Dry Slope Lessons
In 2002 Mike Beale, then the Headmaster of Craigclowan Preparatory School in Perth, opened a dry slope at the school.
A team was developed based on a long standing partnership with Annie Bryden at Freshtracks www.ski-glenshee.co.uk/FreshTracks-Ski-School ‘The longest established ski school at Glenshee with a totally deserved reputation for high quality teaching and customer service’ and Patsi Duncan, a member of staff at the school to maximise the advantage of the slope. Bastien Tognotti joined the team in 2004.. Bastien spent many hours teaching children of all ages and abilities. It mattered little if they were three or thirteen, beginners or members of international teams, all benefited from his patience and ingenuity in creating fun, interest and ever increasing levels of skill.
The school teams have been consistent winners of both boys and girls Scottish and British snow and dry championships over a period of 25 years. As important, however, has been the success in introducing so many children to the delights of both skiing and boarding.
Mike and Bastien are now in harness together with Ski Excel and continuing the approach of balancing the development of new skills with enjoyment not only of the skiing and boarding, but also the whole aura of the mountain environment.’
For information on Craigclowan Preparatory School click on: www.craigclowan-school.co.uk
«The children of Craigclowan were very often on the podium in both dry and snow races. The Scottish and British Prep School races saw the team win year after year in the period that I ran the ski programme and Bastien coached. They also won the Scottish U14 race and won medals at the British School Girls and School Boys. Hope Whitelaw annd Adam Piper were especially successful that time. Youngers ones coming through included.»
Mike Beale, September 2014
