Living the Dream! Enjoying the pre-season action before embarking on a gap year ski course in Whistler
Our very own ski bum in the making, Cody Yellowlees-Bound, recounts his experience at the ski show before heading out to Canada with Alltracks Academy.
Most people have no idea what they want to do on their gap year; my best friend certainly doesn’t because his options are simply too overwhelming. Opposed to that, I spent the first half of 2009 researching what I’ve been looking forward to my entire life. I looked at over ten different companies that ran gap year ski courses trying to weed out a course that offered me fun, structure and life experience before I finally settled on the Alltracks Academy. Now I’m jetting off to Whistler for 11 weeks to get my level 1 and level 2 ski instructor qualifications, and I’m counting down the days until I leave.
Cody and the Alltracks team at the ski show
What I read on the Alltracks Academy web page looked pretty unique, but what really got me excited, was the work they let me do with them at the London Metro Ski and Snowboard Show in October. Initially I was just there to give an example of one of the individuals going on a gap year ski instructor course as part of their career break, since I couldn’t really talk to people interested in the course in detail (that will come next year!). However, as the day progressed, I got to know the organisers of the course: Paul, Jonathon and Lindsey, and as I did so, all the questions I asked them about the course where answered. I found myself becoming familiar with all the detail of my ski camp, as well as the 4-week programmes and snowboard camps that they run in Whistler and Banff. Soon I was explaining to others everything they, and previously I, wanted to know. Things important to the experience, like a guaranteed view to improving my skiing skills, with small groups of skiers of similar ability, individual lessons and video playback. Accommodation was often a hot topic, and I enjoyed explaining how our lodgings where right in the middle of things within the whistler village, and people seemed to enjoy hearing it too. I listened to plenty of horror stories where others had been led to believe that they were twenty minutes walk away from the action, but instead ended up having to take twenty minute bus journeys everyday to the town and slopes. Just like me, they also appreciated that dinners were provided, and that the lodgings also had free Wi-Fi. What particularly makes me feel safe and comfortable about the Alltracks Academy is that there is always quick and convenient support available; if you e-mail Paul or Jonathon with any queries, or even call them, you are going to get a reply within 24-hours, full-stop. Trust me, sometimes it’s 24 minutes, crazy quick. Then there’s the little goody bag of bonuses, like lessons in first aid, off-piste skiing, avalanche training and the general flexibility of the camp; I still haven’t decided if I want to switch to snowboarding or do a freestyle course after my level 1. Working for Paul at the ski show has assured me that one of the biggest decisions of my life was the correct one and it has got me animated about the trip. I’ll meet a diverse group of people from all around the world, not just gappers like me, but also people on career break, and who knows, perhaps there’ll be honeymooners there, or even girls (frightening thought right?). I’m going to whistler in January, and I’m not looking back.
Cody Yellowlees-Bound: Ski Bum (to-be)
Cody will be blogging direct from the slopes of Whistler this winter so be sure to check back regularly to hear all his news on the course, the action and the Olympics!
Ski holidays to Whistler start at £1193 per person, based on double occupancy in a deluxe studio at the Pinnacle International Hotel. Price includes 7 nights lodging on a room only basis, direct flights with British Airways from LHR-YVR, shared shuttle transfers to resort and all applicable taxes and surcharges. Available through Erna Low www.ernalow.co.uk 0845 863 0525
