Simon Butler Skiing

Many of you will be happy to know Alex is returning this winter for his 9th Season in Megève.

Alex started skiing at the age of three, he moved quickly into racing and at the age of six he skied for Folkestone ski team. After a successful career in racing, he turned his attentions to teaching others and joined Simon Butler Skiing.

Alex’s enthusiasm always rubs off, especially with our younger skiers. He is very focused on getting them through the British ski federation snow sport awards, to date we have 35 members of “the 9 star club” some have even gone one step further and achieved their BASI (British association of snowsport instructors) level 1.

As many of our regular guests already know Alex organises our very own Simon Butler Skiing GS race, this is extremely popular with all our guests wanting to see the improvement they have made throughout their week’s instruction, and for the younger generation to go well outside their comfort zone to achieve their 9 star award.

Click here to view Alex's quick fire question answers.

I’ve worked for Simon Butler Skiing for five consecutive seasons and in that time have enjoyed many great weeks teaching people to ski and progress.

When the photo was taken, they had just finished their week by skiing the green run Les Mandarines for the first time - and in fresh snow!!

They were all so pleased with what they’d achieved - what a brilliant morning!"

Angela James -the one wearing goggles and all in black

Having spent twenty years working long hours in the City and with the prospect of being a social outcast I decided it was time to pursue the real passion in my life (aside from my husband Dave!).

Teaching skiing is incredibly rewarding and there is nothing better than seeing my group progress and have fun over the week (...a big dump of fresh powder also helps!).

This is my second season with Simon Butler Skiing, having qualified in 2007. I am currently doing the exams towards my next qualification, the ISIA."

Caroline Watson -Instructor, Simon Butler Skiing

Outside of skiing I like to keep fit, play a bit of very average golf, travel and do a lot of socialising!!!

The first time I put skis on my feet was in a place called Vars in France on a school trip. How I remember things is that I saved up all my pocket money for a year in order to go… but obviously Mum remembers it slightly differently! I was 14 and I loved it more than any other experience I’d ever had.

A few years later I went for a job in a local ski center and was amazed when they said I could start immediately and that they would train me on the job.

I assumed I was going to get paid, however I had to work voluntarily for six months and so continued to live off my Mum."

Charmaine Price -Instructor, Simon Butler Skiing

I was about to sign a contract with a ski school in Switzerland last year when I was extremely fortunate to meet Jay. She offered me a job and I was completely spoilt in my dream world last season (especially with the snow fall), my teaching took the biggest leap it has done so far and I cannot wait for what is ahead of me this season!

This will be Charmaine's second season working with us. More to follow shortly.

Hi, well where do I start? I started skiing at the tender age of five and learnt all my skills from my parents back in the 80’s. I’m still quite partial to a one piece, fluoro, bum bag and zink!! Yes … you remember!!

On completing my degree, myself and Jessica (my wife) moved down to London, but although we both enjoyed the bright lights, we seemed to have another calling. Simon Butler Skiing offered the opportunity to work a chalet season, and I’ve never looked back. I started my ski qualifications in 2004, and now hold the ISIA level qualification. Since 2004 I’ve travelled to Australia and New Zealand, got married and now we have our first child.

Although I’ve skied in many places my skiing home is Megève. Whether it be hard packed ‘carvation’ at Cote 2000, powder on Mont Joly or the back of Communailles, bumps on Le Rosey, or gates on Les Etudients, I simply love skiing. When I am able to help others to feel the same way, there is nothing better.

Skiing has changed my life. I genuinely love my job and it has enabled me to see great places, meet fantastic people, and make great friends"

George Dixon-Spain -Instructor, Simon Butler Skiing

It is amazing to think back on all the great times and adventures we have had from starting out in the Chalet Albert catering for ten people, with me doing the cooking and cleaning. The food has come on a long way since then, and I can guarantee that!

After doing three seasons of partying and a spot of skiing when the mood took me (as a chalet girl) I thought it best to give my liver a break and start taking this ‘skiing bug’ seriously, so I went down to New Zealand for a season and took my first ski exam NZSIA 1.

Since then I have gained my International Ski Teaching Diploma from BASI and can now count three winters teaching in the Southern hemisphere and seventeen in Megeve.

I have been with Simon Butler Skiing from very nearly the start and what a journey it has been!"

Jay Blatherwick

My two children have now taken top place in my ‘list of loves’, knocking skiing down to number two, but overseeing the hospitality side of Simon Butler Skiing still gives me a buzz, all those new faces each week, eager for their holiday to start as they jump off the transfer coach. And then there’s the team of staff, so many that now return each year, we have our very own little family in resort.

It’s like home from home for us, a phrase that so many guests have also come to use, which makes us very proud since that was the aim we set out to achieve.

These days I get as much enjoyment teaching a group of beginners as I do from racing down a black run."

Jim Wilkins, Instructor Simon Butler Skiing

I was born and brought up in Norfolk, one of the flattest places in the world, but soon developed a love of the mountains through white water canoeing and rock climbing.

After college, when the chance to teach skiing in Scotland came up I jumped at the chance and the skiing bug was well and truly planted.

Twenty-five years later on, and I'm still going strong and I am still in love with the mountains.

These days I get as much enjoyment teaching a group of beginners as I do from racing down a black run. Helping people improve, whatever their standard is what it’s all about for me.

Both my mother and sister are dancing teachers so I guess teaching is in my blood. Although they have tried to teach me to dance I’ve never had a chance to teach them to ski.

 I’m really looking forward to another brilliant snow season in Megeve. This will be my sixth year of teaching in the resort, so it will be be great to welcome back lots of familiar faces and to meet all of our new guests, too. Helping guests of all ages and abilities to improve their ski technique and have fun at the same time, whether they are part of a group, or taking a private lesson, is what gives me the greatest job satisfaction.

I first skied on a dry slope at the age of ten, skied ‘the real stuff’ in Zell Am See when I was twelve and found I was really scared of heights!

At seventeen I started teaching at my local dry ski slope. I realised I loved working with people and my passion for teaching has since continued to grow. I am now a BASI level 3 ISIA instructor, a BASI level 2 development race coach and a BASI level 1 telemark instructor. I think I’m proof that dry slope skiing is an effective training tool.

I think that Megève has some amazing skiing and offers something to all skiers whether it’s your first ski experience or if you're a seasoned pro, there's some fine dining on the slopes too!"

Ross Medcalf -Instructor, Simon Butler Skiing

I'm looking forward to some GS racing this winter, plenty of powder days, and seeing some familiar faces from last winter.