Welcome New Instructor training clients!
Welcome to all our new skiers and snowboarders on the YES instructor training program.
We hope you have an amazing time with us… 4, 7 or 11 weeks of powder fun!
Cheers
B
Welcome to all our new skiers and snowboarders on the YES instructor training program.
We hope you have an amazing time with us… 4, 7 or 11 weeks of powder fun!
Cheers
B
Saturday morning came far too quickly. It is hard to believe that week 1 of the Euro Tour 2016 is already over. Courchevel put on a great show as the skiing and snow were supereb…… alright the apres was ok too. It was still snowing as we loaded up our luxury bus and for once no tetris was required as we had room to spare with our luggage. It took a bit of time to head down the hill as conditions were tricky but our driver Joseph was up to the challenge. The drive to Verbier took us through Annecy and around Lake Geneva before turning off the autoroute in Martigny and headed up the valley to Le Cable and the switchbacks up to Verbier.
Our sweet ride to Verbier.
Roadside attraction along the route.
The road up to Verbier from Le Chable.
Just for something different, it was snowing for our arrival. Sylvie and Chris were there to greet us and right away made us feel welcome, it was like coming home. Highlight was when Sylvie misprounced Howard's name as "Horrid". We had a bit of time to explore the village, revisit old haunts (La Cave) before heading up to Le Relais des Neiges for an excellent dinner. Nightcaps were had before retiring to bed with the snow still falling outside.
The Rooster, always looking out for us. (Saint Martin)
The creatures you meet up in the Alps.
Sunday brought us overcast skies, low viz and fresh snow. The groups started out together as we stayed near the treeline and explored the area by the Mayentzet chair. As the day went on, some groups headed up higher to play around the "James Blunt" chair and the Lac des Vaux area while others discovered Chez Danny for a "chocolat chaud" break . There was a World Tour FreeRide Comp going on that provided some entertainment as the groups lapped by the competition zone. Afternoon saw all the groups playing around the Mayentzet tree area as the light was staying flat and the end of the day saw some groups at the Pub Mont Fort for a re-hydrating beverage. Dinner once again was a success and after a nightcap at the hotel it was off to bed to get ready for a big day tomorrow.
Enjoying the Verbier powder.
Typical Euro lunch.
An even more typical European lunch.
What are they trying to say?
What are they trying to say, take 2.
Friday morning brought some fresh snow on the ground, blue skies above and Bob being reunited with his ski. All signs were pointing to a great day and it did not disappoint. Fresh off his guided experience, Bob grabbed his group and headed out to explore the Trois Vallees and beyond. Meanwhile, guides Andy and Alan joined the other groups to show off their resort. Andy took the high flyers and took off in search of the goods. Alan grabbed his group and headed towards Tovets for a warm-up. After that it was up Plantery for some fresh tracks off the Loze. With the Saulire tram running, it was up to the top to sample the goods of the Saulire run. Plans to head over to Meribel got put on hold as the snow was so good a re-run was necessary.
Under the Vizelle lift.
Paul exploring the powder off the Saulire.
Les Trois Vallees.
Finally over on the Meribel side, there were fields upon fields of fresh snow to play in and the gang had a blast. With confidence growing, the speed increased and the smiles began to grow. A quick stop at Cotes – where there was a slide down to the toilets – it was up towards Tougnette. From there it was a 1000m vertical descent down to the village of Saint Martin for a great lunch at Le Voute.
The PowderPuffs, hardcore lounging Euro-style.
Saint Martin.
Leanne heading down towards Meribel.
From there it was time to head home, a trip which involved 2 lifts up then a ski down to Meribel, up the Saulire Express 1 and a ski down to the Loze Express to head over the Col de la Loze and back down to 1850. All groups were still skiing at 16:00 and as per usual, Le Courcheneige beckoned some of the gang in for an apres ski beverage before heading back to the hotel for dinner and presentations. A great day was had by all and it was a perfect way to end our stay in Courchevel.
Which way to Meribel?
Fields of powder everywhere.
Les Dents de Burgin.
Thursday the crew woke up to another 10 cm of fresh snow blanketing the ground and it was still coming down. With low visibility the trees were the place to be so the groups stayed low to warm-up. Courchevel 1550, Le Praz and La Tania kept the groups entertained before it was time to head out towards Meribel. With the upper lifts open, some headed over the Col de la Loze while others took the tram and braved the flat light atop Le Saulire. Some good snow was found around the Pas du Lac area as the snow was still fresh from the previous storms. Some good trees were found under the Loze chair and Aliport area as the groups explored the Meribel side of the valley.
Ready to start the day. Bring on the powder.
Finding some freshies off the side of Aiguille du Fruit.
