A Life in Words and Pictures
Posts related to Ian’s Winter Sports activities and career.
Ian would know me from the ski club of Ireland and when I was a little girl and Tamsen and I went to ST Nicholas school In Dunlaoghire.I am so sorry to hear this and reading this Jane.I am think of Ian and yourself Jane and of Tamsen and so Kirsty.Mind yourselves and stay well and stay strong.I am sending my blessings to you all and also my prayers too.🙏🥰❤️
What a great season it was (’97/’98) with Ian and Jane in Chatel, working with McGarry The Ski System. Ian is a remarkable skier and teacher and without doubt the best ‘boss’ (along with Jane of course) I have ever worked with. People often say that good skiers make it look effortless, but nobody embodied this more than Ian, he literally floats down anything, no matter the conditions.
The best thing about Ian’s teaching style is his relaxed attitude. He makes everyone feel at ease immediately, and there’s no pressure. Ian has zero ego and just wants to see everyone enjoy the mountain.
Ian also always loved a good lunch and that made me happy too. He introduced me to the gourmet delights of the Portes du Soleil ski area, with highlights including the Lindarets Valley and Village des Chevre along with the old restaurant at the bottom of the Prodains with the ‘Madame’ cooking up the plat du jour that was always worth the visit, although that particular restaurant has now closed. Ian and Jane also took all the staff to places such as Les Cornettes…over the past 25 years I’ve been lucky enough to keep on visiting these places and it’s all down to Ian and Jane.
The fact that Ian is also a legendary drummer too makes him contender for the best bloke of the century as far as I’m concerned.
Thanks Ian for all your inspiration, teaching and memories!
Just wish I had a few photos of Ian to post, but unfortunately I do not.
So Ian took me for me Basi 3 pré assessment in Cairngorm when it was the only place to do your exams otherwise you were not considered a real skier .
He was a gentle thoughtful trainer and I never forgot him so it was lovely to be in his company again in Chatel .
Love and positive thoughts to you and the girls and hugs and love to Ian ♥️♥️♥️♥️
I first met Ian in the Bluesville days, when he played with Mick Molloy and Deke O’Brien, who were classmates of mine in CBC. I played with various groups, including The Inmates with Bren Bonass ( when I left Paul Brady joined..).
A few years later I was one of a number of guys who occasionally met for lunch in Jonathan’s on Grafton St.: Brendan Balfe, Peter Blake, Dermot Herbert, Andy Marr, Shay Healy and Ian. When I was “dragged away” skiing for the first time (to Livigno) in 1980, Ian lent me some ski gear: I still remember his gloves with Head written on them….!! After that trip it was all downhill for me…..ending up at the 1998 Olympics and four World Championships …..but only as team manager. ( “I cudda bin a contender !!!”…not !!!)….
Best wishes.
Thank you fir some brilliant times skiing with the Snowfocus kids in Chatel.
The groups always loved being taught by an ex-olympic trainer- particularly on race day vs their parents!
Ian, the smoothest skier I’ve ever seen; sadly did not ski enough with you. Spent time with you at the chalet with a small input to the girls fitness programme following work at BSA: the first time I visited Chatel. Also links with IASI and delivering talks in Dublin. Here in the image is a memory of working for you Millennium New Year including you asking me to do some instructor training on teaching styles!
So sorry to hear this Jane.
We had many great times together over many courses.
Here’s a piccy from Andorra.
❤
I am devastated to hear this news about Ian but I thank you for sharing it with us all so openly. I wish I had some of the pix of old times with the Prof at Chatel. You and Ian were always SO generous to us and we met and had fun with many interesting people in the chalet. I will ask Rolf to look out for photo albums which are buried deep in one of 4 gararages full of stuff we had to store when we ‘lost’ our house and moved to our tiny aparment. Mummy always said health & happiness were the most important things in life and your family has an abundance of the latter to make up for and support Ian through illness and treatment. I love you all and long to come and visit…more so now. Remember that the caregivers are often neglected (including self-neglect) but I know that your girls will always be there for you, supportive and lending a hand whenever they can. 😘
Lovely fun times in Murren with you, Jane and your girls
My journey to the Alps and to ‘Chamonix’ began while working for Ian and Jane as part of McGarry the Ski System’s first team of instructors. Indeed, I was the first person to be invited by Ian and Jane to be part of their team and began my first season in Chatel in 1989/90. This was perfect timing for me as I developed my career in teaching skiing and sought to follow Ian’s footsteps (or rather skiing) in reaching the top level BASI qualification. One of my fondest memories of this time (and there were many) was when we went as a team (including Andy Smart) to Grands Montets, Argentiere (probably 1991 for the first time) to ski the same slopes as our heroes from the iconic ski movie – The Blizzard of Ahhhs. We used to play that VHS every week to the guests at the McGarry’s chalet in Chatel. Little did I know that this was the beginning of my journey to living in the Chamonix area and setting up our British Alpine Ski School franchise in Chamonix in 2005. Now 17 years on we are still here. Thank you Ian and Jane for being such an important part of my snowsports journey and for giving me the opportunity to teach for three seasons in the Portes du Soleil.