HPS Ski Trip 2016: March 2016

Thursday 31 March 2016

Day 5

Day 5 : Another sunny day in skiing paradise... Miss Balls Blog

This morning started slowly for the whole group as the long days, mountain air and lots of exercise well and truly kicked in. As a consequence breakfast was very quiet as everyone is now into the routine of making their packed lunches for the day, sorting out how little they can take to the mountain, or get someone else to take for them and finally applying enough sun screen to prevent what we now term the Homer Simpson look (Harry Newton starting the trend!!!)

We arrived at the resort via the gondola to be greeted by another day in skiing paradise; sun, exceptional views across a stunning mountain range, few people on the slopes and our skiing instructors Falka, Mark, Rick and Eli with excited smiles ready for a great day of skiing. Before we began each group gave a present to each instructor as a big thank you for their time and effort. I have to say I think these are some of the best ski instructors I have worked with over the many years I have been privileged to go on school ski trips and the pupils have really enjoyed their company and learnt so much.

I went with the top group this morning to video some our our GCSE PE students, stopping off at the action park to do the timed slalom run and straight line speed test. Best time for the slalom was Henry Mitchell with 25:52 seconds, which was very impressive and several registered speeds in excess of 70km per hour on the downhill run . We took our time today as this group has literally done miles and miles and miles of skiing. On day two alone, from painful experience we skied across the whole range and thanks to the wonders of modern technology and a ski tracker app, we skied a total of 12 miles over mostly red and black runs and I can tell you my quads felt it trying to keep up with them.

At lunch we met up with the second group and swapped stories about the falls and tumbles that had happened and possible TWONK nominations. Myself and Mr Cross joined the group for a while to see how they were advancing and I am pleased to say they have come on leaps and bounds, even Pizzeria (Rohan) has signs of a parallel turn!!! The funniest part of the day however was watching the carnage following their attempts at some jumps. The aftermath of one such jumper (Harvey Thorpe) will no doubt be in the picture reel as Mr Cross captured the mess that ensued.

Three of the four groups this afternoon were on the main mountain and it was lovely to bump into all of them together when having a mini break on the piste half way down a red run. 34 Humphrey Perkins pupils clogged up part of one of the busiest piste but it was great to see how supportive they were to each other, particularly group three, who for the first time this week were on a challenging run high in the mountains. This group were complete beginners at the start of the week, most had not put ski boots on before, let alone skis, yet here they were in control going down a red run in the Austrian Alps being cheered on by all their peers.

Everyone this evening, has gone swimming in Bruck just 10 minutes away to enjoy the flume and for some the jacuzzi to rest weary muscles which they never knew they had. Some of the boys will appreciate a good wash before the end of the week!! And to let let off even more steam after a hard day on the slopes followed by reenergising food and sweets.

The start of packing has begun with only one more day in this wonderland of contradictions. At the base of the mountain this afternoon temperature gauges registered 24 degrees Celsius and people are wondering about in shorts and t shirts, the mountain flowers are blooming and the birds are tweeting announcing Spring whilst around us snow capped mountain are desperately holding on to winters grip. With any luck by this evening we might see bedroom floors not covered in clothes and some order restored.

Friday has come too quickly. An early start to get kit squared away; as RSM Cross says, onto the local bus, up the mountain, ski, down the mountain, onto the bus, return rental equipment, back to the hotel, quick shower, eat, pack bus and leave before 4:30pm. Wow Friday will be tiring. But hey what's new this week.

Signing off

Yours

Sarah Ball

.... What Miss Ball also forgot to tell you was that she had a second attempt at the slalom today, managed it past Turn 2 but wiped out at turn 3... Can she make it tomorrow on her final attempt or will she admit defeat to the pupils, the staff and everyone else that can make it to the bottom!!! Stay tuned!!! (Mr Cross ;-))

Pics from today....

Mrs Hanford

Mrs Hanford... Seconds later!!

Mr Clissold (to prove to his mum he is still here!).. Not impressed with having to pose!! ;-)

Rosie serious about her pizza!

Speed trails...

Harry & Cross... And yes, missing a razor!

Twonked out

Slalom time:

Selfie bomber

Beginner group on the red!! Awesome

Williams down! But not out!

McKinder in the red groove minus the shrieks!

Earning the title of twonk!

Presented by Mr Pizza himself.. A well earned twonk!!

