Danno Portsmouth

Firstly, I wanted to say thanks to everyone at Peak Leaders who had anything to do with the course. It was a great time and something I'll never forget; and I passed so that was the best way to top it off!

The team out there who ran it were just great. Ed and Lucie were a big help getting out there and always on hand around the hosteria to sort out any problems. The local team (Alvar, Ivan and the instructors) were incredible. In particular Alvar, who seemed to be able to solve absolutely anything, no matter how trivial or big. I think a great deal of credit should go to him for the success of the trip; I spoke to nobody who at some stage didn't require his help and he always went the extra mile to make sure we got what we needed. His knowledge of the way things worked out there was invaluable. It takes a while before you realise how differently people operate out there; we called it T.I.A (This Is Argentina!), a phrase most people used several times a day. Alvar knows what the score is so he was great to have around.

The Hosteria El Retorno was top as well. What a location! Our Argentinian instructors were great fun to ski with and also really friendly and, importantly, cared about us. They got involved with all the events and activities and it was nice having them around the hosteria for breakfast and dinner.

Bariloche is an awesome town, especially at night. I think if you really want to sell the trip better, mention that every week the vast number of clubs are filled with thousands of gorgeous Argentinian and Brazillian students all partying like crazy. That was definately a bonus :-)

It was a fantastic 9 weeks in a beautiful country. I'm definately going back there as soon as I can. I'm working as a guide in Les Arcs this winter, then I'm off to teach in New Zealand in the summer but I'm going to squeeze in a trip to Bariloche in between the two. I've made friends for life over the last 10 weeks! Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved; the course was better than I could have imagined and clearly very well thought out and operated. Thanks a lot.

Red Rainey, Whistler 2009

Thanks to all the Peak Leaders staff for providing me with such a full and incredible life experience, the course was absolutely magnificent and I am thrilled to bits with everything it involved from the ground up. I would also like to extend a specific thanks to everyone working in the Peak Leaders head office, who were always more than happy to meet, greet, help and put up with all my questions and problems big and small. From the outset to outcome I am one extremely satisfied customer, and I only hope my involvement with you guys doesn't end here!

Katie Baddams, Argentina

When I first saw the Peak Leaders course I had been contemplating a career break for about a year at least. In my search for this ‘new direction’ I stumbled across a book entitled ‘Gap Years for Grown ups’ (being thirty-three this seemed quite apt for me!). In this book was a chapter on ‘Specialist courses’, more specifically, skiing, which led me to find Peak Leaders amongst various other companies. It was in March that I decided to make the break and at that time, the winter seasons seemed a long way off. I then realized that Peak Leaders were offering courses in New Zealand and Argentina in the summer months. This was an ideal opportunity for me as I could train for the BASI qualification in the summer, then be set up to find work in the winter seasons in North America and Europe. Fantastic! 

Definitely I chose the right place. I don’t think anything could have prepared me for how spectacular the scenery was. Patagonia really is a special place. The people are also so friendly and hospitable which makes a difference when visiting or living in a foreign country. The accommodation and its’ surroundings were also superb. You can ski or instruct anywhere at anytime, but to have that experience of training in Argentina was a much better all round experience by far.

Tom Falconer Hall, Verbier 2009

The season was fantastic, the course was top notch and you and Jay did such a great job as Course Leaders. I would recommend Peak Leaders anyday.

Mike, Banff 2009

The course more than met my expectations. Had an awesome time. Brilliant rooms at the hotel.

Pete Coddington, CTC Leader Trainer

Being relative new comers to mountain bike leader training, Peak Leaders looked to have nailed this on the head.

This course, the first of its kind, offers a serious opportunity for those mountain bikers turning a past time into a profession.

And what better, 6 weeks in Verbier: awesome trails, full time professional coaching, superb accommodation, great hospitality, and a recognised qualification to boot.

I wish they would have done it 10 years ago

 

Blair Aitken BASI Trainer

The Peak Leaders Argentina course offers two unmissable experiences in one: a visit to the lake district of Patagonia - one of the most beautiful places on earth - and off course the opportunity to do a ski season.

In 2009 I was fortunate enough to assess the Peak Leaders students in Cerre Cathedral, Barilotche. The resort is the best of the South American resorts and has a large number of pistes as well as easily accessible and enjoyable off piste. Peak Leaders team up with the Barilotche Alpine Club to provide training prior to the BASI course, some of the most professional people I met while traveling in South America. This combination of challenging terrain and quality coaching prepares the students well for the technical part of the BASI course.

