FRESHTRACKS SKI PROFILES
The Ski Club’s Freshtracks holidays are unique in that each trip is tailored to specific skier profiles. By ensuring that guests are matched with skiers of similar ability and fitness, we know that they’ll reap the greatest possible rewards from their holiday; learning in an inspiring, supportive environment.
Freshtracks trips are offered in five different on-piste profiles and four off-piste profiles, ranging from early intermediate (blue) to expert (gold).
You’ll find full descriptions of each rating in your Freshtracks brochure, and at skiclub.co.uk/Freshtracks.
We appreciate that these guidelines aren’t an exact science, so we invited Ski Club Members to describe their skiing ability to paint a picture of who you might find yourself exploring the mountains with on your next Freshtracks holiday.
Here, five regular Freshtracks skiers have outlined their on-piste ability – you’ll discover four Members describing their off-piste profiles in the next issue of Ski+board.
EARLY INTERMEDIATE
ROSS BURROWS
"After being encouraged by friends to take up skiing, I finally took the plunge two years ago and booked myself some beginner lessons at my local snowdome. I really enjoyed the lessons, and everything felt extremely natural - I couldn't wait to try it on real snow. Last winter I spent my second week on snow in the resort of Val Thorens with friends. I loved the long blue runs and I had my first experience of the Folie Douce! I am now confident on blue runs and most red runs, my challenge for next season is to complete my first black run!
INTERMEDIATE
LYNN CHAPMAN
“I am a reasonably confident skier and have skied for many years. I enjoy skiing blues and reds, but don’t enjoy black runs. Confidence is always an issue. I love skiing for the whole experience – being outside, being with family and friends, exercise, beautiful scenery and tackling my fears without overdoing it. The shape of my ski day would start by arriving at the lifts just after the early morning rush. A mid-morning coffee or a bombardino is a must. I enjoy lunch up the mountain and then a few runs in the afternoon before a cold beer. The perfect day!”
ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE
JAY MILLING
“I am a reasonably proficient piste skier and am working on my off-piste confidence. I love the early runs on well pisted red and black runs with fresh corduroy tracks. I got my two boys involved in skiing at an early age, and now that they are young adults I find our time on the slopes incredibly rewarding. No matter what challenges we’re facing, the prospect of a weekend away on the slopes is always welcome!”
ADVANCED
RACHEL PERKINS
“I’ve been skiing for 40 years (!) and love to mix off- and on-piste, including these days my old bête noire, moguls! I love the freedom and sensation of whizzing down a black slope or zipping through fluffy powder with the sun on my back – I don’t bounce quite like I used to, so leave the really daredevil stuff to my kids.”
EXPERT
AMANDA PIRIE
"One of my favourite things is to rip up the pistes with a gang of similar ability skiers. I love on-piste skiing: that exhilarating feeling of hanging on my edges while they're tilted over to the max and the G-forces that swing me from one turn to the next. I never stop looking for the ultimate turn so receiving feedback from instructors is invaluable. The smoothest pistes are first thing so it's good to get out early but when it comes to 11am, I enjoy connecting with mates over a coffee. Another break at lunchtime ensures that I keep my energy for the empty pistes following the last lift, before celebrating a great day with my gang at après."
