First Crested Butte Ski Instructor from Egypt? Francene Kopf was born in Cairo, Egypt and is now a ski instructor in Crested Butte, Colorado.
After being a Crested Butte second homeowner for 10 years, and a full-time resident in Crested Butte for the past nine years, she is very excited to get the opportunity to teach people how to ski.
This is quite an accomplishment – and Francene is proud to wear her new CBMR ski instructor red jacket!
Here is what she had to say about becoming a certified Crested Butte ski instructor.
Why did you want to become a Crested Butte ski instructor?
“Well, last year we had some friends and family in town and they said they were scared to ski on steep terrain. They asked me to ski with them and I help them. I did and really enjoyed it. Later they said that it was their best skiing experience ever, and were very complimentary to me for my guiding them, and giving them some pointers… it was then I started thinking how rewarding it would be to help others learn to ski.”
Your name badge says you are from Cairo, Egypt – I am sure everyone will ask you how you learned to ski in the desert?
“Yes, I could have put Tulsa, Oklahoma, or Dallas, Texas, or Crested Butte, Colorado – but after all I was born in Cairo, Egypt, so I guess that is where I am from (smiles)…
My dad Frank Heinrich was a geologist with Esso Oil and he helped discover some of the very first oil reserves in that area. My three brothers and I were all born overseas and lived there as toddlers until we moved to Tulsa.
I met my husband Chris Kopf in Dallas, Texas, and I lived there for 25 years. We have three daughters and we moved to Crested Butte full time in 2009.”
What will make you a great ski instructor?
“Ha! Well, I learned to ski right here in Crested Butte as an adult. I have taken a lot of ski lessons myself, and still remember when I was very scared to ski down blue runs.
I have a background as a teacher, and I worked in the fitness/rehab industry, I raised three daughters, and this has taught me to be very patient. I know I will relate and connect with my adult students in a way that will help them to improve, and we will all have fun doing it!”
“…I know I will relate and connect with my adult students
in a way that will help them to improve,
and we will all have fun doing it!”
How has your CBMR ski instructor training and certification been?
“I am very impressed with the training experience, and especially everyone from CBMR. It has been very comprehensive. Of course we spent a lot of time working on skills and technical skiing instruction, but I was impressed with the emphasis on customer service. CBMR is very focused on making sure the guests have a safe, fun and rewarding experience.”
What is the focus of the Customer Service training?
“Ensuring the guest has fun skiing in Crested Butte while achieving their skiing goals. Everyone has different skills, abilities and desires – they all want to learn to ski better and feel comfortable doing it. Skiing is fun if you are not scared, and most beginner skiers are fearful. So I am excited to help my students build their confidence up little by little, so they can really enjoy skiing with their family and friends.”
If people want You to be their Crested Butte Ski Instructor – how do they do that?
“Easy – when they sign-up for their ski lessons with CBMR they can request me!”
CBMR Ski & Ride School:
(877) 547-5143
http://www.skicb.com/lessons-rentals/ski-ride-school
___________________________________________________________________________________
Chris Kopf
Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty
(970) 209-5405
chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
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