Why choose us?
We are Sierra Nevada’s specialist for the English-speaking visitor.
Our ski school stands out for its professionalism and commitment to our clients. We pride ourselves on the high quality of teaching and care which results in clients coming back to us year after year. Our contacts with hotels and accommodation providers are excellent which has positive benefits for everyone involved.
Ultimately, we are dedicated to YOU, the customer. We make real efforts to ensure that we provide what YOU want for your Sierra Nevada experience using our knowledge and understanding of the resort to help you, with real people who live and love Sierra Nevada.
We have the experience, the know-how and the contacts; we are legally setup through the Spanish system and speak your language. We make your life easier getting to the slopes!! Why not choose us?
The team
Giles
Owner of "TSE" and co-founder and owner of "BSC", with over 35 years ski experience. Giles discovered Sierra Nevada in 1996 as resort manager for Neilson Ski. Between 2001 & 2018 he worked his way up through the ski instructor qualifying ranks of the Spanish ski federation to attain their top level TD3 (Técnico Deportivo Superior). Giles joined with Jonathan in 2002, combining their client base and resources, and setup the "BSC". Giles’s experience, professionalism and enthusiasm to enhance anyone’s ski level are resulting factors from his dedication to the business and adoration for snow.
Jonathan
Co-founder and owner of BSC, Jonathan has worked in Sierra Nevada since 1991. His ski experience stretches well beyond this to his late teens and various work experiences in the Italian alps. Qualified with the Spanish ski federation and working as ski instructor since December 1991, Jonathan is the first on the slopes and last off. His passion for the snow is undeniable, his pride in the business unprecedented both of which lend to his top quality instruction to his clients.
Marta
Portuguese by nationality, Marta, married to Giles, has instructed in Sierra Nevada since December of 1998. Her calm and concise manner, sweet accent and expertise lend themselves towards an altogether quality experience by the client learning to ski. Marta is a particular favourite with children and anyone with a slightly nervous predisposition.
Patricia
“Patri” as she prefers to be called, is Marta’s sister. She has also worked in Sierra Nevada since December of 1998. Patri is an overwhelmingly calm and collected person which is clearly reflected through her instructing. She is a firm favourite among the more “nervous” skier who warm rapidly to her relaxed and non-pressured instructions.
Amy
BSC’s longest running team member, Amy is a firm favourite with families and their kids. A true role model to BSC and a fundamental asset in our growth over the years, Amy's cheeky and jovial nature, energy and enthusiasm generate hugely positive results and it’s little wonder that, time and time again, she is repeatedly requested by our returning clients.
Seb
BSC’s freestyle ace, Sebastian is an unstoppable ski and snowboard machine. He lives for the snow and his immense enthusiasm for both disciplines makes him a superb instructor. Anyone looking for a little taste of the slightly more “extreme” will have a blast with Seb whilst at the same time, his confidence-building manner for the more nervous person makes him another unique asset on our team.
Raúl
Known among friends as “Ralf”and comprising an interesting mix of nationalities, principally Spanish and German with a touch of Portuguese. Ralf is the true gent and companion on and off the slopes. He is full of enthusiasm for the sport to look after your every need to really advance your technique. Anyone looking at improving their “moghuls” skills, should definitely take a session with Ralf!
Sofia
It’s tough to find anyone quite so warming and enthusiastic as our Swedish girl, Sofia. Sofia’s ski experience stretches way back to her childhood and much competition training in Sweden. Established in Spain for many years, Sofia was one of BSC's original instructors in our early years. She then took some personal time out for a few seasons before re-joining us again in 2017. She is a great asset to BSC with clients consistently requesting her services year in year out.
Joey
Not just a pretty face, Joey has huge enthusiasm for the sport, his dedication and professionalism shine through to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit out of your ski lesson. Joey is particularly partial to the freestyle scene and a popular choice among the youngsters looking for some thrills!
Justin
“Jovial Justin” could quite easily be the happiest man alive! He fully thrives on his work as instructor filling his clients with heaps of confidence as they progress up and down the mountain. Justin’s professionalism and experience are just two of his significant assets making him a popular choice for any level of skier.
Adam
Possibly the world's tallest snowboard instructor, Adam is one of BSC's newer super-recruits. He offers remarkable patience, professionalism and dedication in ensuring his clients receive the highest quality instruction. His calm manner combined with a driving enthusiasm for the sport make him the perfect snowboard instructor!
Niamh
Sweet smiling Northern Irish lass, Niamh, joined BSC in 2018. After overcoming our ignorance on pronouncing her name correctly (“Neve”), we promptly discovered a person with infinite patience, calm and dedication to the job at hand. Niamh is a favourite choice for kids whether looking for speed adrenaline or simply plain good fun! Her calm and collected manner is a super asset for teaching the more nervous skier.
Neale
Neale is the ultimate “Gentle-man”. Reviving his passion for skiing, Neale’s dedication and professionalism to his instructing have reaped the rewards all around, not least to the multitude of enthralled clients who have learned from him. Nothing is too much for Neale who pretty much has to be dragged off the slopes at the end of the day!
