NEWS / BLOG

UK To USA: Coming to Copper Mountain Is Easier Than You Think

Wed, 30 October 2013

The amazing scenery at Copper Mountain, Colorado USA  

It’s easy to dream, and harder to do. If you’re from the UK, maybe you learned about Snow Trainers ages ago, maybe you just stumbled onto the website now, but either way - the daydreams feel intangible. You could spend weeks on Copper Mountain in Colorado, learning from Trainers and Examiners for the PSIA-RM and receiving the kind of qualifications that will serve you well worldwide, but surely there’s a catch. There must be something in your way, there always is, so instead you’re stuck back home in the UK dreaming instead of doing. Yet no matter what you feel is holding you back, there’s a way around it, particularly if you’re worried about the logistics: visas, clothing and kit, accommodation and transport. All of those add up to time, stress, and money, after all, but they’re also easy to navigate - and for some of them, Snow Trainers has you covered.

You don’t need a visa

Many potential trainees from the UK are surprised to learn that they don’t need a visa to enroll in our Copper Mountain, Colorado training sessions. With enhanced travel security across the world driving everyone a little bit mental, it would make sense for the USA to restrict travel, particularly if you’re going to be doing some training. Yet the UK has an agreement with America in the form of the US Visa Waiver Program, allowing British Citizen passport holders to travel to the US for up to 90 days for tourism and certain kinds of business travel. Snow Trainers falls into those categories, since you won’t be receiving payment or doing work, and the longest training session - 12 weeks - clocks out at 84 days, keeping you nicely under the 90-day mark.

Instead of applying for a Visa, you’ll need to visit the ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorization - website at least 72 hours before you hit the skies (and then the slopes). You’ll be asked to provide some details of your stay and pay an administrative fee, but after that the travel authorities will be expecting your arrival and you’ll receive an ESTA stamp which will carry you through your stay in America.

Bringing along your kit

If you’re interested in our Snow Trainers program, it’s likely that you have everything you need already, but it’s always a good idea to make sure your clothing is in top condition and that you have some spare items in case you lose your goggles in a drift. Iglu Ski recommends visiting a specialist winter sports clothing retailer for advice, since they’ll be able to check whether your clothing and gear needs repairs. They’ll also be able to check whether it will stand up to Copper Mountain’s temperatures, which average around -20 degrees celsius in January but can reach much lower. You’ll also want to bring your equipment, which feels like it could be a massive headache to organize. Fortunately, that feeling is wrong: it’s secretly kind of easy. Although some charge a fee (usually £10-£50), some airlines allow you to bring your equipment along for free - check ahead of time, so you know whether you’ll have to fork over some cash or call ahead to let them know what you’re bringing. And if you don't already have your gear, the USA is one of the cheapest places in the world to buy what you need.

Getting some rest and getting around

Once you’re in Colorado, Snow Trainers has your accommodation and transport needs covered. As part of the package, we include accommodation in Frisco, which is between Copper and Breckenridge. A small town of less than 3,000 residents, Frisco is one of those great joys in life - a ski town - since it’s also close to the Keystone and Arapahoe Basin resorts. Since we’ve got everything covered for you there, you can stop worrying about hostels and hotels and start mentally packing your suitcase. There is also a free bus service around town and to Copper Mountain, plus when you arrive at Denver International Airport one of the Snow Trainers team will be there to pick you up.

There are always going to be barriers in your way, but if you get enough momentum you might just find yourself flying over them. Living your dreams isn’t supposed to be easy, but Snow Trainers can give you a head start without nearly as much hassle as you might be expecting. We hope to see you in Colorado soon, and remember that there’s a discount if you pay early - so get planning!

By: Melissa Cleve @ 13:47:09 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this

Queenstown 2013 - the winter that was ...

Thu, 10 October 2013

Queenstown Hill climb  

Wow how time flies! It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were getting ready for another exciting winter in Queenstown and all of a sudden it's over. So many highlights and good times I wish I could wind back the clock. From facing our fears and jumping off the bungy ledge, to stepping out of a helicopter on the top of a snowy ridge in the middle of nowhere, there's been so many adventures and amazing experiences along the way. And capping it all off was an absolutely fantastic pass rate on the exams! Well done crew. We'll miss you but I know that you are probably already in the middle of another adventure and taking the Snow Trainers spirit with you wherever you are. And I also know you'll be back - who can stay away from Queenstown?!!

By: M Phare @ 18:32:45 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this