Derek Chandler: Director of Marmalade Ski School

Thankfully, Derek managed to spare some time from his busy pre-season schedule to talk to us about what brought him here, what his job is like and of course to share some top tips with you, our lovely readers.

You've been in Meribel for about 18 years now, does it still have the same attraction as it did when you first arrived?

Yes and no. The reason I came here 18 years ago was simply to have a year away from home and think about what I wanted to do with my life. I'd grown up all my life skiing and the idea of being a “ski bum” massively appealed to me. Things are very different now and there’s less freedom to be a “bum” but I think I retain some of those qualities and I love it. Maybe I would have to say it holds more of an attraction to me now than it ever did. Socially and personally it is a huge part of my life - my friends and business are out here. I met my wife here and soon we will take our first child out to the slopes (maybe not this year though.) But it also has more of an appeal than before because I know the place so much better - and the more I get to know it the more I realise i don’t know it. It such an expansive area and the terrain is limitless - I still love to go exploring and trying to find new terrain each year.

What do you think makes Meribel stand out compared to other ski resorts?

Pretty much that last part of the above. Meribel is slap bang in the middle of the biggest playground I have ever been to. There’s nowhere else that has the same potential as the 3 valleys. I’ve skied lots of places all over and I love the charm and style of a lot of smaller resorts but if you truly want to go skiing (and I do) then this is the ultimate place to be. And Meribel is at the very heart of it.

Did you ever consider another type of job or was it always about skiing / instructing for you?

When I was young I did once tell my Granny that all I wanted to do when I left school was to go to university for a “rare bash” then go and become a ski bum. So I have always had an eye on skiing for as long as I can remember but I don’t think it really had a chance of becoming a long term reality until half way through my first season when I took a private lesson with Attila who then worked for Magic. He recognised something in me and placed the ideas in my mind. He is the reason I came back the year after to start down the road of becoming an instructor and it’s because of him I am still here and loving it.

What are the best bits about your job?

The people and the skiing. I meet some of the most interesting, educated, experienced, funny, soulful, timid, scared, excitable people doing this job. I love finding out the route to getting under their skin and then showing them how to achieve what they want. And ultimately I love the skiing. I’m fortunate that a lot of my clients are great skiers and as such I can ski as much as I like!

If you could offer 1 piece of advice to beginner skiers what would it be?

Take a lesson. Or two. Or do a week’s group lesson. Not with a friend or family and not on old borrowed equipment. Set yourself up as best as possible to achieve as much as you can in one week. The more you can achieve in one week the more you’ll be hooked!

What's your favourite piste or off-piste area & top tip to go skiing? (if you want to share that is…)

My favourite off-piste area is probably into 4th valley, at the top of VT [Val Thorens] or off the back of La Masse? Or in fact even closer to home I love the trees on Col de Loze. That's my absolute favourite but I don’t recommend many people go there, as it's easy to get lost or have a bad run. And Mont Vallon is just one big lump of fun!

What are your favourite lessons to teach?

Level wise I really don’t mind - beginners are blank canvases and progress is fast. Good skiers are harder to improve as they already have ideas and practises but they are great for challenging the brain and the legs sometimes. Anything where the student is keen to learn and happy to try. The worst lessons are ones where people don’t even really try or want to get better. Why pay the money if you don’t want to try?

Would you ever consider becoming a snowboarder?

Yes. To be able to teach you need to be able to do both. I don’t snowboard often but when I do I love it. There are some sensations on a snowboard that you just cannot achieve on skis. I love cruising on easy slopes on my board - it’s very relaxing rolling from edge to edge and floating down. I’m a definite cruiser on my snowboard though - I'm not into speed or steeps on a snowboard!!

Your personal favourite place for lunch or dinner in Meribel (or the 3 Valleys)?

I think the Soucoup in Courchevel is a very special place. It has the right blend of atmosphere, staff, views, food etc. But it's rare that I will go (unless some nice clients take me). Otherwise I think the Bouc Blanc in La Tania is really great and after that I’m normally a sandwich or panini in the picnic room at the bottom of the Saulire Express.

Where are we most likely to find you for après-ski and why?

In previous years it would have been Ronnie or Lodge Du Village depending on which bands were playing. I’m a sucker for live music. This year however you will mostly find me feeding our baby boy and then putting him to bed!! I’ll share those duties with the wife so hopefully I’ll still sneak in the odd apres though! It’s very important for, ummmm, team building with the other guys!!

Do you have any plans for growth this year / next? Any future plans you want to share with us?

Ski school wise? We’ve never really had any massive ambition to grow other than organically, waiting for the right people to come along at the right time. We are proud of our team at Marmalade and without the team we are nothing. So we are in no rush to employ or bring in somebody who doesn’t fit the bill. We’re not here to be the biggest ski school in town - we simply love what we do and want to come back year after year doing our thing. It's such an uncertain world right now that we’ll just keep pushing what we do, enjoying ourselves and see what happens.

If someone was coming here for the first time, what would you suggest they absolutely must do or see in the area?

Get a 3 Valley pass and get skiing. There is so much to do in this resort but the one reason everything exists here is because of skiing. No matter how great the town and all the attractions are it’s the skiing that you need to see. To enjoy the skiing and to stop and admire the views - from the top of Tougnete looking over Meribel town and onwards to Mont Blanc is special, or the top of Mont Vallon looking over the glacier that comes down. There are too many to mention. Life looks different from the top of the mountain so stop and enjoy it once in a while.

..

Thanks Derek, we'll let you get back to work!

Find out how you can book ski lessons with Marmalade Ski School.