Category Archives: Upcoming Events – Événements à Venir

Academy News – Oct 10, 17

Hello all,

Hope everyone had a nice thanksgiving weekend.

Last week I  attended a burial service for Josephine ( Jo) Markham, and her husband Phil Markham. I know you recognize that name , our MVP award is in his honor. It was a small group of family and they were very pleased to see the twenty or so names on the trophy.  Anne Coulson and current MVP Marty Holski were attending also. The plot is in Wakefield on the hill behind the Mill. I was happy to meet the family and close the circle , so to speak. Attached are a few pics , one is Phil’s last season’s pass. I would like to thank Anne for staying in touch with Jo Markham over the years and also Marty for making the time to attend the burial. Traditions are cool aren’t they.

I am still waiting for our new software to be installed so getting people up here to get organized will have to wait . I hope to have it going prior to our general meeting Nov 12th. Remember to check the December Training Schedule (link on the right side of this post, and please be sure you register on our site as one of the following;

  • a returning instructor (taught for the Academy last season),
  • new certified instructor (certified instructor who did not teach for us last year)
  • instructor candidate (would like to be an instructor)
  • Teaching Assistant.

I think that’s it for now. Pass on to anyone thinking of joining our team, looking forward to seeing you all and getting another season underway.

Frank

Academy News – Sept 27,17

Hello all ,

I realize skiing does not seem like its coming with the heat, but it is. Just want to remind everyone to register on our website in the appropriate list and have all your stuff ready.

I will be trying to get you all into the new system at some point prior to actually skiing/riding but I am still waiting for new software and computers to be assembled.

The December 2017 Training schedule has been added to the Training Links section of the main Academy website page (right side column), please download and add the dates to your calendars.

All for now
Frank

 

Academy News – Sept. 7/17

Hello all,

I hope you all have had a great summer, and are beginning to think about the snowy season. It’s still some time off, but we will be back on snow quicker than we think.

This coming season we will be changing a few systems at the hill:

  1. We will have RFID passes. This means that lift access will be controlled by a gate that will read a chip card in order to open.
  2. These cards will have access to the user’s info and individual history. The cards will be issued and used for years as opposed to reissuing tickets and passes daily or yearly.
  3. For instructors and TAs these cards will be validated in the pro room to allow lift access.
  4. We will have much more info as we get closer to skiing/riding; this is just a heads up.

We are also re-setting our instructor data base, in order to eliminate old info and have a clean list from which to manage the school. This means we will be asking for everyone to fill out their coordinates this September (online).

You are either:

  1. A returning instructor (active last season);
  2. A certified instructor, either new or returning after some time away;
  3. An instructor candidate (un-certified);
  4. A TA age 13 or 14 ( Dec. 30th) volunteering to assist with kids. Please note that age 15 and up must become instructors.

And now for the big change.  We will need for everyone to come up to the hill and register for the new pass system, as this is a different and separate system.  We will need you present to take a photo and fill out forms.  This will be done on a couple of Saturdays or Sundays in October. To be as efficient as possible we may ask for people to come up based on the alphabet i.e.: first initial of last name

To do this, instructors will need to be up-to-date – meaning that dues have to be paid (current season card or receipt will be needed as proof of payment), the commitment sheet needs to be completed on-line and so on. You will have to be totally ready in order to complete the process.

Over the years we have let people complete their info as we go into December, but because the new system will require pre-programming, it will be impossible to simply hand out lift passes on your first day as it would take too long. It will be better to have all our returning and certified people ready to go early.

In summary, action points are as follows:

  1. Register online. The Academy website will be ready on Friday afternoon (see my signature for the link)
  2. If you are certified (CSIA, CSCF, CASI) please pay your dues.
  3. Await further instructions as to when we will see you next.

Please take notice that all further info will be sent to registered people only. Don’t be shy to pass on to friends that may want to join the fun (:

All for now,

Frank

Academy News – April 13, 2017

Hey all,

Last Saturdays’ banquet was great, pics will be posted on our blog. To those that were unable to make it , I want to thank all of you for a great season, it all depends on each of us doing our thing to be sure our customers have a good time. Thanks again for being part of the team.

The hill will be open both valley and skyline on Friday and the pro room will be open for tickets and jacket returns. On sat and sun it will be Skyline only.

Those that missed picking up awards can do so at customer service. Chuck Fairbairn, Felix Boulet, Matthew Jeffrey, Mike Stuckel, Jake Blair, Pascal Ormonde, Laura Davies, Christophe Lepage-Bilodeau.

All for now,

Frank

 

Academy News – April 7,17

Hey all ,

We still have lots of snow, and the hill is open on both sides. Hope to see people out  this weekend.

