 Poster: A snowHead
|
I notice that most people who slag of BASI are those who (in the opion of BASI) simply ain't good enough for the badge.
Of course this normally goes against that person own self assement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
I think I will create another post with that has the heading
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Johnathon Anderson, I assume you like BASI 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
so assuming I pass L1, do 70 hours, pass L2 next winter and have shiny badges to wear, where do I go then? What's higher up than L2? Why does higher up mean 2 disciplines? My general rule of thumb is that I will never ski, will never learn and will never like it (despite mastering it in one hour last winter )
Looking at the site ISIA seems to be the top one for boarding but covers a load of crap I have no interest in, Sports Physiology and skiing for example.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I think L2 will do for me then, I seriously will never ski and don't intend throwing money at it. 2 disciplines is why I'm avoiding the swiss courses.
Like I said before I live in switzerland so I don't need to get any qualifications really, but I want to see how you are supposed to teach people properly, teaching people for free in my spare time is one thing, having people pay is another. Not that getting Level 1, Level 2 or LevelELEVENTY1111!!KAKA!!111 will get me any more money mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My mate who is BASI boarding instrcutor taught me for 2 weeks (on and off) and i taught her to ski - we both passed the 2nd disipline
It's not hard - I will "never" be any good at boarding -but its fun to learn new stuff
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnathon Anderson, that is the point, it is fun to learn if you want to, it is not fun to learn if you have to just to 'tick a box'
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Johnathon Anderson wrote: |
| It's not hard - I will "never" be any good at boarding -but its fun to learn new stuff |
that's where I differ, for me skiing is not fun, never will be fun and certainly never has been fun, I always said I would never even try it, such was teh gayness of it all but I did try last winter, did some turns, dicked about for a bit, found out nose presses pop the boots out of the bindings, didnt like it and couldn't understand why it was so popular. But I've done my whole life on a board of some kind so I guess it's the feeling of not travelling sideways that got me, I can't rollerblade or ice skate either, and I have tried them .
The whole 2nd discipline thing just shouts money maker at me from these courses, not just basi.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
dt, Anwarter course is the preferd qualification for Austrian ski schools as you know. Its a quick and easy way to get lots of people teaching beginners, Austria s bread and butter. Its very easy though, you would need to be dead to fail it and even then you stand a chance. Landeschilehrer is a step up to the mark. You need to understand the culture to understand the qualification system in each country. Austrian ski schools dont need ski gurus, they need cheap instructors who can do the job. Not many people making a real living out of teaching as an anwarter, its manly students and Dutch kids. To be a career instructor I suspect you need to get fully qualified and create your own business. At the top end BASI has this. The lower level qualificatons are for people who are "participation" instructors. Its a hobby I guess and they have a real job.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Ooh my pre course information booklet arrived, seems the course is going ahead. Does anyone know if you have to be at the pre course meeting the night before? Doubt I'll be there by 6 but I don't want to turn up on the 1st morning all like "oh hai, I iz Stab, iz shy, bye".
The no smoking thing is true 
Quietly pooping in the pants about this course now [hippy]I just want to ride man[/hippy]
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
stab, goes mainstream .... THE MAN has won ... sad day for us all
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DebbiDoesSnow, The WOMAN has won, I'm under strict orders from the bread knife not to fail, and to behave, and to be poilte, and to not cut people up or shout at skiers, or smoke weed at all during the course and not to shout at tourists. Boring week in my book
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| rob@rar wrote: |
If you can't make the pre-course meeting (there wasn't one for my L1 or L2) get in touch with the BASI office and ask them to pass a message on to the Trainer |
Cheers.
I don't seem to get much response from the office about anything to be honest. It all depends on work, if I'm out early i may make the pre course thing, decided to leave the car and take the train, dont want to risk getting snowed in and not making the pass over from visp.
also is their lift pass discount any cop?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
stab, tough woman, I like her
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
stab, not sure about the lift pass discount; I've never done a BASI course in Zermatt and they don't seem to offer lift pass discounts elsewhere and far as I know. I know what you mean about the BASI office being a bit hectic, but at least you can cover your arse by getting in touch with them beforehand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
What about the bit I just read on insurance? everyone must have insurance and prove it before going up the mountain. I live here so I'm insured through work, don't know how I prove it. I've got sickness, accident and a private helicopter rescue thing.
