SITCo. - The Instructor Training Co.

SITCo - The Instructor Training Co

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:52:00 +0000

Check out the ratings that SITCo get on Rankers (www.rankers.co.nz). It is an independent website that specialises in New Zealand Travel Reviews.

SITCo - The Instructor Training Co

The Student Guide - Beanies to be won!

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:30:00 +0000

Check out the chance to win WIN! One of 25 SITCo Beanies!
www.thestudentguide.com

"Be warm and be seen this winter! SITCo - The Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training Co is offering up 25 of these cool SITCo. "beanies" to be won.

Click here to go to The Student Guide website and be in to win.

SITCo is a ski and snowboard training course that is based out of Queenstown, New Zealand.

10 weeks, 8 weeks or 5 weeks courses that will train you to achieve your Level 1 and Level 2 Ski and Snowboard Instructor Qualifications.

Whether you are taking a gap year or you are just wanting to have the summer holiday that will make you the envy of all your friends.

SITCo is the best instructor training course.

Check out the Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training in New Zealand...

What is the best Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training Course?

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 02:36:00 +0000

There are so many Ski and Snowbaord Instructor Training Courses out there now a days, it is hard to know what is what, and which one is best.

SITCo has always ran a very personal ski and snowboard training program. We will always be able to tell you indavance who your trainers will be and who you will be in contact with.
Never will you be just "farmed" out to which ever trainee trainer is available on the day.

To try and help you get a idea about what it is like to ski and snowboard in New Zealand, and to give you an idea of how much fun you will have and how much te SITCo courses are tailored to the individual we have got together a few video interviews with part participants.

From the mouths of the people who have done SITCo before, have a look and a listen to what is waiting for you -
What's it like? SITCo 2010

What's it like? SITCo 2009

See you in NZ.
Colin
www.sitco.co.nz
SITCo. - The Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training Co.

SITCo Heli ski and board HeadCam 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Who remember this?
It was a great day out and just watching it again reminds me of what a great crew we have for the SITCo ski and snowboard training courses 2010.

Cheers
Colin

The SITCo. ISIA Training Program by Adam Cartwright

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000

I recently passed the respected NZSIA Level 3. I undertook a 6 week training program through SITCo which currently is the only level 3 (ISIA) training course in Queenstown. I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who wishes to further their ski certification, to attain the ISIA, or for other qualified instructors from other systems wanting to broaden their understanding of different teaching styles.

I found the timing of this opportunity perfect as the training program runs in the off season of the Northern Hemisphere. As many of you may already understand, it is very difficult to undertake any substantial amount of training due to work commitments during a busy season. This 5 week program offers you the opportunity to stay focused in order to achieve your goals.

If you are interested in training for the NZSIA level 3, then I advise you to look at the course outline from the website: www.nzsia.org . This will give candidates an idea of what is required. The standard of skiing & the technical understanding is at a high level, but if you put the work in you will reap the rewards in the end.

The SITCo training program runs on a 3 day a week basis, over a 5 week period. The exam consists of a 5 day level 3 pre-course taking up the first week of the exam. The pre-course was a great introduction of how the NZSIA look at skiing. You have to take the pre-course in order to take the exam. As the trainers will explain, the pre-course is run with a focus to improve your own personal skiing and to help develop your skills for whenever you wish to take the exam.

My training started a few days after the pre-course, which was great, as it gave me time to look back and digest what I had learned from the course.

Colin Tanner was my trainer for the whole 5 weeks. Colin is a very accomplished coach and he is a top BASI and NZSIA examiner. He has been teaching for over 15 years and runs his own ski school; TDC - the development centre in Val d’lsere. Currently, I have 6 years teaching experience under my belt, but it only takes a few runs with Mr T to find out that he was born to teach skiing. I am not going to waffle on, JUST GO SKI WITH HIM !!

I am certain that many of you have experienced some sort of training before, either in skiing or doing some other athletic sports. I am sure you would agree that at times it can be hard learning new skills, inevitably frustration kicks in and progress seems minimal. However, Colin or any of the other trainers will tell you that, if you keep plugging away at it and remain focused then there will be less chance of disappointment on results day.

The SITCo training program does not just consist of on snow improvement. They run evening sessions to help you with the teaching assignment as explained in the course outline. The teaching assignment is split up into 3 parts; a skier analysis, a technical discussion and an on the hill 50 minute teach. This will sound familiar if you already have an NZ qualification, but if like me you are qualified in a different system, then be willing to practice these assignments. If you are a ski enthusiast and are open to learning new skills then you will enjoy the tactics that the NZSIA use. They use a clear and concise, stage by stage progression that focuses on improving all types of skiers.

Queenstown is a very social town where you will meet many people and make new friends in and out of the ski school. If you have been practicing with other level 3 candidates then you will be told that it is compulsory to take a dip in the freezing cold lake if you pass the exam. This is another New Zealand experience I will never forget, drink lots & dive in!!!!

