When was the last time that you had an awesome run? Where everything worked and seemed effortless as you skied? Where you were completely focused and absorbed in the activity.

Have you ever been skiing when the whole session has just passed by so quickly or where a lesson has ended and you don’t know where the time went?

If you have experienced any of the above then the chances are that you were in a ‘flow state’ or what many athletes refer to as ‘being in the zone’. Flow is in fact a recognised psychological state that has both foundations and characteristics of the experience. The great thing is that the ‘foundations’ are all controllable by you and/or your coach so you can actually create the conditions that make this state more likely to occur.

Flow has many benefits. Being so absorbed in what you are doing helps you to learn more quickly. It makes you less self-conscious. It creates memorable experiences or magic moments that leave you feeling elated. Plus many more…

Sports, and in particular skiing, are great activities for finding flow. At BASS Chamonix we run specific performance days aimed at helping you to understand and find flow in your skiing performance.

If you would like to read more about flow then check out BASS Chamonix Director Derek Tate’s book Learn, Enjoy, Flow & Grow which not only tells you all about flow but provides a coaching method that you can apply to your life both in sport and all others areas. This is a comprehensive and detailed self-help book that will inspire and motivate you to do more, learn more, get outside of your comfort zone and really enjoy life.

We look forward to skiing with you and helping you find your flow.

BASS Chamonix Directors Shona and Derek Tate

Our friends at SkiA have endorsements from world class training programmes from around the planet. 

It's great to see an idea from BASS clinics, spreading worldwide.

The SkiA Ski Trainer is simple, lightweight, inexpensive and very, very effective!

BASS clients receive a 25% discount!  

Enter the Discount Code:  BASS25  on checkout

You can find out much more about this fantastic training tool on the SkiA website.

The proof of the pudding is the great feedback from some of the finest professionals on the planet, here.

Let gravity feed your momentum

use momentum to drive your skis.

Use your skis to create curves

use the curves to control your line.

Use your line to control your momentum.

Have fun!

This is how effortless performance becomes possible.

Momentum drives our skis

Especially in deep snow.

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10 Years of delivering ski magic to thousands of happy BASS clients in one of the worlds greatest ski areas. Thanks to the dedication of our team and customer loyalty, BASS Meribel has grown from strength to strength, year after year. For winter 2018 we are fielding our strongest team ever in the 3 Valleys. All the old favourites are back along with two new additions, Rhydian Morris and Emma Norton, both chosen for their compatibility with our team and their potential to delight our customers.

We have seen a great deal of change over our 10 years in Meribel. There have been lots of improvements to the ski area with new and updated lifts, swish new restaurants, improved snowmaking and a BASS expansion into Courchevel and Val Thorens. Over all these years the BASS product has stayed true to our client’s demands of quality instruction, friendly British trainers and excellent service from start to finish. We continue to develop our knowledge and skills to ensure the BASS experience is still the best it can be. Whether you are having private tuition, group lessons, off piste guiding or just a confidence boost, BASS cutting edge instruction will greatly enhance your learning experience.

BASS Meribel are leading the way in developing ski tuition and providing educational opportunities for students and trainee instructors. We are now one of the largest European providers of ski instructor training and education in snowsports. Our training academy in the 3 Valleys provides an educational program for those wishing to take a gap year in the mountains or fast track to instructor qualifications. Our very own Rhydian Morris joined our training program at the introduction level and is now qualified to the highest level, BASI ISTD L4, which is the equivalent of and recognised as a Bachelors Degree in Snowsports.

We are all looking forward to welcoming lots of our old friends back to the 3 Valleys this winter for more of the fun and exciting times we have shared on the slopes. We want to show you all why after 10 years we are still the best and getting better. If your not already booked make an enquiry to see what we are doing better this year.

What's new in the 3 valleys?

New Roc de Tougnete ski lift 

Méribel’s constant investment in modern lifts continues this year with the replacement of the elderly Roc de Tougne draglifts with a new, fast chairlift. The steep, twin draglifts above Mottaret are being superseded by a new, fast-loading 6-seat chairlift that will whisk you to the summit in a little more than 3 minutes. Not only will this new chair give faster and easier access to some excellent pistes (Lagopède and Bartavelle, prized for their quality snow and north-facing aspect), but also a quicker and easier route over to the Les Menuires ski area. The lift is designed to operate in high winds, keeping this 3 Vallées link open even in bad weather conditions.

