OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL SKI INSTRUCTORS

Liam Luke

Ski Instructor

I grew up skiing and can barely remember the day when I first stepped on skis at 3 years old. I have been skiing in the Val d’Isere, Tignes area since I was a child and I never wanted to leave so I returned after university in 2008 to live and never left.

I graduated in Sports, Exercise and Health Science from Northumbria University, where I studied athlete’s biomechanics, physiology and psychology. I have also been fortunate enough to coach a number of different sports so my academic knowledge coupled with a range of experience helps me to help my clients take their skiing to new levels.

I love the mountains so much and when not working on the hill, you will find me skiing off piste, exploring deeper into the backcountry of the surrounding area, planning the next adventure or appreciating the amazing pistes the area has to offer. I have worked in the resort in many roles, from chalet boy, to boot fitter but most recently as a ski instructor. I joined TDC to be surrounded by an amazing team which will allow me to carry on growing within the sport. My passion is for the off piste and sharing my knowledge and experience with my clients.

In the summer months I enjoy challenging myself by competing anf coaching endurance sports like triathlon. I also work for The Sail Tent Company building Sail Tents for the next big event.

Ross Sampson

Ski Instructor

I have been working in the ski industry for over 10 years. I have been teaching in Val d’Isere for the past 5 years and counting and absolutely love it! My passion is taking people into the off piste and getting away from the crowds into the backcountry. 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. On my day off you will find me exploring the off piste or in the local Après bars!

I look forward to skiing with you on the mountain.

Hannah Luke

Ski Instructor

My love for the mountains started as a kid with family trips to Switzerland.

In my my teenage years sking was put on hold as I concentreated on three day eventing.

It was while at Bath University that I first visited Val d’Isère and fell in love with the resort and skiing was back on the agenda.

After graduating in 2009 with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science I came back to Val d’Isere to work as a chef and I’ve been in the Alps every winter since, building my experience as a coach over the last 5 seasons.

I know the Val d’Isere and Tignes resorts inside out and I love sharing my passion for this amazing area while improving your performance and confidence.

I enjoy teaching skiers of all levels and ages, whether 5 years old or 65 years young.

When I’m not ski coaching I am running The Sail Tent Company with Liam (my husband and fellow TDC coach).

Lauder Mason

Ski Instructor

I learned to ski at Hillend, the dry ski slope outside Edinburgh and then trained and raced in the Scottish ski resorts. Ski teaching has taken me to Zermatt, Perisher and the dizzy heights of the snow domes in Glasgow and Leeds. Based in L’Espace Killy since 2011/12 my favourite run has to be the Arcelle red run at Solaise. I’m up to fifteen full time winters instructing and counting …

Kim Bruce

Ski Instructor

I have been skiing in the French Alps since the age of two and love sharing my passion for the mountains working with TDC in Val d’Isere.

I was given elite athlete status at University in Edinburgh due to my success in International ski racing, which enabled me to work my way through the BASI system at the same time as completing a Sports and Exercise Science degree.

In the summer I spend my time teaching and coaching skiing in New Zealand.

Rich Jones

Alpine and Telemark Ski Instructor

I have loved skiing since the age of 3 when my parents took me on my first ski trip.

After graduating with a degree in Engineering from Nottingham University, I decided it was time to move to the mountains full time. I joined the TDC team in 2013, but have been living Val d’Isere since 2003 enjoying all that the Espace Killy has to offer.

I love teaching and guiding all kinds of clients from tiny children to the most experienced off-piste skier; but I guess you’d say my specialty was off-piste, ski touring and general mountain adventuring! That’s why Terry and I got our heads together to launch TDC Expeditions with our first trip to Kyrgystan this winter.

Summers are spent in the South West of France, with my wife Sara and 2 year old daughter - who I’ve started teaching to ski this winter.