Flying out to New Zealand and taking the opportunity to train with Colin during the off season of the Northern Hemisphere was the best decision I have made in my teaching career. Working in Europe is fantastic, but there are too many distractions and it’s hard to find the time to commit to a training regime.

Go and experience the incredible scenic South Island of New Zealand and get involved in the remarkable training program. You won’t regret it…. I didn’t!

Adam Cartwright

Sept 2010

SITCo. – www.sitco.co.nz
NZSIA – www.nzsia.org
TDC – www.tdcski.com

Queenstown Winter Festival 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:12:00 +0000

Every year Queenstown celibrates the start of the winter season with a party like no other; the Queenstown American Express Winter Festival - 26th June - 5th July 2009.

There are Fireworks, a Mardi Gras, mountain bikes on snow, a drag race (where local business men dress up in drag and then have sprint races over 100m's, high heels are compulsory), Jazz nights, comedy nights, ski races, an on snow suitcase race, and one of my favorites is the Speight's dog derby where all the farmers from the surrounding area bring their working dogs to Coronet Peak, then then all go up the chairlift, farmers and dogs, and there is a mad foot race back down the snow. With 100 plus farmers and dogs, whistles and "come by's" going on in all directions it is truly hilarious organised chaos. This is then all followed by the all important dog barking competition at the pub.

Some events are free, some events you need to buy tickets for. However involved you want to get there is something for all the family, for skiers and snowboarders, or for just festival goers.

The 2009 festival has kicked off and we are all enjoying the great atmosphere that we have come to expect.

So with the snow on the hills and the skiing and riding conditions being brilliant , there is a fantastic feel to the town.

Check out

http://www.winterfestival.co.nz/

for all the 2009 details.

Colin

SITCo.

Ski and Snowboard Training

Queenstown, NZ

Coronet Peak is open 6th June 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:44:00 +0000

It was a fine crisp day and on Saturday 6th June 2009, Coronet Peak opened. The locals and tourists all got in on the action and a very busy opening weekend was had.
These four local lads earned themselves the right to be the first people to ride the lift for the 2009 season, by starting queuing at the bottom of the lift at 5.30pm the evening before. They stayed there all night in sub zero temperatures, with lots of layers, deck chairs and their parents bring them some hot food.
Then at 8.30am the lift was open and complimentary champagne was poured and the 2009 season was off to a great start.
As a keen skier myself, it was Monday morning, after the busy weekend, that really allowed the true brilliance of this season to be enjoyed; all the locals had gone back to work, the mountain was empty and the grooming was fantastic.

The snow conditions on the piste were as good as you get anywhere in the world.
The off piste coverage is complete and packed, and it is ready for mother nature to put down a bit more and then we will be really in business.
So the old saying of "Snow in May will never stay", has been proved to be wrong, the snow that fell in May 2009 is still here in June and it is great.

With Mt Hutt opening two weeks early on the 30th May, Coronet Peak opened 6th June, and lots of the other NZ resorts ready to open; The Remarkables - 20th June, Cardrona - 26th June, Treble Cone - 27th June. In the North Island Turoa opens 20th June and Whakapapa the following weekend.

It is look like the 2009 NZ season is going to a great season for all snowsports enthusiasts.

Come on down and give it a try.

Colin
SITCo. Ski and Snowboard Training
http://www.sitco.co.nz/

Ever heard of the NZ Winter Games?

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:32:00 +0000

It is being billed as the biggest winter sports event outside of the Winter Olympics.
It is definately going to be one of the biggest events that the snowsports industry has seen in NZ.
It is the New Zealand Winter Games which are running in Otago (the region of NZ where Queenstown is), from 21st August - 30th August 2009.

There is alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboard, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, ice hockey, a winter trialthon and a luge.

The events are at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Nordic Snow Farm, Naseby (home of NZ curling) and Dunedin.

Who is going to be competing?
Most entries are expected to be confirmed during June, as the official cut off date is 21st July. Watch this space over the next two months.

To get a taste of what is to come - Coronet Peak hosted a FIS Super G event in 2008

courtesy of Freeze TV - http://www.freezetv.com/

Looking forward to it.
Colin
SITCo. Ski and Snowboard Training
http://www.sitco.co.nz/

Sun comes out in Queenstown - best season ever?

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:37:00 +0000

After a week of clouds and stormy weather, then sun has come out and reveiled the snow covered mountains.

Here are a few pictures of the mountains as they showed themselves to us this morning Mon 25th May 2009.

Blue skys and a good amount of snow on all the hills, and with the ski season not due to open at Coronet Peak for another 12 days (6th June), things are loking good.

All over New Zealand got good snowfall over the last week, Mt Hutt, the Canterbury fields and the North Island.

This is so far one of the best pre season snowfalls that has been seen in recent years, since 1995, I heard one person say, and with more snow forecast later in the week we could be hearing the call of "best season on record" pretty soon.

