BASI courses deliver training and provide qualifications for 5 disciplines, Alpine (Ski), Snowboard, Telemark, Nordic, and Adaptive which is for teaching those with disabilities. These courses are all really useful and fun and can be done all over the world. Lulu Little went all the way to Argentina to do hers. Here she tells us how she got on...
Lulu Little’s time in Argentina.
Argentina overall, for me was simply amazing. I've never been so happy or had so much fun in my life. The people on my course were all so different, interesting and friendly and everyone got along really well, we were really close by the end and we have all stayed in touch.
The first month with the Argentinian instructors was a lot of fun, they spent plenty of time introducing us to the BASI system. I had an instructor called Jorgé, who was such a laugh and was a really kind, encouraging instructor. I remember really well one brilliant powder day we had with him, so many laughs and videos of us all attempting somersaults.
When the BASI examiners came, things definitely tensed up a bit and it all became very real. We saw them walking around hotel in their BASI jackets looking very serious, but our nerves were put to rest as soon as they spoke to all of us and introduced themselves in the peaks club.
Our group played introductory ping pong, where we had to say a short fact about ourselves every time we hit the ball, and our trainer tried to remember one or two of each person so he could get to know us better. People were coming up with all sorts of facts which meant it ended up being quite a fun exercise. Having the BASI examiners with us ended up being great fun and they were so helpful and supportive throughout our assessments.
Nights out in Argentina were a lot of fun. There was an Irish bar called 'Wilkenny's' that we loved and we all went there to watch the England Vs Argentina match from the Rugby World Cup.
After Wilkenny's we would usually head over the road to the nightclub Dusk where we had a great time too, there were loads of other places to go as well - but those were our regulars.
For one of our friends, on their 21st birthday, we rented outfits from a dress up shop in town, which I would definitely recommend if you get the chance! We had everything from monks to prisoners to cave men!
In terms of skiing, the scenery is beautiful out in Cerro Catedral. When you get to the top of the mountain you can see 360 degrees of lakes that look like mirrors when the sun is shining. The snow was surprisingly good and despite the few days of bad weather here and there, like any resort really, we had such nice weather.
Contrary to most people's thoughts about skiing In Argentina, there were loads of different pistes and areas so it honestly never got boring.
In terms of the course structure and arrangements made for us, I thought everything was really great. We had a bus driver called Gustav Flores (amazing name) who took us everywhere and became very much part of our peak leaders Argentina family! The staff at the hotel were very friendly and welcoming, we were treated so nicely the whole time we were there. I myself do not eat red meat and every meal that everyone ate something I didn't, they'd happily prepare me some chicken or alternative. When we didn't have meals at the hotel, there was a take away place of pizza, pasta and all sorts which was conveniently next to a huge supermarket that had everything you needed!
The hotel is in such a lovely setting, and we were practically the only people there the whole season, it felt like a Peak Leaders hotel really, and there were lots of nights out to restaurants, and après drinks were arranged for us so we were never short of things to do.
Ivan and Colo were the main guys in charge during our time in Argentina and they were amazing. Always helping us out with everything, making sure we were happy etc - we felt extremely lucky to have them. Ronnie (Chinese medicine doctor and Physio) was always around to help anyone with injuries or any ill people. We were very well looked after.
To someone who is considering going to Argentina for their BASI courses, I say DO IT! It was an unforgettable experience. If you want to meet different people of all ages, be in a beautiful setting with amazing, kind people around to help you with anything and of course to have loads of fun, go to Bariloche! I really can't recommend it enough.
