Instructors and Admin Staff
Our team are all fully qualified instructors who speak English as their first language or are fluent in English. The team includes ex national team members, national champions, ex World Cup trainers, instructor trainers, trainee high mountain guides and the only British snowboard and telemark instructor in Val d’Isère.
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Aaron Cassells One of the first British instructors to work in Val d’Isère. Patience is his middle name and he knows every crook and cranny of off-piste there is. His flat was made famous around the world when an avalanche smashed into his bedroom and photos flew around the internet! This is his 17th season in Val d’Isère. |
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Karen Forsyth One of the most talented British skiers in resort and one of the nicest. A rare combination. Carves better than Jamie Oliver. Brilliant with kids and adults alike. Karen will be with us part-time this season as she is studying to be a physiotherapist. Good luck Karen! |
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Ken Smith The wee man is the all-rounder, teaching skiing, snowboarding and telemark. Enthusiastic with everyone from beginners and kids to off-piste skiers. This is his 14th season in Val d’Isère. You might even hear him on the phone from time to time, helping out with the admin. |
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Amanda Pirie joins us this year having spent years coaching in Switzerland. From a well known Scottish ski family she raced along side Karen and brings that same big smile and enthusiasm that is hard to find. Just look for the big cheesy grin or the girl skiing past all the guys! |
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Woody (formally known as Neil Woodward) is a Val d'Isère veteran with about 10 years teaching experience in Val d'Isère (we are not even sure how many it has actually been). One of the first Brits to teach legally in Val. An ever popular Val d'Isère legend. |
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Thomas Pellecuer is flying the flag for France. Allez Les Bleus! A big grin is a permanent feature and a passion for corny jokes should keep you entertained on the chairlift. Thomas has been working in Val d'Isère and Tignes for many a year. He's also a snowboard and kite surf instructor and is training to be a rope access worker on high buildings and cliffs! |
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Amigo, the skiing Dutchman, joined us last season, bringing a wealth of off piste experience. He likes to share his passion of the mountains along with his technical knowledge of the sport. His roots were in Austria before moving over to the French Alps. In the summer he changes mountains for the sea and enjoys kitesurfing on the flat Dutch beaches. It’s a tough life! |
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Nichlas Rasmussen has worked in Val d'Isere for several seasons and is an instructor trainer for the Danish Ski Federation and a member of their demo team. Nice and laid back but good fun as well. He is a teacher at home so knows all the tricks of the trade to get your skiing going in the right direction. |
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Jesper Nielson is one of our Danish lads who has worked with us for a few years. A sailing coach and plumber he can turn his hand to just about anything. Impeccable English and a big loud laugh, he will show you a good time as well as help your skiing. His golf isn't up to much though! |
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Line Crammon is the bouncy wee Danish viking who comes down from time to time in between her sports studies and trips abroad. A gymnast and wakeboarder, she is always looking for a laugh and desperate to be on the hill with clients or for her own skiing. Don't look for the blonde mop but the Smurf hat!! |
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Philip Saerens- a legend in his Danish homeland and a regular instructor in Val d'Isere for about fifteen seasons. Philip has been with Progression from the beginning, and comes back for a few weeks each season. He brings a Danish charm and professionalism that is rarely matched. |
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Rob Hutchison has been living in the Bourg St Maurice area for at least ten years. An old school pal of Ken's, Rob will be coming up the valley from time to time through the season when he's not knocking his new house into shape. Freeride and park are his preferred parts of the hill. |
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David Boutet is our crazy French friend who joins us from time to time. You will hear the laugh before you see him skiing backwards past you. Happy and chatty all the time - look out for the crazy hats! |
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Bastian Bertrande A regular part timer (if that makes sense) Bastian is the original nice guy who combines a talent for skiing and for snowboarding. Big smiles on the worst of days you can't help but be enthused by his teaching. A swimming pool lifegaurd in the summer so look out for the year round tan. |
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Fabio Scipioni has worked in Val d'Isere on and off for years. Newly wed to the lovely Barbara and soon to be a father. Coaching skiing throughout the year in Italy and the French alps. It is rare to have an instructor who has taught for so long and still has that Italian passion for teaching clients. |
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Alexa Varah Alexa has been coming and going from Val d'Isère for many a year in between spells as a teacher. She was even the voice of RadioVal for a season! Alexa won't be with us all season (she is studying some high brow environmental PHD course) but she will be helping out from time to time. |
