Snowsport update on recent activities

Hi All Snowsport lovers!

Been a bit lazy in updating this so thought I better get on to it right now.

Well we are right in the thick of it now with The Snow Centre just entering our Super peak season ( December to March) however to be honest winter never really went away. The centre has seen phenomenal success over the last winter ( partly due to the great buzz coming off the winter Olympics). It never really got quiet which is great as I often look out on to the slope and see so many young people engaged in snowsports. This has become for many a lifestyle, just like it is with our Alpine or Scandinavian cousins.

First Alpine trip for me was back in October when I was part of the training team running our annual team training. This trip takes place on the Soelden glacier. Snow was not so good this year but adequate for training purposes. We had a great and I look forwards to getting back out there end of April 2015.

The week later I found myself in Dubai! This was to take a look at the big indoor slope operating over there. There is so much they do well ( low skilled activities) but the actually Alpine skiing was quiet and mainly expat Europeans. Great slope though I must say. Our senior management team travelled out in search or ” inspiration”! We did find it to be honest.

 

December saw me back out with the ALPINECOACHING team in our homeland Hintertux, Austria! 5 coaches along with around 30 guests enjoyed great early season conditions on the glacier. Snow on piste was some of the best I have skied at this time of year which is amazing considering most of Europe was suffering a snow drought. We look forwards to getting back to Hinteryux in April 2015. Our team included Dan Gillespie, Guy Nason and Penny Chapman ( All ISIA qualified coaches)

Me on the Glacier December 2014 ( not bad for an old git)

So as I write this im packing in preparation for my trip to Finland tomorrow. I went to Finland back on May 2014 for the ISIA conference and fell in love with the place. Clean, vast and so different from the Alps. I just had to organise a trip back so that me at 3am tomorrow on my way to Gatwick.

Ruka Finland

Up and coming we have a Norway trip planned and then it’s back to the wilds of Macedonia for more adventure.

I will check out now but will update soon.

Think snow and stay safe!

Pete

Pete Gillespie

Head of Snowsports / Customer service manager

BASI Level 4 ISIA

IASI level 4 Alpine Trainer

Winter 2012/13

Ah its been a long time since I got on to the blog world! Naught boy but I do have a few excuses…..been busy in the world of snow!

So summer passed with a few trips out to the Alps. The Snow Centre enjoyed a good summer with a focus on offers to drive footfall and usage. This strategy worked well for us as the visitor numbers increased on last summer. We are now in to super peak season so the mix has changed to traditional ski and snowboard packages. Again visitor numbers are up and snow in the Alps is looking good for Christmas.

On a personal note I have been busy in the Autumn with my first ski trip in October to the Soelden glacer in Austria (staff training), this was followed by the BASI trainers conference in Zermatt and recently the Alpinecoaching trip to Hintertux. There we enjoyed fantastic snow but tempratures down to minus 20 most days! I will be here at The Snow Centre untill mid January then Im up to Cairngorm to run a BASI level 2. Following that course I am taking a quick reccy down to Macedonia then Heli skiing back in Italy (Gressoney).

I recently took up the Chairmanship of IASI (Irish Association Snowsport Instructors) so I hope in the next 12 months I can continue to build relationships with out snowsport partners across the globe. In the last year we have joined the ISIA (International ski instructors association) card scheme where we have been accepted to issue the highest snowsport licence available through the ISIA. At an EU meeting in Brussels IASI recently had confirmed that out top qualification matches the level to join the EU wide standardisation of professional qualifications.

A busy period ahead but I pledge to update a little more oftern!

Think Snow!

PSG

ISIA meeting in Budapest

Off to Budapest Sunday to attend the ISIA technical meeting. I will be presenting to the rest of the ISIA member nations the mountain security modules (level 1 and 2) ran by the Irish Association of Snowsport Instructors.

Although a non Alpine nation Ireland has one of the strongest training modules for Mountain security and off piste snowsport safety in the world!

Budapest in a city I have visited many times in the past few years (brith place of my Grandmother) and I have a great Aunt there. Always a please to visit such a fantastic place.

Full report on the ISIA meeting will follow on my blog.

May have a drop of Palinka (schnaps)?

PSG