Well, that was a ski trip like no other. It began with the excitement, expectation and workload that planning a trip for 85 pupils and 11 staff brings. It moved on to huge disappointment when half the group suffered a second flight cancellation which led to them to them not making it to Les Orres. And it finished with joy from what proved to be a lovely week for those present.
Those already in France, who were on the earlier flight, were woken to the sad news which hit us like a sledgehammer. After some time reflecting, we knew we had to make the most of the situation. Firstly, we had to make some changes: our room configuration altered, our ski groups were shuffled and numerous suppliers in France were ruing lost revenue.
After ten hours of light snow overnight we began skiing in amazing conditions – the best first day’s skiing I have seen on an Easter trip. Five hours skiing on that first day were a delight. I had to remind the pupils it was not like this every day though! We continued to enjoy all-day tuition from our group of excellent instructors with lunch on the hotel terrace overlooking the slopes sandwiched in between morning and afternoon sessions.
Post-skiing we enjoyed a range of activities from the zip wire, the longest in France, to rides on the local rollercoaster and inflatable piste snake as well as attempting somersaults on the bungee trampoline. We finished the week with ski school presentations followed by our own prize-giving.
It wasn’t the week we all envisaged but those present enjoyed an amazing experience. Ski trip ‘22, it’s been emotional!
