OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL SKI INSTRUCTORS

Charlie Chadwick

Ski Instructor

Charlie found skiing very late at 18 as something to delay real life…. After university he further delayed, doing several seasons living in a car in order to ski all day everyday and ski as many resorts as he could. At some point he decided that he better be constructive and get qualified to keep the dream alive. A focused three years of training and exams saw the accidental birth of a skiing career.

Like most of the coaches Charlie has taught in a few countries including Zermatt, Switzerland, Pila in Italy and Treble Cone in New Zealand. Primarily a skier Charlie is also an accomplished Ski tourer, Telemark/snowboard coach and bum boarder… He is TDC’s very own Swiss Army knife!

Always a keen sportsman Charlie can also be found on almost any kind of 2 wheeled machine, in the squash court, on a rock face and generally looking to make an activity out of anything.

In the summer Charlie is a carpenter and spends most of his time in Somerset and Devon restoring and modifying country properties in the Blackdown hills.

Grant Mcnaughton

Ski Instructor

Grant started skiing at age 3 and grew up skiing on ice and heather in Scotland, making bluebird days in the Alps a walk in the park. After spending a couple of years working for an Investment Bank after University, Grant decided to do a ski season and was hooked.

Grant has now done 17 seasons between Mammoth in California, Queenstown in New Zealand, Verbier, Morzine and now Tignes. Working as both a ski instructor and as a ski race coach.

Our go to expert when it comes to our on piste training sessions, Grant has just attended a three week training program with the mighty Alain Baxter to make sure he continues to leave us all in his rear view mirror.

When off snow he loves to get out on his road bike and climb hills on the roads around Edinburgh and loves to go out to the dancing in Glasgow!

Rab Bickerdike

Ski Instructor

Rab has been skiing since he can remember and was brought up on the “character building” slopes of Scotland.

Since 1999 he’s been doing seasons in Pila, Chamonix, Les Gets, Verbier, Aosta, and now Tignes for it’s “good vibe and massive off piste possibilities”.

After many seasons of teaching and coaching experience under his belt, Rab still loves to pass on his love and knowledge of the sport, whilst respecting and enjoying the mountain as much and as often as possible.

Rab very honestly admits to his park and pipe background, and at any given chance will be upside down or back to front. He is just as happy on skis or a snowboard.

Gavin Lewis

Ski Instructor

Gavin is one of the founding members of TDC Tignes who has worked and taught across the Alps since 2003.

Skiing since he was 4 yrs old Gavin is a strong all rounder who particularly likes bouncing through chopped up pow at high speed. Having passed every exam at the first attempt and now a BASI Trainer, his commitment to innovative skiing and the latest techniques ensures his coaching remains at the forefront of the industry.

Recently Gavin has set up a plastering business in Tignes and enjoys getting on his mountain bike during the summer. Sadly since Rab’s arrival on the team he is no longer the fastest downhiller on TDC’s books so is training hard to get ‘fast and loose’ in an attempt to keep up with the flying Scotsman.

As a keen photographer he’s just got back from the trip of a lifetime stalking Lemurs through the Madagascar rainforest. His photos are available for purchase and all proceeds go the Andisibe Forest Village park.

India

Ski Instructor

India started skiing when she was 2 1/2 years old. She started teaching at 17 and became ISTD qualified six years later having also got herself a degree in sociology and history. India loves teaching any level but really enjoys working with kids and getting more girls hooked on the sport.

Personally she loves off piste skiing, keeping on top of her freestyle skills and early morning courdory. Off snow she’s into surfing and wakeboarding, she also likes pushing herself by running marathons.