Piste re-routing

The main route (Lac de la Chambre piste) from Val Thorens to the Méribel Valley will now be easier thanks to re-routing work. Two difficult sections have been bypassed, allowing this red run to be re-graded as a blue. Not only will this make returning from VT on tired legs much easier, it also opens up a spectacular and wild part of Méribel’s ski area to novice skiers.

New beginners’ facilities at le Rond-Point

Learners get a new lift too 

with an upgraded magic carpet lift at le Rond-Point in Méribel. The existing Loupiot beginner lift is being replaced by a modern, covered version and a new “Easy Rider” beginner zone will be created next to it so children and beginners can practice on a gentle slope in safety.

New Snow Cannon Reservoir

 The snow cannon reservoir under the Altiport 8 Seater Chair has been massively expanded this Summer and led to the free drag lift being reduced to about half it’s length.

The new reservoir has more than doubled it’s capacity allowing 65% of all of Meribel pistes to be covered by Snow Cannons.

More New Snow Cannons

Additional Snow Cannons costing €2.5m have been installed across the Les Menuires area and the BK park has also had a facelift. Now 300m long with 3 different run lines including rollers and jumps with 3 levels of course (S, M and L).

New ariondas bubble 1650

The new gondola follows the tracks of the old one which dates back to 1974. The replacement is a new 8 seater doubling the current capacity and gets straight up to the Bel Air in 7 minutes instead of 10½ minutes – a 25% speed increase and not a 2 stage gondola which was originally rumoured. It still looks like a walk up from the snow front and we’re not sure if access from inside via the escalator from the main is possible.

This is just an overview of all the work maintaining the infrastructure in the 3v as one of the best in the world as well as the biggest 

All the team look forward to seeing you on the slopes soon!!

Learning how to learn is the key skill.

If you make progress with this, everything else will change.

The first point to make here, is that it’s helpful to identify the common ways in which people can obstruct their own learning. You can use that knowledge to turn the tables, which will help you to get out of your own way.

Overcoming obstacles to learning

Learning can be challenging and uncomfortable. Some people take to it more easily than others.

For example, denial is a natural reflex that’s designed to save us the trouble of changing. But, if we want to learn and develop, we need to change.

Sometimes people feel threatened and insecure when facing up to the need for change. Learning means changing, however.

So we need to change.

How can you manage this process better?

Here’s the link to the appropriate chapter of the Ski Performance Breakthrough book, which sets out some of the main processes involved.

Please help yourself to the free download. I hope you enjoy it and that it helps you to achieve seamless progress in all of your projects!

Best regards,

Hugh

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Experienced skiers love to ski.

More, experienced skiers have a real passion for the sport and its environment.

So what is it that draws us in so deeply? What keeps us engaged winter after winter, run after run and curve after curve?

Each of us will have different reasons, which is the first clue. 

Our responses are personal, and so your reasons for loving this great sport will be unique. 

Skiing becomes personal.

Having said that, we will have many issues in common with each other. Some will relate to the mountain environment, others to the joy of the physical activity.

In this article, let’s start by considering the mountain environment. 

Take a look at the image and let it sink in. What do you see?

There's a lot in there: a large mountain range, deep in the heart of winter. 

The snow cover softens the contours of the glacier.  

There is a golden yellow hue to the light, highlighting some features and casting blue shadows to obscure others. 

We can see blue sky, clear visibility and the tracks of a party of skiers.

There is information in those tracks: a party of people, travelling together, supporting each other, sharing the experience. 

There is evidence of the ability to create linked curves.

Those curves provided the skiers with the opportunity to travel through that magnificent landscape. 

There is evidence of fluency and skill - many years in the making. 

There is a sense of the human scale in the context of a vast wilderness.  

"We are small", the tracks say, "but we are here."

