Week 6 was the week of our level 1 examinations. We had our first real snow fall for a couple of weeks on the Sunday which was most welcome but poorly timed since we wouldn’t really get to enjoy it! The skiers started their course on Monday while the snowboarders started theirs on Tuesday.
There were endless debates as to why the skier’s course lasted 4 days while the snowboarders only took 3. Some mentioned that the skiers might need an extra day because they needed more time to take everything in. Others hypothesized that the snowboarders couldn’t mentally or physically manage an extra day. In any case, I’m reliably informed that the snowboarders spent the Monday studiously practising their level 1 maneuvers and totally not playing in the powder!
The beginning of the course was mainly learning teaching methods and ski improvement. I think that many of us found the first two days the most nerve wracking and gained confidence as the week went on.
On Wednesday we had a day off which most of us used to practice our demonstrations as well as having a bit of fun. The last two days were focused on the teaching element; with everyone teaching each other in mock lessons. We were being evaluated all week so there was a lot of serious time until Friday where we got our results.
We all passed…Yeah!
We celebrated that night with another party at…yes, Red House! As with all Red House parties it was a lot of fun as we celebrated our new qualifications: In the words of one participant when talking about the Red House parties, “its great! You can go there and get totally wasted and still be the most sober one in the house.”
At the weekend some of us went on a trip to Spokane in the US to watch some ice hockey and do some shopping. Apparently those that went enjoyed themselves immensely. The rest of us spent the weekend nursing hangovers, relaxing, skiing and building a kicker in the backcountry.
All in all a good week, the only bad thing that there’s only 5 weeks left.
READ WEEK 7
What a week! Everyone was super focused from Monday to Thursday, striving to meet level 1 standards. It was a bonus to get loads of snow over the four days but made focusing on snow plow turns pretty tough! I think everyone managed to get a few big powder turns in amongst practicing the level 1 skills.
Thursday night brought huuuge celebrations. Fernie was taken by storm by newly qualified instructors! AS a result Friday morning was dead. Lie ins all round until it was time to get packed for the Banff trip.
The first stop en route to Banff was the Radium Hot Springs. It was a great way to recover from a long ski week and clear some foggy heads.
On arrival it was dinner with the Banff 11 week programme before cruising a few local bars and clubs. Saturday was Lake Louise and the Kokanee Days which meant good skiing, bands, and scantily clad Kokanee girls! Dave demonstrated some of his old school, hot dog moves (ballet on skis)- backwards skiing in moguls and fancy flips over his poles!
After another fun night on Saturday it was off to Sunshine on Sunday for a full day of skiing followed by a sleepy bus ride home.
READ WEEK 6
We got a fresh dump of snow this week. A lot of us woke up early in the morning to get fresh tracks in a Norquay during our first day of riding. James attempted to clear a gap on to one of the box/rails at the top of the park, and clipped his nose on the box. He suffered a deep bruise to his thigh.
On Monday night DJ Jazzy Jeff was in town up at Wild Bills. The place was packed full to capacity making a pretty solid scene for the concert. It\’s not everyday that Jazzy Jeff plays a concert, so it was a pretty big deal. It was also Justin\’s birthday on the 3rd.
The time is coming for everyone to pretty much choose what they want to do for the rest of the trip. Some are attempting to take their level 2 instructors course, others have decided to take their park and carving level ones, and a few have decided that they are going to spend the rest of their time working on personal goals.
On Sunday a group of skiers and snowboarders took a trip up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. It was a fairly relaxing day with a great lunch at a restaurant on the mountain. It was a very warm day some people went off on the gullies and others just took it easy.
READ WEEK 7
Week 5 was a POWDER WEEK! We got 77 cm of snow and most of our week was spent shredding the Mighty Moose on the CASI 1 course, with the occasional break to get some serious pow turns on the upper mountain.
There were HUGE celebration in the Griz Bar on Thursday after level 1 was over and John’s birthday gave us an extra reason to party.
The celebrations lasted long into the night, the highlight being John putting on show on the Robinson’s kicker.
Friday afternoon the bus rolled out of town bound for Banff.
We stopped at the Radium Hot Springs for a swim along the way then straight to Wild Bills for a dinner and night on the town with the Banff NONSTOPPERS.
Saturday was spent riding in Lake Louise before another night on the town and Sunday saw us at Sunshine before wearily working our way home.
We had a FABULOUS time in Banff, but it sure made us appreciate Fernie.
READ WEEK 6
by Lee Herbert
Well its been a pretty intense week!! After the successful completion of the Level 1 course everyone has split into groups of their choice. Some are concentrating on their freestyle and park skills while I chose carving.
Most people seem to be progressing really well and Ben “Back-flip” Battell landed the first back-flip of the tour, with others following suit including Rory and Joe! Many respects also to Leland and Mark for there backside 3’s off the XL kickers.
Midweek we went rock climbing which was awesome and then to end the week the Fernie seasoniares came to visit on Friday which involved a large quantity of alcohol and plenty of other antics. The weekend was pretty eventful too with many people going dogsledding, which rocked or to explore Johnstone Canyon.
Another great week here in sunny Banff.
READ WEEK 7
Tom | February 25th, 2007
