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
Kate St Clair Tisdall
Kate first came to Verbier in 2008 as a chef for “just one season” she told herself. Once here though, she fell in love with the mountains and decided to take her love of skiing to the next level by becoming a ski instructor and hasn’t looked back since. Kate is the Kids Academy Manager for ES and loves teaching the kids and watching them improve. She is a fun and caring instructor who loves to share her passion for the snow with her students. If she’s not teaching you’ll find Kate off finding fresh powder and exploring with her friends. Kate now lives in Verbier all year round and loves the summers here just as much as the winters.
One Client said of Kate: “Happy kids learn best and they are always happy with Kate! My two sons 9 & 7, have both skied with Kate since they were preschoolers (3) and they love her. She controls the overly bold boy and inspires the anxious timid one with confidence. It’s not just my boys, all children adore her, she is fun and warm. A fabulous teacher, they regard it a treat to be taught by her. At the end of the lesson she clearly talks you through how it went. She is naturally talented at what she does. I recommend her for private and group lessons.”
Charlie Elmore
Charlie is a highly motivated and passionate snowboarder who’s love for the sport has led her to want to share this appreciation with anyone; she has high hopes to teach disabled snowboarders as well as teaching at higher levels, enabling her to share her love for riding off-piste. Charlotte is an experienced and loyal instructor with plenty of patience!
Charlie’s clients say “Extremely happy with the lesson. Thank you for booking it at such late notice”