HOTEL AND FOOD

In Bariloche we stay at the fantastic El Retorno Lodge right on the shore of Lago Gutierrez (see photos) a brilliant expanse of deep crystal water behind Cerro Catedral. Breakfast and dinner is served in the hotel's restaurant. There's a bar and free Wi Fi & Internet Services. This is the view from the hotel...right outside the front.

An Argentine welcome is like no other. After travelling from the airport through stunning scenery of mountains and lakes, the group is given a welcome meeting and their first taste of the legendary Argentine asado (BBQ).

For the past 10 years we have used the 3* El Retorno hotel. We are about a 12 minute drive to Cerro Cathedral and to the centre of down town Bariloche. The hotel is in the most magnificent setting, surrounded by mountains and with stunning views across the lake.

On days off the you can either hang out at the hotel to relax after coaching, have a glass or two of Merlot, go to Bariloche shopping, or if you are feeling active, go exploring on the hotel’s mountain bikes.

Rooms are usually twin, but please contact us if you wish to pay for a single room supplement.

FOOD:

Included in the cost is breakfast (7 days) and dinner 5 days per week. Breakfast is continental with croissants, ham, cheese, fruit, yogurt and cereal. Lunch is included on coaching days. Once you get back the hotel you can start all over again! Another reason to choose our course! Feedback from previous courses showed that our clients preferred the flexibility of eating out at the weekend. You can work your way through the list of excellent restaurants in Bariloche.

THE RESORT

Cerro Catedral: The ski area at Cerro Catedral is the largest in South America with 67 km of trails and 27 major lifts with a capacity of 20,000 skiers per hour.  The top of the mountain is 2050m and the vertical drop is 1000m. It is one of the best places in the world for ski / board freeriders where you can blast your way through  deep powder in one of the mile long chutes and take in the stunning views across Lake Nahuel Huapi to the surrounding high Andes. The off-piste runs on the best tree covered slopes of South America are magical.

CERRO CATHEDRAL

Cerro Catedral is world class and attract athletes from every corner of the globe. In the past Peak Leaders groups have brushed shoulders with British Race Team member, Noel Baxter whilst he was training at Cerro and legendary freestyle ski guru Pep Fujas in the terrain park. Freestyle coaching is given by Argentine sponsored riders & skiers. On days off, the course leader encourages the group to practice on the mountain for the exam as well as getting in some free riding and park time.

CONDORS

You can see condors at Cerro Cateral. The Andean condor is the largest bird of prey in the world. Condors are usually seen in the air in numbers ranging from one to sixty or more. Its range is now reduced to only several South American countries including Chile. They roost and nest in the mountains, although not usually above 18,000 feet (5,500 meters). Their normal food is carrion, dead, dying or sometimes newborn animals. Condors have commonly been killed for their feathers (used for decoration) as well as for being considered pests. Some Indian religions considered a hunted condor a rite of passage for men. In captivity condors have reached ages in excess of 70 years. Condors have wingspans exceeding 12 feet (four meters) and weigh up to 25 lbs. (11 kg).

Located in the western area of the Province of Río Negro, Bariloche is in the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Not only is San Carlos de Bariloche a rite of passage destination for students on graduation, but it also welcomes visitors from all over the world who come to one of the main ski resorts in South America: Cerro Catedral.

There is a wide range of activities for visitors. During the summer, adventure tours are popular: rafting, hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding and fly fishing excursions. In winter it is all about snow sports.

Likewise, lake excursions across the Nahuel Huapi provide access to spots that are unique in the world, such as the Myrtle Forest and Victoria Island.

ARGENTINE CULTURE & TRIPS

During your time with Peak Leaders in Argentina, there are trips organised, when you'll experience the richness and fun of South American culture. You'll go from the Atlantic to the Andes, ride with gauchos, learn spoken Spanish, see the soaring condors of Patagonia!

LA TROCHITA

Mate. (pronounced ma-tay)

Many of the locals drink mate instead of tea. Yerba mate is a species of holly native to subtropical South America.The infusion made from the plant is called mate and is prepared by steeping dry leaves (and twigs) of yerba mate in hot water, rather than in boiling water like black tea or coffee. It is a slightly less potent stimulant than coffee and much gentler on the stomach. Drinking mate with friends from a shared hollow gourd with a metal straw is an extremely common social practice in Argentina.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

BASI qualifications are recognised world wide. Your course leader alongside our excellent, world-wide contacts with ski / board schools will help you with job advice, whether it be immediately following the course in Switzerland, Canada or the USA or the summer in New Zealand. This global network of schools come to us looking for new instructors. As the course finishes at the start of the season, you’ll need to start applying for jobs as early as possible. You should think about where you’d like to work before you join the course, so you can send off applications before or during the start of the course.