Tash
The lovely Tash joined BSC in 2018 having taken a career change to qualify as a ski instructor. Tash grew up from a young age on the slopes of Sierra Nevada, she trained in the local race club during her primary and early teen years, and as such her passion for the snow is very much in-bred. Her enthusiasm and tough self-motivation is key to her quality as an instructor.
Kristel
The efficient and effective day to day operations is essentially down to Kristel’s incredible organisational skills at our office base. Kristel has formed a vital part of the team for a number of seasons now, establishing the vital link between client and instructor in arranging the perfect tuition package option to suit everyone’s requirements.
Tom
Cheerful Tom is BSC’s one-in-a-million front-of-house master working side by side with Kristel. Tom’s enthusiasm and welcoming manner is highly contagious and essential in creating the perfect relaxed environment to all clients, new or old, ensuring everyone is correctly prepared, equipped and generally orientated for their ski lessons and holiday in general.
Laura
Where would Sierra Essence be without Laura? Laura, has been with the company almost since its beginning. Her inspirational motivation, intuition, efficiency and patience are fundamental reasons for the positive growth and success of Sierra Essence. Whether it be an in-depth telephone conversation or a simple email, Laura is on hand to organise an authentic and enjoyable holiday for you.
Lynn
Lynn, a mountain biking enthusiast, joined Sierra Essence operations in 2017 to support Laura as a result of increasing demand levels for our services. As Laura’s “right-hand-lady”, Lynn plays a conscientious and efficient role in maintaining our high levels of response and service in organising the various elements required of your holiday!
Jojo
Jo is Sierra Essence’s most recent employee as our ever-smiling financial supervisor. Although “hidden” away from the public, Jo plays an integral part in maintaining control over the company accounts and supporting both Laura and Lynn in their operational roles.
Hannah
Hannah “Montana” has collaborated with BSC over several seasons offering freelance photographic services. She picks out the perfect spots to create energetic, lively and dynamic photos of you in action, as a family and for standard portrait shots. Hannah’s photos are the perfect complimentary detail to a wholly memorable holiday.
This is our fabulous office team ready to welcome you to Sierra Nevada!
Our Companies
We operate 2 separate but inter-related companies to provide services to our clients.
Sierra Essence
At the turn of the century we began catering to the accommodation needs of our clients visiting Sierra Nevada which rapidly grew into the provision of all the related services required for your ski trip. As such “Turismo Sierra Essence S.L.” was created as a Spanish registered intermediary agency for accommodation and other holiday related services.
We are not a “travel agent”. Instead we are termed as an “intermediary agency” whereby through renewed seasonal contracts with all our suppliers we offer a whole range of services to create and complement your ski trip to Sierra Nevada. We do not have our own accommodation to offer but instead collaborate with our various service providers on an “on-request” basis according your specific requirements. We hold a Public Liability insurance to cover you in the event of any incident relating to your booking that may be deemed as caused by us. Over the years we have retained many many clients who return to Sierra Nevada year after year and always book all their services through us because of the personalised service we offer.
One of our main advantages is that we are able to offer preferential rates because we are a small company with fewer overheads than the larger agencies.
Also, by booking with us you gain the services of our in-resort Rep as well as our assistance with all parts of your holiday, from liaising with the accommodation provider to ensure that all your requirements are met, to providing inside knowledge of the best restaurants. Also, it’s still the case that English is not widely spoken in the resort, so another advantage is that a member of our team can always be called upon for any translation requirements.
Apart from flights, we arrange everything you need for your holiday, making it not only a quick and easy process but also entirely tailored to your needs.
Our contracts with hoteliers and agents are on a prepayment basis, meaning that our clients’ funds essentially come via us and straight to the accommodation provider. Our cancellation terms for each particular accommodation is that of the accommodation provider itself thereby giving you the same financial guarantees you would get by booking directly with the hotel and at preferential rates.
British Ski Center
Our Ski School offers quality and fun ski & snowboard tuition in Sierra Nevada. Our team comprises predominantly of native English-speaking instructors with some “non-native” instructors mixed in who all speak English fluently to thereby cater perfectly for our English speaking visitors. All instructors are qualified, contracted and insured according to Spanish law. British Ski Center was founded in 2002 and has seen significant growth and popularity over the years due not only to the top quality instruction provided but also our attention to our clients in ensuring your holiday runs as smoothly as possible.
During the ski season we hold a physical presence in Sierra Nevada with our central office located on the rear side of the Intersport Rio Sport equipment hire shop in the Plaza de Andalucia, (Edificio Montebajo), next to the “Tia Maria” restaurant.
We also have an office and meeting point up in the ski area at Borreguiles right next to the main restaurant which is where all your classes will start and finish from.
Both our businesses are registered Spanish limited companies as follows:
1. Turismo Sierra Essence S.L. (ESB19650746)
2. Sierra Essence Ski & Mountain Center 2006 S.L. (ESB18803262).
The registered business address for both companies is: C/Pico del Goteron 7, 18160 Güejar Sierra, Granada, Spain.