We have all arrived safely, found our rooms, eaten dinner and completed the ski and boot fit. All the children have been excellent so far and are now either in bed or getting ready for bed. It is now snowing, and we are all looking forward to our first days skiing tomorrow.

 

Day 2
It snowed all night and we woke at 7am to dense cloud and more snow. Breakfast was taken at 7.45 with the aim to be on the slopes by 8.50 for our lessons at 9am. Most made it with a few struggling with their boots on the first morning.

Once outside we were met by 6 inches of fresh snow and the cloud was still hanging around. It had all the ingredients for some early problems with the beginners and intermediates. However when they returned at 11 they had all had an enjoyable morning in the fresh snow.

In the afternoon the groups were changed slightly with the more experienced skiers skiing with us and two beginners moving up a group. The time we had with the more experienced skiers was very enjoyable and we were all very impressed with their ability and technique, especially in the conditions. There were a few tumbles, the best being by Mrs Dawes and Max. Fortunately the fresh snow cushioned the falls.

All are now safely back, getting showered, tidying their rooms and going with some staff to the shops. Dinner is at 6 followed by a snowman making competition, hot chocolate and bed.

 

On looking out of the window we were met with the lifting of the clouds and small patches of sun. Just what we were hoping for, with the snow from Sunday it had all the makings of an excellent days skiing.

The children all made their lessons on time at 9, once we got one boy to change his trousers from being inside out and another to put his boots on the correct feet off they went with their instructors! We saw the beginners group making their way up the drag lift and onto the beginner’s slopes. They all then snaked down the slopes following their instructor. There was some falls but they are all progressing well and enjoying their skiing.

 

We were lucky enough to have excellent conditions again for the afternoon skiing and on returning all the children seemed to have enjoyed their day.

It is now time for showers and relaxation before dinner at 6, followed by bingo and bed.

  

Day 4
Another sunny day greeted us as we awoke, with just a few scattered clouds. The children all got to lessons on time and were taken in their different directions by their instructors. The morning went well and all children and staff returned full of their mornings skiing and a little redder in the face.

Lunch was pasta and salad, and a reminder to put plenty of sun cream on for the afternoon. The intermediate group together with the staff and top children all took the same lift with a challenging red for the top children and a long blue for the intermediates. Half way the red met the blue and the two groups met. Some of the younger and less experienced skiers found an icy patch a little tricky, however with some coaxing from the staff they all managed it well. Both groups were then met by a low cloud that swept across the slope. The visibility all but disappeared in seconds and we could not see further than 10 meters. This was a new experience for many but a good one to learn. They all listened and did as they were told and when the cloud started to lift we could see that we were only 20m from the lift.

I returned early to meet the beginners returning from their lesson. They are all skiing very well and although there are still plenty of falls to be seen, the instructor is pleased with their progress, and they are all enjoying themselves.

We are now sat with the afternoon sun streaming through the dining room windows as pocket money is dished out and afternoon tea and cake taken.

 

Day 5
Our evening entertainment last night took us into the sports centre. After a brisk 15 minute walk the children spent 30 minutes engaged in Invertigo. This consists of a big safety net suspended over the main area of the sports centre with various climbing and assault course apparatus. The children loved it and although they were exhausted it took a while to calm them down for bed.

Today was again a lovely clear day, unfortunately the wind had blown up and the top lifts were closed. This caused large queues on the lower slopes and restricted the amount of skiing. Fortunately by the afternoon all lifts were open and the children had an excellent afternoon.

We had the dinning room to ourselves for the evening meal and it was noticeable how much quieter it was. The children engaged in conversation with everybody joining in and creating a lovely atmosphere.

The children are now in teams for a quiz which has been interrupted by a firework display and torch lit procession of over 200 instructors and children.

 

Day 6
Day 6 is nearly at an end, we have just returned from a bum boarding session on the slopes outside the hotel. There were some excellent efforts as well as some near misses. They all enjoyed it and did not want to come in, the hot chocolate helped to persuade them.

Again the skiing went well with the sun out once again. We have been very lucky with a good deposit of snow on the first evening and day followed by sun and very good skiing conditions. The forecast is good again for tomorrow so we hope to finish the week with a very enjoyable final days skiing.