BASECAMP Part 1

BASS Pro Training Resources 2023

PART 1

Week 1

Welcome to the first week of your course!

There is going to be a lot of information for you to absorb, so please bring a notebook or phone so you can make notes.  You have quite a busy week to get you started!

We have a coaching block starting at 11:45 each morning and finishing at the end of each day.  We will start by meeting on the flat area as you exit the top station of the Prodains Gondola.  We may adjust this as we settle into the week.

Please be sure on how to get there for the first day, please be punctual and ready to leave at the start time.

Outside the coaching sessions, we suggest you complete the Tasks below.  They are designed to help orient you to the resort, help you start thinking like a Ski Instructor and settle you into making the most of your course. 

These are skiing, on snow tasks, they aren’t difficult and don’t take too much time, but it will mean that you need to commit to being on the hill from 9:15 to 4:30 / 5:00 each day.  (Have a look at our separate sheet of advice on how Instructors manage to stay comfortable on the mountain for full days, often in really poor conditions).

Don’t forget you need to have completed 70 hours Ski School Experience before you can start your BASI Level 2, you can count the hours you spend completing these Tasks towards your total.

Also consider that at the end of the course you may even be asking us to write references for you when applying for jobs.  And that any references we write will contain accurate representations of your appearance, commitment and behaviour.

This week’s goals are:

• Be at the meeting point, ready to be coached at 11:30, Mon to Fri.
• Navigation Task 1, Tuesday 10^th January
• Complete Navigation Task 2, Wednesday 11^th January
• Complete Structured Practice Task 1, Thursday 12^th January
• Repeat Structured Practice Task 1, Friday 13^th January

Details about these tasks are below:

After each task there is a link to a very short Question survey, this will only take 5 minutes or so to complete but it gives you a great opportunity to reflect on what you have done and deepen your learning, plus it gives us a record of who has done what. 

Plus, use these Personal Development Goals to check you are on target throughout your course.  By the end of the first week:

• You can list the Fundamental Elements in their 3 families
• You can list the 3 Phases of a Turn
• You can explain the difference between the 2 main methods of Control of Speed
• You can explain the basic concept of Control of Line
• You can explain the relationship between the “STRANDS” and how we can use the skis in different ways
• You can explain the basics of how we manage our bodies to become skilful skiers

Speak to one of your coaches, or grab me on the hill, if you want to ask any questions, otherwise, enjoy your week and have a great time!

Navigation Task 1     2 hrs

Navigation Task 1       2 hrs

Aim to complete this task on the morning of Tuesday 10^th January, 2023 before you join your Coaches for the training session.

From the BASS Morzine meeting place at the top of the Prodains Gondole, find and ski the ‘Proclou’ piste, returning to the top of the Prodains Gondola

From the Proclou chairlift, look out for the Heli-port, ski back down the run and make a note of:

• The number of the piste marker nearest the heli-port, it is on the corner at the start of the wide, gentle, main section of the Proclu run.
• Note what information is on the piste marker.
• What do the yellow Triangle signs on the left of this main section indicate?

Question Link

https://us13.list-manage.com/survey?u=deaf67b44a0879cff23db8319&id=35f3b8ea05&e=*|UNIQID|*

Navigation Task 2     2hrs

Navigation Task 2       2hrs

Aim to complete this task on the morning of Wednesday 11^th January, 2023 before you join your Coaches for the training session.

Using your Piste Maps, or the Portes du Soleil Ski App, find and ski the ‘Bleue de Lac’ run from the top of the’ Intrets’ Chairlift, back to the Prodain meeting point.

Make a note of:

• The number of the Piste Marker at the start
• Any intersections where the run splits
• You will ski past the top station of a 6 person chairlift, make a note of the name of the Chairlift.

Question Link

https://us13.list-manage.com/survey?u=deaf67b44a0879cff23db8319&id=4579de5011&e=*|UNIQID|*

Structured Practice Task 1                  2 hrs

Aim to complete this task on the morning of Thursday 12^th January, 2023 before you join your Coaches for the training session.

The evening before the session, consider the coaching input you have already received and choose one piece of priority feedback.  Your TASK is going to be to consciously change this in order to develop. 

