Over the Easter break, we returned to Saas-Fee, Switzerland for our annual ski trip; a jam-packed week full of fun, excitement and adventure. After settling into our hotel and picking up our ski gear, we were up early the next morning to eagerly hit the slopes. Our fantastic group consisted of 30 children from Y5-8, ranging from complete beginners to skillful experts. The children were accompanied at all times by their dedicated and exceptional instructors who worked tirelessly to make the week an amazing experience for us. It was wonderful to watch the children grow and develop their ski ability over the course of the week by listening to their expert advice and feedback.
We experienced a rollercoaster of conditions, starting the week with blazing sun and blue skies that showed Saas-Fee off in all its glory. However, on the third day the weather conditions took a dramatic turn with snow storms and high winds hitting the top of the mountain. The slopes were closed due to avalanche risk so instead of skiing, we filled the day with a whole assortment of snow fun including a snow ball fight verses Reigate Grammar School, tobogganing, snow discos and a whole assortment of other competitive games.
The storm left us with some fantastic conditions for the next 3 days, with thick powder that all the children got to enjoy, including the beginners who by the end of the week were successfully skiing red slopes at the top of the mountain – incredibly impressive!
The evenings were packed with a variety of activities, including bouldering, torch-walking and enjoying the leisure centre complete with slide and jacuzzi! My personal highlight was witnessing the children embrace their artistic side with our team ‘auction’ night. This firstly saw the children working in their groups to bid on increasingly bizarre and random objects using their ‘Viamonde tokens’ without knowing what they would be needed for. The children were then set the task of creating fashion outfits and then performing a selection of ski-trip related comedy skits using these objects where much hilarity ensued. The children’s impressions of the teachers and instructors were particularly hilarious to witness!
The final night was given over to a dance party and karaoke session – a chance for the children to celebrate the amazing week and memories they have made with some enthusiastic, and somewhat interesting dance moves and singing. The less said about the teacher’s performances the better!
With so much activity packed into our evenings, and so much exceptional skiing crammed into the days, the children arrived back to London exhausted but brimming with stories of their adventures to tell their parents. Many thanks to all the children for being such a pleasure to look after and a very special thank you must go to the staff, Ms Kirkland, Miss Pizzi and Emma Kalis, for all their hard work throughout the entire week, making the trip so much fun for all!
We will be advertising for next year’s ski trip in the Autumn term.
Miss Kirby
