ABOUT ALPINE ACADEMY
Alpine Academy is primarily focused on delivering high-quality coaching to aspirant ski instructors and to established professionals already working in the ski industry.
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Alpine Academy is based in Queenstown, New Zealand and operates across Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. We offer Level 1, 2 and 3 instructor training courses aimed to prepare candidates for BASI exams, to be taken in Queenstown as part of your selected course. These courses vary in duration, starting from 4-weeks to lasting the full length of the winter season.
OUR TEAM
Emily Pocock
Emily has always loved skiing, her journey with the sport first began at 2 years old in France. Ski holidays with her family quickly transitioned into race camps, spending her teenage years at a ski academy in Italy. Emily then became a qualified race coach and ski instructor. During and after university she has done winter seasons working in Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Currently in the Northern Hemisphere Emily spends her time delivering privates, instructor training and BASI Exams in Verbier and Courchevel. In the Southern Hemisphere, you will find Emily at Coronet Peak enjoying all things Kiwi. She is super excited for the coming season, leading the training for the Alpine Academy team.
Qualifications
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BASI Trainer & Examiner
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BASI Level 4 ISTD
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NZSIA Trainer & Examiner
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Swiss Brevet Federal
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Carte Pro
Murray Whyte
Murray learnt to ski whilst growing up at home in Scotland. No matter what the conditions, he loved skiing at his home resort, Glenshee. He took some time off snow to study engineering at university but quickly found his way back to the pistes. He now works in Verbier during the Northern Hemisphere winters coaching trainee instructors, examining as well as delivering off-piste coaching. In the Southern Hemisphere, winters are spent at Alpine Academy's base in Queenstown. Murray also has a passion for sailing, spending time on the West Coast of Scotland and in Greece. Murray cannot wait to get back to Coronet Peak and continue to inspire the new generation of ski instructors coming through.
Qualifications
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BASI Trainer & Examiner
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BASI Level 4 ISTD
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Swiss Brevet Federal
OUR EXTENDED COACHING TEAM
Whilst Emily and Murray do the majority of the coaching at Alpine Academy, there are other special coaches in their team. These trainers are fellow Performance Academy colleagues, with either their BASI Level 4 or NZSIA Trainer’s Qualification. Emily and Murray hand pick their coaches to ensure the highest quality of training is maintained. They are very proud of their extended coaching family and are excited for you to experience top of the line training.
OUR VALUES
At Alpine Academy, we believe that having a set of strong core values is the foundation of a successful business and ski instructor training program. Our values help to guide our decisions and actions in order to reach our goals and to become successful ski instructors and trainers.
Our core values are centred around the 3 C's:
Commitment : Being fully committed to providing the highest quality of ski instructor training possible. At Alpine Academy our goal is to provide our trainee instructors with the tools and resources they need to succeed. We strive to support our instructors in both their personal and professional development.
Community : Creating and fostering a strong sense of community among our trainees and trainers. We strive to create a learning environment of collaboration, support and camaraderie.
Compassion : Treating our trainees with respect and understanding. We understand that going through ski instructor training and exams can be a challenging process at times. As trainers we strive to provide our trainees with the compassion and support they need to realise their potential.
WHY BASI TRAINING?
There are many reasons why Alpine Academy has decided to focus on preparing their trainees for BASI Level 1, 2 and 3 Exams. Here are just a few of the reasons why:
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Both Emily Pocock and Murray Whyte are fully qualified BASI Level 4 ISTD Ski Instructors and BASI Examiners. This means our coaches have the best possible knowledge and experience to support trainees in their ski instructor pathway.
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BASI is not only the leading snowsport instructor organisation in the UK, it is also recognised worldwide. BASI qualifications are recognised and accepted by the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA), enabling BASI instructors to work in ski schools/resorts all over the world. BASI instructors are well-respected throughout the snowsport industry and are widely known for their professionalism and expertise.
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We believe BASI offers training and qualifications that are of the highest standard. All courses are well-structured and comprehensive, covering both on-snow and off-snow tuition. BASI's commitment to continual professional development ensures that instructors can remain up to date with the latest technical and teaching techniques.
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BASI is committed to encouraging diversity and equality in the industry, and actively encourages instructors from all backgrounds to join and become part of the community. Currently there are several ongoing initiatives (working groups, events, Q&As etc.) focused on promoting diversity and equality within BASI and the Snowsports industry as a whole.