Peak Leaders have planned their courses to give you the option of qualifying either in summer ( New Zealand or Argentina) or winter ( Canada, France or Switzerland.) This flexibility means you can fit in a course in the summer holidays from July - October before, during or after school/ university or qualify during the northern hemisphere winter season January - March.

Remember - you need to plan ahead and start applying for jobs as soon as possible. Your Course Leader is there to help you as much as possible with ideas and tips on finding jobs.

THE C.V...

To enhance your CV for future employment, Peak Leaders have devised a course structure which includes a wide range of complementary qualifications and skills.   Having completed your Peak Leaders' course, a well presented CV listing qualifications you have gained, with good references, is key to gaining a job.

YOUR PORTFOLIO...

Understanding customer service and developing your people skills are modules taught on a Peak Leaders' course. As with most jobs, being an instructor often involves starting at the bottom of the ladder in a snowsports' school. Although the money is limited at the beginning, you will be working in the most fabulous outdoor office in the world doing something you love with like minded people. You should also, in a good snowsports' school, expect to receive personal development training, qualifications and job / income prospects.  Once you have built up a portfolio of skills and a reputation with clients who want you as their instructor, your salary will increase.

JOB SEARCH...

Peak Leaders commitment to helping trainees does not end with the completion of your course. We will give you information and advice to help secure the job you want

FORMER TRAINEES...

From the Andes to the Southern Alps to the Rocky Mountains, wherever you gain your qualifications with Peak Leaders, remember, you may be head hunted for jobs the following season. Destination resort managers look out for good Peak Leaders' trainees who finish the course well qualified, with good CVs and references.  In the past former Peak Leaders' trainees have been employed in Canada, Europe, North America and New Zealand.

VISA & WORK PERMIT ADVICE:

Europe - UK citizens do not need a visa to travel or work in Europe. If you do not hold a European passport you should contact the local embassy of the country you want to visit or your foreign office before applying for jobs.

Canada & The U.S.A - You can go to Canada for up to 6 months as a visitor and no visa is necessary as long as you are on a full British passport and do not do paid work.  If you get a job, you have to apply either from your country of origin or in Canada itself (which will take up to a month to process). If you do the latter, you will have to leave and re-enter Canada with the new paperwork from outside its borders.  Many ski and snowboard schools in Canada and the U.S.A have some jobs which include work permits specifically for their international employees.  Alternatively, BUNAC run a Work Canada program which allows those aged between 18 & 30 to work and travel in Canada for up to 6 months.  BUNAC will issue you with a "Work Authorisation Certificate".  When you arrive in Canada, you take this certificate to Canadian Immigration along with your passport and they will issue you with a stamped visa.

New Zealand - A working holiday visa is a good option for job seekers going to New Zealand.  This scheme allows UK and Irish citizens to stay in NZ for up to 12 months and allows you to work to supplement your travel. There are 8,000 visas available to UK citizens and 1,000 for Irish citizens. There are some Working Holiday Visa Conditions, you must:

• Be a British or Irish Citizen residing in the UK or Ireland respectively at the time of applying
• Be aged between 18-30 years
• Not accompanied by children on your visit
• Have a passport valid 3 months beyond your intended departure date from NZ
• Upon arrival, provide evidence of NZ$4,200 in funds
• Upon arrival, provide an outward flight ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase one (approx NZ$2,000)

QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTS

In Argentina we offer the BASI ISIA Tech and Teach qualifications. The qualification is recognized worldwide and is crucial if you want to teach in France later on in your career. BASI requires you to have completed 200 hours teaching experience prior to taking the exams.

This qualification is for international instructors working full time in international snowsport schools. By joining our 8 week programme, we offers an excellent way to fast track to undertaking your ISIA qualification. You will also need to complete a 2nd discipline Level 1 course, Common Theory, second language, Level 3 Mountain Safety course and Coaching Level 1&2. For the ISIA Snowboard qualification, you'll also need to complete a written project and take part in an interview.

Peak Leaders run professional courses which deliver more all mountain technical training and skills than anyone else. After three years of intense assessment, Peak Leaders UK Ltd are members of the exclusive "Year Out Group"; the governing body for structured year out opportunities.

We pride ourselves in offering certification in aspects above and beyond the snowsports qualifications, so preparing you for a variety of jobs.

QUALIFICATIONS...

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SNOWSPORT INSTRUCTORS

“To create a National and International reputation for excellence through the provision of the highest quality of training and support services for Ski and Snowboard instructors"

BASI offers a full range of training courses in all disciplines - giving a clearly defined path of learning, leading to some of the most respected and in-demand qualifications in the world.

SPANISH CLASSES

Whatever level you are, lessons can be arranged. Evening classes focus on spoken Spanish and are conducted by qualified teachers.  The aim is to give people the basic technical vocabulary for an understanding of mountain safety and for day to day living in a Spanish speaking society. For trainees who already have an understanding of Spanish, the aim is to learn more snowsports' related vocabulary.