5) The Sno Deck

Pitched as “the winter alternative to skateboarding”, this is one of the many attempts to motorise a board. Unlike its competition, the Powerboard and the Snowcarver, this lacks speed… well, unless you forget about the motor and point it down a hill. But, if you do that, just make sure there isn’t a stream at the bottom of the hill (see 50secs in).

4) Yibb

Fact: Hands are heavy.
Fact: You can’t rest your hands on a regular snowboard.
Fact: Binding are expensive.
Solution: A snowboard with handles.

3) New Snowboard Design

This “freerides like a snowboard”, gives you “freedom like a surfboard” and allows you to do “tricks like never before”…. I’m in, where do I get one? And do the Flow bindings come with it? Even better!

Check out the video here.

2) Storm Snowboards

Myth: You have to be strapped in to turn
Myth: You have to turn to slow down
Myth: You have to face sideways to ride
Myth: You have to stand to ride a snowboard
Myth: You are perfectly sane if you think that riding a snowboard with no bindings and a foot break is the way forward.

1) Bulldog’s “Hybrid Ski”

This one’s courtesy of Whitelines, who I’m sure see more whacky ideas than most, as every hair brained snowboard inventor and their dog approach them for exposure. It’s not original thinking to try and turn skis into a snowboard; splitboards are an awesome invention. But Bulldog’s “hybrid ski” is a little more bizarre… and doesn’t seem like the most enjoyable thing to ride. I know, let’s progress snowboarding by reducing riding capability… but make it look really exciting by adding a hard-core metal sound track. Genius:

And finally…

We’ve got to give a mention to another ski to snowboard invention. It didn’t quite make the top five. As sketchy, out of control and unstable as the Deuce Snowboard looks, you’ve got to give props to the guy for putting his life on the line and getting a bit of speed up:

Want to know more about this ground breaking technology? Check out this “Disrupting the Snowboard Industry” article.

If you’ve seen some wacky snowboard inventions, paste them in the comments below!

NONSTOP Snowboard instructor courses and improvement camps

Ski instructor courses and improvement camps

THE NONSTOP SKI & SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR COURSES

The NONSTOP ski instructor course was perfect for me; the instructors were able to rip my technique apart and build it back up piece by piece – rather than throwing everything at me at once. The “Ski Big 3” instructor pros not only teach you how to teach, but how to enjoy the mountain as much as physically possible. They’re really friendly and are ready to answer your endless questions about inclination, stance & balance! I actually learnt how to enjoy mogel runs, rather than celebrating the fact I was still alive at the bottom of the slope!

The Canadian Rockies are nothing like I have ever experienced before. The terrain seems endless and varied, the snow is light and dry and the slopes are almost empty and well groomed.

I was worried about the amount of skiing I’d done before the course but it really didn’t matter; some had only done 5 weeks, others had done a season or so; but that didn’t matter as we ALL passed and left the course strong skiers and brilliant instructors. We also had the weekends to practice and make the most of the fresh powder! You’ll also have a course director, Emz, who is there to help you whenever you need – from where to get your new skis to where to buy the cheapest beer!

NORQUAY

NONSTOP’s instructor course lesson approach taught me not only the Level 1 syllabus, but also tips on how to work well with clients.  We were able to get the assistance we needed in applying for work and I got a job working up at Norquay ski hill, which was such fun!

When I wasn’t teaching some of the cutest and funniest kids in the world, I’d be on session with CSIA Level 3/4 ski instructor guys training for my Level 2 or shredding up the park!  It was like getting free coaching from the best and getting paid to train!  It was great becoming friends with people from all around the world too.  The pay is average, but the bonus’s are pretty cool – free skiing at hills such as Kicking Horse, Jasper and Castle Mountain, endless staff parties and trips to watch the Calgary Flames! The best part of working as a ski instructor is the rewarding feeling when you see a three year old doing parallel turns down a blue run, when just 3 weeks before they couldn’t even put on their skis!

VISA – Apply on time!

