Courses

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The Nike Chosen series came over to the Portes du Soleil last week for a visit to the Chatel snowpark for a slopestyle jam session during which Nike are scouting out the next unsigned ripped amateurs.

Mint crew member Lewis Sonvico headed over for a play date with other Morziners, Sean Tumelty and Rob Cartledge. A great  day was had and all sorts of stunts and carcass chucking was going down. With rad results Lewis qualified for the finals in third place… but unfortunately he messed up in the finals, came home to the Dutchess with nothing and he’s been grounded for the week!!!

Check out the video to see what they got up to (boom, Lewis did get the thumbnail picture!):

Nike Chosen Series – 06 France Chatel from Nike Action on Vimeo.

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Here at Mint Snowboard School we have 5 Roxy hats to giveaway and it couldn’t be easier to enter…

Mint founder & Roxy ambassador, Tammy Esten, will be coaching on the Roxy snowboard camp in Morzine this winter. To enter check out the poster below and answer the following question & ‘like’ the Mint Snowboarding Facebook page:

What dates is the Roxy snowboard camp in Morzine running this winter?

Email your answer to info@mintsnowboarding.com and put ‘Roxy’ in subject line. Closing date is Friday 17th February.

For more information on the Roxy girls snowboard camp click here!

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Mint Snowboard School are stoked to announce that, new for 2012, we are offering kids snowboard lessons for mini shredders, children aged between 4 and 8. Mint is collaborating with the Burton Kids on Snow / Riglet program to offer unique coaching for ankle-biters, who may be believed to be too young to meet other neccessary age requirements. Lessons are available in the French resorts of Morzine, Avoriaz & Les Gets.

We have a specialised fleet of European Burton Riglet snowboard equipment, designed specifically for young children – so youngsters from 4 to 8 years will be able to take their first steps into the world of snowboarding. Our selection of Burton boards go as short as 80 cm and boots down to a UK size 11 (euro 29).

Our dedicated snowboard instructors will provide a focus on fun through learning, so children will be able to adopt the basics of snowboarding in an exciting and stimulating environment. The initial steps will involve fun learning focused on balance and equipment awareness. As the days progress, children will be taken through a route of progression to include, basic turns and edge control… leading to the final end goal of riding the main slope.

For more information on childrens snowboard lessons follow this link, or send us an email... info@mintsnowboarding.com.

Check out some of the fun our mini-snowboarders have been having with the Mint team: Mint kids snowboarding.

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We’ve had an epic start to the season out here in Morzine… after almost two weeks of non-stop snow, the sun is finally out today, 23rd December. This made for fun times on the December Just Snowboard camps.

Snow conditions were unquestionably fantastic, with everyday being a powder day, although the weather was certainly challenging at times. Strong winds and the huge quantities of snow caused some lift closures, but the team battled on with rosy windswept faces showing huge smiles at the end of run after run of epic powder. The one day that the lifts did shut completely, we were the only ones in town to battle against the elements, turning a potential down-day into a fun day up the mountain building a couple of backcountry kickers as well as doing some transceiver training.

Other than fantastic snow conditions, other highlights of the week included an exclusive showing of the much acclaimed Art of Flight at the Morzine cinema with after party in the Cavern and a great day tearing around the Avoriaz Stash park with James Stentiford, Jamie Trinder & Henry Shackleton of the Quiksilver UK team. Progression in everyones riding was impressive within the 4 coaching groups each headed by one of top qualified instructors from Mint Snowboard School.

Check out some photos from the week:

We have several more snowboard camp dates coming up in 2012:

21th – 28th January 2012 : Just Performance Lab
28th January – 4th February 2012 : ACME Off Piste Snowboard Camp
3rd March – 10th March 2012 : Just Freestyle Camp
31st March – 7th April 2012 : Just 4 Girls Snowboard Camp

Check out www.just-snowboard.com for more info.

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Mint Snowboard school is keen to get the local snowboard community learning & progressing, so we are organising snowboard programs specific for you… whether you are year round residents, seasonaires or kids living locally around Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz or Chatel. So to help you take your riding to the next level we are offering group courses at significantly reduced rates to all locals this winter.

We are will be running the following courses:

Freestyle progression course: Aimed for those who already have a reasonable freestyle level and wish to progress their freestyle skills to the next level. Will include rail riding, jumps, spinning, halfpipe & piste jibbing.

Freestyle introduction course: Aimed at relative newbees to freestyle snowboarding this course will include an introduction to rail riding, jumps, spinning, halfpipe & piste jibbing.

Girls Only Freestyle course: This course is for girls only, allowing you to develop your freestyle skills in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere! Will include rail riding, jumps, spinning, halfpipe & piste jibbing.

