Doug Cleland

DOUGIE’S BIO

In his first season with the Rookie Academy, Dougie started his career as a humble ski instructor in Aviemore, Scotland, when he decided that teaching beginners was more appealing than serving pints to pay the student bills! Since then he has progressed through the BASI system to reach the full Grade 1 qualification and European Equivalence by the age of 23. Selected as a National Trainer and Examiner in 2003, Dougie enjoys all aspects of the job, specialising in race coaching and instructor training.

When not skiing between New Zealand and Europe, he tries to fit in as many kilometres as possible on his bike as well as trying (in vain!) to keep the golf handicap to a reasonable level.

For most of the year, he lives and works in Val d’Isere, France, and can be located without fail between October and December each year getting the early train up to the Tignes glacier to set GS and Slalom courses. Having taken 30 years to make the trip down to NZ, Dougie’s looking forward to getting used to chasing the snow around the world and to working with the Rookies for the foreseeable future!!