• Find a partner in your group who is doing a similar task to work with.

• Discuss the feedback you have received from your coaches and make a plan for how you are going to do to develop this aspect into a more skilful performance.  Check in with your coaches if you need some direction.

• Be on the hill early and prepared to train.  Find terrain that will actively help you develop new movement patterns and skills.  Consider the terrain you were skiing with your coaches.  

• Organise your practice session so it has purpose, structure and benefit for you.  You will learn and get better at structuring your own practice, to start with:

• Choose a definite section of terrain so you have an exact starting point, and a clear finish point for each run.  This will be your specific developmental terrain.

• Coordinate between yourself and your partner so one person is performing the task whilst the other observes.

Then settle into the following cycle:

• Before you set off, state your TASK to your partner and be clear in your mind what you are focussing on for that performance.  If you are not sure, ask your coach for clarification.  If you have been directed to notice any specific feedback tune into that, and, if possible, make the accurate movements before you set off to give your body the idea of what to feel for.

• Perform the task without distraction, ie ensure you are on the correct gradient and terrain and that the slope is clear before you set off.  Focus and apply yourself to the Task.  Choose a speed and turn shape that is fluid and allows you to focus on the INFORMATION you get from your skis and body.  This will be a slower speed than your normal skiing pace, probably around 50 – 60% of your normal pace on that terrain.

• Tune into your performance, filter the information you are getting to notice the ‘new’ sensations  you are aiming for, stay focussed to your finish point.

• When you come to a stop, pause and reflect.  Give your body time to notice what you felt, try and verbalise what you noticed to your partner. EVALUATE what you noticed and make a plan for your next run.  It may be as simple as travelling a bit slower next time, or, opening your turn shape so you have more time to notice what you are doing.

• Ski to the lift safely and efficiently.

• At the lift, switch off, chat to your partner and enjoy.  At the top head to your starting point and repeat with your new, adjusted Task.

• Repeat for 3 or 4 runs.

Question Link

https://us13.list-manage.com/survey?u=deaf67b44a0879cff23db8319&id=02dba341c4&e=*|UNIQID|*

Structured Practice Task 1                  2 hrs

Aim to complete another Structured Practice session on the morning of Friday 13^th January, 2023 before you join your Coaches for the training session.

Repeat the process above to set up a partnered, structured practice session.

Use the same link to record your session.

Evening Sessions

In preparation for your BASI Level 1 course, find a little bit of time each evening to prepare, have a look at the following:

BASI Standards Videos, showing BASI Level 1 skiing standards:

https://www.basi.org.uk/BASI/Courses/Alpine/Tech_standards/Alpine_technical_standards.aspx?WebsiteKey=211cffca-c436-4a06-844e-527af5a19586

 BASI Online, pre-BASI Level 1 modules:

Follow this link to join the BASI study platform to access BASI’s Online Courses. 

https://www.basi.study/

You will then be able to access the following online courses to prepare for the BASI Level 1 Course

• All Disciplines – Level 1 Pre-Course – TIED

• All Disciplines – Level 1 Pre-Course – TEACHING

• All Disciplines – Level 1 Pre-Course – THE PERFORMANCE THREADS

• SKI Level 1 Pre-Course: Standards & Criteria

• SKI Level 1 Pre-Course: CENTRAL THEME

• SKI Level 1 Pre-Course: FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS

Week 2

For the second week, you are going into the BASI Level 1 Ski Instructors exam, this runs for 4 days from Monday to Thursday.  These will be full days, including some evening work for the following days. 

We will then have a training session on Friday afternoon.

We expect there may be a little bit of a celebration after your BASI course on Thursday evening so haven’t scheduled anything for you in the first morning slot, however, do take time before meeting your coaches for the afternoon training for a Structured Practice session developing your Central Theme Plough Turns.

The meeting place for your coaching sessions will always be at the BASS Meeting point at the top of the Pleney, unless otherwise arranged.

Good Luck on your BASI Level 1 – ski well!

This week’s goals are:

• Be open minded, receptive and able to change throughout your BASI Level 1 course
• Complete Structured Practice Task – Plough Turns on Friday 20^th before joining your coaches. Details are below, please remember to complete the short questions afterwards.