And a sense of our impermanence. The wind will cover those tracks, or the next snowfall. 

"We are transient", they say, "but we are here."

Skiing provides us with both an affirmation of life and a sense of perspective.

We are alive; we value life, we value each other.

There is a deep-seated sense of well-being.

We see the scale of the landscape, the evidence of immense forces at work and we understand perspective.

These things are important to us.

I sometimes refer to James Brown’s first law of skiing: 

I feel good!

It rings true, for me, every time I ski.

How about you?

Best regards, 

Hugh

Performance Breakthrough

Why do we love skiing? - Part 2

The previous article on this subject discussed the mountain environment and the effect it has on us as we ski through it. Let’s take a look at some of the other reasons why we love to ski.

One of the most important has to be a sense of freedom. Some of this comes from the environment, of course. Space, light, mountains and open views have an uplifting effect.

Much of that sense of freedom comes from the ability to travel through the vast landscape,  adapting to the demands of the snow and the terrain.  We win that sense of freedom by creating solutions that allow us to pass over the terrain and through the snow. By finding ways to work with, rather than against the mountain and its challenges.

That is easier said than done. So many advanced and expert skiers choose to develop their abilities further. This project is open-ended - the mountains continue to provide us with challenges and opportunities to develop.  

Fortunately, our abilities to develop skill are open-ended, too.  That will be the subject of a different article, but the time being, the good news is that we all have hardwired abilities to learn.  Using these abilities and feeling the improvements, brought about by our efforts, are rewarding experiences in themselves.

When we tune into the mountains and to our skiing performance, there is a sense of connection, to our physical performance as it moves through space and time, to the snow beneath our feet and to the landscape that surrounds us.  

Much of our everyday lives disrupts this sense of connection,  but there is a strong argument to be made that it is our normal, healthy condition to feel connected in this way, to ourselves, to our environment, and to others.

That brings up the next topic; skiing can be a very social activity. 

Much of it is personal; we appreciate the personal responsibilities and rewards.

We often ski with like-minded people. When we do there is a group dynamic that is valuable and enjoyable.  We learn to trust each other and to look out for each other. Nothing could be a more natural expression of our human qualities than this.

The social dynamic often, usually, spills over into apres ski activities.  When these activities involve live music, it seems to me that the circle is complete and that we are genuinely celebrating life.

Moving onto the physical activity of the skiing performance itself, this is perhaps the most obvious and direct reason that we all love to ski. Skiing feels fantastic! We may not be able to "swim like dolphins can swim" - to cite David Bowie. Or fly like eagles can fly, as he may have said in a verse that was later discarded. 

But we can ski, "like the way it’s meant to be." (Knopfler, can you name that tune?).

Skiing provides us with a tremendous source of freedom, connectedness, self-determination and well-being. It feels fantastic, and we can share the company of like-minded enthusiasts, in the extra-ordinary mountain environment. 

It seems to me that Homo Sapiens Snowsport is a highly evolved member of the human race.

Best regards, 

Hugh

By Steve Ricketts - BASS MD

We put the BASS team on the spot to come up with a nugget of ski teaching gold.

We all expect our ski coaches to wave a magic wand and suddenly we will be skiing better. But, what if they could? Every ski coach has some little gem they like to use as often as possible. The good tips have substance behind them, communicated in a simple way to get you to engage in the moment, rather than overthinking the learning. In this article we take a look at three ways ski instructors use ‘tips’ alongside some of our experts’ favourite tips.

Lucky Tip

Improving ski performance has nothing to do with luck. When preparation meets opportunity it may appear fortunate, but is the result of an experienced coach identifying a specific change needed to improve performance and finding a way for the student to achieve it. 

1. Elliot Stone – BASS Instructor Val D’Isere & Tignes

Favourite tip - enjoy yourself as much as possible and skiing will be easier. Or a Vin Chaud at lunch time. 

2. Hugh Monney – BASS Founder Les Gets

Be here, now!

Living fully in the present moment can be elusive. Skiing both requires that from us and offers multiple opportunities to find it.

We start with this in our activation process each morning on Performance Breakthrough clinics.

