Summer on Snow: Gould Alpine in Les Deux Alpes

Excerpts from the L2A Travel Log by Coaching Staff: Michael Hirschbuhl, Janel Redman, Brian Gudolawicz ’06, Max Godomsky, and Matthew Borowski

Each summer, members of Gould Academy's alpine ski program travel abroad for an on-snow training camp. This year, 19 U12 and U14 athletes and a staff of five coaches returned to Les Deux Alpes, France, for eight days of slalom and giant slalom training on one of Europe's premier glaciers.

The camp offered a chance to refine fundamentals and build confidence ahead of the winter season. Training progressed through technical drills and gate sessions on the glacier, while afternoons were filled with video review, ski tuning, dryland workouts, and a whitewater rafting adventure.

Trip at a Glance

• Location: Les 2 Alpes
• 19 Athletes
• 5 Coaches
• 8 Days on Snow
• 1 Day on the River
• Focus: Slalom & Giant Slalom Progressions

Explore the daily highlights from their journey through excerpts from daily letters sent to families during the trip.

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Day One - Wheels Down in Les Deux Alpes

All 19 athletes touched down in Geneva and made the scenic coach ride through the Alpes to the town of Les Deux Alpes. After settling into the hotel and sharing a team dinner, the group covered camp expectations and glacier safety before an early night — everyone is feeling eager for first tracks.

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Day Two - Finding Our Ski Legs

The first morning on the glacier focused on shaking off travel fatigue, adjusting to the altitude, and re-establishing strong skiing fundamentals. After a morning of free skiing in coach-led groups, the athletes enjoyed a scenic hike above town and the camp's first ski-tuning clinic.

First days are really about perspective. When everything is unfamiliar at once: the lift lines, the effects of altitude and oxygen, the terrain, the snow, the language around us... it sharpens how much an athlete notices. A first day tends to raise more open-ended questions than it answers, and that’s exactly the point.

— Coach Matthew

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Day Three - Building the Foundation

Runs through the stubby slalom course sharpened balance and rhythm, with coaches breaking into small groups for individual feedback. Following training, the athletes hit the Alpine Slide, reviewed video, and tuned their gear for the next day.

One of the highlights of the evening happened completely by accident. Just before bed, an impromptu soccer match broke out in front of the hotel between some of our campers and a group of Spanish athletes staying nearby. It was a great example of the friendships this kind of travel creates.

 — Coach Michael 

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Day Four - An International Training Environment

The glacier was packed with racers from across Europe, and our athletes heard a chorus of French, Spanish, Italian, and German in the village. Training mixed pole and no-pole runs through the stubby course, while the afternoon shifted to video review and a fiercely competitive game of Speedball.

It was so fun watching the athletes adapt to changing snow conditions and tired legs. We are seeing growth every run and are impressed with how well everyone is stepping up to different challenges and moving outside their comfort zones.

— Coach Janel 

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Day Five - Progress in Slalom

Perfect weather and excellent snow set up a highly productive final day of the slalom block. Athletes lapped the stubby course with confidence before cooling off at a local pond and learning to travel-wax their skis ahead of switching disciplines.

Key Takeaway: High volume on the glacier paired with practical gear management capped off a solid, successful slalom block.

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Day Six - Whitewater Rafting

Skis stayed in the rack for a day of whitewater rafting in Venosc — five rafts taking on the cold glacial current. After some rain the previous day, the rapids were fast and refreshing, providing a perfect change of pace before the group transitioned into giant slalom. For many, this was their first time on white water.

Our guides were fantastic with the kids. Between the rapids and the laughs, the coaches and I saw a smile on every athlete's face.

— Coach Brian 

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Day Seven - Giant Slalom Begins

The group returned to the glacier on GS skis for a full day of free skiing to get a feel for the terrain and turn shape. Refreshed from their day on the river, the athletes took full advantage of the training window, skiing hard until the final chair.

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Day Eight - Building the GS Progression

Moving into GS stubbies allowed the group to isolate technical movements with greater precision. Athletes focused on timing and balance through the larger turn shapes before progressing toward full-gate training.

Key Takeaway: Breaking down complex turns in stubbies built the technical confidence needed before stepping up to tall gates.

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Day Nine - Putting It Together in Tall Poles

Our first day of tall-pole GS brought full panels and higher speeds. Confidence grew with every run as line choices grew sharper and the athletes adjusted quickly to the demands of the full course.

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Day Ten - Finishing Strong

The camp concluded with a final day of giant slalom, where the growth from the week was obvious. Skis were packed, and bags zipped for the early bus back to Geneva, capping off a camp full of new skills and unforgettable memories.

The coaches couldn’t be more proud of the effort, attitude, and resilience the group showed throughout all eight days on snow.

— Coach Michael 

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Looking Ahead

Thank you to the families who shared their athletes with us for these ten days in the Alps. We are proud of how this group trained, traveled, and represented Gould Academy.

À bientôt from the L2A coaching staff!

 

See more photos from the Gould Alpine Ski Camp in Les Deux Alpes!

Alpine Training Camps