If you are considering a gap course, and perhaps want something a little different from what the european resorts have to offer, I would highly recommend Argentina. Who knows, you may even learn another language!"

Blair Aitken, BASI

 

Mike Kindred

I was 32 years of age and bored to death with the 9 to 5 lifestyle; needed to feel alive again and the plan was to take a season out of work and be a ski bum for a year. Whilst looking through a ski magazine trying to get up to date on what skies I should be looking for I came across an ad for Peak Leaders’ which caught my eye. So why bum in France for a year when I could go to Canada and become a ski instructor. After a couple of calls to Dave and Annie of Peak Leaders I was booked.

With out a doubt it was the best decision I had ever made. Thanks to Dave and Annie I have made some great friends who I will all ways stay in touch with, from traveling around South America, teaching skiing at the same hill, sailing around the Greek islands or just meeting up in London for drinks and to remains about the 9 weeks we spent together. I came away with my level 2 ski instructor, avalanche awareness, back country training I have to say was the highlight of the trip for me, first aid and the most memorable 9 weeks of my life.

To date (Nov 05) this is the start of my second season teaching in Canada. I am now a level 3 CSIA ski instructor and a Level 1 CASI snowboard instructor, (yes, the dark side my friends.) So for the next five months I’ll be sliding down a hill on a tray or I’ll have two planks strap-ed to my feet. I feel so lucky to be part of such a wonderful sport and I intend to carry on teaching each winter for a long time. I hope this little letter may help some of you come to a decision to sign up to Peak Leaders and have the time of your lives. If I can help answer any questions you may want to ask being some one who has done the course I would be more than happy to (mikekindred2004@yahoo.co.uk) or just to say hi that's cool

Pete

Hi David and Annie, Hope the journey homes was good, the last few days were a blast a really good end to an amazing trip... thanks again. Hope your both well, thanks again for a life changing trip.

Joanne Whiteman

Wow! What an experience Peak Leaders has given us all in the past 2 months.  This course has changed my life; before I did not know what to do career wise and the time away in Argentina has shown me my passion more than anything...That I definitely want a life in the snow...

Jemma Knowles

Thank-you for all your help prior to Canada. I really did have the time of my life and am so glad that I did it...I met some wonderful people, got my Level 2 snowboarding and had an amazing experience so thank-you! It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Throughout my life I have travelled extensively and spent 4 years at university and still my time in Canada will go down as one of the most memorable trips I have undertaken. I was a bit dubious at first that the course would be filled with 18 year olds who had never left home….how wrong I was! There was a strangely perfect balance of ages and backgrounds, on paper you would think ‘mmm, that'll be interesting' but in reality we all got on so well we became a little family!

Everyday on the course was an experience, albeit hard work at times but fantastic, there wasn't a day that went past that I didn't look around at the stunning scenery, look down at my board and the new friends around me and think ‘yes, this is what life is all about'.

I still can't believe how much we managed to fit in such a relatively short space of time and every activity was something to look forward to: the ‘holiday' to Banff experiencing more of the wonders the Rockies have to offer, the skidoo driving, the backcountry phase, disabled skiing course, the ice hockey match, the shopping in Calgary, the theme nights and parties and of course the snowboarding/skiing every day.

I came away from Canada with so many new qualifications. Obtaining my CASI Levels 1 and 2 were an experience in themselves. The nerves were on a par with any exam or test I have taken in my life and the exhilaration and feeling of achievement was almost more amazing than passing a degree!

The ski school was wonderful; we were quickly made to feel like part of the crew and the level of instructing we were given was exceptional. The resort became a home with the perfect bars where many a brilliant night was spent with the staff of both the ski school and the hotel. Our mentors on the course did a truly brilliant job of organising everything and solving our problems at the same time as fitting in with everyone and enjoying themselves.

The Peak Leaders course has inspired me to leave my job and go to New Zealand for the season in June, it made me realise that loving life is far more important than how much money I earn.

So to anyone thinking of doing this course I'd say ‘Do it! Do it! Do it!' it's such an amazing opportunity.

Jemma

I have had a wonderful experience and have come away with great qualifications, fantastic new friends and hundreds of happy memories so thank-you Peak Leaders for quite literally changing my life!

