A Brief History
Three friends, Hugh, Ian and Phil, collaborated and combined resources to initiate the opportunity. Working closely with French authorities and BASI, we helped establish the administrative framework for British instructors to work in the French Alps. Ian leads the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School, Phil leads Snoworks, and Hugh has devoted himself to establishing and supporting the BASS Network of ski schools.
The BASS Network of skis schools was established in Les Gets in 1993, one of the first British ski school to operate legally in France. (We had friends doing their own thing at the same time, as part of the first wave.)
BASS has been the cornerstone of British ski instruction in France since 1993. BASS operations are at the forefront of our professions and many of today's other successful British ski schools were founded by instructors who began their careers training with or working with BASS. We're pleased to have established not just a ski school, but an entire tradition of excellence in British ski instruction across the Alps.
With over 3000 pages archived in the Internet Archive since 1999, BASS has one of the longest continuous digital presences in the ski instruction profession.
Our Background
Founded by Hugh Monney in 1993, BASS began in Les Gets before expanding to Morzine and eventually to ten resorts across the French Alps.
In the early years, we worked with French authorities and BASI to establish recognition of British qualifications in France. This involved developing administrative processes and demonstrating equivalence between BASI Level 4 ISTD and French standards.
Professional Development
Over the past 30 years, our Professional Programme has always supported instructors through their BASI qualifications. Many have gone on to successful careers across the Alps, some establishing their own operations. We continue to provide training and mentoring for aspiring instructors.
Our Approach
We believe in maintaining high professional standards while creating an enjoyable learning environment. All our instructors hold BASI Level 4 ISTD qualifications with French equivalence, ensuring consistent quality across all our resorts.
The BASS Network has been created and developed with client success in mind.
Here is an overview of the carefully considered approach that BASS provides for it’s clients:
BASS Teachers - BASS teachers are skilful, experienced and sympathetic. We like to help people solve their problems and discover how to have fun, and we know how to make this happen.
English language - All of our sessions are delivered in the English language. Your mother tongue is a must, if you are to make the best progress and understand the subtleties of these great sports.
Terrain - We only go where you feel safe and comfortable. We are interested in your enjoyment.
Techniques - During your BASS lessons you will know exactly what to do, how it feels & how to self correct. Our Directors are at the leading edge of our profession, so our organisation offers the very best professional advice.
Tactics - During your BASS lessons, we help you to understand which steering techniques to use, where and why; how to control speed and how to deal with steeper ground and harder snow.
Psychological issues - We help you to improve your effectiveness and resilience by learning how to stay in control of your mind and your body. As used by champions and professionals!
Small groups - We have small group sizes, even in peak season, so there is a lot of personal attention and care.
Humour - A caring, humorous approach makes the lesson a pleasure for everyone involved. The effectiveness of the sessions are dramatically increased by this important aspect of communication and enjoyment.
We have learned a great deal from our tens of thousands of clients and our sincere thanks go out to them.
Professional Training
Supporting Instructor Development Since 1993
Our Professional Programme has been running continuously since the 1990s, supporting instructors at all stages of their careers:
BASI Level 1-4 training support
Guidance on French administrative requirements
Mentorship through the qualification process
Practical experience in resort operations
We're pleased to have played a part in developing many successful careers in ski instruction.
Our amazing teams of ski teachers are all hold the highest qualifications available, BASI Level 4 International Ski Teacher Diploma, with French equivalence. Many are also Trainers and examiners of instructors with BASI and contribute to the development of that excellent training system. You can find them in the meet our team sections for each BASS operation.
BASS Morzine Les Gets and Avoriaz team
BASS Val d’Isere and Tignes Team
Here are the BASS Directors - the people who have played important roles in guiding BASS and its development, shaping our profession, creating opportunities for clients and colleagues. Find out more about them by following the links to their biographies.
