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Rich Knapp: Assistant Resort Manager with New Generation Ski & Snowboard School
Behind the scenes with one of New Gen's Instructors / Assistant Resort Manager
For the last 6/7 years Rich Knapp has been working for and training with New Generation (New Gen for short) Ski & Snowboard school in Meribel. After qualifying as a BASI Level 4 instructor, he's now stepped up into the Assistant Resort Managers role.
He's taken time out from his summer job to share some of the new things to look out for with New Gen this winter, his personal goals and top tips for you to look out for on your trip to Meribel this winter...
Tell us a little bit about your role at New Gen: how you started out and where you're based etc…
I’m part of the Instructor team for New Generation ski and snowboard school in Meribel. I took my BASI levels 2-4 with the New Gen Instructor Courses and I have been part of the Meribel team since I qualified in 2010.
How long have you been in your current role and how long have you been with the company?
I have been working and training with New Generation since my first season in 2007/8. I began instructing for them in 2010 once I became qualified to BASI Level 4. For the 2014/15 season I’m really excited to get more involved with the running of the school as Assistant Resort Manager.
What makes this resort a special place to be for someone in your profession?
As the heart of the three valleys there’s easy access to a wide variety of terrain, over 600 km of piste as well as unlimited off piste routes so there's always some great snow to be had somewhere!
What are the best bits about your job?
Skiing all day everyday!
And the worst bits?
The strange lumps you develop from wearing ski boots every day.
What is in store for the future with your business, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?
We like to take on feedback from our clients and as a result we’ve set up some new products this winter; Ride Tribe gives kids an extension of 2 afternoons to add onto their morning lessons. So watch out for us haring about doing treasure hunts and jumping through the parks! We also have an extra GAP Instructor course running because of such high demand which is fantastic.
What are your personal and professional goals for the future?
I’m excited to get more involved with the continual development of the ski school in my new role as Assistant Resort Manager. Also sharpening up my own skiing with some pre-season training in the nearby resort of Tignes in November.
What's your favourite piste or off-piste area & top tip to go skiing?
I like to follow the sun when its out, so would ski on one side of the valley in the morning then head up the new Saulire Express lift for the afternoon, jumping in one of the couloirs such as the ‘vertical experience’ for a challenge.
Where would you send someone who was after that something 'something special' in resort, to stay, eat or drink?
The new 5 star Kaila hotel is quite something, Chez Kiki Restaurant for arguably the best steak in Meribel, and La Poste for a champagne cocktail.
Your favourite place for lunch or dinner?
Le Rond Point or Les Castors (next to our meeting point) for a glorious lunch in the sunshine and Evolution for scrummy lunches or dinners.
Where will we find the best coffee or hot chocolate?
Go to La Poste for a luxurious hot choc (with or without Baileys!) and we always head to La Taverne (opposite the New Gen shop) for our morning coffees.
What has been your best ever day in this resort?
The day I got my instructor uniform and headed out teaching for the first time.
Do you remember your first trip to this resort?
I grew up skiing in the neighbouring resort of La Tania on family holidays and remember looking forward to our weekly exploration day where we would venture through Meribel and over to Val Thorens, covering all the 3 valleys in a day.
What's your favourite thing to do in resort when not skiing or snowboarding?
I love to catch one of the resort bands doing their thing at one of the many après bars around town; there's a really high standard of musicians each season providing great entertainment.
What do you do in the summer?
I have a gardening business back in the UK, so spend 6 months playing with hedge cutters and lawnmowers. The snowy peaks of Meribel to the colourful gardens of Hertfordshire provides a great seasonal contrast!
Which is your favourite shop in resort?
The Boot Lab is new in Meribel, supplying great kit, or Sport Boutique for a top quality Ski Service.
Where are we most likely to find you for après-ski?!
I live in Meribel Village in the winter, Lodge Du Village is a great bar there. It goes off when they get one of the bands in for après, ‘Bring your sisters’ and ‘Daisy B’ have to be my favourites.
Skiing or snowboarding? What's your preference & why?
Skiing because I’m better at it!
If someone was coming here for the first time, what would you suggest they absolutely must do or see in resort?
Book into a lesson with New Generation ski and snowboard school of course!
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New Generation have a whole team of lovely, friendly instructors just like Rich who you can share adventures with on the mountain, learn better skills and develop your style of skiing or snowboarding with, in either group or private sessions. Take a look at their website for more information.
