'm trying to tell a friend who is an instructor trainer what I learnt in a certain lesson and I'm saying "ummmm i dunno he made me move my shoulder and it felt heaps better"
I really could not put the whole thing into good perspective.... very NOT like me.... the trainer friend was happy as he thinks maybe I'm getting more brain connections and so not so reliant on "conscious" process to control skiing
It is not that I did NOT understand what i was doing and why - but more that I was so focused on achieving the outcome that I let go of the technical crap... and so it is there but fuzzy where normally it is crystal clear...
Luckily my trainer friend can a) translate my mutterings and b) has enough sense not to push for detail and c) is a good enough skier/instructor to rework my mumbles into something sensible for me if I need it again
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Snoworks' schedule for next season is out now - I really wanted to go on an Easy Terrain week but they only have 3 weeks, beg of Dec, Feb when I'm on jury service and the end of March - can't do & not much use for improving my skiing next season.
So it looks like its Tignes 2-9 Dec for me. I do feel this is taking a bit of a chance so early on in the season but don't really have much choice. Can anyone reassure me that my money won't be wasted even if the snow's bad? Anyone else thinking of going this week? Mr C not going so will be on my lonesome
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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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You know it makes sense.
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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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Yeah - I was hoping for Austria in Jan - but this plays well into my hands for getting 4 weeks' skiing in  . Cos of course Mr C has to have his week away in Jan & then we have 2 weeks in Canada in March, hopefully. Don't quite know how I'm going to pay for it all though......
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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IncogSkiSno, let me know if you hear anything more. I think its probably one of those things you just have to take a chance on - I've committed myself to it mentally now anyway! I looked at easyjet flights & it looked like flights for then aren't out yet, they only go up to Oct. They do supply a transfer but it looks like it costs an extra £70 return - don't they have a lardy bus??
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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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They're just finalising the package details for the week of 2-9 Dec - and it looks like it will be 2-10 Dec!! Whoopeeeee, an extra day! It will also be a package with flight included, although of course own flights can be arranged.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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OK - it's booked! Nothing like booking 2 holidays in 2 days . Just have to count down how many days until 2 Dec......
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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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cathy, Hey well done, may see you there then
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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IncogSkiSno, I hope so!!
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cathy, I'm sure you'll enjoy your week with Phil and his colleagues. I've just booked a course with Snoworks in November.
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Thanks rob@rar.org.uk, I hope so! Are you going to Tignes?
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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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cathy, yes, for a week's GS tuition. I've enjoyed the last couple of times I've done this course, and it's nice to get the season started early 
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| rob@rar.org.uk wrote: |
| ...it's nice to get the season started early |
Just what I thought! And no point doing it the end of the season. Have fun!
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FAQ
or I'd definitely have linked into it at the top of my report 
