Jamie is one of the owners of ES Nendaz along with his partner Mel. He spent 10 yrs working in Canada becoming a CSIA level 4 and trainer for the association . After moving back to Europe in 2015 he took up the role of Technical Director and then Co-Director of European Snowsport in Zermatt before taking the role of Director of the school in Nendaz. Jamie converted to the Swiss system and holds the Brevet Federal as well as passing the BASI level 4 tech and teach to enable him to have an understanding of the British system. Jamie was then invited to become a trainer for IASI (Irish association of snowports instructors), is Interski Demo team head coach and was recently made Head of Education for the association. He is a highly experienced trainer and examiner in the ski industry and you will often find him training the ski school instructors towards their next exams and ensuring they are the best prepared to teach clients of the school
Mel Swinburn
Mel is joint owner of ES Nendaz along with her partner Jamie. She started ski teaching 15yrs ago in Canada where she spent that time teaching skiing and snowboarding. She then moved in to the role of Kids centre manager for the resort where she managed a team of Instructors and up to 150 kids a day. Following this she moved to Zermatt to be Kids co-ordinateur for European Snowsport before moving and taking over the running of their current school. She has a passion for making a memorable experience for all her clients and when she is not skiing she is training her dog Mica for agility competitions.
Luca Barletta
Luca is from Italy but he also speaks fluent English and some Russian (but is not fluent). He holds the Brevet Federale qualification. After studying finance at university, he decided to focus on skiing. Between 2009 and 2012 he travelled around the Alps ski teaching and mountaineering, with summers on the glaciers in Austria and France, and travelling. In 2012 he established a small ski school in St Moritz with a partner, working closely with a luxury chalet accommodation partner, and for the last two summers has been running a mountain refuge in the Bernina massif called “Rifugio Bignami”. For the last 4 years, Luca has lived in Verbier all year round.
Luca’s clients say: “Thank you so much for teaching me, I loved it so much. You are the best instructor ever. I hope to see you next year”
Anthony Voute
Born and raised in the Alps, Anthony is a ski and snowboard instructor who has always been passionate about nature, mountains and snowsports. He loves to share his passion with as many people as possible: beginners, intermediates, cruisers, carving or mogul field fans, freeriders… It’s all about discovering new sensations, improving your technique, being safe and having fun!
After having spent more than 10 winter seasons teaching and riding in Verbier, Anthony knows the way to find the best on and off-piste runs in the valleys. So, put your skis on and… let’s go!
Anthony’s clients say: “delightful person and great at teaching” “amazing instructor…knows the mountain really well…we had a really good time
John Craig
John is one of the Co-Director’s of European Snowsport Zermatt and is fully certified in both the Swiss (Brevet Fédéral) and British (BASI 4 ISTD) ski instructor systems. This is John’s eleventh season in Zermatt. He’s been an active person from a young age, enjoying most sports but particularly skiing and football. This led to him becoming a ski instructor and football coach.
He learned to ski when he was 4 and since then has skied all over Europe and Australia, switching between Zermatt and Mount Buller in Australia. John now teaches all year round in Zermatt.
Why did you chose to become a ski instructor?
I chose to teach skiing because I wanted an outdoor career and to share my passion for the sport. I like seeing others improve and begin to really enjoy themselves while skiing.
Where is your favourite part of Zermatt to ski?
My favourite place to ski is on the Sunnegga side. My two favourite runs are here (9 Tuftern and 8 Obere National) and a lot of the best restaurants in Zermatt are here too. With the funicular train being on this side, there is the added bonus of it being quick and easy to get straight up onto the slopes!
What is your favourite restaurant in Zermatt?
My favourite restaurant is Blatten. The food is exceptional and the views on the mountain are incredible too. In town my favourite is Schäferstube, they do a great fondue!
Why did you pick Zermatt?
I chose Zermatt as it is widely regarded one of the best ski resorts in the world. It is also very hard to ignore the draw of skiing under the Matterhorn.
What handy tip do you have for anyone visiting Zermatt?
It’s best to always book restaurants well in advance as they can be booked up from early on in the season. Finally, if you’re walking through town, watch out for the electric taxis as you don’t always hear them coming!
Tim Franken
Tim loves sharing his passion and knowledge about skiing with anyone! It doesn’t matter what type of skiing you are into, Tim does it all with utmost enthusiasm!
Skiing bumps, floating in powder, freestyle in the park, racing gates or just a casual ski around enjoying the mountain scenery.
This is Tim’s 6th winter teaching with European Snowsports, knowing all the ins and outs of every corner of the resort, Tim will definitely make your stay worthwhile.
Why did you choose to become a ski instructor?
I have always loved skiing and have always enjoyed passing on my knowledge to others so teaching snowsports was pretty much a no brainer.
Where is your favourite part of Zermatt to ski?
I love skiing the off piste near Rothorn, with a great view on town and the massive Matterhorn towering over it in the distance it is just a breath taking experience.
What do you do in the summer?
In the summer I stay in Zermatt teaching skiing on the glacier. Besides the skiing there are so much other activities to do. exploring the mountain trails by hiking or on the mountain bike, playing sports like tennis, basketball, football and frisbee, or even going wake boarding.
What is your favourite restaurant in Zermatt?
I love stopping for lunch at Franz and Heidi’s Findlerhof, the staff is always really friendly and they have some of the best dishes on the mountain!
Why did you pick Zermatt?
I chose Zermatt because it has a lot to offer. so far it has been one of the best resorts I have ever visited.
What handy tip do you have for anyone visiting Zermatt?
At the end of a day, rent a sled and go down the sled trail at Sunnegga. Its a great activity that completes your visit to Zermatt!