2012 Ski Trip Blog

Saturday

“After a long eleven hour coach journey, made bearable with a number of videos played on the coach system the KS3 ski party arrived at the Alpenhotel in Oetz at just after five o’clock. Organising rooms and unpacking took us until dinner which was a splendid “Bauen Buffet” with a super spread of various cooked meats and salads. Bed beckoned and with the promise of a full day skiing tomorrow it was certainly welcomed by most.

Sunday

The bells of the local church were a very early morning alarm call before showers and a good breakfast. After breakfast it was time to grab the ski gear and head for the slopes. We were met by our instructors Paul, Smudge and Christina at the bottom of the lift with our passes for the week.

Ski boot fitting and collecting skis took some time with a lot of other people doing the same thing. However before long it was last minute checks and time to hit the slopes. The time flew by and great progress was made particularly by the beginners. The top group which included skiers with several weeks experience were very quickly off skiing the mountain. After lunch in the restaurant it was back out for more of the same and the beginners group were deemed good enough by the end of the day to venture onto the button lift on the nursery slope. This proved to be not without incident with two of the group falling off twice before they made it to the top.

The first day on the slopes came to an end all too soon and we were racking our skis and heading down the mountain for well-earned showers and a bit of down time before the evening meal. After the meal the daily presentations for “Duck of the Day” and “Ski God”saw a close run thing with eventual winners Sashana (Duck of the Day) for falling off the ski lift twice and Helaina (Ski God) for her determined efforts in keeping up in a group with more ski experience than her despite one incident of skiing totally out of control and careering off down the slope shrieking and waving her arms around.

The day was rounded off with a closely fought quiz run by Mrs Thompson before a welcome bed and dreams of what was to come tomorrow.

Monday

The morning greeted us with clear blue skies but very low temperatures. Yesterday had been minus ten on the slopes with wind chill taking it down to minus 18 or lower at times. It promised to be similar sort of temperatures today. After a good breakfast in the hotel which is an excellent buffet with all sorts of cereals, meats, cheeses and yoghurts we pack our own lunches from the buffet before heading for the slopes.

It is a brisk ten minute walk from the hotel to the gondola station at the bottom of the mountain. One of the joys of Oetz as a resort is that we can leave all our skis, boots and poles at the top of the lift so it is a much more comfortable walk to the slopes. The gondola ride up the mountain is about ten minutes taking in some stunning scenery, though it helps if one is not in the same gondola as Sam and Mary who insist on singing songs the whole way up, which does tend to detract from what would otherwise be a profound experience. When you have heard twenty verses of Nellie the Camel or how you can’t get to heaven in a baked bean can for the third or fourth time you want to open the gondola doors and jump!

Getting boots and skis sorted was far easier today and we were soon on the slopes. Despite the extreme cold the groups were soon warmed up and well into the lessons. Paul one of our instructors said that an Austrian ski instructor actually stopped him on the slopes and commented on how superbly well our top group was skiing – almost unheard of according to Paul. The top group covered a lot of ground today including the new six man chair which has opened up a whole new area of the mountain. This is an interesting lift with a bubble that pulls over the seat for the ride up which makes for a much less chilly ride.

The intermediates were improving rapidly and by after lunch Mrs Thompson commented on how speedy they were. The beginners spent the morning on the button lift but by the afternoon had also progressed to a red route and very encouraging comments from Christina their instructor. Beginners usually spend three days on the first button lift so they are doing very well. The beginners were not without incident with some students careering down the slopes on their backsides from time to time and still managing to fall off the button lift when they were not concentrating.

Highlights of the day:

Max: Getting down the red slope without falling.

Sam: When I skied into a large pile of snow (by mistake)

Megan: When I skied down the red slope all the way without falling.

Barnaby: A high speed very near collision with Ben. We missed each other by a tiny amount.

The day went by very quickly and we were soon heading down in the gondola for a bit of shopping in the local Spar before heading to the hotel and a well-earned shower. The evening was spent doing diaries, playing endless games on the Wii including some inspired Just Dance performances for those with lots of energy before an early night.

Ski God today went to Jacob for a consistently good performance through the day, skiing under control on all the slopes. Duck of the day went to went to George who even before he got on the slopes managed to put his boots on the wrong feet! He then proceeded to “hug a tree” on his way down the hill.

