At the end of our second week of training all the BASI Gap students gathered at the Altitude office to meet the BASI trainers who would be assessing us for Level 1. We met Steve who explained what we would be doing in the week and also that unfortunately the other trainer was injured. This meant a few of us had to join Gap groups from other companies for the first day until a replacement trainer could get here, although unexpected it was a great chance to meet more people in the resort! By day two another BASI trainer, Shona, was able to drive over from Chamonix and we all returned to our original Altitude groups.
BASI Level 1
Over the first two weeks we had worked hard with our Altitude trainers meaning that we were all well prepared for the start of the level 1 assessment. However, I think it’s fair to say that everyone saw massive improvements in both the teaching and technical aspects in the week spent with the BASI trainers. The first three days were spent honing our technique in short turns, long turns and, of course, snow ploughs. In the evenings we helped each other with lesson plans and the short home studies in our BASI workbooks; it was a great atmosphere in the chalet with everyone chipping in ideas for the lessons and supporting each other.
On the Thursday of our assessment week we were asked to teach a lesson to the rest of the group whilst they all pretended to be different age groups. This really got people’s imaginations working as they came up with themed lessons for children. A particular favourite was Hugo’s dinosaur lesson which had us all roaring and screaming going down the slope, much to the bewilderment of other skiers!
Going into the final day with the BASI trainers everybody was feeling a little nervous as we knew we would have to demonstrate our technical skills; but both Steve and Shona eased us into it, continuing to help us develop in the morning so we could all do our very best. At the end of our last run of short turns we were each greeted by a hug from Shona to let us know we’d passed! We then spent the rest of the afternoon zipping around the mountain totally elated by the fact we could now call ourselves ski instructors.
BASI Gap course
Now three weeks into the BASI Gap course we’re really getting to know Verbier and experiencing all it has to offer. From taking French lessons with the Verbier Language School to frequenting our favourite bars (The Loft, Pub Mont Fort and the Fer a Cheval). Everyone is still having a fantastic time and looking forward to experiencing Christmas and New Year in Verbier!
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Author profile
Tori Redmond
Hi, I’m Tori (21) from Manchester in the UK and I’m currently on the BASI Gap course with Altitude. I hope this blog will give you some insight into what a brilliant time we’re all having here in Verbier!