A short article about taking ski lessons and instruction on free-heel / telemark skis. What qualifications to look out for and how to get the best instruction available.
Instructors' qualifications
Come and discover freedom on skis! The safest and quickest way is to get some good lessons. The British Association of Snowsport Instructors, BASI, awards the only professional qualifications in the U.K. BASI Instructors may be 'Nordic' – qualified to teach all aspects of free-heel, including travelling techniques, or 'telemark' – specialising in high standard on-piste downhill techniques (but not travelling techniques).
BASI also trains and assesses instructors in the other snow sport disciplines: Alpine, Snowboard and Adaptive (for skiers with a disability).
Getting the best ski instruction and value for money
| Before going on a holiday or a course always: |
| 1 |
Check if it's an instructional course or only has a leader to show you around. |
| 2 |
Ask about the qualifications of your ski tour leader or instructor; there are good unqualified teachers, but how can you tell? Qualified instructors have a licence which bears the current year's stamp. |
| 3 |
Check your instructor has professional insurance. B.A.S.I. instructors have this if they are paid-up licence holders. From 2000, licences require three-yearly refresher courses. |
| 4 |
Ask how long your instructor has been teaching and how often they teach. Choose an instructor with adequate and current work experience. |
Article ends.
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