If you are already subscribed to the newsletter list then update your profile and join the list “BASS Chamonix 10 years celebration”. If you are new then follow the sign up link but remember to select the correct list.

Closing date for entries is 30th of September 2013. Winners announced mid October.

For FULL details of competition and prizes click here.

Enjoying great Spring conditions at Le Tour, Chamonix, April 2013

Last week was spent in Glasgow delivering a BASI/Snowsport Scotland Level 1 ski instructor course. We will continue to deliver courses on the dry slopes and in the snow domes over the summer and you can check out our Parallel Dreams Coaching programme here.

Have a great summer wherever you are. We look forward to skiing with you in the near future.

Derek, BASS Chamonix, BASS Megeve & Parallel Dreams

I had the opportunity to test out the new Salomon Guardian 16 Backcountry binding today and loved it.

The bindings were mounted on a pair of Salomon 90 Rocker2’s and I was also using the Salomon Element adjustable poles.

First off as always with Salomon bindings you feel secure as you step in with that solid click closure. The binding is designed so that it is mounted close to the ski which means that the downhill skiing performance feels great because you get instant transmission from the movements you make.  This is something that I have been looking for and it did not disappoint.

Changing it into touring mode is also easy and there are 2 heights available for walking uphill. Again putting it back into the downhill skiing position is easy and the solid click means you know it is properly closed.

This binding is a great addition to the market and really suits the freeriding and backcountry skier. I am looking forward to using it next season and will have confidence skiing steep and challenging terrain. A great product – well done everyone at Salomon.

Check out the following links;

http://www.salomonfreeski.com/fr/minisites/guardian/

http://youtu.be/mv63cPYOWxE

“We skied the Vallee Blanche today jan 13th.

The access arete is well equiped. Although there are some crevasses the route passes easily through the Salle a manger. The exit from the glacier is easy and the the forest track is easily skiable to the carpark in Chamonix.

All in all it is the safest i have seen it in many years. Very skiable for our clients.”

The November newsletter from BASS Chamonix and Parallel Dreams was published on Monday and brings you up to date with our plans for the coming season. Click here to read the issue.

One of the nice things about a new season is all the new kit and we now have all our new kit from Salomon including the new BBR skis. Have a look at Shona’s video when she tested them last summer in Saas Fee. We also had our new BASI Trainer uniforms delivered yesterday. The Patagonia kit looks really smart and is really high quality.

So now all we need is some snow although I have heard that conditions in Zermatt are excellent just now. Bring it on..

The office has also been very busy with bookings for BASS Megeve, BASS Chamonix and Parallel Dreams Coaching Face 2 Face courses. If you have not yet planned your winter then check out our Parallel Dreams Course Calendar, our Chamonix Off Piste Course Calander and the BASS Megeve website.

This coming Thursday I will be in Dublin for the Irish Association of Snowsports Instructor’s AGM. I will be doing a short presentation on Ireland’s participation at last January’s Interski Congress in St. Anton. The presentation will start with a short compilation video of the congress (and this will be available to public view on YouTube following the AGM).

And October is looking particularly busy as Shona is delivering a BASI/Snowsport Scotland Level 1 Alpine Instructor course in Aberdeen, we have the BASI Trainer’s conference in Hintertux and we will be at the London Ski & Snowboard Show on the Friday and Saturday at Earls Court.

Bring on the winter..

We have added a new course to the program; Preparation for Technical & Teaching Exams in Zermatt, Switzerland from the 7-11 of November. For more information about this course click here.

And don’t forget that we have our Personal Performance Courses running in Hintertux, Austria 3-10 of December.

To reserve your places email coaching@paralleldreams.co.uk

And why not get your skiing off to a great start this season by signing up to our Remote Coaching services. We still have a limited time starter pack available – buy 50 credits and get your first year’s annual subscription FREE. For more info click here.

Then last weekend we delivered one of our Parallel Dreams Coaching Face 2 Face courses at the SnowCentre Hemel Hempstead. This was a great success with 20 students in four groups delivered by myself, Shona, Andrew and Will.

     Shona’s Team

Will with his team

Following this successful face to face coaching event a number of people signed up to our new remote coaching services which offer continued support through “internet” based services including online video analysis, training diary, drills library etc. To find out more read our recent feature article on PlanetSki.eu.

Next on the schedule is staff training for the instructors from Firpark Ski Centre (the slope I used to manage) which will take place at SNO!zone Scotland, Braehead.

We are also busy preparing for next winter and our early season Parallel Dreams Face to Face Performance course in Hintertux, Austria is available for booking. Find out all the details byfollowing the link PD Flyer PPC Dec 11.

And if you are already ISTD qualified or equivalent then BASS Megeve has great career opportunities.

Until my next update I hope your preparations for next winter continue to go well.