Preparation

Your course start date is getting nearer!

Please can you ensure that you have filled out your pre-course forms in the member’s area.

Have you got all of your kit organised? Refer to the equipment list in the member’s area. It isdefinitely best to arrive with all of your kit so you are ready to go on the first mountain day. Again, contact the office for any advice on skis etc.

Please try and GET FIT! You should be doing a work out most days - start easily and work up gradually. You can do this using the Peak Leaders’ Health & Fitness Programme, whichis also in the course information section of yourmember’s area.

Facebook Group

Please make sure you are in the Facebook group. You should have received an invite by now, but if not, please get in touch with

Also, do let us know if you are not a Facebook user and we will ensure updates are sent via email.

Travel

Please ensure you have filled out the pre-course form with your travel details so we know when to expect you in Saas Fee.

The easiest way to get from Geneva to Saas Fee is by train (then bus). Swiss trains are extremely efficient. You can either prebook your ticket online or you can pay for your ticket in Swiss Francs at the station or on the train. Go to for buying online and timetables. You should get off at ‘Saas-Fee, Busterminal’.

Once in Saas Fee, make your way to the Park Hotel – it is just a one minute walk;click here to see the map.

You are very welcome to book your flights independently. However, we have partnered with STA travel who will be able to offer you some great deals and assistance for your travel arrangements. If you would like to contact them directly please feel free. The dedicated Peak Leaders representative is and her phone number is 0161 667 0083

Make sure you check the baggage allowances!

The Peak Leaders Team in Saas Fee

Your course leader will be Steve. This is his second year as course leader in Saas Fee and he has a lot of experience in the snowsport industry. He is there to make sure you get the most out of the 10 weeks and will be in touch before the course starts.

This year our ski coaches are Emma Cairns and Jake Gough, both are the highest level of BASI instructor and extremely experienced. They live most of the year in Verbier.

The whole team are massively approachable and are there to ensure you have the most incredible experience on your course.

Accommodation

You will be staying in the fabulous Park Hotel in Saas Fee

Patrick and Jutta own and run the Park Hotel. They really enjoy having the Peak Leaders trainees in their hotel and will ensure the hotel is your home away from home. Here are some more details about the hotel:

  • Breakfast and evening meal is provided 6 days per week (The owner of the hotel is the chef – the food is great!) in addition to a basic packed lunch 5 days per week.
  • Storage for equipment- the Hotel has a locker where you can leave your skis and boards at the end of the day.
  • Maintenance area for tuning and waxing.
  • Wi-fi access
  • Communal area for relaxing, as well as a bar area.
  • The hotel is right beside the sports centre.
  • The Hotel will take a credit card swipe on arrival in case of any damages.
  • You can do your laundry at the hotel at a cost of 10 CHF per load.

Safety & Insurance

ON SNOW SAFETY

The wearing of helmets is mandatory for the training sessions, terrain park work and freestyle. Riders should also wear wrist guards and body protection. It is not cool being back at home nursing an injury when everyone else is up to their necks in powder.

Skiing/riding off piste is prohibited unless with a qualified guide. Always ski with another course member.

LISTEN TO THE SAFETY ADVICE FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR AND COURSE LEADER

INSURANCE

You must be properly insured.

Proof of insurance is required by Peak Leaders UK Ltd prior to your departure.

You will not start your training until we have a copy!

Please pay close attention to the curtailment part of your policy which applies if you have to leave the course early for any reason. There are no refunds available from Peak Leaders as money is sunk in up front in resort services and is impossible to recover. Make sure also that your insurance covers you for off piste.

Shoparound, as there are many policies available.

If you are resident overseas you may need to look into options in your home country.

BASI, Disclosure & Safeguarding Children

What is a Disclosure?

"A Disclosure is a document containing impartial and confidential criminal history information held by the police and government departments which can be used by employers to make safer recruitment decisions." (from Disclosure Scotland's website)

It is a compulsory requirement that all members have a criminal disclosure check (DBS) completed before they are issued with a BASI instructor license.