WHY SKI IN QUEENSTOWN?
The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are the two main ski areas in Queenstown. Both resorts are conveniently located close to Queenstown and offer some of the most stunning and exhilarating ski terrain in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 400 hectares of skiable terrain, both ski fields have something for everyone, from easy slopes to advanced piste and off-piste skiing.
Coronet Peak is where you will be doing most of your training. Coronet Peak is an ideal ski destination for those looking for an exciting and challenging ski experience. Coronet Peak’s slopes are well maintained and groomed, and the views from the top are spectacular. Coronet attracts some of the best ski racers in the world who spend their season preparing for the World Cup races in the Europe and North America. Coronet also offers night skiing, which is a fun and unique experience. In the evenings the resort hosts a variety of live music events on the Après Ski Deck which you don't want to miss.
Occasionally we will ski at The Remarkables, which boasts an incredible snow park, good off-piste skiing and one of the longest runs in the Southern Hemisphere. Its location in the Southern Alps means it gets plenty of snow, and its high elevation (1,949m) ensures that the snow is of excellent quality. We like visiting Coronet’s sister mountain for a bit of variety.
WHY JOIN US IN QUEENSTOWN?
Queenstown is a magical place with its stunning landscapes, endless activities and vibrant culture. The majestic mountains, pristine lakes and rolling hills create an incredible backdrop for any activity. Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world and is the perfect destination for those seeking an adrenaline rush. On top of skiing, there’s bungee jumping, jet boating, skydiving and whitewater rafting to name just a few. Queenstown has something for everyone and the environment will make you feel like you're living in a dream.
Queenstown is also known for its fun nightlife and lively culture. The area has plenty of bars, pubs and clubs to choose from, as well as live music venues and local theatres. You can enjoy craft beers at iconic bars, or hit up one of the many nightclubs for some late-night dancing. If you’re looking for something a bit more low-key, there are plenty of cosy cafes and restaurants with a variety of delicious cuisines to choose from. There’s always room for some down time on the hiking trails or relaxing by one of the most picturesque lakes in New Zealand.
Queenstown has a very special place in Emily and Murray’s hearts and they cannot wait to share their happy place with you. It is the ideal spot for anyone looking to explore and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
TESTIMONIALS
Maddie from Australia
“I passed my tech exam, a testament to Emily and Murray's patience and compassion with me.”
"For me, Alpine Academy's Work & Train program was the perfect way to experience my first season in Queenstown! From the get-go, Emily and Murray were super responsive in answering any queries I had about the program and that ease of communication continued throughout the season. At work, they were always around to ask for advice, drawing on their combined wealth of knowledge and experience. After three weeks of training, I passed my tech exam, a testament to Emily and Murray's patience and compassion with me. Each week of training thereafter felt like a bonus and were a chance to push my limits, reinforcing the technical changes I'd made. Looking back at videos from the end of last season/start of this season, it's super motivating to see how much l've improved! It was such a formative season for me both personally and professionally, and I can't thank Alpine Academy enough for making it possible."
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Jake from England
“Murray and Emily were both amazing trainers… I enjoyed every minute of training”
"I came to train with Alpine Academy for the season after recovering from an ACL injury to get myself back up to the level I was at prior. I also had the goal to improve as much as possible, the end goal being my BASI Level 3. Murray and Emily were both amazing trainers and great people too. I enjoyed every minute of training and also met some like minded people that I’m sure I’ll call friends for life."
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Ruaridh from Scotland
“Alpine Academy’s Trainers delivered outstanding training”
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Alpine Academy. Training and working alongside Emily and Murray was a wonderful way to first experience New Zealand, Coronet Peak, and the Remarkables ski area. From the outset, Alpine Academy was exceptionally responsive and helpful in addressing my questions about the course before it even began. Alpine Academy’s Trainers, being highly qualified and skilled in their field, delivered outstanding training.
Both Emily and Murray, as well as being motivating and fun to be around, were effective at communicating feedback and instructions during training sessions, always providing constructive feedback that helped me improve my skiing technique. Frequent video analysis at the end of runs really helped me visualise my progress. Furthermore, Emily and Murray were approachable and incredibly friendly, extending their support and advice beyond our training sessions.
I want to express my gratitude to both trainers for their incredible guidance and support during the season."