3. Steve Ricketts - BASS MD All Resorts

Look where you are going, not where you are! This is one of those with lots of substance that is simplified into an action. The trick is to give the tip when it is going to be effective and to someone who needs it.

4. Dave Hudson - BASS Instructor Val D’Isere & Tignes

Instant tip for improvement would be to visualise yourself nailing each turn on the run before you set off.

Different Horses For Different Courses

I’m always being asked by my students, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ when I’m focusing on what they can be doing better. What they need to do and how they should do it, is usually a personalised and bespoke process. Different horses for different courses, rather than one size fits all.

5. Craig Haliday - BASS Director Val D’Isere

My favourite tip to make an instant impact on your skiing couldn’t be more simple, BE GREEDY!!! This doesn’t mean helping yourself to an extra croissant in the morning but refers to using a bit more of the available slope. Many skiers rush their turns for fear of going too fast and end up making short sharp arcs that cause a lot of judder through the ski’s and legs.  Try to use a bit more space and create a c shaped arc using the hill to help you slow down. There isn’t a large cliff at the very edge of the blue run waiting to catch you out so go a little closer to the side of the slope and take your time over the turn. Your legs will thank you for it later.

6. Joe Cain - BASS Director Tignes

Remember skiing is a downhill sport.

7. Andy Lockerbie BASS Instructor All Resorts

Use the whole ski to help you. Use the front of the ski to keep turning, to control the speed, Use the middle of the ski to create the turn shape the ski was designed for, use the back of the ski to let the ski go straight in the direction is currently pointing.

One Size Fits All

Be wary of Ski Philosophies that promise if you follow a set of rules you will be a better skier. This process makes the student fit the learning. We at BASS believe that a good ski coach uses a wealth of experience to find the teaching that fits the student.

8. Sam Cain – BASS Reservations and qualified ski teacher.

Favourite tip for improvement. 

Everyone can benefit from ski lessons even expert skiers. There’s always something new to learn.

9. Mike Crawford BASS Instructor 3 Valleys

Instead of ’snapping’ the turn round too quickly, take your time gently steer the ski around the arc. Counting 1, 2, 3 as you turn the ski around each turn. Imagine saying ’two’ as you face down the mountain. 

Turn shape is key! Most people when they learnt to ski don’t use a rounded turn, however by using a circular shape while turning there are all sorts of benefits! Follow these points to try to make your skiing less tiring, more efficient and more enjoyable.

Using a rounded turn shape has lots of advantages, the main one being that you are able to make your skiing easier and more efficient. When you use a rounded arc shape you take the momentum from one arc into another, the ski travels at a consistent and controlled speed. It means that you can control your speed more accurately and instead of accelerating between turns you use the shape of the turns to control the speed.

When people are learning to ski they have a tendency to ski ‘defensively’ which is where they use a more ‘zig zag’ shape of turn which is all about killing off speed - which in fact makes the whole process much more tiring and emotionally draining! Practice skiing a rounded turn on easy slopes so that you can gradually move it onto the more advanced terrain. 

10. Finally two of my favourites I wanted to share, and made me smile when I heard them.

A. Skiing, turn right, turn left, repeat as before. Advanced skiing, turn right, turn left, repeat as before, but faster.

B. Coach to world cup athlete. ‘Your skidding on turn seven. Don’t.’

To find out the best tip for you and some more in-depth coaching to, get better, have fun and enjoy new experiences, book your own BASS expert. ENQUIRE 

Resort: 

BASS Vald'Isere

We think so, but what is Les Gets’ secret? We think it’s all about variety and more specifically, the variety of slopes.

Everyone has a favourite resort and different reasons why. Whether it’s the village, the slopes or a favourite restaurant, there is something that draws us back to certain places, time and time again.

The Les Gets ski area has such a wide range of slopes that are quick to access, it's ideal for groups with mixed levels of experience and abilities.

The main beginner area, located at the top of the Chavannes gondola, allows novice skiers to enjoy being up in the mountains rather than stuck down in the village. It’s also one of the best beginner areas that I’ve ever taught in, with 2 magic carpets and a rope tow, providing fantastic progression for adult and child beginners alike.

