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Warren Smith @ the Hemel Snow Centre - any good?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Thinking about signing-up for one of the WS all-day courses at Hemel, but wondered if anyone had any experience of this sort of indoor course.

Just a bit wary of having to spend an entire day in a fridge (as lovely as Hemel Centre is!)


[Apologies if there are already threads on this subject ... but the search function didn't want to work for me when I tried it a few moments ago]
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I attended a half day course at Milton Keynes last year and found it excellent. It really helped me with some tips to stop A framing and how to make each turn as strong as the other (as opposed to strong one direction and weaker the other direction).

I could have easily stayed longer if the course had been for a whole day, but then again I think fridges are quite good fun anyway when you can't get to the mountains.
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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?
abj, I did a full day with Warren there in May. I got a lot out of it. He will really find where your skiing is breaking down. He does not miss much, I couldnt get away with anything when I thought he wasnt looking. I was a little dubious about what could be done in a dome but actually it does not have the distractions you have on a mountain like big runs so its good to practice things. He slows your skiing down a lot so faults show up.
I would reccomend.
After that positive experience of indoor coaching I have since done more coaching at Hemel with InsideOutSkiing which is run by 2 snowHead's Rob@Rar and Skimottaret and have been equally impressed. I will be using WarrenSmith ski accademy early this season in Verbier 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.
abj, I've been on, I think, two half day courses at Castleford. I enjoyed them and would go again.

I couldn't "free ski" in a dome for more than 30 mins without getting bored; but because you're working drills or, if you're lucky, doing the bumps then time flies.

I'd have a crack if I were you.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Thanks for the advice guys.

Might give it a whirl!
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Quote:

I have since done more coaching at Hemel with InsideOutSkiing which is run by 2 's Rob@Rar and Skimottaret


I did spot this ... but looking at their website, the course desciptions sound a little high-end / above my skill level. I don't even know what 'separation' means in ski-lingo! Embarassed
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
abj, I'm sure it won't be too high end for you, and I'm certain our courses aren't any more high-end than Warren's. If you take a look at our ability levels we normally have clients from Level 5 through to Level 8 or 9, with most being around 6 or 7.

Separation is what you do when your lower body turns independently, or separately, from your upper body. For example, you are doing short radius turns down the piste; your upper body should stay more in the direction of travel (the fall line) while your legs move much more from side to side and follow the line that your skis are taking. If you don't have good separation it is difficult to do good short radius turn.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
abj, I think that doing a day indoors is really good value and you get a lot done.

The only thing to watch is the cold. Whilst you might think that the -1/-2 in a fridge is warmer than many ski days, you don't ever do long runs and warm up in the same way - so I'd advise taking an extra layer or two.

The cumulative difference between spending an hour or two at Hemel and a day is huge.
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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.
abj, if you're not particularly concerned about doing a Warren Smith course, but just want a day's coaching at Hemel, then I would recommend rob@rar/skimottaret's clinics http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=53025 . And believe me, they take all levels..... Embarassed , much as I would like to be high-end Toofy Grin
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Warren's courses have a fantastic reputation.
You'll get a lot from it, and you never know it may even spur you towards a full week course in Verbier (winter) or Saas Fee (summer).

One of the real benefits versus "normal" lessons is the fact that everybody there is in the same mindset as you: ie determined to really improve, not just there as part of an overall ski holiday.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I did a half day at Castleford too, and had a blast. I honestly think I learnt more in the afternoon than in a week of just cruising by myself in resort. I recommend it!
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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.
abj, I've done Warren Smith courses in a snowdome and the InsideOutSkiing courses. Both have excellent instructors. At the moment I'm doing the InsideOutSkiing courses because it enables me to work with the same instructors and facilitates progress. And, like cathy, I'm nowhere near high-end! Spending the whole day in a fridge is not a problem as there is so much to work on and think about, with breaks for refreshment and video analysis. Lastly but not least it's really enjoyable snowHead


Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Tue 29-09-09 18:22; edited 1 time in total
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 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
Thanks for all the info.

rob@rar, I'll certainly look again at the courses. It wasn't meant as a criticism - it just looks a bit intimidating the way it's worded on the website - but I stand corrected!

As a matter of interest, are you planning on doing any general teaching sessions in the future - or will they all be specifically targeted a particular skill-set (i.e. pressure control / separation / etc.)?
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