Finally, a break for lunch.
The PowderPuffs had local guide Alan to show them around and boy did he work them hard. A brief check to see the avi transceivers were working and then it was off. Off to Meribel via all stops along the way. Le Praz, La Tania, the pace was relentless. Chopped up powder here, steep pitch there all with the occansional tree thrown in for good measure. After a hard morning it was Le Folie Douce for lunch before launching right back into it. After skiing Meribel it was up the Saulire Express to the summit before heading down Creux in the fog before heading back up the mountain this time on the Chanrossa chair. A "cruise" down Pyramide and Grandes Bosses brought them back to the Aiguille du Fruit and back home. Well almost home as the Courchneige was calling for a well deserved drink.
Some rather bubbly PowderPuffs.
Mikey likes it!!
As the groups made it back to the hotel the day was not yet over. Sledding was in the cards and a few brave souls headed to the piste with their racing sleds. What a blast! After heading down the Jardin Alpin trying to figure out how to control the things, most got the hang of it, sort of. Lots of crashes and lots of laughter as we did the trip from 1850 to 1550 three times. It was like being a kid again. People wiping out, rolling over, smashing into others, forcing sleds off the track, air off bumps, no brakes, it was amazing everyone made it down mostly in one piece. It made for a very tired bunch and an early night as everyone rested up for the final day tomorrow.
The gang at the start of the Piste de Luge.
And they're off.
Will they make the corner?
Feeling like a kid again. Smile of exhileration or relief?
We awoke Sunday to some snow falling and warmish temperatures. A storm was coming in and the visibility was limited. Winds and conditions retricted us to mainly the Biollay, Chenus, Bouc Blanc and Plantrey areas. Conditions were spring-like as we cruised around setting up the groups for the week. It was a good feeling to get the legs working again after the train ride and transfer. On the way home, a stop at the Courcheneige was in order for a warming Gluewein.
The YESturians, day one.
Monday we awoke to some more snow and warm temperatures. The was snow was heavy and quite challenging in spots. Again, wind, conditions and high avalanche danger limited the lifts that were open and therefore the terrain available. With the wind howling the groups tried to stay close the trees for protection and visibility. The snow was ever changing as we got some great turns in spring snow while trying to survive down sticky, clumpy sections as well. Despite the wet, dreary start to the day, the groups managed to have fun at stayed out until past 16:00.
Courchevel 1850.
With the storm coming in, the temperature had dropped and the snow was bucketing down. Looking at the forecast the coaches decided to call Tuesday a rest day. Tuesday morning brought about 20cm of fresh dry snow and it was still coming down. Some people took to the slopes while others relaxed, explored the village or went shopping. Those who braved the slopes were rewarded with some great skiing. Super light powder with no one around. The visibility was limited but close to the treeline the skiing was great. As evening fell, the snow started to fall again, and a lot of it. By the time it was bedtime, it was puking down hard outside.
How many PowderPuffs can fit on a chair?
Wednesday morning we awoke to a clearing sky. Another 30ish cm had fallen over night and it was game on. The upper mountain and transfer to Meribel was still closed due to high avalanche risk but the lower mountain was good to go. Most of the groups headed over to 1650 via the Mugnier chair and were not disappointed. Fresh snow was everywhere as the groups whooped and hollered through the powder. Chapelets, Signal and Aiguille du Fruit were the favourites with many great powder turns as well as a few crashes. Some just fell over in the deeper snow while others managed to find ditches, hidden bumps or just throw themselves into holes. Much laughter was had and everyone had a big smile on their face. As the sun got lower in the sky, so did the temperature and by 16:00 is was time to head back. Courchevel put on a great show today and the groups are ready for more.
Are we having fun yet?!?
Blasting down the powder near Signal.
Powderhound learning new tricks.
"London calling to the faraway towns……" and everyone came and gathered in Bloomsbury for the launch of the YES Euro Trip 2016.
View from a top St. Paul's.
In the days before the official Friday night meeting of YESturians, walking was the activity de jour – a lot of it. St. Paul's, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, various parks and musuems were all explored on foot with the occansional red bus and tube ride. Along the touristy road, time was made to catch up with some Alumni including Chris and Olivia. The touristy road is also a thristy one and we saw plenty of brass tops and oak as we sampled the English ales, the older the pub the better with the Red Lion claiming to be the oldest. Friday night rolled around and the gang re-grouped at Callaghan's for a few pints before popping out to dinner. Courchevel guide from the last trip, Marie, made a guest appearence and filled us in on the latest snow report.
Regent Park.
Tower Bridge from the Tower of London.