Derek Tate Director BASS Chamonix
Shona Tate Director BASS Chamonix
Peter Kuwall Director BASS Chatel
Becci Malthouse Director BASS Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz
Jaz Lamb Director BASS Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz
Tom Watts Director BASS Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz
Steve Ricketts Director BASS Val d’Isere, Tignes, Meribel and Courchevel
Hugh Monney Director BASS Network and BASS Performance Breakthrough
Most importantly of all, our thousands of clients, over more than thirty years and counting. You are amazing and that’s why we are so invested in this work. Thanks to everyone who has skied and ridden with us so far - and thanks to those of you who will in the future.
BASS - serving skiers online since 1999
25+ years of digital innovation
With over 3000 pages archived in the Internet Archive since 1999, BASS has one of the longest continuous digital presences in the ski instruction industry.
Explore our history on the Wayback Machine digital archive
Website evolution: 1999-2025 | View our archive
See our Digital Archeology page, with screenshots of BASS websites from 1999 to 2025
In 1999, 381 clients rated us 97% Outstanding/Excellent/Good - view original survey
The archive captured this amazing information from 1999.
You’ll need to highlight the page to see the white text against the white screen, because our fetching dark blue background has been omitted from the archive!
Beyond Website Design: Client Satisfaction Since 1999
In 1999, we didn't just pioneer online booking - we pioneered transparency.
We published our complete client survey results online, showing:
99.4% rated our service as Outstanding or Excellent." [View 1999 Survey Results] [See Original Archive Page]
Key findings from 381 client responses:
99.6% rated English instruction as Outstanding/Excellent
98.3% rated small class sizes as Outstanding/Excellent
97.6% rated value for money as Outstanding/Excellent/Good
Transparency Since 1999
Before TripAdvisor (founded 2000) Before Google Reviews (founded 2007)
Before Trust Pilot (founded 2007)
BASS was publishing complete client survey data online. In 1999, when most businesses hid their feedback, we published everything - including the 0.056% who rated us "Poor" (2 people out of 357 on value). This transparency continues today.
Explore further on the BASS Archive Hub…
BASS client survey results - 1999
You can check out the actual archive page here
You’ll need to:
click the link to “Detailed results”
and highlight the page to see the white text against your white screen - our fetching dark blue background has been omitted from the archive!
Here is the original text from the archived webpage:
Survey result details
We polled a large, representative sample of our clients and asked them specific questions about the quality of service they received. Here are the detailed findings:
Question 1. Quality of service.
How do you rate the quality of the service you received?.
Rating
Responses
% of responses
5 Outstanding
327
85.8
4 Excellent
52
13.6
3 Good
2
0.5
2 Mediocre
0
0
1 Poor
0
0
Totals
381
99.9
Summary
99.4% of clients polled rate our quality of service as outstanding or excellent!
Question 2. Attention to your needs.
How well did we attend to your specific needs?
Rating
Responses
% of responses
5 Outstanding
294
77.3
4 Excellent
74
19.4
3 Good
11
2.9
2 Mediocre
1
0.2
1 Poor
0
0
Totals
380
99.8
Summary
96.7% of clients polled rate our 'Attention to personal needs' as outstanding or excellent!
Question 3. Small class sizes.
How do you rate the benefits of our small classes?
Rating
Responses
% of responses
5 Outstanding
325
87.1
4 Excellent
42
11.2
3 Good
5
1.3
2 Mediocre
1
0.26
1 Poor
0
0
Totals
373
99.86
Summary
98.3% of clients polled rated the benefits of our small class sizes as outstanding or excellent!
Question 4. English language.
How do you rate the benefits of your highly qualified instructor speaking English as his native language?
Rating
Responses
% of responses
5 Outstanding
364
96.5
4 Excellent
12
3.1
3 Good
1
0.26
2 Mediocre
0
0
1 Poor
0
0
Totals
377
99.86
Summary
99.6% of clients polled rated the benefits of our courses, delivered in English, as outstanding or excellent!
Question 5. Value.
How do you rate the value you received for your money?
Rating
Responses
% of responses
5 Outstanding
200
56
4 Excellent
98
27.4
3 Good
51
4.2
2 Mediocre
6
1.7
1 Poor
2
0.056
Totals
357
99.356
Summary