How did you get into skiing?
I was born in Helensborough, Scotland and started skiing at 18 months old. My parents were instructors in Aviemore so I was skiing as soon as I could walk!
How did you get into ski instructing?
I actually never planned to be an instructor. I did an apprenticeship as a joiner and skied for fun. I did a season in Meribel and decided to do my BASI Level 1 qualification just for my own performance. But it was this that led me to refocus my career plans around instructing. I realised I enjoyed teaching and preferred the lifestyle out in Meribel to working in the rain in Scotland.
So, I went on to get the equivalent of what is now BASI Level 2 qualification and to pass the Eurotest, a giant slalom race, which qualified me to join ESF as an instructor. Whilst working for ESF, I got my BASI Level 3 and 4 qualifications and have now been instructing in the Three Valleys for sixteen years. So, a fair amount of experience under my belt.
What is your involvement with SnowSkool?
Along with my colleagues Matt and Mike we lead the on-hill aspects of the SnowSkool Courses in the Three Valleys. We have a long and happy history with SnowSkool. I first met Steve Purdie, SnowSkool Director, at a ski show in Scotland in 2011.
Just to give you an idea of our joint experience, Matt Ottaway also started early, learning to ski at 4 years old. He passed his first qualification on dry slopes in Milton Keynes when he was 16 years old, after which he started doing seasons in the Three Valleys. He holds BASI Level 4 qualifications in both skiing and snowboarding and loves sharing his love of snowsports with students.
Mike Crawford
Our other team mate and colleague Mike Crawford is a BASI Level 4 ISTD Trainer and Examiner based in Méribel. He’s been teaching skiing since he was 16 years old – starting on a dryslope in Glasgow, progressing to work in Scottish resorts and then all over the world.
So, as you can see, we have many years of experience between us. We really enjoy working together and sharing our passion and experience with ski and snowboard instructor students.
What makes the SnowSkool course stand out from other courses in your view?
Brilliant partnerships
We have partnered with SnowSkool for the last 5 years and it is, for sure, the best partnership we have had to deliver instructor training courses. Firstly, Steve and the team at SnowSkool are great people to deal with … and they really are dedicated to ensuring that the SnowSkool students have the best time on their instructor course in Méribel. The pre-course information and support is second-to-none, the organisation of the course is spot on, your accommodation is perfect for this type of course, you are well fed and your SnowSkool rep will do a great job looking after you and ensuring that you make the most of your time in Méribel.
Brilliant trainers
On the hill, this is where we take over and we know from years of experience that we are delivering a great course with some of the most experienced instructor trainers. We are all BASI trained and have been, or still are, BASI examiners – so so we know what’s required to get our students through the exams.
Together with our extensive joint experience of instructing clients and training instructors, and years of working together as instructors but also with SnowSkool management staff, we provide a tightly run course from all angles. We are all on the same page which means we are giving SnowSkool students the best opportunity to do as well as they can.
We check in daily throughout the course to tailor our work to the specific needs of the group and individuals. And it's great to have a longer lead time up to the Level 1 exam than other trainers can offer – two weeks instead of the average four days.
Those first two weeks of the SnowSkool course are key. There is an online learning module from BASI for students to complete which we augment by our delivery on the hill. It is the continuity of BASI information and guidance we provide along with our many years of BASI training experience which gives SnowSkool students the best chance of success.
Brilliant reps
The other aspect of a SnowSkool course which is key is the role of the rep. Having a rep who can help liaise between students and trainers and SnowSkool management is a really helpful link role for everyone. The rep helps support training messages and advice given to the group by the trainers and is also crucial in terms of setting the right mutually supportive culture within the group outside of lessons on the hill.
This means encouraging practice with each other outside lessons, and getting the right balance when it comes to enjoying the brilliant social life and becoming a qualified instructor by the end of the course.
Brilliant group mix
Also, SnowSkool courses are often made up of a mix of ages which can be another helpful dynamic when it comes to the students working as a team towards their common goals.
What do you enjoy about delivering the SnowSkool course?
I just enjoy imparting my experience onto others. In depth understanding only comes with experience and it’s nice to share this and help others through the system – to give something back. I really enjoy helping people through their journey and aiding them as much as possible.
Lots of people we’ve trained over the years have gone on to work as instructors and become ski school directors and have joined the community, which is nice.
What would you say to anyone considering doing a SnowSkool course in the Three Valleys?
If you are up for working and playing hard go for it. It’s a quality course in a fantastic resort with highly experienced and committed trainers who love working together as a team and seeing students obtain the best results they can.
The BASI qualifications are highly respected all over the world, opening doors to working anywhere. It’s also worth knowing that BASI qualifications count towards UCAS points. For example Level 1 BASI qualifications count as 7 points.
[Find out more here - ed]
All students get a report at the end of the course to help them keep moving forward with their ski instructing ambitions, regardless of qualifications gained.
One thing I would say is that prospective students benefit from having an open mind to re-learning their ski-ing or snowboarding techniques. Experienced ski-iers and snowboarders are taken back to basics along with less experienced ski-ers and snowboarders. This can feel more discombobulating in some ways for the more experienced, as there is often some unlearning to do, but have faith. We know you will become a better skier or snowboarder by the end of the 11 week programme, with the know-how to instruct.
An open mind and a commitment to practise outside of lessons will give you the best chance of success.
With thanks to Craig Conkie for sharing his journey and inside insights into SnowSkool courses in the Three Valleys.
If you want to be trained by Conkie and team, some of the most experienced trainers out there, in one of the most gorgeous and large ski resorts in the world, and gain the worldwide recognised BASI qualifications, book onto our Three Valleys courses or get in contact to explore things further
Writer: Kate Swainson Price