Sierra Nevada is a unique resort in that it has around 30 independent ski schools. The Spanish Ski School, (Escuela Española de Esqui), was the first to be established in 1962. Since then, individuals or groups of instructors have peeled away and set up for themselves.
Most Instructors are trained and qualified to the requirements of the Spanish ski federation, the Real Federación Española de Deportes de Invierno, (RFEDI). In spite of the numbers of schools, the number of good English speaking instructors is very thin on the ground compared to the number of UK and Irish visitors. Native English instructors are even more scarce. For this reason, my colleague, friend and fellow ski instructor, Jonathan, and I have set up "British Ski Center".
British Ski Center was established in the Winter of 2002-3 and became a registered tradename in October 2006. The business now operates under the company name of "Sierra Essence Ski and Mountain Center 2006 S.L." as a legitimate entity dedicated, among other things, to the instruction of winter snow sports.
We are both fully qualified to the highest level of "Diplomado", through the Spanish Ski Federation and well reputed within the resort. Our aim is not to set up just another ski school but also to offer a more personalised service to our clients...
Where You Can Find Us In Sierra Nevada
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We operate out of the equipment hire and shop "Rio Sport" in the Plaza de Andalucia, just 20 metres from the entrance to the Al-Andalus Gondola (CLICK HERE FOR EQUIPMENT HIRE RATES).We can be found here every morning when they open at 9am until at least 9.30am. PLEASE ASK FOR THE "BRITISH SKI CENTER" IN ORDER TO AVOID CONFUSIONS WITH THE SHOP'S OWN SKI SCHOOL! After 9.30am if we are not in the shop, we will be making our way up the mountain to Borreguiles and our central meeting point for all of our ski & snowboard classes. |
Our meeting point is just 10 metres outside the exit from the Al-Andalus Gondola. We are on the snow itself, beyond a series of yellow/orange rectangular banners posted in the snow outside the exit doors themselves.
Our uniforms consist of blue jackets and black trousers. We will have "Instructor" printed on our backs plus the ski center logo as it appears at the top right of each page within this site.
Our prime contact numbers are: +34 646 178406 / +34 629 540089 / +34 670 641330 (this final number is only available during the winter ski season period)
Now, A Bit About Us...
I, (Giles), have now worked each season in Sierra Nevada since the winter of 1996/7. Since December of 1998 I have worked as a ski instructor. My ski experience stretches back to 1982, when I first started as a child on family holidays to the small Spanish Pyraneen resort, Panticosa. In November 1991 I lived and worked for a year in the French resort chain, Serre Chevalier. Three years later, in 1995, I started working for the ski Tour Operator, Neilson, which ultimately introduced me to Sierra Nevada. A great part to this job was my duty as a Ski Guide. It was here that I met Jonathan and the tempting notion of ski instructing became ever more prominent.
Three years on I went for it and qualified for the job of ski instructor with the Escuela Española de Esqui here in Sierra Nevada. I have since successfully completed a series of training courses with the Spanish ski federation, RFEDI, (Real Federación Española de Deportes de Invierno), qualifying initially, in 2001, for the "Técnico Deportivo de Invierno en Esqui Alpino Nivel 1" course, previously know as "Auxiliar". In April 2003 I successfully completed the higher level "Diplomado" qualification. This is effectively the highest level qualification issued by the Ski Federation before furthering on to become a "National Trainer", (Entrenador Nacional).
This dream come true has provided me with a great sense of purpose and motivation not only for instructing but also in using my knowledge and experience to helps those who are less familiar with the ski and mountain scene. It is rare for someone to find a "job" that they thoroughly adore and live for, but I am now one of those people.
My business partner, Jonathan, has worked consecutive seasons as ski instructor in Sierra Nevada since 1991, 11 of them with the Escuela Internacional de Esqui. His ski experience also goes back many more years including 6 years living and working in the Italian resort of Sauze d'Oulx. He too has successfully completed several training courses with the same ski federation, RFEDI, and has been qualified as "Diplomado" since 2001.
Teaching skiing and snowboarding is not just about getting you to the bottom of the ski run. Safety is always the biggest concern of the instructor. Secondly comes your personal enjoyment. If you can't enjoy the sport we see little reason for practicing it! With this in mind, each class that we give we take the following view: You are on holiday. You are here to enjoy yourself. You want to return in one piece! Therefore, we will explain and demonstrate the essential techniques required for skiing/snowboarding in a caring manner, (without shouting or yelling impatiently), aiding you to reach your OWN personal goals instead of solely our own.
In this way you will be able to appreciate the incredible fascination and exhilaration of what we personally consider to be an ultimate winter pastime. Please do not hesitate to contact me or call me on (+34) 646 178406 for any further information you may require.