Guess I'll see in a few weeks 
Anyone ever been weathered off one of these courses? If it's not brass monkeys and snowing mid november then we are all in trouble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
stab, I lost one day of my L1 course due to very high winds closing most of the lifts in Val d'Isere. We spent the day in the classroom getting a lot of the theory work out of the way. Not sure what would happen if you lost a lot of time during the week so you weren't able to cover everything you needed to do. It would be a bit of a killer if everyone failed because you'd only been on the hill for 2 out of 5 days!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
stab - BASI do a special deal on lift passes for Zermatt, but they've got to be pre-booked. This is buried in the pre-course materials somewhere. There's also a discount at one of the car parking places (if you do end up driving over).
The hotel that BASI use for their pre-course and evening sessions is at the top end of town. The very top end of town. If you're not staying there then I'd advise you take trainers so that you can walk there. There are lockers at the gondola station. (Skiing with a backpack isn't encouraged / is frowned upon*)
You can officially miss one day of a five day course. After that I don't know.
Make sure that*:
- you're carrying a piste map
- you're carrying a spare piste map
- you're presentable.
(BASI instructors also get 30-40% discount in the mountain restaurants if they show their license.)
* Depends on your trainer 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
stab, as I mentioned to you before, I did my L1 in a snowdome, so there was no need to wear a backpack there. I think it could be, that with a backpack on (well unless it's a very small/shallow one I guess) the Trainer can't see what you're doing re Body Management to assess you properly. I was thinking that might be the reason behind PhillipStanton's comment regarding that above.
Piste map-I should think you do need to carry one yes, I would make sure I had one anyway. Presentable-well yes to that too. There will be other smokers there as well as you I expect, and you will get the opportunity to have breaks as well as lunch.
PhillipStanton, is the hotel at the top end of town you mention above called the Hemizeus? I see BASI have got a lift pass/accomodation deal on for the courses that are running in April, I have had a look at that myself, I might do my L2 then you see. Does everyone on those courses normally stay in that hotel, i.e the vast majority of the candidates (unless they make their own arrangements) and the Trainers as well? It looks like it would have to be a pretty big place to keep the candidates and the Trainers for those 2 weeks, I see there are a fair few courses running the same time as the L2, there is ISIA teach and tech, ISTD teach and tech, L1 courses for ski, snowboard and telemark, looks like it's everything running in April pretty much! Zermatt looks like it's taken over by BASI for that month actually pretty much
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stab, you sound anxious! Hope it's all less daunting than you think it's going to be! Cross fingers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| stab wrote: |
Presentable I'm working on, dying to shave my head but I'm waiting until it's all over
Is that serious about the backpack and piste map? I was going to be carrying food, drink and my helmet in my bag.
Like I said to my missus, it's just teaching snowboarding, it's not rocket science. Seems a bit over egged to me. |
VolklAttivaS5 is bang on the money with the backpack. It's certainly at least discouraged for the skiing courses. Some trainers won't let you wear one at all.
Piste map, spare piste map and presentable. Honestly.
Piste map. Because you'll need it if you don't know the resort like the back of your hand. Even if you do then consider what would happen if you need to call for help (as I did last season) on a piste you know well, but don't know the name of. (And no, it's not always written on the piste markers.)
Spare piste map. If you don't know the resort then what happens if you lose your piste map.
Presentable. It's a professional course - so you need to look like a professional.
Some trainers have their foibles. Some couldn't care less. You're not going to fail on any of those things specifically, but, at the end of the day, if they have to make a call one way or the other then which do want it to be...
Anyway, take (or leave) the advice in the spirit in which it's offered.
VolklAttivaS5, yep it's the Hemizeus.
I was told by three trainers not to stay there, so I didn't. The trainers all tend to stay in town - mainly in one other hotel on the main street. In part I regret not staying at the Hemizeus because it was a right royal pain sprinting between our mid-town hotel and the Hemizeus for the evening sessions. But on the flip-side I stayed in a hotel with good food, a comforable bed and a friend who I knew would be as knackered as me. The biggest complaints I've heard about the Hemizeus were that it can be hit or miss who you end up sharing with - if you end up with a party animal then it's not going to be pleasant.