Visa wise I applied in February which is quite early as lots of student- people applied in the summer. BUNAC offer either a Student visa – for anyone holding an unconditional offer at university or within the first year of finishing university which are quite easy to get hold of, or a Non-student visa which obviously applies to everyone else which you should apply  ASAP. You can also achieve a sponsored visa however they’re quite difficult to get hold of; but Nancy and Noel from Gap Year Canada who work with NONSTOP helped a few guys to get them when they were too late to apply for a Non-student visa but obviously it isn’t ideal. The application was quite easy – just sending forms they send you back to them once complete! Once in Canada they staple your Visa to your passport and you’re all set to earn some dollar!

SEASONAL ACCOMMODATION IN BANFF – Arranged by NONSTOP

The season accommodation I booked through NONSTOP is owned by a company called Gap Year Canada. There are about 8 houses GYC use to accommodate seasonaires, the majority of which work up in the resorts. Nancy and Noel are really helpful with bank accounts, SIN numbers and Alberta Health; but they also organise parties so everyone can meet, sports tournaments, rock band competitions and even canoe trips in the spring.

Below, me outside our lovely home: Cougar House!

Our house was super comfortable and we all stayed in twin rooms, shared a bathroom, kitchen and lounge and became a pretty close knit family during our season.  I would recommend to anyone that wants to work for the season after taking part in one of the snowboard or ski instructor courses that they book their accommodation through NONSTOP and GYC – it’ll take the hassle right out of it!  Plus, finding accommodation in Banff can be really difficult so it’s worth booking well ahead.

BANFF – Party town!

Banff is such a great town to be in! The nightlife is amazing with something different going on every night. The beautiful town is in an abundance of seasonaire skiers and snowboarders from all around the world. Living in Banff for the season you really become on of the locals and we really made the most of it! We’d get money off in the shops, know to go food shopping on a Tuesday because it is cheap, go to bingo on a Thursday, “cheapy Tuesdays” at the cinema, Sunday nights are the best in Auroras (a nightclub) and keep your cans for the recycling money!  There are loads of things to do when you’re not on the hill or in the bars; the cinema, skating, going to the hot springs, the gym, snowmobiling, husky rides, ice walks and shopping.

Below: All of us on retro dress up day!

I’m leaving from Vancouver to go home in 2 days and dreading it. The people you live with become more like family – living, working and partying with them 24/7. Leaving everyone was horrible and we all cried, but I know I am definitely going to see them again and I am never going to forget the fantastic time I had in Banff.

Thank you NONSTOP!

———————————-

Harriet took part in our Banff 3-week instructor course in Nov 2009 and taught for the 2009/10 winter.  If you are interested in this option and in our seasonal accommodation then please check out the website and get in touch with us in the office and we can talk to you about it in more detail.

Website links:

Skiers:

NONSTOP 3-week ski instructor courses

NONSTOP – How to become an Ski Instructor

NONSTOP Seasonal Accommodation

Snowboarders:

NONSTOP 3-week snowboard instructor courses

NONSTOP – How to become an Snowboard Instructor

NONSTOP Seasonal Accommodation

Following a fresh dump of snow last week Whistler’s total snowfall for the season is now 1,430cm (47 feet) and has topped the epic 2006 / 2007 season.

“This is great news for our spring season as we head into the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival kicking off on April 16,” says Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Whistler Blackcomb. “With a snow base of close to four metres (over 12 feet), the skiing and riding will be incredible right through to the end of our spring season which extends to May 24. This snow has our terrain parks in top shape, including a new 22-foot halfpipe on Blackcomb, which is being built for the Festival and will remain open to the public afterwards.”

It goes to show that you can’t write off a season after a couple of bad weeks and the beauty of spending a season or an extended time in the mountains is that you get to see the whole spectrum of conditions.

With nearly 100% of Whistler Blackcomb still open, it’s a great call for anyone looking to get some last minute Spring riding in.

Check out NONSTOP’s 11 week instructor ski and snowboard programs for information on spending the season in Whistler, Fernie, Banff or Red Mountain.

Flow bindings

Flows are the original “rear entry” binding. They have one large strap section that is fixed over the top of the foot and a highback that drops down for access into the binding. They are considered the “marmite” of the snowboarding world, with most riders either loving or hating them.