Tuesday

We awoke to a fresh coating of snow and a light snow shower continuing outside. It did not dampen the spirits and the group all met togged up ready to go in the hotel foyer at 8.45. We are quite a colourful crew with a variety of headgear including unicorn horn helmet covers, leopard skin spikes and Mrs Thompson, not to be outdone by Mr Parkinson’s traditional fur hat, in her “snow haggis”. The brisk ten minute walk to the gondola stretches out some aching muscles from the day before and we arrive a minute before they open the doors so we are almost the first up the mountain.

The morning lessons for the intermediates saw them going up and down one of the biggest and steepest red slopes on the mountain practising their turns and improving their parallel skiing. Much to their amusement Mr Parkinson fell over while trying to catch a camera falling out of his pocket. However that was not going to be the only tumble of the day!! The intermediates continued to make great progress and although they are the smallest group they are working hard and covering a lot of ground.

The beginners were now being much more adventurous and after a warm up on the button lifts near the restaurant headed off down the mountain for the first time. They skied all the way down the mountain stopping briefly in an area of new snow to create “snow angels”. While they were doing this they were ambushed by the intermediates and sprayed with snow by Smudge the instructor as he screeched to a halt. By the time the group took the long gondola ride back up to the top it was time for a well-earned lunch in the restaurant.

After lunch the advanced group headed for the powder snow – a new challenge for most of them and it proved entertaining with even the best of them crashing and burning a couple of times. It was on one of these runs that Barnaby picked up Duck of the Day for a spectacular wipe out. Powder Queens were Emily and Sam who really smoked it through the powder.

The intermediates went to the other side of the mountain and explored the new piste at the top of the new six man chair and also ventured into the ski and snowboard fun park where they went over some of the jumps and bumps. The beginners went further afield and started skiing through the woods on the “Bear Track” which was another new experience. There were lots of low branches that had to be ducked under - most people but not everyone managed it - see Sashana’s helmet for details.

All in all everyone had a great day and it was all over far too soon and we were heading back down the mountain. There was a quick pit stop at the local Spar shop for the obligatory top up with chocolate and soft drinks before the walk back to the Alpenhotel.

There was plenty of time for showers and an early dinner before we headed back up the road to the Kegelbahn and an hour of good fun with different bowling games. Most of the evening was pretty close with one game having to be decided with a sudden death bowl off won by Linus and his team.

Returning to the hotel there was just time to complete the daily diaries before bed. Fresh air and a day’s physical activity – a good combination for a sound night’s sleep.

Wednesday

Wednesday morning started looking good with temperatures beginning to rise at last. After breakfast, room inspections and the usual stroll to the lifts, we were again amongst the first up the lifts, kit sorted and out onto the pistes by 9.30.

The beginners headed out onto the red slopes and and were soon skiing from the top of the mountain above the restaurant - the first time onto a chair lift and the first time onto what is a very steep red run. Looking back to the beginning of the week they had made stunning progress to be able to tackle this sort of run. After this they headed down the mountain and a bit of fun skiing through the trees with time out to add to the repertoire of snow angels in a patch of powder snow near the bottom of the mountain.

By the time they returned to the top of the mountain it was time for lunch and today pizza was on the menu for all. High energy levels in skiing are essential and four days into the trip it was certainly time for a bit of carbohydrate loading. The weather had definitely improved and with the sun out and the temperature rising it was certainly time to shed a layer or two of clothing and whack on a bit more sun cream for the afternoon.

Both the intermediates and the top group headed for the back of the mountain and the new six man chair lift. It has really opened up a large area and also gave us the opportunity for a quick photo call at the highest point on the mountain, next to a rather odd plastic goat cemented to the top.

By now the top group were really refining their skiing and looking very good with carved turns and very good body positions. Two of the group had been given longer skis because Paul their instructor thought that their very good skiing warranted this. The two girls had been a bit sneaky at lunchtime and realising that tomorrow was race day took their skis in to the ski hire centre and with much eyelash fluttering and pretty pleasing got their skis waxed and tuned. It certainly gave them a little bit more speed in the afternoon.

The time flashed by and after some super-fast runs down some of the steepest pistes on the mountain we were heading back for the gondola home. It was around about now that Emily came a cropper in the powder and managed to get snow down inside everywhere!! in her efforts to get some of it out she soaked her gloves and could not get them back on easily. Luckily it was now nice and warm so she tucked them inside her ski jacket and as her diary said made her look like a Double D.

Back at the hotel there was time for quick showers before an early dinner as we headed off in the coach to nearby Langenfeld and the Aquadome a thermal spa with a variety of pools and slides. The pools connected via a tunnel to the outside pools and included saltwater pools, massage pools and water jets. A good time was had by all.