Pro room is open 9:00 to 3:30 for jacket return and tickets.

We still have some room for the banquet email academy@campfortune.com  or come by and buy it at the cage.

About to go get all the awards, looking forward to a great evening.

All for now.

Frank

Academy News – March 29, 17

Hey all,

Looks like the sunshine will be with us this weekend, hope to see people get out and make some turns. Banquets tickets are on sale until Sunday. If you are done for the season, please return your jacket over the weekend.

The tentative plan:

Valley, Pineault, Skyline open Wed-Sunday (March 29-April 2).

Meech is closed for the season.

Skyline Open Monday-Sunday April 3-9.

Valley Open Saturday and Sunday, April 8 -9 and maybe Friday April 7

Skyline should stay open until Easter – subject to weather – so stay tuned.

 The Academy Banquet

I want to emphasize how important our end-of-season banquet is for the school and its instructors. We hand out many awards and recognize good work by many of our people. It’s always fun to see the various strata’s of our school come out and socialize. Dates and friends are welcome.

Be part of the scene, come out to applaud the winners. Get your tickets and/or reserve your spot(s) before this Sunday.

Trophies are being engraved as we text…

I need to know how many people will be attending in order to have the kitchen ready to serve all of you.

Frank

Academy News – Frb 24, 17

Hey all,

Week 8 is here and I hope you will be able to give out most of your report cards , please think of keeping them in a baggie to ensure they stay dry.

A few simple things to keep in mind on the second to last week.

  • Review and put it all together · By now you should be able to give your pupils a clear picture of how they ski/ride and suggest simple ways to move forward · It’s feel good time · Positive! Positive! Positive!
  • School Social 4 pm both Saturday and Sunday (pizza, beer and soft drinks), and we will attempt a group picture of the various programs, . Once again all to the benefit of the NGBF for TA’s.

Academy Banquet tickets will be on sale as of the weekend in the cage(25$). Let’s start planning for it. We have many awards to hand out and I will need nominations for the following:

  • SKI WEE program, male and female instructor of the year,
  • All Mountain male and female instructor of the year,
  • ADULT program instructor of the year,
  • Performance programs (ski wee and all mountain).
  • Ski and snowboard TA awards.
  • Snowboard program awards
  • Full-timers awards.
  • Lifetime Achievement award.
  • The Markham Award ( MVP),
  • Dave Hearnden Award ( Leadership)
  • Fern Award, this is given out for the most humorous event or mishap of the season, voted by applause. If you have a story let me know.

Please send any nominations to me at  fbernier@campfortune.com

We can use snowboarders for the Quebec and Ontario March break, so please sign up if you can help.

All for now, see you on the weekend.

Frank

Academy News – Feb 9, 17

Hello all,

We are coming up on week 6 of the programs and our weekday school programs are also entering the busy phase. The important take away is; be here for your commitment and if possible we would love to see you on other days. We are a big group but without individuals pitching in we can easily struggle at getting the job done.

YOU are the most important person we have.

It’s time to think of the March Breaks, Quebec Feb. 27 to March 3 –  Ontario break March 13 to 17 , we count on you for extra help for those weeks. If you’re interested in teaching, the sign-up sheets are in the cage. And tell us if you want 3 , 4 or 5 days.

Tips for the weekend;

My kids are still in a snowplow: mileage is important and here a few drills to help develop better steering and the ability to turn both skis at the same time.

  • Hockey stops,
  • forward side slips,
  • hop turns,
  • use convex terrain (translation from ski school director language: small bumps) to help the turning  effort.

My students are in back seat and static: 

  • Boot touch to outside,
  • hands on knees,
  • tall then small turns

All for now
Frank

Norm Grondin Foundation Fundraiser

We have a pair of Elan Amphibio (166cm, turning radius 14.5, binding included, 2017 model year) skis worth  $660 (pro price,  retail is even more) that have donated by Marty Holski to the cause.

This ski package is being sold to raise funds for the Norm Grondin Foundation,  i.e. the TA awards.

Please forward your  one time, silent bid to Academy@campfortune.com  before Saturday, January  28th   at 3 pm. To be paid by Sunday 29th 3 pm. We will only accept one bid per person, and that will be the first one received.

Good luck, and this is open to anyone , we just need cash by Sunday the 29th if you win.

Take the time to think of the value of these skis , before placing your bid and good luck.

The minimum bid is set at  $330.00. 

Please forward your bid to Academy@campfortune.com

Good luck, and this is open to anyone , we just need cash by Sunday the 29th if you win.

Frank