The purpose of this trip was to ski and further develop skills already acquired from a previous ski trip; unfortunately, that objective was not achieved. Prior to the trip, we were required to complete a form outlining our experience level, expectations, and personal goals, however it does not appear that these individual requirements were taken into consideration when planning the program or grouping participants.
The beginner ski program advertised up to 5 hours of instructor training, but after signing up we were informed that if fewer than four people were in the group, instructor time would be reduced to 2.5 hours. This was not made clear in advance and significantly impacted both the value and effectiveness of the program. Progress was further limited due to mixed ability levels within the group, making it difficult to develop skills when others were not progressing at the same pace, resulting in lost or shortened ski time.
Rather than having one consistent instructor to monitor progress and adapt to ability levels, we rotated between three different instructors, some of whom were unfamiliar with the specific mountains we were taken to. On one occasion, we were brought onto runs that included harder blue slopes with red sections, causing another participant to freeze partway down the mountain. This resulted in extended waiting times and further loss of ski time.
An evening activity of rodeling was organised without any prior explanation of what the activity involved or who it was suitable for. After later researching it, the activity appeared unsuitable for beginners or older participants. Despite there being elderly members in the group, we were taken by gondola to mid-mountain level, followed by a 15–20 minute uphill walk to an apres location. After this, participants were instructed to pair up and descend the mountain on a rodel without any safety briefing. When asked how to steer or stop, we were told to “use your feet and figure it out.”
During the descent, the steering strap on our rodel detached mid-way, causing us to lose control and be thrown off, resulting in a split lip, a blood-covered nose, and an injured arm. It later became apparent that up to four participants were injured during this activity. There was no first aid available at the site, requiring injured participants to walk 45 minutes to an hour down the mountain while bleeding, and upon returning to the accommodation there were still no first aid supplies or ice packs available. While the team leader did accompany those who were injured, this meant there was no other team leader present to cover her responsibilities for the remainder of the group, highlighting a lack of adequate staffing and contingency planning in the event of participant injury.
Finally, the combination of ski instructor course participants and week campers does not appear to be an effective mix, as expectations, ability levels, and objectives differ significantly. Overall, while the locations themselves were beautiful, the trip felt poorly planned, inadequately communicated, and unsafe, with insufficient consideration given to individual ability, progression, and duty of care.
Claim your business profile now and gain access to all features and respond to customer reviews.
Snowminds offers ski instructor and snowboard instructor courses with paid job placement for a season at destinations around the world. We offer various experiences, from extensive Level 1 + 2 instructor courses to intensive 2-week courses which gives you quick access to the job as an instructor. In addition, we also offer ski camps for those looking to enjoy skiing or snowboarding without the focus on becoming an instructor. Are you looking to explore skiing and snowboarding all over the world, Snowminds can help you become an instructor or simply experience unforgettable ski trips in locations such as Japan, Canada, Austria, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and New Zealand. We are based in Copenhagen, Denmark.See more
