Endorsements
BASS Resorts
CHAMONIX - INSTRUCTORS   To Book Call:  0845 4681003
SHONA TATE
Director & Instructor

Qualification:
  • BASI ISTD (British Association of Snowsport Instructors, International Snowsports Teacher Diploma)
  • BASI Alpine Trainer
  • IASI Alpine Trainer (Irish Association of Snowsport Instructors)
View Shona Tate's profile on LinkedIn
I was brought up in a skiing family, my parents were instructors in Scotland and my older brother was into racing. I was soon following my brother around the mountain hot on his heels in all terrain and in all typical Scottish weather!
After spending several years in the Scottish Ski Team in the mid 80’s I gained my first instructor qualification which enabled me to teach on artificial slopes. Loving the sport and loving teaching has now brought me to Chamonix, the centre of skiing history. Everyone in Chamonix shares the same passion for the mountains & the outdoors, we are one big family.
When I head off to other parts of the Alps to Train other budding instructors for BASI or IASI (Irish Association of Snowsport Instructor) I know that I will soon be back and look forward to the spectacular drive back into the Valley looked on by the spectacular Mt Blanc.
I deal with all the bookings here in Chamonix (when I am not teaching!) so I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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DEREK TATE
Director & Instructor

Qualifications:
  • BASI ISTD (British Association of Snowsport Instructors, International Snowsports Teacher Diploma)
  • BASI Alpine Trainer
  • IASI Director of Coaching & Alpine Trainer
View Derek Tate's profile on LinkedIn
I began skiing quite late in life, at the age of seventeen but was always a very keen sports person. I grew up in Dublin and in those days skiing was not a big thing in Ireland! Football, Karate and Athletics were very much my sports. However I was introduced to skiing through my school and enjoyed a couple of trips to Bulgaria, joined the Ski Club of Ireland, started skiing regularly at the dry ski slope and never looked back…..

20+ years later I am still totally in love with the sport and “life in the mountains”. During that time I have been involved in racing, race coaching, ski school, instructor training and have taught just about everything from 4 year olds to top level instructors. I have been lucky enough to work in many countries around the world including the USA, France and of course Scotland to name but a few.

During those 20 years of ski teaching I also fell in love with Chamonix and now this has become my home and the base for our ski school. Every day I spend in the Chamonix Valley I like to stop and take in the awesome scenery and I know that I chose both the right career and one of the best places in the world to live and work.
Before starting BASS Chamonix with my wife and co-director in season 2004/05, I worked in Courchevel for three seasons and before that managed an artificial ski slope in the UK for four years. I love working in all aspects of the sport and have been heavily involved over the years in training and assessing ski instructors. I am currently Director of Training for the Irish Association of Snowsport Instructors, a Tutor for Snowsport Scotland and a Trainer for the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
I look forward to meeting you this season and sharing with you my passion for skiing and the mountains and where could be better than the home of skiing – Chamonix!

DEE O'NEILL
Dee O'Neill
Qualifications:

  • Full French Equivalence
  • Level 1 Trainer for IASI
View Deirdre O'Neill's profile on LinkedIn

I was introduced to skiing at a relatively early age and spent winters zipping around the slopes. I quickly became addicted to skiing and being from Ireland did prove a slight problem – no snow! In order to ski regularly I joined the Ski Club of Ireland where I was able to ski on more regular basis. Getting involved at an early age introduced me to racing and this proved a useful stepping stone in training towards becoming a ski instructor. After receiving my first level qualification I realised that I wanted to develop more as a skier so I furthered my training which lead me to gain my professional qualification and enable me to live in the Alps as a professional ski instructor.
I was also heavily involved for a number of years with the Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors as Chairperson which is the Irish body responsible for training and assessing ski instructors to international standards. I am still involved now but as an IASI Level 1 Trainer. With such a passion for skiing, cycling and running I couldn’t think of a better place to be then Chamonix!




ALISON CULSHAW
Alison Culshaw

Qualifications:

  • BASI ISTD
  • BASI Off Piste Module Trainer/Assessor
  • IASI Guest Trainer
  • Mountain Leader Award (IML)
  • Mountain Instruction Award (MIA)
  • Level 3 open Canoe Coach

    View Alison Culshaw's profile on LinkedIn
Alison's interest in the outdoors began at an early age, ski racing for the national team led to a career in ski instruction and a degree in Outdoor Studies. This was followed by a placement on the prestigious Nightwatch scheme at the Scottish National Outdoor Centre where Alison was able to gain experience instructing a wide range of outdoor activities and rack up an impressive list of qualifications.

Currently Alison splits her time between winters in Chamonix and summers in the UK where she supervises and assesses Duke of Edinburgh's expeditions. She is a full member of AMI and holds the following qualifications; Mountain Instructor Award (MIA), Winter Mountain Leader (WML), International Mountain Leader (IML), Level 3 Open Canoe Coach.  

Alison has been with us for 3 out of our 4 seasons in Chamonix and is booked up well before the season.  This season kicks off for her in December when she is delivering for the second year running our Mountaineers Performance Course which is aimed at developing your skills for touring off piste (used by aspirant Mountain guides seeking to pass their skiing test).