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Warren Smith is one of Britain's leading freeskiers and
the person who has created Britain's first official Freeride
Championships in association with the IFSA (International
Free Ski Association), 'The Verbier Ride' (Check out www.verbierride.com).
As a youth, he pursued racing alongside developing his
coaching career. He studied skiing within the Austrian
Professional Ski Instructor Association and eventually
qualified to international standard, allowing him to work
freely in and around Europe. Since then he has now become
an International Performance Coach. In 94, after spending
5 years in the Tirol, he left Austria for Switzerland,
Verbier to be exact. This is where his Freeride inspiration
was found.
Verbier is the home resort for the likes of legends like
John Falkiner, Dominique Perret and Francine Moreillon.
Being in this sort of environment motivated Warren to
explore the vast off piste of Verbier and the essence
of Freeride. Warren now runs his own Academy (www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com)
there coaching many of the UK's up and coming instructors
and freeskiers. He also runs 'new school' camps in Verbier's
snow park.
Another side to Warren's workload is making films. He
has produced, with his colleague Guido Perrini, Britain's
first combined ski + board movies. Snow Odyssey, Snow
Odyssey 2 and Snow Odyssey 3. www.snowodyssey.tv for more
info. The new concept for 2002 was a movie and TV series
called Snows In The House. Continuing the Snow's in the House movies he made Snows In The House
2 and 3 with Guido Perrini and Melody Sky. Have a look at www.snowsinthehouse.com for more info.
This Summer, Warren will be organising the 5th British
Freeskiing Camp in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. Last years was
a great success and this years will be even bigger and better.
For more info check out www.britishfreeskicamps.com.
Yet another string to his bow is the newly introduced British Snowsports Tour www.snowsports-tour.co.uk. The tour will again be moving around the UK during September and October. World-class free-skiers will be touring at each of the tour locations offering trampoline sessions and demos, Rail Session and Demos, competitions, freebies and film previews. Keep an eye on the site for this years tour dates and locations.
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