Our Team
Steve Jones
Instructing and Coaching Team:
BASI Trainer/Examiner
Where?
Originally from Wales, Steve heads up the team after spending years travelling around different Snowsports Schools, Ski Instructing and Training instructors in America, Canada, Japan, Australia and Switzerland. He now lives in Zermatt and has been based there since 2013.
Why?
Steve loves training instructors as he gets a kick out of people developing themselves and becoming well rounded at their profession. Along with helping people to develop skills through the lens of ski instruction to use in a multitude of other professions.
How?
Bringing experience from over a decade coaching and training Snowsports around the globe. Holding certifications from BASI, APSI, SWISS, CSIA, and PSIA. Training instructors in the Australian, Canadian and British systems specifically. Learning from different systems around the globe understanding what makes them individual and how global concepts from them all, are extremely similar.
Steve has gained a broad knowledge of teaching philosophies and training tools, to develop both students and athletes reach their desired goals. Steve’s favourite part of teaching & coaching is being able to work with people to understand how they tick and the most beneficial ways for them to achieve success.
Coaching Philosophy
“Being able to create a strong relationship between athlete and coach over time, enables a greater understanding of what is needed from both sides to achieve their desired goals. Whether that is over a week long camp or a season/yearly long training cycle.” “I prefer to think that we teach people how to ski, rather than teaching skiing to people.”
Due to his varied input and vast knowledge of different organisations, Steve’s philosophy on teaching is a simple one. Everybody is different when coaching or instructing. Teaching people about skiing, rather than teaching skiing to people enables students/athletes to have more ownership over the learning and development taking place, creating a deeper and stronger understanding of how their performance has increased, and can continue too long after Steve has disappeared.
Phoebe Griffiths
Coaching Team:
BASI Trainer/Examiner
Where?
Originally from Guildford in the UK, Phoebe has been working as a ski instructor for thirteen years in resorts all over the world. Having worked in Argentina, Italy, and New Zealand she settled in Zermatt in 2011 and now lives there year-round.
How?
Phoebe originally qualified through the British system BASI during her gap year in 2008 and since moving to Zermatt in 2011 has become fully certified in the SWISS system. Phoebe also has her advanced diploma in personal training and provides ski specific fitness sessions to ensure the instructors reach their full potential on the hill.
Why?
“Training instructors obviously differs greatly from teaching beginners or intermediates. Those training towards their instructor exams have a far greater awareness of their technique and the effort needed to achieve the level required of them. It is exciting to help people develop a sense of ownership of their development and be able to rely on intrinsic feedback. Instructors who fully understand all elements of their own performance will not only stand a better chance of reaching the required level but will be able to better pinpoint any issues within their future clients’ development and provide the knowledge of how to deal with them.”
Coaching Philosophy
“Since finishing my qualifications I have made sure I continued to focus on my own performance. Alongside teaching full time I have taken part in several training camps each season. As a result, I feel as though I understand what makes a great coach. Before you can look at someone’s technique you need to consider a whole host of other factors that might be hindering their performance. Considering their physical fitness and any psychological barriers they might be facing it is important to establish how a person learns and how to get through to them. Good coaches know the ‘what to do’s’ but great coaches know the ‘how to do’s’’.
Tom Lawfield
Instructor team:
BASI Level 4 ISTD/ Swiss Brevet
Where?
Tom has taught skiing in the Valais region of Switzerland since 2009, with two seasons in Verbier before moving to Zermatt. He has also taught skiing in Scotland, Japan and Antarctica.
Why?
Tom loves skiing and the mountains, and loves sharing both with other people! Working with a learner to develop their skiing is incredibly rewarding – whether its learning how to carve, tackling steeper slopes or getting better in the off piste.
How?
With over a decade of experience in the industry and extensive knowledge of Zermatt, Tom will help you achieve your skiing goals, show you the best off-piste gems around - and make sure you have a lot of fun along the way!
Coaching Philosophy
‘I always aim to build rapport when we first meet, to put everyone at ease and in a head space they can thrive. Once that mutual understanding is there, it is much easier to develop realistic training goals for the session, and I can tailor everything to their specific needs to best meet those goals.’
Beth Lloyd
Instructor team
BASI Level 3 ISIA
Where?
Beth started her instructing career on the slopes of Devon, working alongside school at the local ski centre. It was then she discovered her love for skiing and sharing it with others. In 2012 she moved out to the mountains full time, pursuing work in resorts all around the world, including France, Italy, Spain, Japan, Australia and Switzerland. During this time she worked in a wide range of ski instructor roles, providing lessons for all ages and abilities before finally settling in Zermatt in 2017, making it her mountain home.
How?
Starting her qualification pathway in the UK, Beth gained internal recognition at her home slope before starting with BASI back in 2012. Working in resorts all over the world offered the chance to train with coaches from a variety of systems, giving her the chance to build her own, well-rounded approach to teaching. Beth now holds the ISIA and Swiss Patente qualifications, with the goal of becoming full cert in both the British and Swiss systems in the coming winters.
Why?
Being bought up in a family of mountain lovers, Beth has always felt at home in an Alpine environment. She takes pride in sharing this part of her upbringing with the people she skis with, passing on that same enthusiasm for the local culture, geography and wildlife of the area.
Beth has been teaching for over ten years now, both as a ski instructor and art tutor. She enjoys the craft, taking time to make sure that her lessons are carefully curated to the individual student. Everyone is different, physically and psychologically. The magic comes in finding the nuances that work specifically for each person to achieve the best results.
