A: Our 10 week ski and 10 week snowboard instructor all inclusive ATOL protected courses are the most popular although this season we've had much more interest in our full season options.

Q: Why do you run your courses in Poland

A: The simple reason is value for money. 50 years of Nazi and Communist rule held the Polish people back immeasurably and since they earned their freedom in 1989 their economy has boomed but respect for resources and general efficiency of the people have created a situation where the prices are still half and often a third of those from the "Big 4": France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. As we were the first and are still the only ATOL licensed professional travel and snowsports company to organise trips to Poland we gained a large amount of freedom to operate as we wish. We are not held back by the quagmires of internal politics which plagues the systems and ski and snowboard schools in the Big 4. Therefore we can just help people to enjoy the sports we love so much and train at the best possible value with no nonsense.

Q: related question...What about the cost? You claim to offer the cheapest courses? How do you do that?

A: See above. Also, we have created a completely independent and fully licensed infrastructure including our own professional tour operator, Sunshine World LTD and our own licensed Chalet-hotel: www.sunshinechalet.co.uk . We organise all our training hands on with our own passionate team of snowsport professionals and I personally still head to the slopes with our guests, Pro Team and Academy and organise the top level training sessions for both skiing and snowboarding every day myself.

Q: Who mostly goes? (Age/demographic/skiing level) How many each year?

A: We generally target the 18-30s market (although we are open to younger trainees as I was allowed to train and qualify when I was just 15 I want to keep the opportunity open for other youngsters with parental consent also). We have also had a few older trainees who have fit in just fine with our young at heart, "studenty" atmosphere. On our holidays we've had thousands of guests from babies up to people in their 80s (who still took to the slopes remarkably well I might add :)

Q: regarding the qualifications gained, are they recognised throughout Europe? What do most graduates do next?

A: We train people towards their official Candian qualifications (CSIA: Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance & CASI: Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors), which in our opinion are the best, most experienced, most open and most respected in the world. The other organisations will of course try to trumpet their own systems but in reality they are all fairly similar apart from a rogue few (notably the French system) which just think that they know best.

Q: As regards quality of teaching, there are a number of companies offering instructor courses. How can prospective clients distinguish between the good ones and the merely adequate.

A: The only way for people to be sure is to check the past guests' testimonials, the pass rates and to indeed call up and see how accessible the head coaches are and how much they CARE about their individual clients. Having a badge or even 30 years experience does not necessarily mean that instructors are at their personal peak or up to date with the latest techniques, styles and desires of the New Skool generation. There are more and more websites popping up all the time run by people who's organisation is clearly not established. If an organisation relies on renting chalets or rooms from other companies then you know for a start that it will add to the cost. Some organisations pride themselves on their Elitist attitudes which historically ensures high prices but not necessarily value for money. It's good to also check what help and examples companies have for helping their past clients to gain employment once qualified. In the last year we've had a large number of our pros who trained with us who have gained employment with reputable ski and snowboard schools in Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Slovakia and of course, Poland :)

Q: Has the recession had a big impact on your business? Is there an increasing demand? Shrinking?

A: The recession has not turned people away from snowsports as they are just too addictive, it has in fact helped our own business as people search for more value and it becomes less fashionable for people to be seen to be wasting money in times of economic hardship on Big Name luxuries over common sense value. This season our early bookings are at an all time high. We also have a very high rate of returning guests and past trainees who come back as qualified pros to work with us and/ or train towards even higher qualifications.

Q: Your site which says that you offer the cheapest instructor course around. I am looking to gain my qualifications for as little money as possible (being a student) i do not mind where i do the training i was really just wondering what sort of package you guys can put together. Any more info would be greatly appreciated.

A: You are correct that taking your exams in Canada would work out more expensive overall than Andorra- especially if you are planning to travel alone and not for more than a few weeks.

We could certainly help train you towards your level 2 also but please do bear in mind that it is not easy to pass both levels without a considerable amount of training- 8 weeks minimum to be realistic. Unless you're REALLY good already. The reason it's hard is that they want you to snowboard a particular way. They don't care if you can pull a backflip or even a 360. What matters is your demos. Particularly carving and short radius turns on black runs. They aren't TOO fussy for level 1 but for level 2 you have to be very tidy and really clearly understand what you're taking about and demoing.

To check this season's exam course prices and dates follow the relevent link:

Ski Instructor Course dates: www.cheapskiinstructortraining.com
Snowboard Instructor Course dates: www.cheapsnowboardinstructortraining.com

With regards to WHEN we can offer you your training in Zakopane, Poland with our Pro Team. It's whenever the snow lands for next season. We could even do it between now and the 4th May when the last ski area here closes!

It's generally a safe bet from mid December onwards though if you do want to wait until next year.

Q: Thanks for the swift reply again, you guys by far have been the fastest to respond and most helpful out of the companies i have contacted. I do think 2 weeks would be enough to get me up to standard and the package for £500 sounds perfect, i am guessing to go to canada would bump the price up considerably and as the season is drawing to a close i have no worries waiting till early next season. Any info about the dates etc for next season would be great? also do you offer a level 2 package?

A: The last CASI level 1 course of this season in Europe finished on 26th March so you would have to wait until next season (unless you catch one of the end of season courses in Canada).

Based on your experience we may even be able to get you up to standard in just a couple of weeks which we could offer you for just £500 including accommodation lift passes, training and return airport transfers!

Q: I have been snowboarding for 12 years and have completed 4 seasons on the snow. I have been teaching on dry slopes in england for about 7 years now and its finally time to get the real qualifications that count. I really am looking for a budget package (i am a student) to get me to the canadian qualification level 1 and then look to progress to level 2. I was just wondering if the courses are popular or would i be pretty much going out there on my own?, also would the course have to wait till next season? . Sorry for all the questions i am looking into a few companies.

A: We can certainly help to train you and even organise your exams for you to pass your instructor's qualifications.

If you are already a fairly strong snowboarder (comfortable linking turns on a black run) then we can easily get you to level 1 CASI Snowboard Instructor with just 4 weeks training. We can organise a four week package for as little as just £1,000 including accommodation, training, lift passes and return airport transfers from Krakow! Your exams would be extra and the total price would vary depending on your desired method of transport, accommodation etc but you should expect to part with a further 1000 Euros (for everything including food) or so for your expenses in Andorra where the exams are held.

If you are not comfortable on black runs already we can organise longer courses too - anything from 2 weeks to 18 weeks!

Instructor Academy Dates/Prices at http://www.instructor-academy.com/datesandprices.htm