The next step brings you to the wide-open gentle slopes of the Chavannes, to build confidence and optional steeper sections to test your metal before venturing deeper into the ski area.

There is so much to do in this one area you really can’t ever get bored. The Grand Cry Indian Village and Milka runs provide fun, themed tree runs as well as teepees, perfect for a snack break, and mini-farm with goats and sheep to visit.

For the more adventurous, the freestyle snowpark is full of kickers and rails to suit the most ardent freestyle junkies.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that Les Gets is just for beginners though. More experienced skiers have fast access to the Ranfoilly bowl and Perrières with a great range of cruisy red runs but head to Chamossière for it’s challenging red and black runs and off-piste freeride zone.

If peace and quiet are your thing, a trip to Mont Chery has to be on your ‘to-do’ list and you can stroll across the village or take advantage of the little train that links the two ski areas. Dominated by it’s red and black runs, it is the domain of experienced skiers, which, makes it lift queues a very rare occurrence, even in the busiest holiday periods.

And let’s be fair, Les Gets isn’t the biggest village in the Alps but being one of 12 connected resorts of the Portes du Soleil boasting 286 pistes and 196 ski-lifts there really is something for everyone.

Come and see for yourself, we’d love to show you around, and maybe even share where to find the best hot chocolates!

For more information email lesgets@britishskischool.com or use our quick enquiry link.

Any ski instructor worth their salted fries knows all the best places to eat on the hill. We asked some of the best to tell us about their go to culinary temples. Mediocre slope side venues with one special dish or something you can't quite put your finger on, won't cut it for this list.

Our team of experts know that a truly awesome venue for your holiday's blue ribbon lunch has got to have it all. Here are our favourite lunch venues.

CRAIG HALLIDAY - BASS DIRECTOR - VAL D'ISERE

My favourite restaurant has to be Eidelwiess in the La Fornet area of Val d’Isere. The food and drink are excellent throughout but if I had to pick one dish it would be the pork fillet in glazed honey sauce. It's not just the food or the service that makes Eidelwiess stand out but the amazing views it has of Val d’Isere and especially the Face du Bellvarde. Eidelweiss is accessible via the Mangard blue run in La Fornet and as an added bonus is close to some of Val d’Isere’s most famous off piste area’s. 

HUGH MONNEY - BASS FOUNDER - LES GETS

La Grande Ourse, Mt Chéry, Les Gets - Spectacular view of the Mt Blanc Massif, plus great food, plus very friendly hosts, plus great live music! A regular lunch stop. Hugh has been helping skiers get the most out of their skiing in Les Gets since the early 90's, so if he recommends somewhere, I'm going to try it.

ELLIOT STONE - BASS INSTRUCTOR - VAL D'ISERE & TIGNES

My favourite restaurant has to be - Tete De Solaise in Val D’Isere. All meals are incredible but the one which sticks out is the cheese/meat board.  The restaurant has the best views in the Val with a great sun deck which has live music most days of the week. 

JOE CAIN - DIRECTOR - TIGNES

Best restaurant, The Corner, Tignes Val Claret. Pie, chips and peas. You won’t find a better pie in France. In fact they would beat most pies in the U.K. especially the beef pie yum. Prices are good too.

DAVE HUDSON - BASS INSTRUCTOR - VAL D'ISERE & TIGNES

My top choice has to be Lo Soli at the top of the Chaudanne chair out of Tignes Le Lac. The steak is the best and the views are unbeatable. I love the sun hats and its the best place for a BASS team lunch.

ANDY LOCKERBIE - BASS INSTRUCTOR - ALL RESORTS

Tuxerfernerhaus (Hintertux, Austria) Daily special, great quality and value for money. I've run many instructor training courses on the glacier, and what you need is big portions and fast service that won't break the bank.

STEVE RICKETTS - BASS MANAGING DIRECTOR - ALL RESORTS

 La Ferme de Reberty. I found this little gem hidden away in Reberty, just above Les Menuires in the 3 Valleys. My family loved their lunch there so much, we went back at night. If you want to do the same, book in advance as they are always full on the night. A good selection of staple dishes, and some house specialities to die for, including the cafe gourmand for desert. Great on a sunny day and very friendly service.