Yes, BASI take over Zermatt in April.
One other thing. I really suffered from the altitude when I went there. Morzine / Avoriaz, where I normally ski, tops out at 2600m. Even though I've done the odd bit of skiing at 3500m in Chamonix it's not the same as spending all day up near that altitude. So, if you can, try to go out a few days earlier.
It also makes a huge difference if you know the resort a bit and you know what's around the corner / over a roll, etc. Probably less of an issue on a 2 week course, but still worth considering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PhillipStanton, thanks a lot for your info. Re the Hemizeus-yeah it was a bit of a worry who you end up bunking with in case you're not singing off the same hymn sheet with regards to zeds! Single rooms are available, I checked but the single supplement is £350 for the fortnight, so it seems a bit pricey to me. I was thinking about the altitude thing and also because I've not been to the resort before, I would like to go out a few days/a week earlier to familiarise myself with the resort, just have a gentle ski and mooch around, take in the scenery, and when I asked if I could go out to the Hemizeus the week before, I couldn't, so instead of staying in one hotel and then moving up there for the actual course I reckon I will just go with a single room in the same place for the whole duration be it just the course length or a bit longer hopefully so I can get into it properly. Will probably be cheaper doing that anyway and less hassle.
It is very true re the hike up in altitude and the effects-just got back from skiing on the Grand Motte at Tignes and when you get out of the cable car for the first time it does feel a bit odd until you get used to it. I know some people where altitude affects them a lot more than others.
Why did the trainers say to you, don't stay there out of interest? It can't be very popular if they don't stay there themselves. Then again if I was them I don't think I'd really want to stay with say 100 candidates across half a dozen courses either if I was assessing them every day.
I'm on the look out for a nice comfortable hotel with good food-it's got to be a must especially on a course and I'm not keen on a racket at night when I'm knackered-what was the one you stayed in? I don't mind having to walk up to the Hemizeus, how long did it take you? Was it half board or a pension?
Sorry stab I've gatecrashed your thread for a bit, but useful for you to know too, well some of it anyway!
PhillipStanton, thanks for the info on this, I appreciate it from someone who knows and has been there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
VolklAttivaS5 - the trainers advised avoiding on the grounds of noise and food quality. I didn't sample the latter so can't comment.
Anyway, who in their right mind would want to stay with all the candidates?
We stayed at the Europe, which was a stiff 20-25 minute walk (uphill most of the way) to the Hemizeus. It was more expensive than the Hemizeus, but cost wastn' really a consideration.
One thing I did initiate and should really have followed through was emailing chalets looking for last minute "I'll fill your chalet" deals. I got a really good offer through from one chalet about 10 minutes after I confirmed the hotel. I should have waited.
The downside of that, though, is that you may not be able to do the "few days before" thing. Saying that, April is far from packed - so there are deals to be done.
There are a couple of hostels in Zermatt that might be worth checking out. One of which is near the main gondola station. (The main YHA isn't that badly placed.) I'm told the hostels do single rooms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
PhillipStanton,
| Quote: |
VolklAttivaS5 - the trainers advised avoiding on the grounds of noise and food quality. I didn't sample the latter so can't comment.
|
Ok, well since you got a nice hotel and good food then it was a good call by them one way or another eh. 
| Quote: |
Anyway, who in their right mind would want to stay with all the candidates?
|
Well exactly, that's sort of what I was aluding to in my post, I don't think I'd be keen either.
| Quote: |
| Then again if I was them I don't think I'd really want to stay with say 100 candidates across half a dozen courses either if I was assessing them every day. |
| Quote: |
| We stayed at the Europe, which was a stiff 20-25 minute walk (uphill most of the way) to the Hemizeus. It was more expensive than the Hemizeus, but cost wastn' really a consideration. |
Thanks very much, I will have a look at the Europe. I agree, cost is not the most important thing, peace and quiet at night, own room with bath and a comfy bed are the priorities for me and being able to go out the week before/a few days before. There can't be anything worse than not being able to get a good night's rest for whatever reason when you need to be well rested. I think one of the weeks of the course is one of Easter weeks (I think) so I was planning on having a look into it quite early just in case.
