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Ski-Welt (February 2007)
24 excited teenagers accompanied by 2 officer cadets and 5 apprehensive teachers boarded a coach at Welbeck College, 2200 on the Friday evening. Awaiting them was a 22 hour coach journey from Welbeck DSFC, to Calais via Dover. Travelling through France, Luxembourg and finally arriving in Austria. All of the party felt tired after the long journey but were happy they had finally arrived. After a very local dish of steak and chips, and ski/board hire some went straight to bed. Some however thought it their duty to sample the local evening entertainment. Prognosis: Positive.
Up to a bright start on the Sunday morning, we were greeted with bustling white slopes. Ranging from appropriate green slopes for the beginner skiers, to challenging red and black runs for the higher intermediates and advanced to find their ski legs. The first day showed good conditions and visibility which made things a little easier, however, the following days proved a fairly bigger challenge.
Fondness for Après ski, which was held by all on the trip, added to the brilliant, laidback atmosphere in the air made our second night enjoyable to say the least.
Most waking up with the usual aching shins, thighs and back sides, it was an early start but everyone was ready for a hard day on the slopes. With moderate snowfall most of the day, visibility was poor. However this did not stop the snowboarders taking advantage of the lack of weekend skiers and trying there hand at some jumps. With the beginners taking to the mountains as enthusiastically as the advanced group, the skiers were constantly progressing. Another very enjoyable day which ended with a home cooked meal and then the majority of the group going out to the local sports bar to watch the football.
Tuesday brought another good day on the pistes with all of those on the trip gaining more confidence and progressing. So much so that the beginner group joined the lower intermediate, and really challenged themselves. Morale was still extremely high, regardless of the fact that three hard days of skiing/boarding was behind us. However this was taking its toll and a larger majority of the group decided to get their heads down and prepare themselves for even better skiing/boarding in the second half of the week.
Valentines day saw beautiful sun, with good snow which lasted the whole day; perfect conditions for a great day on the slopes. Some healthy competition grew between Welbeck’s advanced group and the advanced group of the other school that were staying the same hotel. The groups were paired up for the afternoon, which showed our advanced group pushing themselves to jump higher jumps (not always landing them) and ski steeper slopes. That evening, a disco in the local town entertained the group, along with many other UK teenagers who were also on trips over the half term.
Thursday morning was filled with bright-eyed and bushy tailed Welbexians eager to make their last full day as enjoyable as possible. With some of the higher-intermediates skiing to the standard of the advanced group, it just highlighted the progress of the whole group. Some beginner snowboarders pulling 180° jumps (and nearly landing them!) having only 5 days on a board. The group had the opportunity to go bobsleighing on the Thursday evening which was another new experience for all.
For our last day skiing, the weather held up and gave us a brilliant finally to a great weeks skiing. That evening we set off for our huge journey back to the UK with most of us sleeping the whole way home.
Pam Relph, Nelson 06E