Terry Walker

Ski Instructor

At 5 years old, my obsession started with the Alps. I absolutely loved skiing, snow, the mountains and the fresh air. Later, I took part in freestyle competitions on dry slopes, played lots of rugby, and eventually escaped management consulting for ski teaching and professional rock climbing.

Now I work with TDCski in the Winter and run rock climbing courses around North Wales in the Summer. Fun times!

I am currently studying Nutrition and Exercise Science, and writing my thesis for a Master’s degree.

Joe Harkess

Ski Instructor

I grew up in the south of Germany and I have been skiing since the age of 6. Driving to the Alps on a Friday after school to squeeze in a weekends skiing was the norm.

It wasn’t until the age of 16, being back in the UK and reduced to one or two weeks a season that I realized how much I loved and missed those quick ski trips. Since then a gap year has turned into a lifestyle and career, spending winters in the Alps and summers in the southern hemisphere or the glaciers and snowdomes of Europe.

Competing in Freeride, Freestyle and Giant Slalom events I have discovered how these very different disciplines compliment each other and create a well-rounded skier.

Lena Haurits

Ski Instructor

Since joining the TDCski team Lena has become a well established and well loved member of the team.

Lena’s a seriously talented skier, coach, teacher and all-round sportsperson.

Lena has trained with TDCski and then went on to be successful in all her highest level BASI exams.

Lena holds the BASI Level 4 ISTD with French equivalence.

Ever smiling and happy to be in the mountains, Lena works well with all levels, children and adults.

Steve Angus

Ski and Snowboard Instructor

Since being inspired as a kid on school ski trips, skiing has been my passion in life. After obtaining a degree in Geography from Royal Holloway, University of London, then working in ski tour operations in the UK, I knew I had to get out to the snow full-time.

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.

This job has taken me all over the world to Japan, Austria, Australia, Canada and New Zealand amongst other places. In the summer months I do a variety of jobs but mainly enjoy time in Val d’Isere. My enthusiasm, knowledge and experience will help you achieve your goals and aspirations.

Kieran Buchanan

Ski Instructor

My first skiing experience was on a snow covered golf course in Scotland as a kid, with skis twice my size, trying to turn in knee deep powder..! That was when I caught the bug and the rest, as they say, is history.

I grew up ski racing, spending many hours on dry slopes and travelling to the snow on the weekends, Scottish skiing certainly toughens you up. My favourite times were racing on the British Children’s team and travelling to races around Europe.

Many ski racers become ski coaches, and I was coaching the up and coming kids on the dry slope when I was 16 and have been teaching skiing ever since. I have done seasons in Courchevel, Les Deux Alpes, Morzine, Meribel and have been in Val d’sere for the last 10 years.

I enjoy teaching all levels and 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 real thrill being able to encourage and coach our clients to ski it well.

When I’m not skiing, I work as a Signage Installation Manager and travel to International Football tournaments such as the Champions League, having my work viewed by a tv audience of over 100 million people certainly keeps me on my toes!

Ben Langridge

Alpine and Telemark Ski Instructor

Born into a fanatical skiing family, my indoctrination started early. Annual ski trips and weekly visits to the local dry slope fostered my addiction. Sunday morning sermons in the form of Greg Stump movies, were the norm. Blizzard of Ahhs, The Good The Rad and the Gnarly, and Licence to Thrill reached deep into my subconscious.

It was no surprise that my University choice was influenced not by campus facilities or job prospects but by a year out in Grenoble, where I grabbed every opportunity to escape campus to tiny ski resorts overlooking the city.

With a degree in French and Business under my belt, the lure of the Alps was too strong and I’ve spent every winter here since 1999.

I enjoy teaching all levels but my passion is teaching people to ski the off-piste, exploring the incredible terrain on offer, and helping people make a breakthrough in their performance and enjoyment.

Kids aren’t my speciality, but I believe in teaching children solid technical foundations to give them control, which in turn makes the mountain an immensely fun place to be.

I have the highest BASI qualification (ISTD) with full equivalence and have been teaching Telemark and Alpine skiing in France since 2003.