Georgie

I wasn’t sure what to expect but my ten weeks in Zermatt have more than exceeded my expectations; a combination of excellent snow, skiing and people have made it an amazing three months. The training though tough was very enjoyable mainly due to our trainer Brendon who never failed to impress with his first class skiing and quick wit. Having completed the course I am finishing the season working here for the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School, I hope to come back and work again in the future! Zermatt 2010

 

Joanna

Just wanted to say thank you for all the help you have given me since I returned from Canada. It was especially kind of you to send me a reference. I have a job to go to in New Zealand and Dan also from the Canada trip and I are flying out on Friday...

Justin

 I have had an amazing past 9 weeks although that it only seemed like 3 as the time just flew by. The amount of new knowledge that has been crammed into my head will get sorted through over the next few weeks and will come in very handy when climbing into the back country in South America and throwing my self down the steeps and deeps. So thanks for a wild and wonderful trip might see you in Argentina!! Take care.

Dan

2004

Hope you both had a good trip home. Thought you might like to know that day one of the gap olympics went well, a lot of outrageous and ridiculous outfits, that were caught on film that i'll forward to you. Thanks again for an amazing nine weeks and i hope i can do something this summer with you guys, I'll be in contact again soon.

Jeffrey Bonas

I am writing to say how much I have appreciated the care you and your colleagues took in looking after my daughter Cressida.  The time she spent in Verbier was both enjoyable and rewarding; not only did she qualify as a ski instructor but also she gained enormously in self confidence.  I cannot think of a better foundation for her university life and future career.  I do thank you.

General Manager, Irwin's Mountain Inn, Banff

Thanks for a very successful partnership for 2009. Ed Cornfield is to be particularly regarded as an incredible asset to Peak Leaders. Your group was outstanding in respecting the property and making an extended stay pleasurable. Ski season is very hard on our rooms and particularly difficult on extended stays. I was so grateful for the clean up that took place as your crew stayed with us. They become a part of the place and it’s empty and sad when they leave. Our staff becomes attached. You had an amazing team this year.

Evan Bailey

Peak Leaders made the amazing training we had 6 days a week on an average of 5 hours a day so interesting - I don’t know if I would call it training as I expected it to be! It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life - 9 weeks riding with mates while improving my skills with awesome instructors and riders! Canada was magic, and everyday seemed better than the last. Memories that will last forever.

Vicki Puttergill

I went to Argentina last summer with Peak Leaders. I can quite honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life so far! I wasn’t a great snowboarder when I arrived, but we had two Argentine instructors, Pety Figola and Vicky who spent a lot of time with me / us in a small group. I had never done off-piste or ridden powder before, but they were always positive and helpful and I really grew in confidence and skill.

Jane

I just wanted to say thanks again for looking after David so well on the Canada trip. Peak Leaders made us feel so welcome. I feel David got a lot out of the trip - it has achieved all I, as a mother, hoped it would, thank you all so much. You have given a young man the confidence to push forward in life, thank you.

Craig S

Peakleaders provided a brilliant springboard and a bit of a lifeline for a thirtysomething bored lawyer! I took a snowboard instructors course with Peak Leaders in NZ 2005, having become dismayed at my legal career and needing a break. Having passed the course it appeared for a while that I had satisfied my wanderlust and could settle for a while. I'm now full cert AASI qualification and impending season looking at being a trainer!

Parents of Ed, Banff 2008

Our son had a wonderful three months with Peak Leaders in Banff. As his parents, we feel it was time and money very well spent.He emerged with a new level of self-assurance and self-confidence, a Level 2 Canadian Ski instructor certificate, some very good new friends and has become a great admirer of Canada, the Canadian people and Banff itself. He was unable to think of a single Con!

Jonny Palmer-Tompkinson

A Peak Leaders course in Zermatt is something which I would highly recommend to anyone. The ten week course exceeds well beyond just receiving a very worthwhile BASI 2 qualification. Brendon's training was sometimes tough but immensly rewarding, the variety of people made for meeting

some new and interesting friends, and Zermatt's welcoming and enticing atmosphere ensured an awesome time off the slopes. I have no regrets of choosing to do this course so if in doubt then definately give it a go, whether you're on a gap year or simply after something new.