Technique progression courses of Learner, Cruiser & Advanced rider levels: Content will depend on level, but focused on improving basic to advanced technical skills to allow progression in areas such as riding steeper terrain, carving,riding variable terrain, off piste, freestyle as well as general confidence building.

When:

Thursday & Friday afternoons, starting Friday 13th January 2012

Cost:
4 x 3 hour lessons = 180€
6 x 3 hour lessons = 270€

Group sizes:
Maximum of 7
Minimum of 5 required to run a group

If you are interested in more information or would like to book on a course then please email us at info@mintsnowboarding.com.

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ROXY and StarSki Chalets have teamed up to create the ultimate in girls only snowboard camps hosted by Roxy ambassador Tammy Esten, a coach from the reputable Mint Snowboard School and UK Roxy Pro Riders . Together we’ve created a programme to allow for female snowboarders to enjoy a perfectly tailored snowboard holiday with the aim of progressing their riding to the next level. Our aim is simple – improvement and relaxation in style and comfort.

The ROXY Snow Camps have been designed specifically for girls who’d like to improve their snowboarding in an environment that provides everything they need for a thoroughly enjoyable week in the snowy mountains. Not only will you receive expert tuition with our Roxy Pro Rider and Tammy Esten of Mint Snowboarding in a girls only group, but also you’ll get pampered and entertained throughout a week of ultimate luxury. This totally new concept in snowboarding will help all our ROXY Girls to step up a level and match anyone for speed, technique and ability. Whilst we know that the main aim remains to improve your snowboarding we’ve also designed a programme for the week so you can enjoy your time off the slopes.

Dates: 18th – 25th March 2012

More info: Roxy Snowboard Camp, Morzine

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Peak Leaders launches Snowboard & Ski Instructor training course in Morzine, France, alongside Mint Snowboarding

Peak Leaders, well known to be a market leader in wintersport gap programmes & instructor courses, have selected Mint Snowboard School to run their new snowboard training course taking place in Morzine, starting January 2012. Clients taking part in the 10 week instructor training program will benefit from a tailor made coaching program designed by top BASI snowboard coaches from the Mint team.

‘We are stoked to be collaborating with Peak Leaders to run the first ever gap snowboard programme in the Portes du Soleil. Morzine, often called the ‘snowboard capital of Europe’ is the perfect place to run a snowboard instructor course. As one of the original British snowboard schools in the French Alps and offering an exclusive quality of service, here at Mint we feel that Peak Leaders are our ideal partners in this project as a well -established, professionally run organisations with a fantastic reputation.’ Tammy Esten, Director Mint Snowboarding, BASI ISTD Snowboard Instructor.

During the first 3 weeks, students will train towards, and then take, the BASI Level 1 exam, providing them with an excellent foundation to then continue working towards the BASI Level 2 exam to be sat at the end of the program. During the course, students will participate in over 25 hours on snow development time per week, with structured and focused practice sessions and personal performance training. Included will also be backcountry clinics, freestyle clinics (inc. jumps, rails, halfpipe, flatland tricks), ski/snowboard school experience as well as first aid certification!

Clients will be provided with a fully inclusive package including full area lift pass, stunning chalet accommodation including breakfast and evening meals 5 days per week.

The Peak Leaders Snowboard Instructor Course will be run alongside a Ski Instructor Course run in association with BASS (British Alpine Ski School). “For over 10 years, BASS have run a very successful Professional Training Programme in Morzine that has supported countless BASI Members as they progress through their Ski Instructor qualifications. We are delighted and very excited to be working in partnership with Peak Leaders in delivering a 10 week GAP programme in Morzine. Peak Leaders are recognised as the market leaders in their field with values, standards and philosophies that compliment our own. This relationship makes for an exciting, high quality partnership that will deliver a GAP programme that is second to none!” Jaz Lamb, Director BASS Morzine & Les Gets, BASI Alpine Trainer, BASI Demo Team Member.

‘We are delighted to announce our latest instructor training program, that not only allows our clients to gain internationally recognized qualifications, but the opportunity to train with some of BASI’s most qualified Trainers and Coaches and improve all areas of your skiing and riding, including off piste, freestyle and racing, says Mhairi Hughes from Peak Leaders.

Visit the Peak Leaders site for further information on the course http://www.peakleaders.com/courses/morzine-ski-snowboard-instructor-course/

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So the last snowboard camp of the season is over and what a fun week it was! It was cool to have a camp filled with Just Snowboard camp returners who were back for the 2nd, or even 3rd, time and all solid riders. From NYC gangsta Mariesa, surfer Manon, ever-smiley Fi and the original camp legend Glenda there was no shortage of friendly faces and giggles in Morzine that week.

It was a week of soft, slushy snow with even some fresh and spring snow thrown in… so perfect conditions for heading to the park for some freestyle progression. The soft snow was great for learning new tricks and the more and more the boards were flexed the better the jibbing got.