Thank you PhillipStanton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
PhillipStanton, oh you are helpful. Cheers, I will have a look. So if you were to have the time over again would you stay at the Europe knowing what you know about the walk or would you stay somewhere else nearer to the Hemizeus? Is the Europe closer to the meeting point in the morning than the Hemizeus is anyway?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| VolklAttivaS5 wrote: |
| PhillipStanton, oh you are helpful. Cheers, I will have a look. So if you were to have the time over again would you stay at the Europe knowing what you know about the walk or would you stay somewhere else nearer to the Hemizeus? Is the Europe closer to the meeting point in the morning than the Hemizeus is anyway? |
On balance I probably would. It's very grown up and civilised. Dinner is, well, civilised. (I'm getting old, you know...)
Saying that, though, the place I'd probably plump for, if I was with MrsPhillipStanton or a good friend (Swiss beds and all that) would be the Zurbriggen - which is about 50m from the lifts. To say they look nice is a lot of an understatement. (Not many hotels have an Ice Grotto!). A bit too pricey for one though.
The meeting point is about half way between the Europe and the Hemizeus. The Europe probably has a slight advantage - even though you have to walk uphill to the lift station.
There are lockable lockers and ski racks in the lift station which are reasonably priced (1 or 2 CHF).
Don't be tempted to leave your pack just locked to something though (as I sometimes do in Morzine) - I saw a couple of packs that had been broken into.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I left shoes plus a change of base layers (skinning + sweaty boy = need for a change of clothes) and trainers in the locker during the day. After skiing I changed into trainers, left the skis in the lockers and carried the boots up with me to the Hemizeus.
A very shallow Camelback should be ok. Especially if you can wear it under a jacket.
Lots of the trainers wear a water bottle on a belt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
PhillipStanton, ok, thanks for the info. Yeah come to think of it I've seen some of them wearing the water bottles. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Just to add. I have done a number of basi courses in zermatt and I always stay at the antares
http://www.hotel-antares.ch/
It 40m from the main lift and not too costly. You can call and haggle as they speak english here.
Don't book food as they are crazy prices for breakfast and dinner. Book room only as here is a cheap cafe over the road.
Best thing about it is no walking around to the lifts in the morning and at the end of the day you can nip in and drop your gear off befor lectures.
And you don't need a locker as your hotel is right out of the lift
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
stab,
Forgot to say. Good luck with your course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| VolklAttivaS5 wrote: |
Wayne,Oh welcome to Snowheads by the way.  |
Thank you
I found this forum on the advice on someone who booked his family into our ski school last week
He said it was really good and was (in his words) full of crazy people, which he though was great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wayne, well there is certainly a lot of info on here for those that want that, and yes some very crazy conversations from time to time!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 have a 2 bed apt 3 minutes from the lift on oberdorfstrasse, cost me 50 chf a night which I think is good. Don't know the price in april, mid nov is low low season.
Wayne, cheers. Still quietly nervous about something, dont know what, I guess it's being on my own or something, I get a bit shy in new situations, either that or I'm worried that I actually board like a peanut due to never having a lesson in my life and the class will laugh at me
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| stab wrote: |
I have a 2 bed apt 3 minutes from the lift on oberdorfstrasse, cost me 50 chf a night which I think is good. Don't know the price in april, mid nov is low low season.
Wayne, cheers. Still quietly nervous about something, dont know what, I guess it's being on my own or something, I get a bit shy in new situations, either that or I'm worried that I actually board like a peanut due to never having a lesson in my life and the class will laugh at me |
When are you going - Nov or April ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
- a total waste of time as most people will gain the absolute minimum required to get the tick and then never do it again. But - again - if you "really" want to be a snowsports instrcutor then you just have to do it. And it's not just with BASI - this is an ISIA rule - 2 disciplines.
I normally have a Camelbak that carries my off piste stuff as well, or is it for the piste stuff they don't like backpacks? I have a very shallow Camelbak that shouldn't make hardly any difference and besides it's one that can be worn under a jacket believe it or not.