Livia B.B Argentina 2009

This was a massive experience for me at every level and I had a huge amount of fun I found depths in myself that I had never imagined - turfing out to ski daily. My skiing went from good intermediate to stellar (!) and the charm of Bariloche, and all of this with the added benefit of a great nightlife when we were able. It was a beautiful place to live and to learn. The ski tuition was thorough and very exacting but everyone one was encouraged to succeed – we had some first class teachers and some of the best visiting BASI examiners.
The timing of this course puts anyone beginning a gap year in an excellent position to consider working a season in Europe with a teaching qualification which is acceptable almost all over Europe and even in North America and even if you are heading straight to university you can still work in the holidays
Since qualifying, I have used my experience with a Spanish family to teach their children how to ski, and I worked for a ski school in Austria over the busy half-term period. I am assured of further ski instructing work during my university years through both sources. An unexpected extra was that within nine months of leaving school I was teaching English secondary school pupils and they were very respectively calling me ‘Miss’! It sounded very strange.
The course gave me the most fantastic opportunity to develop my skiing and has given me a qualification which I can build on as well as use to work in the future and I could not recommend it more highly and I really do thank Peak Leaders for making it all possible.

Andy McCann BASI Trainer

The Level 1 course I ran for you in Verbier was very well organised, and the group were well prepared...Thank you!

Banff 2011

Not only was Peak Leaders the cheapest but we stayed in the nicest hotel, had the best instructors at Sunshine, we had the better meals out of all the other companies. Peak Leaders was by far very good value for money. After speaking to other people from the other gap companies they were all amazed at what we got included in the price

Verbier 2011

All the instructors and trainers at european snowsports are marvellous. They are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, supportive, patient, amazing skiers and a pleasure to spend time with. Thank you.

Verbier 2011

All the instructors and trainers at european snowsports are marvellous. They are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, supportive, patient, amazing skiers and a pleasure to spend time with. Thank you.

Saas Fee 2010

The training for BASI Level 2 was amazing. It was great because we started to do more advanced riding and freestyle, but we also had a decent amount of time to just ride with our mates and have some fun.

Matt, Canada 2011

I just want to say I have spent the last week sat at home wishing I was back in Canada. I had the best 3 months of my life meeting some inspirational people that will hopefully one day take me back to Canada to relive the experiences I recently had. the snow was divine and I had the time of my life.

Claire 2011, still in Whistler after her Canadian course in 2002!

There are about half a dozen different GAP year ski instructor companies in Whistler, but Peak Leaders were by far the best. The group size was smaller than usual and it was perfect. Peak Leaders accommodation was probably the best in terms of comfort, the fact that food was provided in situ and proximity to the slopes

Wow the Peaks! I did a course with them in 2002 and now coach in Whistler - best thing I ever did!

So much fun and I still keep in touch with my mates that I met back then

Shelia, Argentina 2010

I did a Peak Leaders course in Bariloche, Argentina this season. It was amazing! Our lodging was located just 15 minutes from the mountain base, on a beautiful lake with the Andes in site. There is nothing like experiencing a season in South America, especially when its so well organized for you.

I am planning on pursuing a teaching career after witnessing so many great people in the industry.

Peak Leaders worked to give me what I wanted. I will never forget my time spent in Argentina and recommend the program highly!

Emma, Verbier Coach for Peak Leaders

Peak Leaders is a great Instructor Course to do towards becoming a Snowsports Instructor. I am a coach for Peak Leaders in Verbier, the only program that employs full time fully qualified female coaches. In Verbier we have a mix of female and male coaches which is a great unusual balance!

This brings a lot more to the course, as many people differ in who they respond and train best with, so having this mix, caters more for every different person and their learning styles. I also think it is important for this mix of trainers, especially to understand how some girls may not be as strong physically or perhaps be scared sometimes more than males! A female trainer is perhaps able to understand this slightly more and tailor training and feedback. The two courses we have run this season have been very successful with a very high pass rate. We had a great mix of people who trained hard, had fun and a fantastic experience, with many of them going on to work for our ski school, European Snowsport!

Liz, Verbier 2010

I can't recommend this course enough! I did a Peak Leaders course in Verbier, Switzerland in 09/10 and can honestly say it was one of the best times in my life! Not only are the trainers professional, supportive and fun, but I really made friends for life.
You can always ring up Peak Leaders and they'll be happy to help you with any queries.
The feeling of waking up every morning and seeing the mountains stretch in front of you is just incredible.
Luckily, after the course, I went on to get a part time instructing job in Verbier so I could stay until the end of the season.
If anyone is dithering about whether to go for it or not, DO IT! You won't regret it!
Peak Leaders are ace!

Banff 2011

Skiing everyday with our coach Kenji was epic. Sunshine Village is fantastic and the teaching was on a different level of amazing.

Banff 2011

In Banff, we had a tight group, everyone got along and we stayed in by far the nicest hotel and got the nicest food out of any program running in Banff