Cracking day and night overall.. Last day tomorrow :-( (already!) gonna be a tough day but can't wait to see all groups at the top of the mountian ripping it up..

Until tomorrow... Mr C

Wednesday 30 March 2016

Day 4... Extra bit

One final comment to add.. Whilst the kids were shopping for some cracking Austrian tack (Snow globes and fridge magnets a-plenty to adorne your homes!!!), clearly to thank you for sending them in this awesome trip... Unbeknown to us they had a whip around and presented the staff with some lovely and funny presents...

I've run so many of these trips and never asked, wanted or expected anything in return aside from happy kids having a blast at skiing but it was such a nice gesture and very humbling for them to think of us, in particular they got me a couple of really things.. Takes a lot to make me stuck for words... but they managed it!!!... What a cracking bunch of kids :-)

An extremely Humbled & Thankful Cross & Team :-)

Day 4

DAY 4 - Mr Thompson blogs

My first blog of the trip and have been waiting for the right time to shed some more light on what has been a fantastic trip with a great bunch of kids.

Another sunny day on the slopes meant less layers being worn and more and more red noses developing, including myself. A morning session spent with some of the beginners which was really enjoyable to see how much they have progressed since day 1 (which was spent mostly on the floor!!)

The staff then went off to challenge themselves and give the pupils a chance to press on without waiting for us to catch up! Whilst we were out skiing we thought it would be a good idea to challenge our skiing skills on the slalom track to try and improve our times from yesterday. This did not end well for a certain individual. Mr Cross led the way clocking 29 seconds, after followed Mr Buck who took the lead with 28 seconds. Then I stepped up to the slalom ski Sunday theme tune ringing in my ears at set the time of 27 seconds to take the lead, which set it up perfectly for Miss Ball to take victory... It couldn't have ended any worse! Miss Ball, carrying a bit to much speed into the first turn went head over heels into a heap! Certainly my highlight of the day!

The day then finished with myself, Mr Cross and Mr Buck mixing it with the top group which I can safely say was intense. The skiing ability of the kids is exceptional and is a joy to ski with them ( although my knees disagree).

A souvenir shopping trip in the local town gave the kids the opportunity to have a browse round some shops and buy you some lovely gifts and treats for when they get home which I'm sure you are looking forward to! Put it I this way a lot of chocolate was bought!

My Personal Highlights

This trip has been a great opportunity to see the students in a different setting and it's fair to say there are certainly some characters! My inner child has came out on many occasions when coming to playing pranks on people, having snowball fights and pushing kids over on there skis! Although I did get a taste of my own medicine when Billy caught me off guard and sent my flying off my skis! Others have tried and failed including Dec and Dan but without success. Fair play to the lad though. have to days to get him back.

One character that has kept me laughing since the moment we set off has been Liam Butler. His constant jokes, moaning and lack of control when skiing has had me in stiches. As well as him falling down the side of a ski run and his stupid orange scarf which he is adamant looks good (I'll let you decide).

Liv has also been a bit of a joker with her rendition of Adele on the bus microphone and her attempt at balancing a pretzel on her nose says it all.

Finally, I have had a lot of stick about some of my choices of attire, in particular my slides, flip flops or sandals whatever you want to call them but I am adamant I will set the trend with two people already saying they think they are stylish and these people are the most fashionable people on the trip! Cheers Renee and Liam! Renee enjoyed them so much she got to have a wear!

And here is evidence of Ethan being beaten up by miss Ball after throwing a snowball in her face. Needless to say he is still screaming!!!

TWONK of the Day

Today TWONK nomination was a clear and easy nomination.

Jaimin Metcalfe take a bow.

Jaimin had a big of a moment with a ski lift today. Jaimin and Rosie were about the get on ski lift when he caught his ski under the ski lift and one of his poles. This then caused a rather large delay and meant a ski assistant had to come and pick up his ski and pole which had been bent in half and pass to hem to jail in which he shamefully had to carry up the lift. Apparently the was some very high pitch screaming and Rosie not being able to contain her laughter. He then got on the lift and ask Rosie to not tell anyone.

Well done Rosie for sharing this great story.

Day 4 photos

Hi all,

Another great day... Mr Thompson is writing the main blog as we speak to give me some respite and rest my aching legs!!!

All the skiing photos in have from today below... Check out the difference in style and confidence from Sunday to today.. They have all done so well :-)