Image © Drift Innovations
333 Ski School in Val-Claret have been teaching visitors to Tignes and Val d’Isere to ski for 12 years. During that time lots has changed in terms of teaching techniques and 333 Ski School always stay at the forefront of new technology to ensure their pupils achieve the maximum possible progression during their winter holiday. We asked them what single thing has had the biggest impact on pupil progression in recent years. Their answer? The Drift helmet camera.
Find out more about 333 Ski School on their website: www.333school.com or call +33 (0) 4 79 06 20 88 More information on Drift headcams can be found at www.driftinnovation.com 6
You’ve probably heard of the Go-Pro. Drift are a new action sports camera company who specialise in the capture and sharing of digital imagery across all platforms including social media such as Facebook and Twitter. This also makes them very useful in ski lessons. ‘Using video footage to teach skiing techniques is not a new concept’ explains Ross Creed of 333 Ski School. ‘Over the years many people will have no doubt laughed at footage of themselves tumbling down a mountain in a blaze of powder and lost ski equipment. At the same time we’ve all chuckled at the sight of the over-confident, cameraladen skier as he meets the snow whilst skiing backwards, showing off to his mates’. But why are we seeing such a massive explosion in the use of digital camera equipment in winter sports at the moment? ‘It’s no longer prohibitively expensive to bring a digital camera on your winter holiday with you, and this is great when people are trying to progress their skiing or snowboarding skills’ Ross tells us. Watching yourself ski or snowboard down a run, paying particular attention to your turns, your stance and the distribution of your weight is a great way to see where there is scope for improvements in your technique, which you can then work on the very next day. The helmet-mounted Drift camera also gives amateur photographers and movie-makers the confidence to ski or snowboard without carrying cumbersome equipment in their hands. The batteries are rechargeable and extremely long lasting, while the cameras themselves are hard wearing and durable. At 333 Ski School, all ski instructors are equipped with their own Drift camera – it’s as much a part of their uniform as their skis, Aviator sunglasses and sun block. The camera captures sharp HD images and videos of skiers in their group and because they are helmet mounted, they gather footage of pupils with no hassle or interference. Once the lesson on the snow is over, there’s a 10 minute de-brief during which an instructor uses the footage to point out successes, improvements and areas to concentrate on next time. ‘After booking your ski lessons, the Drift headcam is the single best thing you can use to be a better skier or snowboarder this winter’ concludes Ross.