Everything you need to know about Disclosurescan be found on the BASI website – follow this link.

You can only apply online if your current address is in the UK and if you have been living at this address for at least twelve months. If you do not satisfy these criteria, you will have to apply using a paper application form (available online or from BASI ).

Important Note: If you have been a resident for 5 years or more in a foreign country, you will have to go through the disclosure process for the country in which you reside. If residency is less than 5 years, then you are required by BASI to go through the Disclosure Scotland process.

WITHOUT A DISCLOSURE BASI WILL NOT ISSUE YOUR INSTRUCTOR LICENSE

Any queries about this process please contact BASI on +44 (0) 1479 861717

Safeguarding Children Module

As part of your BASI course you will be required to complete a BASI online module named “Safeguarding Children”. You must complete this before they will issue your license. Once we have registered you with BASI (normally approx. 4 weeks before the start of the course) they will send you membership log on details and guidelines on completing the module. The cost is £25 and you will pay this directly to BASI.

Everything you need to know about this process can be found by followingthis link.

We would highly recommend that you try to complete these sections - Obtaining a disclosure and completing the Safeguarding Children Module - prior to arriving in Saas Fee for two reasons:

1. Why would you want to spend time completing forms that could be spent skiing/snowboarding and having fun!?

2. It's beneficial to have the extra knowledge from the Safeguarding Children Module from the very start!

BASI Level 1 Resits

Any candidates who fail the BASI Level 1must be re-assessed before attending the Level 2 course. If you do notpass the Level 1, you will be required topassa Level 1 resit (normally 1 day in duration unless you fail the entire Level 1) before being permitted totake the Level 2 exam. The resit will normally occur at least 2 weeks before the Level 2. This Level 1 resit will be at an additional cost to you. The cost will be a resit fee plus the cost of a trainer’s expenses (divided by the amount of people taking the resit).

Please note that if you fail both teaching and technical elements of the Level 1 exam you will be required to resit the full 1 week exam before you can do the level 2 exam. This can be difficult as there are very few running pre-season and it may not be possible within the course timeframe.

Most people do tend to pass the Level 1 but the above is even more reason to make sure you do! Remember the first couple of weeks training are very important and it is well worth putting the effort in then to ensure you pass your level 1.

Job Opportunities

The course is designed to get you qualified in time for the Northern Hemisphere winter. If you’re planning on working after the course, you’ll need to start thinking about jobs. Before you come away on the course, have an idea in mind of where you want to work – Japan, Switzerland, Austria, Canada or America? Think about resorts. Many schools start to receive CVs over the summer and autumn. REMEMBER that if you want to work in Canada or America, you will need to obtain a VISA, and we recommend applying for this before the course starts to allow as much time as possible.

Your course leader will help you with your plans and will have a chat with everyone in the first couple of weeks of the course. Ask your trainers for advice, if they are particularly impressed with you, they may even recommend you for a job!

Essential Contacts

Peak Leaders Office: (0044) 01337 860079

Park Hotel:

Post Box CH 3906

Saas Fee

Switzerland

Tel: 41 (0) 27 958 19 90

Standards

Please note that while we work hard and play hard on this course, BASI professional standards of personal conduct will prevail from day 1. This means that you need to be in the right place daily at the right time with the right gear and right attitude. Remember you should look like an instructor – neat and professional. Drinking to excess, drug taking, loud behaviour and run ins with the local police are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. We want you to feel that you are part of the town, but we expect an exemplary standard of behaviour and the Swiss will not tolerate loutish behaviour!

What happens now?

If you haven’t done so already, please can you fill out the pre course forms.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the office if you need anything at all. Email us at or call 01337 860079.

Please Note: Course details may be subject to change due to local conditions.

Please check the website or call / e mail us for updates