Banff 11-week instructor course diary – week 10
Here’s Stuart Briscoe with an update from the 10th week in Banff.
This week we had our private lessons at Norquay – it was legend! Mike (our ski instructor) really helped to iron out my skiing. We had a big dump of snow on that day, which continued all day and night. As a result on Tuesday, Norquay experienced an awesome powder day. However we all got scared on the 9.00 bus to the ‘Mighty Quay’ as the bus struggled to get up the hill to the resort. We all thought it was over when a gritter came down the road and forced the bus to stop, making us lose all our momentum up the hill. The smell of burning tires just added to the tension in the bus. Thankfully Keith the bus driver was a seasoned professional and kept his cool. Keith was a hero on that day and should have at least got a medal for his services to bus driving. When we finally got to the lodge there was a mad rush to get boots on and ski the powder before anyone else wrecked it. Norquay did not disappoint and it was good clean fun. Later that evening we went to the cinema group to watch ‘Alice in Wonderland’. I personally thought it was a bit overrated but everyone else in the group loved it.
Wednesday was pretty standard, just general NONSTOP banter, we just bombed it around Sunshine.
Thursday was a delightful day at Lake Louise. Luke (GG) our instructor was on top form and we did a respectable amount of skiing. This was the day that the pencil drill was created (made up on the spot). We almost went down the Men’s world cup downhill doing the pencil manoeuvre. However due to safety concerns this idea was abandoned. In the afternoon Luke (GG) let us explore the nursery slope. We bombed it around the nursery slope in wedge turns and everyone there seemed very impressed. Later on, we all went down to Wild Bills and ate lots of sausages.
We had another excellent day at Lake Louise. The morning ski session went well as we nearly lost Tom the Australian. The afternoon was good, as the whole group thought their skiing had improved.
Sunday was a preparation day for our level 2 ski instructors’ exam, so nothing that wild happened. Laundry and ski tuning was done and that was about it.
I hope everyone does well in their level 2 exam next week!
Check out the other Banff 11 week instructor course diaries here.
More info on Banff ski instructor courses here.
More info on Banff snowboard instructor courses here.
