We know that our courses are amongst the very best available, because that's how we design them. But don't just take our word for it - every year we receive tons of feedback from our clients about their experience with us.

So to find out what it's really like on a Base Camp course, what our instructors and locations are like, our accomodation and of course, our social scene, read on - and see for yourself.

Testimonials

Kevin Laverty, Age 32, Course: Whistler 2006

Kevin is travelling around North America working as an instructor:

'I originally found out about Base Camp Group through my roommate Ross Mann. He had actually done the same course the year before me but in Val d’Isere. He had good things to say about the course and how it improved his riding so it grabbed my interest.

The course in Whistler really improved my riding to a level that was well worth the money and time on the course. It also made me more interested in the industry. When I arrived my main goal was only rider improvement but as the course progressed I became more and more interested in getting my instructors license.

The instructors for our course were top notch for sure. Overall I couldn’t have asked for a better winter. If I had to pick one thing for improvement it might have been the option to get more freestyle coaching but with all the instructor exam preparation and freeriding I can see how it is hard to fit all that in an 11 week program.'

Rebecca Ramsay, Age: 24, Course: Val d'Isere 2006

Rebecca is returning to the real world:

'Having already completed a winter season working as a chalet girl, I knew I definitely wanted to spend another season in the snow but I also wanted to get a qualification out of it. The Base Camp prospectus offered the ski instructor qualification but with an emphasis on fun too.

There were 30 of us on the course. Our meals were in a restaurant / bar and most of us stayed on after dinner to catch ‘happy hour - the nightlife in Val is good. The bars around town always have theme nights so there was always an excuse to go out! And even better, most bars offer discounts for anyone doing the Base Camp course.

Staying in Val for the season we also got to know some of the seasonnaires working out there. Everyone on the course was up for a good time both on and off the slopes.'

Leigh Taylor, Age: 20, Course: Whistler 2005

Leigh is teaching at Park City, Utah, USA after finding a job through Base Camp:

'The Whistler-Blackcomb ski school tuition was by far the best that I have ever received and my skiing improved dramatically. The exam preperation was outstanding and lots of time to improve on those 'bad habits'.

Thanks to Base Camp Group for helping me become a professional Ski Instructor. The Whistler course has changed my life and I now plan to be a ski instructor for many years to come.'

Tom Pettigrew: Head of Park City Ski & Snowboard School: 'Leigh worked out well for us last season. He had the skills skiing and teaching to slip comfortably into our school. That speaks well of your Base Camp coaching and the process that you employee with your instructor students.

We have several BASI ski and snowboard instructors on our staff, along with CASI, NZSIA, APSI and a few European and South American staff.'

Becky Ford, Age: 28, Course: Val d'Isere 2005

Becky is working in Hong Kong and hopes to instruct in Japan:

'The best day I had was when everything clicked - Rick our Instructor had taken apart my snowboarding technically and I just felt like I was going round in circles; not being able to do anything right. Then one day it just clicked!!

The course is so much fun! If you like snowboarding and want to do a season it improves your riding 100%. Not only do you learn how to teach but you learn how to technically assess your own style and meet loads of new people.

The Base Camp staff were efficient, friendly and laidback. The weekend trips and extra activities off the hill were really good, especially the Ice Hockey trip to Vancouver, the snowmobiling and the keg parties. I will remeber them all for a very long time.'

James Lort, Age: 18, Course: Meribel 2004

After his course, James headed to Uni and plans to teach in the holidays:

'My goals before the start of the course were to have an amazing time, meet loads of new people and pass the instructors test. I achieved all of these goals and the course surpassed my expectations! My advice to anyone thinking of doing instructor course is do it!

It’s the most amazing time you’ll ever have!! Everyone living close together creates a real sense of community. The accommodation is right in the middle of town which means it is so easy to get to the slopes in the morning and for coming home at night!'

John Royle, Age: 28, Course: Verbier 2004

John is going back to Verbier to teach next year:

'My favourite things about Verbier were, the off piste, the apres ski and the size (quite small but huge skiing area). One of my favourite days was going across to Bruson to do race training, it was a glorious sunny day and we all took picnics and wine and set up a race track and went down and timed about 20 odd times. It was amazing and I really loved the racing element, will be doing it in the future definitely.

If you are thinking of whether to do the course then do it and do it soon. I regret not doing it earlier in life. You don’t have to be an amazing skier, you get so much continuous instruction you become advanced very quickly. It’s only 3 months of your life so take the time and do it now. The Instructors were incredibly professional, a great laugh, brilliant skiers and top blokes! Am I planning to use my qualification in the future? Yes! I want to take my BASI 2 and hopefully get into racing!'

James Gill, Age: 19, Course: Whistler 2004

James is going to uni in September but wants to do a season after studying:

'The greatest day on the course was when we went out on a powder day and built a kicker in the afternoon, it was great to have our instructor come along and help us to learn to jump well. By the end of the day we managed to learn 360s.... a really good day!!!!! And getting the CSIA level 2 was really sweet too!

The instructors, Guy and Gib, were two of the best guys I have ever met and amazingly good skiers. The great thing was that, because we changed instructor each week and with them being very different in their teaching methods, you got great instruction and could view it from different angles. Accommodation is short walk from town with great views and in a quiet area. The skiing in Whistler is out of this world!'

If all of this sounds like something you'd like to be part of - contact us -, and start planning your adventure of a lifetime.