Giles has been skiing in Val d’Isere since he came with his family as a child. 30 years later and Giles still loves this place......Read more about
Giles LewisNicko started his career in Val d’Isere washing dishes and pulling pints as a Ski Bum over 30 years ago! Following a couple of detours to University......Read more about
Nicko BraxtonRich has skied since the age of 3 when his parents took him on his first ski trip. After graduating with a degree in Engineering......Read more about
Rich JonesRoss has been teaching skiing since 2012 and has been in Val d’Isere since 2014, Ross absolutely loves sharing his love for skiing and......Read more about
Ross SampsonDave had the bug for skiing from a young age, taking every opportunity to get skis on his feet. After finishing a Maths degree at university, Dave left straight for a season in the Alps......Read more about
Dave WalkerTerry's obsession with snowsports and the Alps started aged 5. As a young man Terry took his passion and participated in freestyle competitions......Read more about
Terry WalkerKim has been skiing in the French Alps since the age of two and loves sharing her passion for the mountains working with TDCski in......Read more about
Kim BruceSince being inspired as a kid on school ski trips, skiing has been Steve's passion in life. After obtaining a degree in Geography from Royal Holloway, University of London, then working in ski tour operations in......Read more about
Steve AngusKieran grew up ski racing in Scotland, travelling to the snow every weekend, which certainly toughened......Read more about
Kieran BuchananHaving learned to ski in Scotland aged 3, Dave has skied every winter since. Dave hung up his race boots aged 18......Read more about
Dave TeeAfter first skiing in Kashmir aged 3, I went on to hone my ski skills...Read more about
Hamish BrownA director of The Development Centre, Paul is now based in the Malvern Hills in England with his wife and...Read more about
Paul GarnerColin has been based in Val d'Isere since 1994/95, and worked for bars, ski shops and........Read more about
Colin TannerI’ve been skiing in Val d’Isere since we came as a family when I was a child. 30 years later and I still love this place and am amazed by what it can offer passionate skiers.
I’ve been coaching skiing to recreational and professional instructors for over 20 years. Skiing in these mountains gives me a buzz, and teaching others who want to learn this sport is a privilidge. I’ll normally ski in my free time and try to keep up with my children. Oscar is a fearless elite racer in U16s category and Emilie is a French Freestyle champion, flying and spinning off some ludicrous jumps. I still ski for me as much as I can, piste skiing, off piste, touring and bumps, I love it all. Lockdown gave me the chance to do a whole load more ski touring, and since the lifts were shut it was grest to explore other parts of the valley not served by ski lifts.
I coach rugby at the local club in the valley and i even pull on a pair of boots every now and then, hanging on to my youth when I played rugby for the Dark Blues. I don’t believe in getting too old to do things that you love.
I look forward to skiing with you.
November 2020
Great coaching and will improve your skiing loads. Really enjoyable lessons for all the family, we have had a wide range of coaches and they have all been superb!! Catherine31208
Nicko started his career in Val d’Isere washing dishes and pulling pints as a Ski Bum over 30 years ago! Following a couple of detours to University, to train as an accountant and after various jobs in finance, the lure of the mountains was just too great to overcome and Nicko returned to Val d’Isere more permanently in the early 2000’s. Nicko qualified as a Ski Instructor with a local French ski school and joined the TDCski team in 2007. Nicko “I love my skiing both on and off piste and helping people improve and achieve their skiing goals. I also love my Telemarking, which I also teach, and a little bit of snowboarding from time to time.” Nicko’s passion is definitely for the off-piste and for taking people into the Val d’Isere backcountry, to places that they will love and to which they wouldn’t normally go. “I caught the ski touring bug many years ago so am always keen to walk for my turns, if you are?”
Nicko has competed 3 times at the Patrouille Des Glaciers in Switzerland (the largest ski mountaineering race in the World) and in 2018 his team won their category.
In the summer Nicko tries to spend as much of my time as possible surfing, kite surfing and swimming in Cornwall where he lives with his family. Nicko also works as a sea kayaking coach and guide and tries to get out on his bike as much as possible when not working as a taxi driver for his children!
Febuary 2019
I just wanted to drop you a line to express our absolute gratitude to both Nico and Ross for their wonderful instruction and kindness. Thanks entirely to them, we had the most wonderful experience of family skiing in the most fantastic of places, and up the mountain. All in four days! Alan
Rich has skied since the age of 3 when his parents took him on his first ski trip.
After graduating with a degree in Engineering from Nottingham University, Rich decided it was time to move to the mountains full time. Joining the TDCski team in 2013. Rich had been living in Val d’Isere since 2003 enjoying all that the Espace Killy has to offer.
Rich “I love teaching children, my speciality and passions are off-piste, ski touring and general mountain adventuring! Terry and I launched TDC Expeditions in 2019. Since then, we have run adventure ski trips to Kyrgyzstan, Norway and France.” This winter Rich is very excited to be heading up a new project “TDC Tarentaise”.
Summers are spent in the South West of France, with his wife Sara and their 2 daughters.
