 Poster: A snowHead
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Does anyone know anything about this www.ecoledeskiinternationale.com ski school? Or others? I've been recommended to talk to Stuart of Masterclass and have emailed him. However we think he tends to focus more on advanced coaching.
It seems I and a friend are going to ADH at the end of January - she's older and skis greens with encouragement & I'm now happy on easier blues. We are going with friends who are good skiers & will want of course to disappear off. I think we should have some tuition, but I need to take care that my confidence continues to grow through positive experiences. Although I had a very good experience with ESF in Vallandry, I think that might not be typical - I wouldn't want us to find ourselves in a massive group which pushes you to progress at the pace of the fastest 20-something.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I used Stance Ski and Snowboard school when i was in ADH last xmas, and they were excellent. Very small business, but really great guys and excellent tuition
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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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snobunni, thanks.
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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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I would really recommend Masterclass and they're not just for advanced coaching - or at least they weren't when I went with them a good few years back, on my third week skiing. They just don't take total beginners (or didn't then). After 2 weeks of ESF follow-me instruction I was still a cautious snowplougher - they got me out of that within the first 15 mins  . I'm sure that Stuart will get back to you - see what he says then.
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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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I'd avoid the ESF in ADH like the plague....we went out there a couple of years back in very mixed group but everyone in it was up for the craic. Myself and a mate who're experienced skiers went off and did the famous Sarenne run early in the day and on the way back down the front of the Pic Blanc, delighted with ourselves we noticed one of our group WALKING down the mountain....we were exasperated because
(A) She's a total beginner, so what was she doing up so high?
(B) She was alone and frightened.
(C) Her "Instructor" told her "You're not good enough to keep up...walk down"
(D) More importatly...she was abandonded.
Naturally....we helped her all the way down, and we tried our utmost to get her to ski and we'd tip down gently with her but she was too spooked and she just couldn't do it.
So after an age we got down and I headed straight to the ESF and reared up on them there....they stonefaced me and basically didn't give a toss.....I've been railing against them since.
...sad part is....she's never skied again.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Butterfly, Masterclass don't really do absolute beginners but their schtik is getting intermediates skiing better so definitely give them a look.
Stuart never used to be particularly au fait with technology like email so you might be better calling if email doesn't work
I know Olly from Stance a bit. He used to work with Stuart and is a very good skier with lots of teaching experience. he has done a lot of teaching in NZ so his English is excellent with the weirdest combination of French and NZ accents.
If the prices are the same, I'd be more inclined to go with Masterclass for what you are after - it's just a bit more aligned to what they do. I am sure Stance would do a very good job but you'd get more out of them if you are a bit more advanced. When Olly was with Masterclass he always used to take the most advanced group when they did the group lessons.
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Arno, Stuart is so techno-savvy these days that he is even on Facebook! 
Mind you, his daughter had to set it up for him.
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| Lizzard wrote: |
Arno, Stuart is so techno-savvy these days that he is even on Facebook!
Mind you, his daughter had to set it up for him. |
So he is, complete with photo; found it on a quick search. Hope he emails me soon!
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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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Why don't you just point your skis down the hill and go!!!
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kevin mcclean, because you wpuld splat into the lift station and kill yourself. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Lizzard, meet kevin mcclean. He's an oldtimer. You'll have fun together 
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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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No response from Stuart yet!
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Butterfly, maybe you should become his facebook friend 
seriously, you'd be better off phoning
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You know it makes sense.
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My experience from 2 years ago was that everyone in our chalet who used Stance (including two beginners sharing a class) had good experiences with Stance. I had a bad experience (intermediate) with the French instructor brought in by Stuart at Masterclass, I found Stuart a bit too laid back and established, whereas Stance were keen to impress.
For the record the best instruction I have ever had was last year with a one-to-one with an experienced ESF instructor in Valmorel in a quiet January week.
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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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Thanks guys.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Butterfly, ring the old luddite. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Lizzard, Arno, he emailed me just as I was planning to ring!!
He suggested we take either his package of 3 group lessons (max 6) which sounds good to me, or have 1:1 sessions. I am meeting up with my friend later this week to discuss it and will then give him a ring.
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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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Butterfly, Butterfly,
Hi Butterfly,
I may be too late if you are already sorted out elsewhere, but you might like to consider Rod who will be teaching in ADH this season as an independent. Although he is a top ski coach and Snowsport Scotland tutor etc, he is absolutely brilliant with beginners. I could tell you more but its probably easier to direct you to www.glacierskicoaching.com
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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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Thanks all - I have now spoken with Stuart.
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