Andrea Binning Interview

Anna Noren - 20 Jan 2010 - 0 Comments

Tagged: Interviews

Insted Chamonix takes a unique approach to language learning - combining language learning with a lifestyle incorporating active sports such as skiing or surfing in inspiring locations throughout Europe, including their headquarters in the heart of European skiing ‘Chamonix’.  As an athlete and world renown skier living in Chamonix, you participated in an Insted language course to kick start your french. Can you describe in 3 words the major benefits of the unique Insted study concept (ie, Ski, Surf & Study).
“Accessible, Friendly, Motivating.”
 
You push the boundaries in skiing and have achieved some incredible accomplishments, including the following : Winner of the Engadin Snow, Winner of the World Tour Freeskiing Finals, Winner Red Bull Snow Thrill! One imagines there is an incredible level of commitment and desire in achieving such goals and we are curious as to the sorts of challenges your Insted course offered?
“The insted course was able to place me in a course that suited my level and was able to challenge my french and keep me on my toes. The environment was motivating and the teachers were very friendly and if you wanted to do more studies they gave you options for that as well.”
 
Well-connected to the Chamonix valley and geared with a more than ample knowledge of the big mountains and local Chamonix network, we know that you are no beginner in the valley - but when you arrived you would have initially been exposed to the same sorts of questions every newcomer to the valley has : accommodation, ski passes, gear!!!  Insted offers students a choice of private, shared accommodation all over the valley and can hook up individuals, not to mention their 30% deduction on ski passes.  What do you recall as their biggest single tip offered to you to help you through this time?
“The thing that helped me out the most when I arrived was the network of people that my only contact that I had introduced me to, and this is very important when you first arrive in a town.  With Insted being the first point of contact, the students will find that they are very much able to meet new friends and get the right advice as to where to go for a drink, where to stay, whats good to eat, Insted has all the inside advice to make your arrival into a new town so much easier.”
 
Insted thrives on local community vibe, circulating friends, professionals in the ski industry and welcomes new comers settling just for some weeks or the season.  What would be your words of advice to forth-coming students looking to live in Chamonix for a season about the lifestyle you can expect to experience in the valley and whatsmore, what insider-advice can you offer to ensure you make the very most of your stay in Chamonix?
“The hours of study that Insted offers allows you to have the free time so you get out in the mountains.  With Insted being situated in the heart of chamonix and the lifts being so close, you don’t have any excuses to not get out there to ski.”
 
What is the single biggest reward about being able to converse in french and what was the subsequent achievement of being able to talk french for you?
“You get more respect from the French locals and you are showing that you are making an effort to be more a part of the community.”
 
You have just been invited to join Chris Davenport and your husband Stian Hagen on their ski expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula.  This trip is very unique, you will be sailing a 75ft boat from Ushaia to the Antarctic peninsula, to explore this untouched coastal mountain range with the plan to push the boundaries of ski alpinism where very little documentation of skiing has been done on this 600 mile chain of mountains. The expedition will be documented by 3 filmers, HD video and 16mm and 1 photographer Greg Von Doersten to produce a feature length ski documentary.  In preparation for this, you have been doing some bigger routes climbing in the mountains and lots of hiking and some skiing.  Can you tell us what your most ideal day in the mountains in Chamonix is in Dec or January and how you would spend an avid powder day in the Chamonix valley?
“In the pre season when there is not so much snow in Chamonix and this can happen in December, I do a lot of hiking up to the lifts and take the lift down, I also do a lot of dry land training to get a good strength base for the winter. When it does snow enough I am out there ski touring and skiing as much as I can.”
 
Insted Chamonix is currently taking bookings for the 2010 season.  Book Now.