So every summer, hundreds (thousands?) of kids think about summer skiing to get their fix. Some have it paid for them; some work themselves, some go to Hood, some go to Whistler. A select few go all out and make the trek to the southern hemisphere, whether it be South America or NZ. Either way, I feel that there are very few options for people to choose from. If you are going to spend large sums of money on skiing in the summer, why not have more options?
For the past three years I have worked as a coach at a Danish camp called Freestyle Academy http://freestyleacademy.dk/ in Les 2 Alpes, France. I personally live in CO, but have some Danish heritage and speak Danish, which has allowed me to make this connection. Over this past summer at camp, I was talking to the camp director about the American market for summer skiing and we both thought that it should be addressed, since American kids have very few options for summer skiing (unless you head south).
So I guess the point of this thread is to see what kind of interest there is in going to France for summer camp instead of Whis or Hood.
About the Camp:
If you check out the camp page, you will realize that it is not in English, so ill explain a little bit about the camp here instead. But check out the page anyways, its really not that hard to navigate. Employ some Google translate or some shit if you need to.. Keep in mind that this is just an idea right now and that we are trying to see if there is enough interest from you guys to see if it would be worthwhile. If so, I bet an English version will get put up before next summer. Anyways…
DATES: mid july – this year was July 8th – 24th, including travel etc. You can do 1 or 2 weeks, mix and match as you please.
SKIING: You get 6 days per week on the glacier (5 with coaching). The glacier opens at 8 and closes around 1 or 2.
PARK: The park is pretty legit, although it is all public, so you will be sharing it with everyone else. This may be a drawback not having a private park like COC or Windells, but this camp has a different sort of appeal that ill get into. Check out the “Kumi Yama” contest from earlier this summer to see what you are working with… Here is a link to the Les 2 Alpes summer skiing site: http://www.2alpes.com/pages/en/130/glacier-of-les-2-alpes-3600m.html
COACHES:
Not too hard to find on the page but whatever. Many of the Danish coaches
(incuding myself) you have most likely never heard of. However, past “guest” coaches include: Pep Fujas, Jacob Wester, Phil Casabon, Anders Backe, Alex Aurdal, Julien Regnier, and PK Hunder.
Also, keep in mind that the Danes, who you will be spending most of your time with, are really good with English, so the language barrier between coaches and other campers should not really be a problem.
VIBE: I imagine this camp to be very different from COC or Windells (I have never been to Hood or Whis). But anyways, after following summer camps on NS and knowing people who have gone for so long, I imagine my perception is accurate enough to pick out the differences.
This is not a camp where prizes and swag are handed out all the time, it is more for someone who is looking for an experience and a good time. Yes, there are drawings and prizes, but not like COC etc. The coaching is not super intense. If you come to camp wishing to learn something, you can, but nothing is forced on you and you are not required to get in the same cookie cutter groups and “train” every day. We basically shred around the glacier feeding off of each other and having a great time, like skiing should be. Also, this is not a strict camp. Of course there are set rules and things, but you are essentially responsible for yourself. You must be 16 years old to drink alcohol in your rooms, 18 to drink at the bars. SO, if you want to come to Europe, shred with your friends (new and old) without too much strict bullshit, see beautiful mountains, and make the whole trip an experience as a whole, then this camp is for you. Also, this is a great opportunity to make friends in a different part of the world.
ACTIVITIES: I know this is getting long, so thanks for sticking with me if you have made it this far.
OK, so L2A (Les 2 Alpes) is located way up in the mountains, which happen to be some of the most jagged and beautiful mountains I have ever seen (google that shit). Activities included in your camp fee are: Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Alpine Slide, Tramps, bow and arrow shooting, on hill airbag practice and free entry to the local pool (mad babes).
Optional activities for an extra fee include Downhill MTB, bungee jumping, and beer.
Also, there is a skatepark and LOTS of things to do after skiing. You will not be bored.
LIVING: You will be living in an apartment with three other campers of your choice. These apartments are not huge, but they serve the purpose well, as you probably wont be spending very much time there anyways. This of course is included in your camp fee. The apartments are typically right next to the lift so that your lazy ass doesn’t have to walk too far in the early mornings.
FOOD: Three meals a day are provided for the campers. You will be using a lot of energy so you will more than likely be buying more food at the store, but the free meals definitely help. Breakfast is typically cereal, juice, milk, oats, rolls, etc. Lunch happens on the glacier and is usually just dogs and burgers served up mid ski day. Dinner varies from spaghetti to curry to bangers n mash, but is usually pretty filling and delicious.
PRICE: I’m not trying to advertise all over NS, so im just going to make a small price comparison here. PM me if you have questions about this or anything else. Ill use the summer 2011 figures for both.
1 week session at Freestyle Academy 2011: $1150
1 week session at Windells: $1700 - $1950 depending on which session you attend
Of course there is airfare, which runs anywhere from $800 - $1500, depending on where you are coming from.
Well, thanks for reading folks, PM me or post in here with any questions or comments you have! Im sure there is lots more for me to say, but that’s all I can think of at the moment.
