Eat. Sleep. Ski. Repeat. – Ski Trip 2024

Eat. Sleep. Ski. Repeat. – Ski Trip 2024


Benji Winslett
Benji Winslett
Eat. Sleep. Ski. Repeat. – Ski Trip...

On Friday 16th February, myself and 44 other students, all in our bright red ski jumpers arrived at school ready for the 24-hour coach journey to Falcade, Italy! There was an electric buzz around the coach as everyone was extremely excited for the trip to get underway. The coach journey flew by and early Saturday morning we arrived in the beautiful snowy mountains of Northern Italy.

We were greeted with a warming bowl of delicious Italian pasta upon our arrival and got settled into our rooms at the hotel before we went to the ski hire shop to try on our boots and skis. For some, this was a painful experience as ski boots are not the most comfortable, but eventually, everyone found a pair that fit and we were all raring to go for the next day. An early night was in store as many of us had not slept on the coach so we returned to the hotel for a relaxing evening, eagerly anticipating going on the slopes the next day.

Everyone was up bright and early on Sunday morning, salopettes, jackets, gloves, helmets, and snoods all on, ready to go up the mountain. For many people, it was their first time skiing and the experience of going on the gondola to get to the top of the peak cannot be put into words. The view is surreal and no matter how long you stare at the landscape of mountains it is impossible to take it all in. Once everyone had their skis on we were split into groups based on our abilities. Those who had not skied before started on the Green slope, whilst myself and the other more experienced skiers went higher up in the mountains. The rate at which everyone improved was extraordinary with many looking like pro skiers after just an hour in the mountains. Our skiing would not have been possible without our amazing instructors, Marcelo, Denise, Alessia and Rubina who put so much effort into helping us improve. My favourite moment was when I fell into a large heap of snow and Marcelo just asked, ‘Alive?’. The teachers also went round skiing with some of the groups, and were more sympathetic than Mr Harris who was just taking pictures of those who had fallen over!

On the first four days, you would not believe that we were surrounded by snow as the weather was so hot, with some people walking around in shorts and t-shirts. However, on the penultimate day of skiing, it was as if we were skiing in clouds as there was so much fog, meaning that when we were skiing we could barely see the person in front of us. The last day saw the most amount of snowfall the village had seen in months with us not being able to see our skis at all as we came down the mountains. However, it did mean that when we fell over it did not hurt at all!

Apart from the six days of skiing, we went to an amazing pizzeria that possibly served the best pizza I have ever tasted. We also had a disco which was a great opportunity for everyone to bond and get to know others from different year groups. Mr Cox hosted a great quiz and there was also an awards evening where awards such as ‘most time spent on the floor’ and ‘best fall’ were given out.

After another long coach journey home we got back to school on the evening of the 24th February. I think many people were glad to not have to go on a coach again for a while but everyone wished they were back skiing. This was my second time going and I can safely say they have been the best experiences of my life. Being on the slopes is such a relaxing and freeing experience and is also incredibly fun.

Massive thank yous to Mr Harris and Mr Cox who organised the trip, but also to Mrs Bragoli, Mrs Hoskins, Mr Mitman and Mr Furr who also came as the trip would not have been possible without them.

If you are interested in going on the trip I cannot recommend it enough – if you have or haven’t been skiing before it will be the best school trip you will ever go on and you won’t want to come home!

Benji Winslett
Year 13

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