Coaching Philosophy
Beth is always sure to tailor her lessons individually to suit every client. Goal negotiation is important, whether it’s skiing new slopes, building confidence with new skills, getting to a favourite restaurant or even heading over to Italy for the day! However you wish your day to be, Beth will work hard to make it happen, with all the small details taken into account; taxis, restaurant reservations, extra activities, live music locations, local knowledge and relations -you name it.
Claire Abraham
Instructor team:
BASI Level 3 ISIA
Where?
Claire grew up skiing recreationally and always wanted to become an instructor. In 2015 she moved to Austria to do her first season. Since then she has worked in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Zermatt. She started working here in Zermatt in 2015 and now lives here full time.
Why?
Claire has always loved skiing and being in the mountains and wants to be able to share her passion with others. It's an amazing environment to be in and an even better office!
How?
Always wanting to become an instructor, Claire started her qualifications in 2015 in an indoor slope at her home in Yorkshire. Since then she has had the opportunity to take part in lots of training from coaches within different systems from a variety of countries, which she has moulded into her own skill set. Claire still enjoys taking part in training as she always wants to improve her knowledge along with her skills.
Coaching Philosophy
“My aim is to create a fun & positive environment for all of my clients. I like to take the time to discuss goals, whatever level that may be. I want everyone to feel motivated and excited to ski. Also, having several seasons of experience here in Zermatt, I can show off the best view points, slopes & restaurants on the mountain along with some local knowledge.”
Harry Battison
Instructor team
BASI Level 3 ISIA
Where?
Growing up skiing in the UK, Harry then trained as a ski instructor in France shortly after finishing school. In 2019, he moved to Zermatt to work and live in a world-class mountain resort.
How?
After qualifying first with the British system, BASI, and later with the Swiss system, SSSA, Harry works hard to ensure his lessons are inclusive, personalised and goal-driven, all while exploring the best of what Zermatt has to offer.
Why?
Harry enjoys sharing his passion for skiing with others. Whether you’re trying skiing for the first time or crushing the black pistes and mogul fields, he believes that with the right encouragement and environment, everybody can reach new levels.
Coaching Philosophy
‘“Don’t stop learning. Continuously developing my own understanding and skills allows me to better connect with my learners and to see them succeed. Skiing is for everyone; it’s about building confidence, having fun, and trusting the process.”
Harry is dedicated to helping you improve and make the most out of your time in the mountains.
Helen Ladds
Instructor team:
BASI Level 2
Where?
Helen, originally from Nottingham, pursued her love of skiing in resorts all over Europe, including Italy, France and Switzerland. Eventually, she chose Zermatt as her mountain home in 2018.
Why?
Helen took a short sabbatical from city life in London, and quickly discovered the joys of the outdoors and everything the mountains have to offer. Safe to say, she didn’t move back! This joy is something she loves being able to share with her clients. There are few things that give Helen a greater sense of satisfaction than helping her clients achieve their personal goals. Whether that’s completing their first ever run, challenging experienced skiers, or transforming the confidence of more nervous skiers. They say that the best skier in the mountain is the one having the most fun, so enjoyment is always a priority in Helen’s lessons.
How?
Helen began her instructing career on an indoor slope in the UK, initially signing up to a ski instructor course in order to better her own technique. But the rewarding nature of ski instructing had her hooked and eventually she moved out to the Alps in order to further her qualifications. Helen has since gained years of experience on the slopes, working alongside instructing as a concierge, chalet host and nanny she brings these extra skills to her lessons as well.
Coaching Philosophy
‘My goal is always to try and create a safe, positive and encouraging environment for a client. If we are relaxed and enjoying ourselves, this is the optimum state of mind for learning and challenging yourself. I will always take a personalised approach, focusing on the individuals’ wants, needs and past experiences. Together we can set realistic goals and have some fun reaching them.’
Olly Nathanson
Instructor team
BASI Level 3 ISIA
Where?
Originally from London, Olly has worked as a ski instructor in Perisher, Australia as well as in the indoor slopes of Hemel Hempstead. He first learned to ski in Zermatt, and continued during his youth to ski in France. “I am extremely excited to return to Zermatt and have the opportunity to instruct here. It feels like a sort of homecoming.”
How?
Beginning an instructing career in a post-Brexit and Covid world was always going to be a challenge, but Olly has remained persistent. He left Canberra for the slopes of Perisher in 2021 for what was meant to just be a university winter break, but gained his Level 1 instructor qualification and ended up staying for the season. 18 months later, he obtained the ISIA qualification. Olly is working towards his British full cert, and wants to continue instructing all over the world to be exposed to the different teaching styles of each system and broaden his knowledge.
Why?
Olly was put on skis as soon as he could walk, so skiing has always been an integral part of his life. Having the privilege to share this amazing sport with all different kinds of people, and to help grow their skills and overall confidence as skiers is something he never gets tired of. “I love to go into overly detailed discussions about the technical parts of skiing all day long if that’s what a client would like, or I equally enjoy making my lessons a space for my clients to relax and unwind. Or, I can mix it up! Adapting to the variety of each individual and what they need is why I love what I do so much.”
Coaching Philosophy
‘In his youth, Olly was a serious cricketer who played age-group country cricket and spent time training in Australia. He learnt all about the various challenges people face in all sport at all ages. Now, he uses what he has learnt, especially regarding the psychology of fear and overthinking, to ensure all of his clients feel extremely safe, relaxed, and listened to during their lessons. He places a focus on enjoying skiing, and wants those he teaches to not simply just do what they are told, but to understand why they are learning it. For those more advanced, he emphasises skiing for the right reasons, and ensures a balanced approach be taken.
“I work hard to ensure the needs of each individual are met. I refuse to apply a one-size-fits-all philosophy as I know everyone is different. Even during my group sessions, I ensure each client is receiving some form of individual help so that they can achieve their full potential.”