47 boys and 6 staff spent a week skiing in a resort in France, near the Italian border. We stayed in a modest, cosy little hotel, metres away from the slopes and on arrival received our skis. Everyone was very excited, and despite the time we found ourselves wide awake for much of the evening.

As the glaring Alpine sun flooded the room the next morning many boys wished that they had listened to the teachers and had got some sleep.
The ski trip was my first. I was a complete novice and had no idea how to ski, despite being a keen winter sport enthusiast. Sadly all my friends were in the expert group while I was in the beginners’ group with little 3rd formers.

My instructor, a trendy Frenchman sporting an earring, was called Etienne. There were four groups of twelve, divided according to skiing ability. Each day we went through the routine of breakfast, skiing, lunch, skiing and supper, followed by evening activities like ice-skating, swimming, tobogganing and quizzes. The teachers, mostly MAS and SMM, were very showy of their skiing skills!

Whilst skiing we labelled Ma’am Macleod as Suicidal after attempting to keep up with her insane speeds and everyone attempted 180 degree jumps on the side of the runs.

After experiencing what was surely the greatest skiing trip ever the boys all received awards and the instructors were given champagne. As a grand finale of the week, Mr Smith was presented with a nice new ski jumper which everyone had contributed to: a sign of gratitude for arranging an enjoyable trip, organised in detail.

I would like to thank MAS, SMM, PGS, CWL, SWB and SJB for taking us. It makes me sad that I didn’t go on previous ski trips. 

From articles by J Brown & J Temple (6th Form)