100% cute
Shanti our newest YES team member! She loves getting cuddles at our client apres and stealing what ever food fall on the floor!
She can't wait to meet you!
Level 1 kicking off today!
We have both our Ski and Snowboard instructor clients kicking off their Level 1 exam today. The CSIA (ski) exam runs for 3 days and on Thursday they will sit the teaching with childrens module. The snowboarders are sitting the CASI exam that runs for 3 days.
CSIA Level 1 – The 3 day level 1 course is an introduction to ski teaching, CSIA technique and methodology, and the role of ski teaching within the ski industry. It combines the basics of practical ski teaching methods, technical understanding and development of guest service skills, specifically addressing children's skiing.
CASI Level 1 – The CASI Level 1 course is an introductory course, designed to give successful candidates the skills necessary to begin their role as a new instructor in the industry. Beginner teaching methods, understanding of basic snowboard technique, as well as lesson planning and effective communication skills will be addressed.
Stay tuned for exciting results later in the week.
IEC working visa – UK folks
News just in from IEC
Taken from the IEC website – http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?lang=eng
OPENING 2015:
The 2015 IEC season will not open before January 2015. Be assured that opening information will be posted on the IEC website as it becomes available. We ask that eligible participants from IEC countries and Canadian employers refrain from contacting the IEC team as it will not have any information available before it appears on the IEC website. Please continue to check the IEC website for updates and any details on the 2015 opening.
Welcome WBSSU students
Its the first day of WB orientation here at Whistler Blackcomb for our WBSSU students that will be training for the next four weeks to be the best ski and snowboard instructors the resort has ever seen!
YES welcomes you all. Best of luck over the coming weeks. See you on the slopes
Photo: Toshi Kawano thanks to WB
Whistler – Dryland Training
What have you been doing to ready for the ski season? Well, the YES Crew has been working hard in the gym to get ski-fit. Nearing the end of our 12 week intensive program run by none other that our personal pain master, J.P. Fok, we are rounding into shape. Or was it round is a shape? Anyways, many a curse has been muttered (in several languages) as J.P. has put us through our paces. Stair running, lunges, squats, stair running, planks, bridges, battle ropes, stair running, bike sprints, bike hill climbs, rows, split squats, running sprints, curls, dead lifts, stair running, seal walks, box jumps, wall sits (one legged), kettle bells, side planks, hip thrusts, balance drills, pull ups, mountain climbers, did i mention running up stairs!
Hard at work.
Bob running from………
Hopefully you have been doing your own regime to get ski-fit as it will increase your on-snow enjoyment and help reduce injury. Looking forward to seeing you all on the slopes soon.
Improvised gym while on vacation
Whistler Blackcomb opening 5 days early!
Whistler have anounced today that they will be opening the doors to the new Whistler gondola this Saturday the 22nd Nov… 5 days earlier than expected.
Mother nature has been good to us here in Whistler, with a fantastic early season snow base and the cool (did I mention cool) weather allowing those powerful snow guns to blast additional snow across the mountains… she's looking mighty white up there!
NZ 14 – Friday Finale
The final day of YES NZ 2014 brought us blue skies and more good skiing. The Saddle was skiing great with good groomers on South Ridge and Saddleback. The snow was still skiing great in the gullies with soft snow brought in from the wind. The groups all had a great day getting in the last of the challenges. Payback, Gunbarrel and Superpipe all offered that final test. Another great week full of numerous incidents like: chair mis-loads, long slides down gullies, near misses, temper tantrums etc. As always a big thanks to Chris for getting up and down the hill safely. This years adventure was over far too soon and we look forward to doing it all again next year. Safe trip home and we'll see you on the slopes again soon.
The bus driver heading down Superpipe
Euro-carve down the Gunbarrel
Jason in the Krags
Bottom of the Superpipe
YES Friday Night Quiz Nite
until next year……..
A quick note to relect on what a great 2 weeks it was. When Chris came to pick us up at Queenstown, snow conditions were sketchy at best. By the time we came back over the Crown Range it was snowing so intensely we almost had to put chains on. That set us up for a great two weeks at Treble Cone. Fast forward to the Saturday of our departure and the news was that the Saddle Quad had broken down and they were evacuating people off the chair. Which meant that they then had to hike out back to Home Basin. So to re-cap, YES arrives and brings the snow. YES leaves and the whole place falls apart. Coincidence??????