After all the catching up was done, it was off to bed to prepare for the early Saturday start which saw us head off to St.Pancras Station to catch the Eurostar to Moutiers. The usual game of luggage tetris was played in order to fit all the various bags on board. The train took us through the Chunnel and off to the Alps. From Moutiers it was a shuttle bus, luggage tetris expert level, that slowly took us up the hill to Courchevel 1850 and our home for the next week, the New Solarium. Late dinner then off to bed in anticipation of skiing tomorrow.
Still walking, the Thames at night.
The year was 1995, the same year the Creekside Gondola took its first passengers up Whistler's historic Dave Murray downhill and when you could buy a WB lift pass for $40! But more importantly, it was the year a community called 'YES' was born. PJ O'Heany, a ski bum from Torquay, Australia started the YES brand in the growing ski town of Whistler, Canada. He was keen, personable and a bloody good skier, it was a recipe for success!
With a vision of offering the snow sports market a fresh alternative, PJ and his small team set out with determination to build a business renowned for providing a professional personalized services, developing a high level of training for both instructor and improvement clientele and multi week options for the whole ski season. Fast-forward 20 years and it’s these same principles which have given YES the slogan 'often imitated, never equaled' …it just works!
YES offers Improvement programs in four countries around the world with PJ still at the helm as Managing Director. YES boasts a successful recipe for the ultimate improvement training, offering clients not only world-class instruction but also an impressive off-snow social atmosphere. YES has grown to become the largest and longest operating training company in the world. Our clients travel to different corners of the globe each year just to ski with the YES team. A week on the YES program and you’re not only a stronger, more confident skier, you’re also leaving with a bunch of new snow friends. It’s the YES way.
With programs offered in Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Europe the YES team is always on the move. With over 30 possible ski weeks annually with YES, there is certainly ample opportunity to get out on snow with the team.
Counting just our Instructor course participants alone, YES has certified over 3,500 guests to gain their CSIA (Canadian ski Instructor Alliance) or CASI (Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors) instructor Level 1 and 2 certifications, along with numerous other qualification courses including Avalanche awareness AST 1 & 2, CADS (Canadian association for disabled skiers), CSCF (Canadian Ski Coaches Federation) course and Park Training. Having the flexibility to cater to the GAP year market as well as the career breakers, what ever your style, YES has the expertise to cater to all desires.
PJ attributes the company’s success to a number of things, but there’s one which stands alone as the cornerstone. Our people. “The passion of our people is amazing. Their commitment to being the best at what they do every year, even after two decades, continues to impress me on a daily basis”.
Most of the YES team have been with the company for over a decade. The instructors are dedicated to the YES program and clients. Their knowledge and teaching practices is what sets them apart from the others. Anyone can ski around with a group of people, but can you see the changes needed in just one run? Well the YES pros can. Their number one mission is to improve our clients’ skiing or snowboarding in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, whilst building confidence when needed. Breaking into the appropriate ability level is key, from intermediate to advanced, there is always something to learn with YES. The ultimate reward for the pros is to have someone tackle terrain by the end of the week that they never thought possible. Powder, steeps, bumps, chutes, where you see obstacles, all YES sees is opportunity.
Belinda Grant, Sales and Marketing Manager for YES joined back in 2008. "I am continuously blown away by the wonderful culture that PJ has built around YES. Clients come year after year to ski with PJ and his team. The whole YES experience offers a chance for our clients to continue to grow in a sport that they love, whilst reuniting with old friends and new, year after year. It’s really like a big family."
YES is always looking at ways to evolve. The instructor programs are always changing with new courses being added to give YES the extra edge. In 2012 YES became the first operator in North America to offer the BASI (British Association of Ski Instructors) certification, fulfilling a dream of PJ's for many years. He wanted to offer the students the chance to become well-rounded, internationally qualified instructors and to experience the teaching methodology of both the Canadian and the British techniques. This increases the instructors’ overall knowledge and teaching capabilities.
It’s with great excitement that we celebrate 20 years of business and thank everyone who has been involved with YES. We would like to thank every client, employee and partner for making YES the success it is. We look forward to making more memorable moments over the coming years with our clients, and promise to continue to deliver on YES’s founding principles. Cheers to 20 years!
YES isn't just a company, it’s a community.
This weekend's storm brought 67 cm of fresh snow in the last 48 hours. Thank you mighty Ullr!
Check out the video below… you might just be able to taste the pow!
The Snow Show – December 6, 2015
This weekend's storm brought 67 cm of fresh snow in the last 48 hours. Thank you mighty Ullr!Athletes: Annie Boulanger, Marie-France Roy, and Leanne Pelosi testing out the goods yesterday.Snow Show video captured: Dec 6th
Posted by Whistler Blackcomb on Monday, December 7, 2015