skihemsley testimonials

I have been fortunate to ski with Martin for a number of years now, he has built my confidence bit by bit such that I am able to ski red runs.

Martin's key strength as an instructor lies in his ability to pinpoint weaknesses in technique and then explain ways to make improvements in easy to understand (and importantly, remember) language. He is extremely relatable and in tune with the challenges that little voice in your head throws up as you are heading down the piste!

The adjectives I would use to describe Martin as a ski instructor include thoughtful, encouraging, gentle, precise, reassuring. I have total confidence in Martin when I am skiing with him.

Martin's passion for skiing comes across loud and clear during the time you spend with him and through his regular blog posts.

I am a busy mum of two little children and am a very nervous skier, who learnt to ski in life much later. I have skied with Martin a few times now to assist me and I can say that he is a great confidence builder and instructor.

Martin has a unique approach that is gentle and considerate of my ability and nerves. When I ski with Martin he gives me the confidence to ski without worry. He is confident, encouraging and decisive which turns what used to be a nightmare of going skiing into something that is most enjoyable.

Thanks Martin for all you have done for me so far to start me on a confident skiing journey.

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I was pretty nervous before the lesson started; the whole performance anxiety thing. Martin immediately put me at ease.

His analytical eye is precise and his pointers made an immediate difference to the technical accuracy of my skiing.

The day after the lesson I skied better than I have ever skied.

Martin’s approach is understated, but this belies the effectiveness of his interventions.

We will be delighted to tie up with Martin again next year and cannot recommend him enough…

I am a 51 year old, who has never skied before. (I am unfit and over weight!). Martin was recommended highly by a friend who he taught some while ago and is now a competent skier.

I have to admit that I was very wary and more then a bit scared when I first turned up for my lesson, but Martin was kind, friendly and clear in his teaching.

He didn't push me beyond my very low comfort zone, and was very patient. I highly recommend Martin for what ever level skier you may be if you need help to improve. Thanks to Martin I now have the skiing bug and cant wait for next year to go again!

I began skiing with Martin as an on-piste skier with many years under my belt, but no confidence at all in the deeper stuff. His instruction and guidance gave me the confidence to ski off the piste with a smile on my face (essential for those candid camera shots!) Truly transformative.

In the ten years or so since then, we have continued to engage him as a ski mentor whenever we are in Meribel. Always a fun day out and always fresh things to learn as he gently deconstructs our ingrained habits – and his always encouraging words stay with us wherever we ski! Thanks Martin.

Just had a fantastic 3 days with Martin!  A classic middle aged wobbly intermediate, I have had some big confidence issues over the last few years and was going to give up skiing.  But in a bid to give it one last go I asked Martin (who I last had a lesson with about 12 years ago!) if he would be willing to "drag me round the mountain" on a make or break mission to see if I could get my mojo back.

Happily he bravely accepted the mission and I am over the moon to report that several Black runs later(!) I am back in love with skiing...even in thick fog and heavy snow!!  I cannot recommend him more highly...he will transform how you ski and how you feel about it too...and you won't have those burning exhausted legs ever again 😍!!

We have known Martin as a ski instructor for some 20 years and still remain friends.

We first employed him to change our skiing from old style “pop and swivel” to the much more efficient use of modern carving skis. As a result, we are now fully happy on anything from greens to blacks, notwithstanding the fact that we are in our late 60s.

He also laid down the foundations for our childrens’ skiing, both of whom progressed to race training with ESF and later represented their universities in the race teams. Martin also took them, at our request, down Meribel’s most challenging off piste couloirs which further enhanced their confidence and abilities.

Martin has a very thoughtful and reassuring style. He clearly enjoys the technical aspects of ski technique and shares it constructively with his clients.

Just wanted to say thank you again for a couple of fabulous days ski guiding, we had a wonderful time skiing with you. It was the perfect way to familiarise ourselves with this vast ski area.

Also thank you for the discreet coaching and corrections - I really needed to ‘steer’ my turns today in the thicker snow and I felt a lot more confident getting down some fairly gnarly pistes today!

I'm so pleased I came across your blog posts when planning my ski trip to Europe. I saw your latest blog entry - great photos and you really did have a very ‘international’ week of clients! Thanks again.

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