BASI (the British Association of Snowsport Instructors) has teamed up with youth charity Snow-Camp and the Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead (thesnowcentre.com) to develop the skills of two young aspiring instructors, providing each with a sponsored Alpine Level 1 course as a part of the Snow-Camp Youth Programme (snow-camp.org.uk).
Snow-Camp is an innovative youth charity that uses a unique combination of skiing, snowboarding and life-skills programmes to support the development of inner-city young people. Through the combination of snowsports and life-skills, its programmes are designed with the aim of enabling young people to grow in confidence and self-esteem, develop as individuals and make positive choices for their lives, the charity says.
Sponsored student Aaron Minto, who will take his five day course in mid-March, learnt to ski with Snow-Camp six years ago and is now a long term volunteer.
“I have always wanted to do my BASI Level 1 but I would not have been able to afford it without this support from BASI,” said Aaron, “I am really excited about the opportunity and ever so grateful to BASI for sponsoring me. This qualification will give me the chance to become a BASI instructor and ultimately give me a chance to gain employment in the snowsports Industry.”
Stacey Pender is also receiving a sponsored BASI Level 1 course, which she will take at the end of May,
“I have been skiing for around 18 months now, and have already made dramatic progress due to the support I have received from Snow-Camp and through all the great experiences I’ve had, combined with my determination in wanting progress within the ski industry in every way possible. Completing work experience with Interski recently inspired me to do a season abroad and hopefully work at a ski school in the future. Words can’t express how privileged and happy I am to get a chance to complete my BASI Level 1 qualification. I would like to thank BASI, Snow-Camp and everyone who has helped me in every way to get me where I am today,” said Stacey.
Both courses will take place at the Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead (thesnowcentre.com) , which, employs over 120 BASI qualified instructors. Each year around 250 candidate instructors begin their training on a BASI course hosted at The Snow Centre. The centre is headed by BASI level 4 instructor and trainer Pete Gillespie.
“The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead is delighted to be able to support Snow-Camp in sponsoring Aaron and Stacey,” said Pete, “The BASI scheme provides a pathway to a real career in teaching snowsports and can lead to endless possibilities in an exciting and dynamic industry.”
Once Stacey and Aaron have completed their BASI Level 1, they will be issued with a certification to work on dry and indoor snow slopes with novice and early intermediate skiers.