Watch this space.

Colin

SITCo. http://www.sitco.co.nz/

Hard to get a good photo

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:31:00 +0000

It has been so snowy and cloudy, that it has been hard to get a good photo of the mountains as the peaks have been constaintly covered.

Taken from the Coronet Peak Web Cam -

18th May 2009

Reporting 50cms of base on the 18th of May this has t be one of the best starts to a season opening for a long time.

Forecast is for more snow for the next 4 days.

Colin
http://www.sitco.co.nz/
SITCo.
The Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training Co.

Snow in May

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Down here in New Zealand, they have an old saying; "Snow in May will never Stay".
I am guessing that this has come about as it is common for a cold wintery blast to pass over NZ and to leave some snow on the mountains, but in May it is not really fully winter yet, so it is very common for the snow covered peaks to melt again.
So every year when the skiers and snowboarders are getting all excited about the fact that it is only May and there is snow on the hills already, some old timer will turn around and put the dampeners on things by saying "Snow in May will never stay!"

However this year the snow has been falling consistently through out May, and the mountains are looking as white as they sometimes do in mid winter. So maybe this year the old saying will have no truth to it.
We are half way through May, and there is more snow in the forecast.
Being a keen skier myself, I will be more than happy to see the old saying proved wrong.

We are only two weeks from June, and as we all know snow is June stays for ever......

Colin
http://www.sitco.co.nz/
SITCo.
The Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training Co.

Looking forward to the 2009 season

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:55:00 +0000

This time of year, the northern hemisphere season has come to an end, and now there is that feeling of what am I going to do for the summer?
Well what better way to begin the adventure of a life time, by coming down to Queenstown, NZ and training to become qualified as a ski or snowboard instructor.
The New Zealand season is a fantastic opportunity, as it is the "off season". The majority of the global ski seasons happen in the northern hemiphere, so therefore the busy times for business are Dec - April. Where as for NZ season the busy times for business are June/July - Sept/October.
If you were looking to get your self primed and ready for a season working as a ski or snowboard instructor then the biggest time for business is during the northern hemisphere winters, US, Canada, Europe, Japan, etc.
So it makes sense to come down to NZ with SITCo. and get yourself trained up, June - Sept, so that you are ready to hit the market place running.

If you are looking for a gap year adventure, a change of career, or just a way to improve your skiing and riding then you should consider the southern hemisphere a fantastic option.

SITCo. run 11, 8, 6 and 5 week options. Accommodation, lift pass, training, exams and a heli ski/board day are all included.

See you in Queenstown.
Colin
+64 21 341 215
colin@skiinstructortraining.co.nz

Update 23rd June

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:42:00 +0000

By now I am sure that most of you have travel plans underway and you are either here, en route or just getting excited about the season to come.

Just to keep you update on the snow front the snow is here, the last 4 days have been cold and wintery, with snow to low levels, and the ski areas are looking great.

This picture was taken today Sat 23rd June 2007.

Update 16th June

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:41:00 +0000

Hi all hope you are well. The ski season has kicked off here in Queenstown and everyone is pretty excited. Not tons of snow at this stage but what we have got is pretty good. We just need a couple of big southerly storms to roll through and things will be sweet.

Not long now till we start putting a few faces to names here in Queenstown, and Colin and I are looking forward to meeting you all after spending so long swapping emails with you.

There have been a few questions about what to do when you get here. If you are flying in to Queenstown catch any one of the airport shuttles and tell them you are staying at Pinewood Lodge and they will take you directly there for about $15/person. If you arrive in town by bus you will get dropped in the centre of town, Pinewood is about a 10 minute walk away so a taxi is probably easiest if you have lots of gear.

Pinewood Lodge will be expecting you so pop in to reception and they will check you in to your room. There will also be some information there from Colin and myself which they will give you. We will do our best to come and find you at Pinewood but we may be up skiing so it could be late afternoon/early evening before we get there so don’t feel you need to sit around waiting for us. Once you are settled in and have recovered from your trip you will be able to pop into town and pick up your lift and transport passes. If you bring some passport photos with you this will make the process a little quicker. Details of how to go about this will be given to you when you check into your accommodation.

If you need equipment please wait until you have spoken to Colin or me so that we can go to the shop with you, this way we can make sure you get the best deals.

Please keep firing the questions off to me if you have any.

See you all soon.

Cheers Gavin and Colin

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 06:23:00 +0000

Well it is Sun 10th June, and Coronet Peak is opening tomorrow. This is two days later than first planned. There has been a few natural snow falls and with the current cold temperatures, the snow makers have been working hard.
For all of you that are heading down to Queenstown this year we really do look forward to seeing you and doing a few turns. It is going to be a great winter season as always.

We look forward to hearing your comments etc, be sure to let us know when you are getting in to town.

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Colin Tanner) — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:31:00 +0000

The idea of this blog is to allow us all to comunicate and get ready for the oncoming 2007 season.