Skiing lesson with Charlotte Evans MBE – Paralympic Gold Medallist

Kit Shack recently ran a competition to win a skiing lesson with Charlotte Evans, British skier and sight guide Paralympian.  We talked to Charlotte and competition winner Jade Shields after their day together.

Charlotte Evans won the English Champion title in 2009 before becoming a sight guide in 2010. Charlotte and her partner Kelly Gallagher won Britain’s first ever Winter Games Gold medal in Skiing. In 2014 Charlotte was awarded an MBE for her services to Paralympic Sport.

Jade Shields (29) is from Surrey and works in the Super Yachting industry as a stewardess. Jade has just finished a ski season in Val D’Isere. It was her second snow season having done one in Andorra in 2012.

Jade says “I started skiing in Andorra but didn’t ski at all between the end of the first season and start of the second! I’m comfortable on blue runs and some reds but sometimes challenge myself on black runs. I would class myself as still beginner/intermediate level.”

Like Jade, lots of people are serious about their skiing but have limited free time to train. Charlotte’s advice is “try and make sure you stay fit and any evening you get free, go to your local dry slope as skiing on there is better than nothing.”

After the lesson Jade said “The aspect of my skiing that I felt most improved was my stance. I was able to gain confidence in leaning forward and body positioning. This improved my speed, balance and also helped with my confidence. The most enjoyable part was the final runs where Charlotte and I were synchronised slalom skiing.”

We asked Charlotte about the dynamics of skiing as a pair. “Skiing as a pair is still individual but there are two of us in one team. Trust is vital and takes time to get, but once you have the trust it is easier to push the speeds and limits.”

Charlotte believes the characteristics that have led to her success are that she is very patient, competitive and a good listener. “My next goal is undecided yet. However, everything I have done so far has been incredible and a lot of fun so would like to keep fun and being happy as a priority.”

We asked Jade what advice she would give to others considering taking up skiing as adults. “Skiing is a fantastic sport allowing you to explore some amazing scenery in various resorts around the world. Have lessons, stick with the sport even when you feel you’re not improving. Skiing is a challenging sport but maybe the next pro hasn’t even started to learn yet!”

Kit Shack is a specialist retailer of Buff products.