Pros:
Fast easy access
Distribute pressure evenly across the top of the foot
No on-the-go adjustment;  just lift the high-back and go

Cons:
Hard to get on when there’s a build up of snow or ice on the base plate
Very hard to get on in deep powder
Hard to make quick on-the-go adjustments
Can be heavier then ratchet bindings
Might not be as responsive as traditional bindings
Can’t rotate high-backs and have limited forward-lean adjustment

Ratchet bindings

I’m going to guess that 95% of bindings on the market are based loosely on the traditional ratchet model. They have 2 straps that fix your foot to the snowboard, one around the ankle and one over the toe. The “high-back”, where the back of your boot rests, is fixed. They clearly do the job, when you consider how many models use this formula.

Pros:
Are quickly adjustable
Often give better control, due to a well adjusted fit
Are generally light
There’s more choice
Easier to clear the base-plate of snow and ice

Cons:
Can be (marginally) slower to put on
Can put pressure on localised areas of the foot, ie toes (toe cups like Burton’s can help this though)

My opinion

I, personally, sit in the ratchet camp. The first pair of bindings I bought were Flows and I got them because I’d heard that they were easy and quick to use. When I moved to ratchet bindings after that, I decided I would never go back, they gave so much more control, were far easier to adjust and were actually easier to put on a lot of the time. So, I personally think that Flows solve a problem that isn’t there. I’m certainly not alone in feeling that way; when you look around at people who live or do seasons in the mountains, you’ll rarely see anyone wearing Flows.

I haven’t mentioned some of the other rear-entry bindings, like the K2 Clinch (that also have adjustable toe and heal straps). As combined bindings, they’ll have a lot of both the Flow and Ratchet pros, so are growing in popularity. But to be honest, for me, they still solve a problem that isn’t there and I’m not interested in the extra weight and complications.

Don’t just take my word for it though, Antti Autti and Tim Humphreys certainly do okay in them! Check out some of the forum discussions for a mixture of opinions, but maybe don’t bother starting new threads… there’s plenty of them already out there!

Have your say below in our new comments section…

Nonstopsnowboard.com instructor and improver courses.

Riding bumps

Riding poma lifts

Service your own snowboard

Snowboard size calculation

I’d love to sit here and recount the in’s and out’s of Wednesday night, but to be honest it’s already  been done over and over (I found Whitelines’ coverage particularly good here), but I’ve got to mention Kazuhiro’s mahoosive display. He proved that there’s far more to snowboarding than being a “competition machine”, and that individual style get’s our fires burning just as much as a double McTwist 12.

Like the men’s event, there weren’t any real surprises for the ladies, with double-corking (apparently) Torah Bright impressing the judges with her smooth and technical second run comprising BS360, switch McTwist 7, BS540, air to fakie and Cab 720. Bam! Even though the other big guns, Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark, were busting out 9s, they didn’t match up to Torah’s clinical run.

Oh… and the boarder cross. Without doubt, the best spectator sport at the Winter Olympics! Who can forget Lyndsey Jacobellis crashing out of Torino ’96 as she failed to land a method off the final kicker (especially when it’s been replayed again… and again… and again on the run up to this year’s event)? Seriously, it always brings an evil smile to my face… (you’ve got to admit, that’s a neutral spectator’s dream). Unfortunately her luck hadn’t changed as she lost control and hit a marker in the semis. It’s a shame, I really wanted to see if she’d have thrown down that method again if she’d have got to the final, throwing two fingers up to people like me. I like to think she would have done. However, it was a beautiful moment to see Maelle Ricker earning Canada’s second gold of the games in front of her home crowd. Which made up for the bitter disappointment her team mate Mike Robertson felt the previous day, after being passed by the US’s Seth Westcott in the last couple corners. I may not be Canadian, but I spent a got 30 seconds huffing and puffing around the pub like the best of them.

Anyway, that’s enough ranting for one day…

Remember, if y’all want to be kicking Shaun out the pipe, NONSTOP’s Freestyle camps are a great place to start.

nonstopski.com

nonstopsnowboard.com

We left Red Mountain at 8:00am for a day of Cat skiing with Big Red Cats. The forty five minute drive to meet the Cats seemed to take forever as the excitement began to build. The excitement was escalated by the 15cms of fresh snow that had picked the very best possible to night to grace us with it’s presence. The skies looked heavy still with white gold and it continued to snow for the rest of the day- it would appear we were in favour from start to finish.