Personal Development Goals, end of the week two:

• You can explain your action plan from your BASI Level 1 course clearly to your coaches.
• You understand the different tactical choices of speed and line to achieve Piste long carving tasks and Piste short radius tasks and can apply them to your own skiing with some input when necessary
• You are able to steer symmetrical, deliberate curves at slow speeds on green and easy blue runs, showing the 3 phases of a turn, with prompts from your trainer
• You have the ability to separate the steering elements and apply them individually.  In particular, you are able to reduce the rotation of the ski whilst increasing the edge angle to generate a clean carve on a green run.
• You have the ability to separate the steering elements and apply them individually. In particular, you are able to manage the Edge tilt of the ski whilst increasing the rotation to shape a shorter radius curve on an easy blue run.
• You can recognise the Pressure build up on each curve,  and you are able to balance against the outside ski through the ‘Control’ phase of both curves on green and easy blue runs.
• You understand the concept of balancing through the centre of your feet, appreciate how Posture contributes to good balance and how using the skiing joints allows for efficient yet powerful movements.
• You are starting to fine tuning movements, using directed vertical movements and are noticing how separation should build from the ski up in lateral and rotational movements.
• You can list the Central Theme in order, and identify which FE’s are introduced at each stage.

Have a great week!  Pay attention and ski well!

Structured Practice Task Plough Turns                     2 hrs

Aim to complete this task on the morning of Friday 20^th January, 2023 before you join your Coaches for the afternoon training session.

With a partner, find suitable terrain to practice the following stage of the Central Theme:

• Plough Turning

As you have already done, set up a partnered, structured practice session that will enable you to develop and work on the feedback you have been receiving from your coaches.

1. Find a partner in your group to work with.

• Discuss the feedback you have received from your BASI Trainer and make a plan for how you are going to develop this aspect into a more skilful performance.  Check in with your coaches if you need some direction.

• Be on the hill early and prepared to train.  Find terrain that will actively help you develop new movement patterns and skills.  Consider the terrain you were skiing with your coaches.  

• Organise your practice session so it has purpose, structure and benefit for you.  Remember to:

• Choose a definite section of terrain so you have an exact starting point, and a clear finish point for each run. 

• Coordinate between yourself and your partner so one person is performing the task whilst the other observes

• Then settle into the Practice cycle:

1. State your TASK to your partner and be clear in your mind what you are focussing on for that performance. 
2. Perform the task without distraction so you can gather INFORMATION from your skis and body. 
3. When you come to a stop, pause and reflect.  EVALUATE what you noticed and make a plan for your next run. 
4. Ski to the lift safely and efficiently, switch off, chat, relax  and enjoy.  At the top head to your starting point and repeat with your new, adjusted Task.
5. Repeat for 3 or 4 runs.

At the end of the session, take time to video each other performing the task.

Question Link

https://us13.list-manage.com/survey?u=deaf67b44a0879cff23db8319&id=02dba341c4&e=*|UNIQID|*

Goal Setting Check, end of Week 2:

You can complete the Goal Setting Check here:

https://us13.list-manage.com/survey?u=deaf67b44a0879cff23db8319&id=b7756adc59&e=*|UNIQID|*

Were you at the meeting point, ready for every coaching session?	Yes	No
Can you explain your action plan from your BASI Level 1 course clearly to your coaches?	Yes	No
Do you understand the different speed and line (tactical) choices to shape Piste long (carved) or Piste short (grippy) radius turns? And can you apply these to your own skiing?	Yes	No
Working with your Coach, are you able to steer symmetrical, deliberate curves at slow speeds on green and easy blue runs, noting the 3 phases of a turn?	Yes	No
On green and easy blue runs, can you recognise the Pressure build up in each curve and balance against it through the outside ski?	Yes	No
Do you understand how balancing through the centre of your feet keeps you stable and agile?  And appreciate how Posture and the skiing joints contribute to good balance and efficient, powerful movements?	Yes	No
Can you list the stages of the Central Theme as they evolve?	Yes	No
Have you completed 10 hours of Ski School Experience Tasks?	Yes	No