Surviving bad weather

Here are some notes from the legend that is Tom Watts about how he manages to work 7 hours a day virtually every day of the season.

Tom has been teaching skiing for well over 25 years, he is highly experienced at managing himself, his time, energy, body and equipment.

Like most instructors, Tom works 3 sessions per day:

• 9:15 - 11:15

• 11:30 - 13:30

• 14:00 - 17:00

Here’s what Tom says:

Layers: depending on what type of lessons I have, depends what layers I wear, always have extra layers and spares in my bag.

I use breaks efficiently, toilet stops, refuel and water, at least one glass of water at morning break, then more fluids at lunch, in the busier / warmer periods I drink Isostar at lunch.

NEVER skip lunch, make sure you take on enough calories.

• Carry glove liner and neck snood in pockets, just in case

• Cereal Bar in pocket, just in case.

• Re-apply sun cream at each break and keep small tube in pocket.

• Keep spare gloves, hat and goggles in Bag so you can change at the end of each session. (Get a small padlock so you can leave your pack securely whilst you’re on the hill.
  

I always carry 3 sets of gloves, hat, goggles each day to change into for each new session when wet. And make sure that they dry out every evening.

Keep uniform / outer gear clean so water proofing works. (the laundrette will re- waterproof outer layers if required)

Dry your boots every night, DO NOT FORGET! Remove the liners and footbeds to ensure there is no moisture anywhere.

Use clean socks every day.

Get any boot niggles looked at straight away, it will not get better itself.