We had two guides called Julian and Matt. Although we were chomping at the bit to get going we had some necessary training to undergo- avalanche transceiver training! With the fresh snow and absence of avalanche control or ski patrol, the risk of avalanches dramatically increases so every member of the group wears a transceiver. The transceiver has two modes- send and search. For the most part all transceivers are on send mode, omitting a signal that can be detected by any transceiver set to search. You pray you will never have to switch it to search mode. The in depth knowledge of the guides was evident and reassuring.

Formalities dealt with we were ready for the off. We all piled into the modified snow cat and began the ascent up the mountain. With over 20,000 acres of skiable terrain on offer to clients of the Big Red Cats we were assured a day of fresh lines. The Cat is an impressive machine and as the gradients got ever steeper the Cat got ever more impressive, climbing and clawing it’s way gradually up to our destination drop off point. We reached the spot where we would be riding from and as I strapped my back foot into my snowboard binding I could feel a heady mixture of excitement and nerves!

The first run was magic. Steep and deep. Georgie and I volunteered to carry the backpacks with the shovels and the avalanche probes for the first run, so we were assigned to the rear of the group, ready to ride down in the event of a slide below us. Even riding at the back of a ten strong group I did not cross a single line as I surveyed the area for what looked like the sweetest pitch! The sensation of floating almost effortlessly over the deep fresh snow was sublime. There are not enough adjectives in the English language to truly convey the extreme pleasure of snowboarding through pristine powder. In snow that deep even a fall can be a pleasurable experience as I found out many times throughout the day as the sheer excitement made focusing on the task at hand almost impossible. My most impressive fall was a so called ‘tomahawk’ down the hill, where you effectively cartwheel head over heels and your world becomes very white with little concept of up or down or left or right! If you embrace it as part of the experience it’s pretty fun!

The day just got better and better with each and every run taking me a little closer to snowboarding heaven. By run five I was declaring the day the best I’d ever had on a snowboard! By the end of the day I knew it would be sometime until I could better the experience. Georgie and indeed the rest of the group were on the same page and in the quiet mini bus on the way back to the accommodation, you could tell that everyone had given it their all and were now the most satisfied type of exhausted there is!

My thanks go out to the guides Julian, Matt and Chris (who helped out later in the day), the team in the Big Red Cats office for making us a great lunch and keeping us full of energy throughout the day, the snow safari group for being great company and fun to ride with and JF for driving us to and from the location.

If you have never tried Cat skiing or snowboarding I strongly recommend you give it a go! The skiing is challenging and requires some powder experience to get the most from the day, but is well worth the time and money if you have the skills to rip it up in the steep and deep conditions of the Canadian backcountry! Cat skiing is an available option on nearly all of the courses offered from NONSTOP Ski and Snowboard- Why not try it as part of a two week improvement camp so you can learn the skills to ski and ride the deep snow with style! Or for a longer adventure try combining a 2-week improvement camp followed by a 2-week snow safari! It’s a walk on the wild side that is not to be missed!

By Adam Hillier- NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard

2-Week Snow Safari
2-Week Improvement Camp
Big Red Cats

My arrival into Rossland Friday night with my friend Georgie was long awaited after two days of traveling from snow covered blighty. After a tour of the awesome little mountain town of Rossland, it was drinks and dinner with the Snow Safari guys who had pulled into town early that day. Japanese of all cuisines was on the menu at the excellent ‘Drift’ restaurant. While the group tucked into their raw fish I filled my stomach with a good old fashion steak and tempura vegetables which was delicious. The whole group gorged themselves with food and drink and generally had a great time. Then it was early to bed as Red Mountain the next day beckoned.

Stepping out of the apartment Saturday into the crisp morning air and seeing the blue skies above filled me with a rush of excitement. While the skiers joined Brent from Canadian ski quest for a tour and a blast around the mountain, Georgie and I joined Jean Francois (JF) and the snowboarder elite of the Snow Safari.

After a breathtaking lift ride to the top of Granite mountain it was time to strap in the back foot and find my balance once again on a snowboard. It didn’t take long and after a couple of tentative turns the urge to ‘giver’ took over and we were off!

The hill was buzzing with the sounds of happy people and Georgie racing past screaming whoop whoop! The smiles on everyone’s faces said it all- It’s great to be on the mountain!

