Welcome to the first course diary for SnowSkool Three Valleys 2022! Against all odds, we were given the green light for everyone (including the Brits) to travel to France… with less than 24 hours to go! The first week has been all about getting settled in to chalet life, finding our ski/board legs, and making sure the perfect balance between work hard and play hard is struck…
✏️ What a welcome the weather gave us! A full week of bluebirds and warm weather made it feel like spring and lifted everyone’s spirits after a stressful run-up to the course. That being said – and we don’t want to be fussy – some fresh snow would be nice now please!?
✏️ Course Leader Claudia kicked things off with welcome briefings in the chalets. SnowSkool’s Steve and Phil were also in Méribel to help things get off to a smooth start. We dished out the all-important season passes and free snoods!
✏️ There was no time to waste in getting on the snow and meeting up with the BASI trainers; Level 1 exams are already fast approaching! Claudia joined two of the skiing groups to get a feel for the courses, and is looking forward to many more.
✏️ That said, the students have been making the absolute most of mountain life, combining training with well-earned trips to Rond Point and La Folie Douce to let their hair down and get to know each other over a few glasses of cold fizzy stuff.
✏️ You might have thought I meant European lager? Not necessarily! During the Sunday trip to Folie (reportedly the second in two days!), Ben bought a whole magnum of champagne – apparently the exchange rate caught him out and he ‘forgot exactly what a Euro was’… no one’s complaining!
✏️ The usual debauchery followed: Ripley gave Alex a piggy back home on his board and Joe enjoyed a ‘slippery’ end to a night after he kicked a snowman’s head (‘karma’ springs to mind, and yes there is video footage). As long as limbs remain intact, long may the fun continue!
✏️ The fuel for all these shenanigans has been down to meals enjoyed in and outside the chalets, cooked by both hosts or delivered from restaurants in town, as well as dining in Jacks and La Taverne. It’s been great for getting to know everyone in different settings. Special mention goes to Lloyd for introducing the group to Chez Bif or ‘Mountain Burgers’.
✏️ The only downers to the week were Harrison testing positive for COVID on arrival. After a negative test on day six, he was free to join his new friends both in the chalet and on the slopes. Additionally, Roi tested positive before his flight… he’s able to fly out and join the course this week – so we’ll finally all be together!