By the time we returned to the hotel it was straight to bed thinking about the race day to come.The Duck of the Day went to Mrs Thompson for a spectacular crash in the morning, unfortunately not caught on camera, but Smudge said it was a worthy winner. Ski god went to Emily, not for her Double Ds, but for some excellent and stylish skiing, particularly in the powder with the exception of the one wipe out.

Thursday

Despite promises of warmer weather it was not nice weather, overcast and temperatures down to minus ten or so.

Breakfast was extended a bit today as the group did not have time to write diaries last night as we were out at the Aquadome until late. It also gave us time to write the obligatory postcards home.

Ready to go and heading for the slopes by just after 9.00, the talk of the journey was all about the races later in the day and the fact that it was also the last day of skiing. The races were to take place at the end of the morning session so there was plenty of time to do some warm up runs and hone the technique.

Mrs Thompson was spotted on the steep red slope near the restaurant falling in exactly the same spot she fell yesterday. We just hope she did not land on the duck she was wearing!

Race time arrived and the nerves started jangling. The standard of skiing was superb and all the races were closely fought.

The beginners: 1st place Max in 19.68sec. 2nd place George in 20.52sec. 3rd place Sashana in 21.57.

The intermediates: 1st place Mary in 16.88sec, 2nd place Louis in 18.73sec. 3rd place Scott in 18.99sec

The advanced: 1st place Sam in 13.48sec. 2nd place Linus in 14.65sec. 3rd place Ben in 14.77sec.

After the races it was time for lunch and pizza in the top restaurant.

It the afternoon it was the last opportunity to try out the pistes on the far side of the mountain before we all headed for the ice hotel bar and a warming hot chocolate before the end of the day. This was an interesting experience with a hotel built out of snow on the side of the piste. A large dome shaped bar with ice sculptures in the walls, rough wooden tables and animal furs on the wooden log seats.

After this we headed for the ski school to hand in our boots and skis and said our thank yous to the very helpful staff before catching our last gondola down the mountain. After a brief stop in the Spar to stock up for the journey home we returned to the hotel to drop off bags and helmets before heading for Peto’s, a local bar for the certificate and medal presentations. It was also an opportunity to try some exotic non alcoholic cocktails as well as saying thank you to our ski instructors with some small gifts. Duck of the Day was awarded to Mary who having fallen over near the bottom of route nine took nearly five minutes to get back on her feet – her excuse “My ski trousers are too tight and I can’t get up”. Ski God was awarded to Louis who had received nominations three days in a row and according to Smudge had made excellent progress over the week.

Back at the hotel it was time to pack the bags and tidy the rooms before our last evening meal and bed. It was to be an early start for the journey home.

Friday

Up for an early breakfast at 7.15 we were packed, rooms cleared and on the bus by 8.00 with final goodbyes to Rosie and our ski instructors we hit the road.

It was an uneventful but quick journey home with a flurry of phone calls to parents at our last rest stop to tell them we would be arriving back at PRS an hour early. For many it was great to meet parents and regale tales of the week, for the staff it was a relief it had all gone well and all students returned with two arms and two legs intact and fully working!!

Student thoughts:

Emily:

I found skiing with Paul fun and the prank me and Mary played on Smudge with the salt was epic. Thanks everyone especially Mr P., Paul and my friends.

Sashana:

I found skiing awesome with Christina and the rest of the group one funny moment was when we drunk water and pepper.

Barnaby:

Skiing was awesome. Thanks Mr P., Mrs T., and Paul and co.

Louis:

What stood out for me was crashing into a tree without seeing it!!! Thanks to Smudge for being a great instructor.

Mary:

I thought my skiing really improved thanks to Paul and Smudge. The prank was awesome. Thanks to Mr P. and Mrs T. for bringing us.

George:

Finally I can do a winter sport – woo! woo!. I loved the fact we called a corner George’s Corner because of when I fell over in deep snow and couldn’t get up. Thanks for teaching me Christina.

Jacob:

It was really weird when everyone said I was going to win the race but I didn’t even come third. Thanks to Mr P., Mrs T. and Christina for my good week.

Ben;

I loved this week

Megan:

I loved going down Route 9 except when Smudge sprayed me with snow.

Linus:

Remember everyone has been at the level you are now.

Helaina:

My highlight of the week was watching others fall over especially when Scott and Louis smacked into a tree.

Max:

I loved skiing Route 9 and the swimming evening and the cocktails

Scott:

My highlights of the week are I got nominated for ski god one day and I won a bronze medal. I also managed to smack into a tree and flew for two seconds.

Sam:

I liked learning how to ski better and meeting and making friends with people that I wouldn’t otherwise.