After a burger in the sun at the paradise lodge at mid-mountain we hit the slopes hard once more. The bravery was growing amongst the group and the terrain quickly changed from cruisy blue runs to gnarly black runs through the trees and the powder. Props to the Snow Safari guys and their guide and coach JF, as they took on the challenge and tamed the beast that was the double black to end all double blacks! Just one week in to the Safari the guys were strutting their stuff and showing their improvements as JF beamed with pride and deservedly so! Well done Jean Francois!

A full and extremely satisfying days riding was capped with an après ski pitcher or two of beer and some live music at Rafters bar on the hill. Cat Boarding the next day- does life get any better than this?

By Adam Hillier- NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard

2- Week Snow Safari

Red Mountain Resort

Drift Restaurant

I, Georgie am out in Canada for a month enjoying the opportunity to meet all of this years NONSTOPpers.  I thought I would share a few of the moments I have had out here in a Photo Diary for you…

First stop was Fernie for the 2/3 week ski and snowboard instructor and improvement courses that we run.  Fernie, as always came up trumps with the snow and puked it down for 3 days straight bringing in at least 12cm every day.

Lessons were in full swing …

Sean Russell – Fernie Snowboard Pro giving a lesson to the NONSTOPpers

Adam Guilfoyle aka PUMA – The NONSTOP Official Team Rider and Fernie snowboard host extraordinaire and I went riding on our day off and he showed me some of his favourite powder stashes (that boy has many!).

Adam stashing the powder!

Below: Adam and Jamie (NONSTOP Team Riders) sussing out a cliff drop landing:

And Adam taking on the cliff drop:

With a successful landing -

Then it was off to Banff for the pre course instructor training…

On Monday I met Emily Park the official NONSTOP Steeze and Freestyle Team Rider (Park by name, always in the park by nature) she’s also the Banff Course Director.  Emily gave me an itinerary for the week that didn’t look too dissimilar to something that NASA would hand out before the first ever shuttle take off, not only is she the best freestyle female rider I have seen in real life but she has organisational skills to match.  Feeling fully equipped for the week ahead we geared ourselves up for the official NONSTOP on snow- pro training.

This is where all the pros and coaches who will be teaching on the programme get together to discuss the way the programme will be run, the NONSTOP story, the coming season and generally have a good laugh on the slopes – otherwise known as team bonding.

Above: Emily ‘always in the park’ Park with two of our pros -  Laura Parent and Ana Steckle

So after a day of watching in awe and desperately struggling to keep up with the ‘Red Coats’ – (they do look smart!) it was back to the ‘NONSTOP Banff office’ for me to get some much needed work done…

Please note: The Baileys had nothing to do with me.

I think that’s a wrap for now… The Banff 11-weekers are soon to arrive so I’ll post another update soon.

Hope the snow in the UK is fun!

Please follow the links below:

• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 1 & 2
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 3
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 4
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 5
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 6
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 7
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 8
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 8 Exams Done!
• New Zealand Ski Instructor course  – week 9

If  like me you felt the excitement bubbling away inside you when you were reading the stories from the guys in New Zealand and you’d like some more information about Ski instructor courses, you can find it on our website at the following link:

• New Zealand Ski Instructor Course
  

The Guides Hut is a full service back country store that offers a full range of top of the line products, including technical clothing appropriate for all weather conditions.  They strive to be a store known for reputable brand names made for serious mountain fun and adventure.

They sell a full range of brand names:

• SKIS: Volkle, K2, Faction, Dynastar, G3, Black Diamond
• BOOTS: Tecnica, Lange, Full Tilt, Garmont, Scarpa, Dynafit
• SOFTGOODS: The North Face, Scott, Marker, Westcomb, Patagonia

The Guides Hut also has a full service shop ready to meet all your tech needs.

The Skis that The Guides Hut feel might be the most popular for NONSTOP participants are:

Volkle: AC20, AC30, AC50 for men ranging from$850 – $1239
Tierra, Fuego fro women ranging from $950 – $1059
K2: Apache Recon, Apache XPlorer for men ranging from $999 – $1099
Lotta Luv, Free Luv for women ranging from $1000 – $1200

*All of these prices are including a binding

NONSTOP Ski

NONSTOP Snowboard

The Guides Hut

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