Lulu’s experience of Argentina
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 3:30 pm

Lulu Little’s time in Argentina.

 Argentina overall, for me was simply amazing. I’ve never been so happy or had so much fun in my life! The people on my course were all so different, interesting and friendly and everyone got along really well. We have all stayed in touch and we were really close by the end. 

 The first month with the Argentinian instructors was a lot of fun, spent introducing us to the BASI system. I had an instructor called Jorgé, who was such a laugh and was a really kind, encouraging instructor. I remember really well one brilliant powder day we had with him, so many laughs and videos of us all attempting somersaults. 

In terms of skiing, the scenery is beautiful out in Cerro Catedral. When you get to the top of the mountain you can see 360 degrees of lakes that look like mirrors when the sun is shining! The snow was surprisingly good and despite the few days of bad weather here and there, like any resort really, we had such nice weather! 

Contrary to most people’s thoughts about skiing In Argentina, there were loads of different pistes and areas so it honestly didn’t get boring.

 When the BASI examiners came, things definitely tensed up a bit, it all became very real.

We saw them walking around hotel in their BASI jackets looking very serious, but our nerves were put to rest as soon as they spoke to all of us and introduced themselves in the peaks club.

 Our group played introductory ping pong, where we had to say a short fact about ourselves every time we hit the ball, and our trainer tried to remember one or two of each person so he could get to know us better. Ended up being actually quite fun because of some of the funny facts people were coming up with! Having the BASI examiners ended up being a really good change of routine out there.  They were so helpful and supportive throughout our assessments too! 

 Nights out inArgentinawere a lot of fun. There was an Irish bar called ‘Wilkenny’s’ that we loved. We all watched the world cup rugby EnglandvsArgentina game in there! 

After Wilkenny’s we would usually head over the road to the nightclub Dusk where we had a great time too! 

There were loads of other places to go as well – but those were our regulars!

For one of our friends, on their 21st birthday out there, we rented outfits from a dress up shop in town, which I would definitely recommend if you get the chance! We had everything from monks to prisoners to cave men! 

In terms of the course structure and arrangements made for us, I thought everything was really great. We had a bus driver called Gustav Flores (amazing name) who took us everywhere and became very much part of our peak leadersArgentinafamily! The staff at the hotel were very friendly and welcoming, we were treated so nicely the whole time we were there. I myself do not eat red meat and every meal that everyone ate something I didn’t, they’d happily prepare me some chicken or alternative. When we didn’t have meals at the hotel, there was a take away place of pizza, pasta and all sorts which was conveniently next to a huge supermarket that had everything you needed!

 The hotel is in such a lovely setting, and we were practically the only people there the whole season, felt like a Peak Leaders hotel really! 

Lots of nights out to restaurants and après drinks were arranged for us so we were never short of things to do!

Ivan and Colo were the main guys in charge during our time inArgentinaand they were amazing. Always helping us out with everything, making sure we were happy etc – we felt extremely lucky to have them! Ronnie (Chinese medicine doctor and Physio) was always around to help anyone with injuries or any ill people. We were very well looked after!

To someone who is considering going toArgentina for their BASI courses, I say DO IT! It was an unforgettable experience. If you want to meet different people of all ages, be in a beautiful setting with amazing, kind people around to help you with anything and of course to have loads of fun, go to Bariloche! I really can’t recommend it enough.

Snowboarders working hard!
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:17 am

On  an ashy late september day on Cerro Catedral, the Peak Leaders’ Snowboarding groups hit the terrain park. The adrenaline inducing rush to hit the kickers was a welcome diversion from the communal stress they feel on this, the second to last day before BASI level II results.

Cheers, war cries and oooooooh snaps could be heard from the lift as the board brothers egged each other on. With each successful salvo of jumps, a visible progression in the level of jumps, grabs and tricks was evident among the group. Despite the jovial atmosphere, there was still an underlying level of tension. The trainers were watching. As always. Some of boys still needed to make the grade. As each boarder hiked up the slope after their jump, board in hand, they would tepidly probe their trainer for some feedback, a glimmer of approval. They took what they got and headed out for more. Upon reaching the kickoff line, puffing and out of breath from there climb, the riders spouted off their intended approach for the next hurdle through the air. “Mute grab, this time,” or “I think I’m gonna do a 180 on this next one,” “yeah, son.”

Two more days. Two….more….days….

(And they said snowboarders couldn’t write)
–

BASI level two
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 10:24 pm

This fortnight is the Argentina team’s BASI level two assessment. There are the three groups of skiers and two boarding groups. Week one was great with all the students teaching two lessons. The skiing groups had one fairly normal lesson, however the second one had some seriously challenging role playing clients in each lesson. We had young farmers, dysfunctional families, arguing wives and husbands, hyper six year old’s and everything in between. Some of the guys got really into character, the lessons were hilarious!