NZ 14 – Goggle tans, rest day and wind chill
Tuesday brought about another bluebird day with warmer temperatures. Most groups took advantage of the great conditions and no crowds and headed staright to the Saddle Basin. The skiing was fantastic with great grooming on Rafills and South Ridge. The gullies were all skiing great as the groups challenged themselves in Superpipe, Mineshaft and Payback. The groups all skied to the very end and it was a quiet bus ride home.
Ali in her favourite run, Superpipe
Andrew in one of the many gullies
That night it was off to Lalaland for some pre-dinner drinks before the feast at Relishes. As usual, the volume grew as the wine bottles were emptied. After dinner, those who turned left enjoyed a nice nights sleep while those who turned right got swallowed up by the night.
Wednesday was a rest day. Some relaxed and recovered while others went shopping or a for a run. Linc headed out on Chris's boat for an Eco-tour around Lake Wanaka. A visit to the magical Mou Waho Island and its lake ontop of an island on the lake offered some beautiful views and some Weka bird sightings.
view from Mou Waho Island
The lake on an island on Lake Wanaka
Thursday we awoke to more blue skies but a cold wind wsa blowing. The skiing was still great but the wind chill was cooling things down. Most of the day was spent in the Saddle Basin. Saddleback was groomed as well as the Bullet and both were skiing well. Superpipe was also in good shape with some good bumps up top and wind blown in the gulley. Gunbarrel was also holding good snow and proved to be the best option back to the base. Another full day of skiing and some tired souls on the bus ride home. Hard to beleive there is only one day left. As always, the trip goes by too quickly.
Rob toe-side in the Superpipe
Greg attacking one of TC's finest runs
Rob claims a victim
NZ 14 – Sunshine
The first day of week 2 brought bright blue skies and warmish temperatures. We have a new recruit this week as local legend Al has joined the ranks of YES Coaches. Most of the groups headed straight over to the Saddle to take advantage of the great conditions and no crowds. Rafills and South ridge were groomed to perfection as the first few runs were spent on working on some technical drills. Then it was off to the gullies to play around and test the mornings teachings.
View off the Saddle chair
Looking down the Bullet
Most groups stopped in for a late lunch and then headed straight back over to the Saddle for some more play. Bullet, Saddleback and Mineshaft were all skiing great and the lift lines were virtually non-existent. The day finished with a run down Gunbarrel and Powderbowl. The bus ride back to the Edgewater was very quiet as the group was tuckered out from a big day on the slopes. A few made it to the decompression session in the Edgewater lounge before heading off to dinner. Another great day awaits tomorrow.
heelside above Lake Wanaka
rock formation in the Saddle
Our thoughts go out to those involved in the helicopter tragedy on Saturday
NZ 14 – Week 2 Begins
With Saturday being the change over day, the YES Crew had a day off. After waving good-bye to those leaving us this week, the YES Crew headed off in various directions. Some went golfing, some went to Queenstown. Others went vineyard-ing while others went for a run/walk/hike. Overall a relaxing day as we awaited the arrival of those joining us for week 2.
Lake Wanaka on the way to Glendhu Bay
Sunday morning greeted us with a clear blue sky and warmish temperatures. A small rockslide on the road to TC — the paved road, not the mountain road — delayed our arrival. The slopes were empty for most of the day and the snow was in good shape. The morning was mostly spent of the Home Basin side as the groups were put through the paces. Powderbowl was still holding some nice snow and offered a bit of a challenge.
rock slide
Raffall's Run and the Saddle
After the morning break it was off to the Saddle were the gullies had some nice chalky snow. MIneshaft, Bullet and Saddleback were all in great shape. A few of the coaches then headed over to the Mototapu Chutes to check on the conditions. The snow was firm but chalky and the wind had blown some interesting drifts in between the rock formations. The traverse out left much to be desired as half of it consisted of hopping through the tussock.
Mototapu Chutes
Barry in the Mototapu Chutes
Barry exiting the Mototapu Chutes
The welcome drinks were back at the Edgewater and then it was off in search of some lamb shanks for dinner. An early night tonight as the gang gets set to start the week in earnest tomorrow.
The YES Snowboard group