The one bad weather day (and believe you me, it was seriously fogging and dumping with wet snow) was far from being a lost day at the pub and instead turned into one of the best riding days of the week! After a few runs of freestyle jibbery there was time for a quick hot chocolate stop at Avoriaz’s well known Changabang whist Mint coach Tammy got to work taking everyone’s highbacks off and readjusting their bindings! Everyone’s fears of riding without highbacks were quickly thrown out of the window and despite zero visibility the progression in everyone’s riding was insane. Quote “In all my years of teaching snowboarding, I have never seen such massive progression in such a short space of time” Tammy. In the afternoon the gang didn’t bat an eyelid to one of the infamous ‘Olly Challenges’ which involved some rather adventurous off-piste… and all done no-back style! Hellyeah girls!

Mid-week on the camp; tired bodies (even after a stretching session with the fantastic Sarah) and a day off from coaching with Tammy. A day to relax? Not a chance, there is always more fun to be had and new challenges to enjoy. This time the gangsta mob were given a 24 hr challenge to film, produce & edit their own snowboard movie. They were give a tiny Flip video camera and limited instructions or rules… and what an awesome video they came out with! See below. Thank you to Glenda for the editing.

Enough chat, but it is fair to say that the rest of the week continued in the same style: jumps, tricks, adventure, photo shoot, progression, smiles, laughter, cake, mutzig, aching bodies, gangsta moves and much more…!

Thanks to Herd Headwear, Bluebird Wax, the Keep a Breast Foundation, Flip Video & Les Ettes for their support in the Just 4 Girls camps this winter.

Check out some of the photos from the week as well as the video challenge movie:

www.just-snowboard.com

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See below a video edit made by Dan Jesse of the Just Freestyle snowboard camp in Avoriaz, France this March with Quiksilver. Thanks Dan! A great week filled with tons of progression and fun with coaching from Dave of Mint Snowboard School. Official camp photos taken by Damien McArthur coming soon…

www.just-snowboard.com

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Here at Mint we make every effort to help make your snowboard holiday in Morzine, Avoriaz or Les Gets a success… from the booking process, organising groups of level that work and, of course, providing you with the highest level of tuition and coaching on offer in the Portes du Soleil. Check out some of the testimonials we have received so far this winter:

 ‘Me and Nikki just wanted to say a big thanks to you and Dave for the snowboard lessons. Nikki was in group lessons last week taken by Dave Cooper. She said he was by far the best instructor she’d had, always calm and gave good encouragement. A big plus as well was that everyone in the group was almost at exactly the same level.’ Dave Streatfield

‘Thank you all very much for my lessons last week. I had an excellent time and have been commented on how much I improved over the week (girlfriend much happier to ski with me now).  Dave was an excellent instructor and generally pushed me well out of my comfort zone without scaring me too much. I was also surprised at how well Dave coped with a group feeling that I had a very personal service even in a group.  If I return to Morzine you guys will be my first stop.’ Graeme Higginbotham

‘Great teaching and a good giggle!’ Mike Taylor-West

‘Hi Tammy, just writing to say thanks to Mint and David for the lessons. The private lesson last year with you and the group lessons with Dave this year have moved my boarding on a lot. Your approach to teaching is awesome so thank you.’ Dave Clack

‘We have just got back from a week in Morzine where our son Angus had snowboarding lessons from Grant at Mint. The quality of tuition was fantastic, the progress he made was amazing and he is now a convert to snowboarding. Thanks to Grant for making Angus’s holiday such as success.’ Ian, Beth and Angus Binnian

‘My 2 hour lesson with Tammy started my holiday off to a really positive start. Her ability to teach and explain technique was excellent, and I came away with a smile on my face and a lot more confidence in my own ability. I would definitely recommend MINT.’ Rowena Edwards

‘Just wanted to say thanks again for a brilliant lesson on Sunday.  I was out for 4 hours yesterday, practicing on the same runs and capped it off with a run from Le Vaffieu to the base of the Pleney Ski Lift at the end of the afternoon - I was knackered after that, but grinning like the Cheshire Cat !’ Donald Stark

 ‘Just wanted to say how pleased we were with the course. Lessons were great fun and we really felt we had achieved a lot at the end of the three days, so big thanks to Dave and yourself.’ Lisa Basch

‘Just a quick note to say how much I appreciated the coaching I received from the Mint team during my recent visit to Morzine. The coaching I received from David Gladwin was fantastic. In three days I went from not being able to snowboard at all to linking turns! David’s tuition and attention to form were spot-on.’ Jon Shelby

‘David was an excellent instructor and made the week really enjoyable.’ Andrew & Vicky Curtis