The first week of BASI two has been brilliant with everyone really enjoying the course, everyone has had big breaks in their skiing and riding. With everyone stepping up for the results next week.

Here are some photos from week one!

 Nick in action teaching on week one

The girls conferencing mid lesson

Vom Tom working on his Central Theme

Dougie teaching on week one

Lee while listening in on his guys lessons

Luke over the valley of Cerro Catedral

BASI Level One by Luke B
Posted on September 7, 2011 at 9:00 am

Central Theme Practice

Finally, after a few weeks of relaxed skiing with Tety the mountain goat, the assessment started. It begun with a slightly nervous reception with Dunc, our trainer. Everyone eagerly willing to impress him. However, once on the mountain, Mysterious Matt led the group on our first ever ski run together and needed only two attempts to get to the right lift. With Hal falling on the walk up to the right track, followed closely by a spectacular fall from trainer Dunc, it’s fair to say the ice was broken… Of course he meant it.

The first few days were spent enjoying some of the fresh powder snow, with our group leaving some intense synchronised skiing tracks over the mountain. We then shifted focus onto our balance by trying some one-ski skiing, and worked even harder on our synchronisation by trying to overtake one-another whilst maintaining the same rhythm. It’s fair to say our skiing was challenged and we thought we were in for a rest with the central theme lined up later in the week… we were definitely wrong. A few laps later, skiing without poles, skiing with boots totally unclipped and constantly trying to get to terms with the infamous stretch and bend, we finally learnt to snow plough.

Then, as the final part of the course, we taught a session each. The whole day was a success with a variety of introductory activities including; three-legged skiing, one-ski slaloms and obstacle courses to name a few. Other lesson plans involved pole balancing and slaloms, with everyone becoming totally confused by Dunc’s out-of-a-pound scoring system.

So before we knew it the week was over and everyone was left in Mute, the Apres-ski bar, clenching their professional ski-instructor qualifications and a well earned drink! Pretty successful week I’d say… Bring on level two!

-Luke Barratt

Level one week
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:24 pm

The BASI boys are in Argentina and are running the BASI courses at the moment.  Last week was the level one courses and this week is a training week before the level two starts.

The big news is that 100 % of the trainees passed their level one! It’s absolutely fantastic, everyone is really excited and pleased with themselves, quite rightly!

We have the five BASI trainers working with the guys this week to give them the best possible chance for the level two that starts a week today!  We are all really excited to have the BASI guys here, but also because everyone is now a qualified snowsports instructor!

Here are some photos of the groups in action last week.

Alex Leaf working with Grega on the Condor Tbar

Rob Norton’s group on their teaching day

Duncan Adamson’s group working on Central Theme

Pocket Ben teaching his first ever lesson

Duncan Adamson coaching Central Theme

Punter Callum practicing his Snowploughs

Alex Leaf’s group on Friday playing in the powder

Freestyle Course 2011
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 3:36 am

This summer Peak Leaders ran a Snowboard Freestyle course down here in Argentina.  We only had one guy on the course but it was a big success with Chris “The Godfather” Crimp. He was here for four weeks of training. Three weeks with the Argentinean trainers from Club Andino Bariloche and one week with BASI trainer Rob Norton.
Everyone still here in Bariloche is really sad to see Chris leave as he was a great guy to have around. Thanks Chris. Take Care mate.
Team Argentina 2011!!

Here are some photos of Chris from his time down here with us all…

Chris mid front flip!

Chris cruising towards Condor.

Chris planking on a Saturday day off.

Chris and Dany Z on a night out.

A few of the team out in Dusk night club.

Powder day!
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 1:41 am

Today was an odd start to an amazing day. It had been bit damp and grey down at the hotel all of last night and early this morning. The hotel is at about 700m above sea level. However that meant that there was nearly 18 inches of fresh powder at the top of Cerro Catedral which is at 2200m.

This is what it looked like by the end of today!

There was even half a foot of snow at the base, which meant the snowboarders rode all the way down today. And to make things even better, the sky cleared and turned it into a bluebird powder day. It’s even snowing again down here at the hotel again now and we have promises of more clear skies and sunshine this week. What more could we ask for?

Julian chilling in the powder today!

BASI level ones are running this week. We have two snowboard groups and three groups of skiers. Everyone is well trained after a month with the Argentinean trainers and are now fired up for a month of BASI training and courses. Good luck guys.

Just one of the three BASI skiing groups on their level one this week.