RED 11 Week Instructor Course 16/17 - Week 5

A big week in RED as the Level 1 exams took centre stage. Everyone passed to secure their Level 1 instructor pin, and with a few powder days thrown in, it sure was a week to remember. To cap off an awesome week, the guys made a trip to Whitewater Ski Resort in search for more pow!

Jane joined us from Australia to propel her skiing and this is her story from week five. Sadly this is Jane's last week... but we think she'll be back soon!

A huge week, with CSIA and CASI Level 1 exams. The week started on a high with a powder day of epic proportions. 20cm all over this amazing mountain. Snow meant warmer temperatures which was a blessing after a very cold week four. Our coach Edwin had to keep the younger guys focussed who really just wanted to seek the powder in the trees. But as Monday was the last day we had before exams we needed to consolidate the last four weeks of skiing and teaching technique. So a compromise was reached with bit of play with a bit of work. We had been so well prepared by our coach that we could have played all day.

Tuesday was the first of our three day CSIA Level 1 course. Day one involved meeting and skiing with our exam conductor, Simon. He impressed us all with his skiing style, fearless attitude, and lovely French accent (it’s a chick thing!).

On Wednesday, with 16cm of fresh pow on the mountain, Simon worked on specific areas of our technique and teaching style that he wanted to develop. We had been so well prepared by our Nonstop coach Edwin that this was merely a formality.

Thursday was crunch day. We all taught our peers a beginner lesson, i.e. teaching someone who has never skied before or perhaps never even seen snow. We were also accessed on our own personal skiing in line with the Level 1 standards.

Results. We all nailed it and passed. Everyone was relieved and stoked in equal measure. It was time to celebrate with pizza, beers at Rafters on the hill, more beers and a bit of pool in town at the Steam Shovel Pub.

Some of the guys were heading to Whitewater Mountain Resort in Nelson, BC on Saturday and the Ainsworth Hot Pools after a busy week.

This was my last week in Rossland. I leave Rossland and RED Mountain with mixed emotions. I would have liked to stay to do my Level 2 and spent more time with this great bunch of people. But, on the flip sie, this also gives me the opportunity to come back and meet a whole new group of guys from around the world next year.

RED has this way of getting into your soul and pulling you back. I, for one, can’t resist and as Arnie says “I’ll be back”.

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