Photos will be uploaded next week!

As I cannot upload photos from the iPhone here you all will have to wait!

There appears to be snow on the horizon!

Yesterday was a day off. Paul and I borrowed a car from our condo mate to head to south lake to try to get our promised passes for Heavenly. So late start, I made French toast for breakfast with REAL maple syrup of course, and off we went. It's a lovely drive down and once again, gorgeous views of the lake throughout.

We went to our place in the keys to check email and pick up the post. And I now have a copy of proof I once had a Vermont license, so I shouldn't need to take the driving test! Just the written one. But first things first.

We went to pick up the details for our season passes, but they are not ready yet... They are still doing background checks???!!!! Anyway, could not get pass yet, which means no discount skis or gear, but we are ok for the moment anyway. My skis are a bit stiff to teach in but I will manage.
We went to see our area manager and confirm our lockers for the season, which went fine. I tried on my uniform, which looks ok but I hate the hat! It's warm and soft but so close fitting it makes me look like a pin-head! I know, you all already thing I am a pinhead... ;-)

So we checked out some places for ski discounts for when we get our passes. The good news is once we get them, we ARE able to get free bus access all over south lake tahoe! Woohoo!!

Without passes there wasn't much else to do, so we headed back up north back to kings beach.

Paul got a read bargain on a huge bit of salmon, which he cooked for all of us for supper. Then we hit the books again. Most of us in our condo have now completed the workbook or written part of the exam, so it's now all about our own skiing technique and teaching ability.
There's good news and bad news now.
There is a cold weather front coming through starting Friday. So they can make snow throughout the day as well as the night. And they are forecasting snow showers through this front. They are also expecting one of their big two-day storms with "significant" accumulation. That normally means many feet of snow. Woohoo, right?!
Except the three day on snow exam is supposed to be when this storm actually starts! So after skiing and workin in spring conditions for all this time, we need to adapt quickly to teach and ski in knee deep powder where you cannot see two feet in front of you!

But I always enjoy a challenge, so I will make the best of it!

More on the training

Well another day training and we all did teaching of small modules. Paul has discovered his inner child and has been charging down the hill and playing around all day.

I taught our group to ride a chairlift, as if they were beginners. And slowed the chair down to get everyone on and off. Great fun and we all managed safely ( of course! )

Very tired after three long days of skiing all day from 8.30 to 4pm but improving my skiing and teaching abilities no end!

Tomorrow is a day off, then 3 days more training on snow. Then a study day and the exam starts Sunday. Three days later, if I do well, I will be certified as a PSIA level one instructor. Regardless, I have a job for the winter!

Day two on snow

Well, after two days off from training we headed up onto the slopes at Northstar today.

But Thursday was our first 'free' day so the five of us in my condo drove down to south lake tahoe to give Heavenly a try. Another glorious day with blue sky and sunshine! It wasn't cheap but it was fantastic! Only one run open really but very well kept and no bare spots and world class views! Paul and I stayed back in our place in the keys. Everyone else went back to kings beach.
We all got up early for orientation ( hence the stay in south lake for us ) at the embassy suites. Loads of HR forms and collection of our new uniforms and locker assignments. And the drive back north was past the most beautiful sunset over the mountain and the lake.
Today was loads of work on our own ski technique, and I can now ski backwards, or 'switch' although not fast yet.

Loving the whole thing, skiing on beautiful scenery in sunshine, although it will need to snow properly soon or all the ski areas will suffer!

And we finished the first day of training

Well, we started the morning on the grassy knoll. Balance work on bongo boards and inflatable balls and balance pads... Stretching and working on communication and teamworking skills. Then a presentation and film on learning styles and skills used.
Then a teaching and presentation skills and finally splitting up into our training groups. We are in the 'black groomers' group. Working through loads of workbooks. But finally on the way to becoming certified instructors!
Saturday we finally hit the slopes although all the snow will be manmade, it will be good to get going.

We head to Heavenly again tomorrow to go for a bit of skiing. Although they still only have the one run open.

How to learn to be a ski instructor; without snow

Another sunny morning. Getting pretty repetitive isn't it? We met more people from the PSIA yesterday who now have said we may not take our accreditation exams until January. At least we can work, but it's better to actually have the certification!

Today we go up to Northstar to see the layout. Maybe go ice skating. At least some winter sports are doable! Maybe I'll go hiking.

More sunshine but loads of new people!

We are here with probably seventy people now, although only 5 in our condo at the moment. The eclectric instrument is a dulcimer rather than a guitar. Had first orientation meeting, was given free rucksack and met a few more people but not every one yet.

Walked down to the lake ATF safeway for some food. Since we are in self catering we have agreed to cook together.

Last night, one of our number felt it prudent to buck the jet-lag. With guests from the other condos they stayed up tim 5am trying all the gadgets including the insinkerator. Not conducive for sleeping for the rest of us!

Bur two hour power nap this afternoon has hopefully remedied that!

And I now have my PSIA card!