Setting up TDC Expeditions, Leading trips to Kyrgyzstan, Norway and France.
Launching TDC Tarentaise
Febuary 2020
Wanted to let you know what a great time we had with Rich last Thursday - I think it was one of my favourite ever days in (any) resort. John
Ross has been teaching skiing since 2012 and has been in Val d’Isere since 2014, Ross absolutely loves sharing his love for skiing and the mountains!
Ross - “I specialise in confidence building sessions for nervous skiers and love helping skiers of all levels achieve their goals, whether that is carving down corduroy pistes or mastering their first turn. My passion is taking people off piste and getting away from the crowds into the backcountry.”
On his days off you will find Ross Speedriding (flying with a parachute on skis) or in the local Apres bars!
Jamuary 2020
Just come back from a week's skiing, had three sessions with Ross from TDC. Can not recommend Ross and TDC enough, he is an excellent instructor all of us improved beyond recognition. All three of us will be booking again. OxonGD
Dave had the bug for skiing from a young age, taking every opportunity to get skis on his feet. After finishing a Maths degree at university, Dave left straight for a season in the Alps. A decade later and Dave is still here. Dave is as passionate about skiing now as he has ever been! For much of the last ten years, Dave has chased winters from European resorts like Verbier and Val d’Isère down to Thredbo in Australia.
Dave - “When it comes to teaching skiing I love variety, from children strapping skis on the first time to experienced adults. From mastering snowplough to carving through race courses or floating through the powder off-piste.”
Due to recent travel restrictions, Dave has taken the last few summers away from Australia and now spends them working in web development. Which makes him that much more excited for the snow to return each year!
Febuary 2022
Dave was excellent for our family of teens who had never skied before. He paced it brilliantly so that we all improved significantly by the end of the week. Angie
Terry’s obsession with snowsports and the Alps started aged 5. As a young man Terry took his passion and participated in freestyle competitions on dry slopes and eventually escaped his management consulting life to become a ski teacher / coach and professional rock climber.
Terry “I absolutely love the mountains, I love engaging with people and taking them on adventures in the same mountains that inspire me”
Terry works for TDCski in the Winter, he is the off-piste manager but also teaches all aspects of skiing from beginners to freeride. Terry and Rich are taking wild expeditions with TDC Expeditions to far away places like Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia and Norway.
Terry also works as a BASI trainer, for the national training body for ski instructors, to train and assess upcoming talent. As well as being a qualified Economics teacher, and having a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science. Watch this space there are always new projects in the pipeline!
March 2018
Terry was a fantastic ski instructor. Super helpful, patient, kind and most importantly able to connect with me in order for me to receive and understand the technical information required to actually be able to ski. After 5 days of three hour sessions, Terry had transformed this total beginner into a competent skier who had a whole lot of fun along the way. Kate
Kim has been skiing in the French Alps since the age of two and loves sharing her passion for the mountains working with TDCski in Val d’Isere.
Elite athlete status was attained at University in Edinburgh due to Kim’s success in International ski racing, which enabled her to work through the BASI system at the same time as completing a Sports and Exercise Science degree.
Kim “I love to connect with people and help them find the same love for skiing that I have, from children to adults, sharing the passion for skiing is what drives me.”
January 2022
Thank you. Possibly the best set of lessons I've ever experienced. Kim gets the message across really well. Whether that can be seen in my skiing is another matter... Steve
Since being inspired as a kid on school ski trips, skiing has been Steve’s passion in life. After obtaining a degree in Geography from Royal Holloway, University of London, then working in ski tour operations in the UK, Steve knew he had to get out to the snow full-time.
Steve “I believe variety is the spice of life in this job. To that end I love teaching the full spectrum from beginner kids to off piste adventurers! Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing people enjoy the environment within which we partake this sport and achieve their goals and dreams.”
Skiing has taken Steve all over the world to Japan, Austria, Australia, Canada and New Zealand amongst other places. In the summer months Steve is based in Val d’Isere, where he works in property maintenance and spends time with his two young kids.
Steve’s enthusiasm, knowledge and experience will help you achieve your goals and aspirations.
March 2019
Prior to visiting Val d’Isere I had never skied in my life. I had 4 group lessons with Steve and by the end of it I confidently completed my first ever red run. This is a true testimony of his teaching that I sailed down a red and now have the skiing bug! Thanks Steve! lauryn690
Kieran grew up ski racing in Scotland, travelling to the snow every weekend, which certainly toughened him up. Kieran started coaching at the age of 16, working with up and coming ski racers on the artificial slopes and Scottish hills.
Family holidays to the alps eventually turned in to working ski seasons and Kieran has taught in Courchevel, Morzine, and has been based in Val d’isere since 2007.
Kieran “I enjoy teaching all levels and I am in tune with how to develop people’s skills in a manner that is fun, inspiring and motivational. The off piste in Val d’Isere also has so much to offer, it’s a thrill being able to encourage and coach people to ski it well.”
