October Camp 2014

Looking back towards Mont Blanc, home of the BSA from 3500m on the Tignes Glacier

This October's BSA adventure started on the Tignes glacier as the Ladies and Mens FIS teams joined coaches Ali and Ruslan for some technical freeskiing and gate training on the slopes of 3500m, Champagny and Rosolin. The teams were based in the oldest chalet in Tignes Le Lac - Le Chardonnet and right opposite the sports hall which they visited after snow training each day.

Amazing snow

But our main training week happened 3 hours away in Les Deux Alpes.  We had 43 trainees, 10 staff to look after them all and 7 days of training.  The glacier was in brilliant condition, with firm snow that didn't rut or bump up throughout the day!  Our training lanes were one of the best on the mountain with loads of space so we had the opportunity to set a variety of training courses and race courses.  The weather was also extremely kind to us - what we'd call 'bluebird' days - blue skies, no wind and warm temperatures...actually the best weather we have ever had in an October camp!



View from our lunch stop at base camp

Superstar Simon did some great development
work with some of the newer and younger athletes

There were lift queues in the morning due to the popularity of this glacier but because of the weather we managed to stay up on the mountain until last lift every day! This meant the athletes got lots of freeskiing time and mileage on the skis while also having the time to take their technical work into the gates.



The camp started with some foundation work on the Giant Slalom skis and we continued working on GS for 3 days.  Progressing each group into drill courses and eventually full gates depending on their experience and progress - the great thing about having so much space here is the options to have a FIS course for the Junior program, some children's courses and skills for the younger athletes too.


We then trained Slalom for the next 3 days with some groups working on fast feet off snow to help with quicker courses on the hill.  We also kept it competitive with a mix of dual slalom racing and timing.

So after all the hard work of the week, we finished on our final day with a fun fresski morning - riding in the park, carving all the slopes that the glacier has to offer and practising the new skills learnt.  By now the athletes were shattered!  Time for a good snooze on the drive home!

Well done to all the athletes for their organisation and time keeping, the housemums for their tireless work looking after everyone (including the coaches), the coaches for their efforts in coaching all aspects of being a racer and of course to Malcolm for managing the whole operation! Camp a success!