CRAIG CONKIE - BASS 3 VALLEYS DIRECTOR - MERIBEL

For me it would have to be La Folie Douce, Meribel. It's the best of this chain and offers excellent food at the self-service. A 2 or 3 course menu is good value and it doesn't take too long to get your food. The decor is chic with sofas or cowhide seats around an assortment of tabes. If you eat too much, you can always bin the skiing and spend the afternoon dancing on the tables at the party outside.

SAM CAIN - BASS COORDINATOR - ALL RESORTS

Favourite mountain restaurant: La Sachette in Les Brevieres, Tignes. When it’s cold and windy up top it’s nice to ski down through the trees. Cosy inside with lovely food, especially the chips and  special house mayonnaise.

MIKE CRAWFORD - BASS DIRECTOR AND INSTRUCTOR - MERIBEL

You can't beat an afternoon at the Le Cap Horn, above the Altiport in Courchevel. Great food, great service and the party goes on all afternoon. So many times have I had to fly my guest back to Meribel because they have stayed until the lifts have closed.

So there you have it, our experts' top 10 places to have lunch on the mountain. It's worth remembering that you can trust your BASS instructor to show you the best restaurant as well as the best slopes. Book early, it's easy to see why BASS instructors are in great demand.

Resort: 

BASS Vald'Isere

Well I have a lot to live up to! My parents started me skiing at the age of 2, happy to say I am still doing it and love my teaching every day.

My dad is an inspiration as he has just celebrated his 90th Birthday here in St Gervais with my family (Scobbie Family) and his bestie, Gordon McFarlane and his family.

Dad spent many years ski instructing part time in Scotland having qualified in 1968 the year I was born :-). Every season he has skied either in Scotland or Europe, visiting us here now in St Gervais several times a season!

Here is a short video of us skiing with him on his birthday on Friday at Les Contamines...Enjoy.  

The benefits of sport on mental health are now widely recongnised but skiing may not be the first activity that pops into your mind as an option.

Skiing isn’t without risk but this is where the BASS team is here to help. We understand that to achieve the feel-good factor from learning to ski, you need to feel safe, and our teachers pay attention to many factors that will give you the most positive experience.

Safe in your environment

Your BASS teacher will choose slopes where you feel confident to learn and try new things. It’s fun to be challenged by a new activity rather than a scary run.

Safe with your equipment 

We will explain all you need to know about your equipment with pointers about all sorts of things like, just how tight should you do your boots up.

Safe to try something new

Whether you are a seasoned skier or a novice, trying new things can be daunting. We’ll be right by your side, making sure that your personal challenges provide a sense of achievement, not a fear of failing, or even falling!

Safe together

We believe that effective coaching is a collaboration between learner and teacher that can only be achieved by creating a trusting relationship.

Safe on your own

Skiing involves many decisions so we work with you to understand not just how to turn but when, where and what to do when things get tricky. We will arm you with a bundle of strategies to help you trust your own decisions when skiing with friends or family.

There is strong evidence to prove that sport and physical activity has a positive affect on mental health and wellbeing. So clear is the message, in fact, doctors are encouraged to ‘prescribe’ physical activity for patients experiencing mental health issues.

As a society, we are becoming braver about talking about mental health. With the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK stating that mental health issues are the largest single source of disability in the UK at 23%, we believe that talking is a very good thing.

What’s in it for you?

Stress reduction, improved mood, a lift in self-esteem and a lowered risk of depression and anxiety are all listed as benefits of sporting activity. When you choose skiing as your game, you add the bonus of the stunning mountain environment, which is enough to lift anyone’s spirits. children reap the same benefits but also, youngsters who participate in sport are more likely to continue as adults.

Physical activity also reduces the risk of cognitive decline in adults with a 20-30% risk reduction in developing dementia.

References: Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK

Come and find out how skiing with BASS can help you feel on top of the world.

For more information email morzine@britishskischool.com or use our quick enquiry link.

Resort: 

BASS Les Gets