Out of season Keiran works with UEFA as a Signage Manager and installs branding at some of the biggest football venues in Europe, he also runs a holiday let business in the Scottish Highlands.
February 2018
As you’ll see from the scores below, the clinic was excellent all round - I particularly appreciated the fact that Kieran tailored the clinic to the specific needs/objectives that the group set out on day one. Iain C, United Kingdom
Having learned to ski in Scotland aged 3, Dave has skied every winter since. Dave hung up his race boots aged 18 and has built up 15 years of ski coaching experience on mountains around the world. Dave has been based out of Val d’Isere since 2017, and his words “Val d’Isere - this place has it all!”
Dave “I’m passionate about sharing the best our mountain has to offer, from your first turns to carving or off-piste. I enjoy working with skiers of all ages and abilities, aiming to achieve your skiing goals whilst having a great time.”
In his spare time Dave is a skydiving instructor and absolutely loves to get out in the mountains, be it flying, hiking or something in between!
January 2020
I would thoroughly recommend the Development Clinic for anyone who loves skiing, but perhaps lacks a bit of confidence and technique. It's completely unlike any other ski school I've attended, as each ski run has purpose, rather than just following an instructor around the mountain like ducklings. TDC offers small groups which means feedback is bespoke for each individual. The exercises are good fun, and our instructor was warm and friendly. I especially like the fact that, as it's just three mornings a week, there is still plenty of time for skiing with friends, and practicing what you've been taught. Thank you TDC for making my week in Val d'Isere a memorable experience - I shall return. Anne
After first skiing in Kashmir aged 3, I went on to hone my ski skills at the slightly less exotic Hillingdon dry ski slope! My passion for skiing and the mountains was embedded early - lots of my childhood was spent either cycling up, or skiing down hills of some sort. I was fortunate enough to escape London for plenty of family ski holidays, but even when it snowed locally the whole family would rush up to Hampstead Heath to get some freshies.
During my twenties I managed to do ‘the season’ that I’d always dreamt of - Val d’Isere was the natural choice - the place immediately charmed me and I was hooked. Initially I used to spend winters here and return to property developing in London during the summers. Back then I was working nights in bars & during the days skiing all that Val has to offer. Some years later I decided to move the renovating to Val and I’ve now lived here permanently for about 15 years.
As my desire to be working in a bar until 2am faded, I began my teaching qualifications and have been teaching here since 2007. Coaching skiing has become one of my great pleasures - helping and watching people achieve new skills on the hill is a real joy. I’m currently making the most of coaching my 4 children while - I can still keep up with them…..
BASI Level 4 ISTD with full French equivalence
January 2022
My wife and I booked 5 morning lessons with TDC in December. For the past 5 years we have always booked a week of private ski lessons for half a day. We used ski schools from France, Italy, Switzerland. I can say that TDC has been the best lessons I have had. Igao Y
As one of the founding members of TDCski I am very proud to have been working and skiing in Val d’Isere for over 15 years. I now live year round in the Malvern Hills in England with my family but still make regular visits to Val to indulge my love of teaching skiing.
I was a relative latecomer to the slopes and had my first taste of skiing aged 14 on a school trip and I caught the bug instantly. A weekly washing up job in a local hotel that I managed to hold down through the rest of my school days funded my annual ski trip until I was old enough to go to the Alps on a year off. Then it was a French and Sport Science degree… with a year in the Alps!
Following my degree I quickly worked out that conventional work wasn’t right for me so I headed back to the Alps and rattled through my BASI exams. Establishing TDC during the 2002/03 season with three great mates was a brilliant adventure that continues to this day.
My ideal day is spent skiing powder in the trees with friends or exploring new off-piste routes with long standing clients, followed by a few early evening beers somewhere cosy. My late drinking days are behind me!
I have the highest BASI qualification (ISTD) with full equivalence and have been teaching skiing in France since 2000.
Excellent! We were of mixed abilities and Paul dealt with all our requirements in his usual friendly, professional and informative manner. Henry B, United Kingdom
Colin first started in Val d’Isere in 1994/95 and has worked for Tour Operators, bars, ski shops and for French Ski Schools before setting up TDCski.
After learning to ski in Scotland, Colin’s first season was in Austria working as a rep for a Tour Operator. Absolutely loving the winter life in the mountains meant that the next season he was back for more. Colin’s second season he worked in Val d’Isere and has never looked back.
Colin “The skiing that is available in Val d’Isere is just amazing, everything is there, green runs, bumps, off piste.
I discovered early on in my ski teaching career, that is is not just skiing and the mountains that I love, but teaching and communicating with people.”
Since 1995 Colin has been spending “summers” in New Zealand winter working for the Coronet Peak Ski school and running a gap-year business based in Queenstown called SITCo Ski Instructor Courses.
In recent years since starting a family, Colin has been spending more time in NZ.
Dec 2017
Colin was absolutely first class. We have used a number of instructors over the years and Colin ties joint first for the best. So many people on the piste could benefit from his tuition. Shame they don’t know it! Ian, London
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