This is the blog of the Italy ski trip that took place over February half term when 17  pupils and two members of staff enjoyed a fantastic ski trip to Sestriere, Italy.  The most recent post is at the top of the page.

Sunday 18th February

Conclusion from Dr Madden

It was a very early start on Sunday when we had to wake the girls at 5.30 am ready for a 6am departure from the hotel. We had asked the girls to be packed and ready the night before and tried to suggest an early night, although this was made a little difficult by a large group of noisy Swedish students intent on partying well into the early hours of the morning. The girls did not let us down and we were able to load the coach, check the rooms, collect our packed breakfast and depart from Sestriere on time. Our early arrival at Turin meant that we were able to move swiftly through the airport and gained shopping time in the duty free shops. Unfortunately Turin was fog-bound which meant that the incoming Easy Jet flight was late and so our departure was also delayed by 90 minutes. However the girls were very stoical and the electronic devices and packs of cards were brought out to pass away the time. The flight home was uneventful once we were underway and the only real excitement at Manchester airport was the non-arrival of my suitcase which was left behind in Turin.

I hope that the girls have all had a great week: they have been excellent company and great fun to be with.

I would like to express my thanks to Matt Churchill, our rep from Equity and to Miss Carter for accompanying myself and the girls on this trip.

Saturday 17th February

Day six in Sestriere

Nebbia in Cima… fog at the top

Our final day of skiing and we awoke to snow, fresh powder but low cloud. Both groups enjoyed the challenge of skiing in fresh powder, keeping relatively low because of the cloud cover. By lunchtime the sunshine was trying to break through, just in time for our friendship group ski. We all met at a mountain restaurant for hot chocolate and our awards ceremony, medals presented by our lovely instructors Franco and Simone. The girls have all enjoyed their final pizza and have stocked up on goodies for the journey home. This evening we will be packing and tidying our rooms, an early night for all ahead of our early wake up call tomorrow. Ciao, see you in England! There will be one final blog tomorrow.

Friday 16th February

The penultimate day of skiing in Sestriere. All the girls have had a fabulous day in the warm sunshine skiing in ability groups in the morning and friendship groups in the afternoon. This evening we are staying in the hotel for bingo and a quiz and looking forward to our final day of skiing tomorrow.

Thursday 15th February

After last night’s fun and excitement with the skidoo rides, hot chocolate, crepes and fun in the snow the girls had an early night. This morning we awoke to snow and low cloud, by mid morning this had cleared to lovely blue skies. In the morning both groups continued to explore the resort improving their technique. After lunch we divided off into year groups for the afternoon of skiing. The year 8 girls continued to refine their technique skiing blue runs and some reds. The Year 9 girls skied from the top of the resort all the way down to the next village of Pragelato, returning to Sestriere on a cable car. It was lovely to see the girls skiing with their friends. This evening we are having a tidy room competition before dinner and a disco!

Wednesday 14th February

Day three in Sestriere … another day of clear blue skies and sunshine, excellent snow conditions and happy faces from all. The advanced group spent the morning blasting the slopes in Sansicario taking advantage of the empty slopes and perfecting their technique. The intermediate group successfully skied their first red run, maintaining a beautiful snake formation with zero mishaps! They also had a go at skiing backwards and 360 degree turns – astonishing progress from this group in three days! We felt a tad under-dressed at times, with monkeys, chickens and pirates on the slopes (the last day of the carnival in Sestriere). This evening we are going to Claviere, taking a skidoo ride up to a mountain restaurant for hot chocolate, crepes and a play in the snow, before heading back to the hotel for a late evening meal.

Tuesday 13th February

Today’s report is from Miss Carter

Day two in Sestriere… the weather looked promising despite the minus 15 degree forecast and we skied in the sunshine all day! The beginners/ intermediate group have all made excellent progress, skiing blue runs all day with confidence and mastering the chair lifts much to their delight! The advanced group ventured over to Sauze D’ Oulx this morning and enjoyed the challenging new slopes. All the girls are finding their ski legs and loving skiing in excellent conditions. Later we enjoyed an evenings entertainment, building towers out of marshmallows and spaghetti!

Monday 12th February

Today’s report is from Miss Carter

After a good nights sleep, an early get up and buffet breakfast we were all set up for the first day on the slopes. Clear blue skies and sunshine fooled us into thinking it would be a warm day but we soon found out that more layers were required after lunch. The advanced group quickly found their ski legs and spent the morning cruising the slopes before finishing on the Olympic black run before lunch. The beginners had a steady morning refining their technique on the nursery slopes before heading out on their first button lift of the holiday and then onto mastering a blue run. There was lots of fun and laughter throughout the day to be continued this evening with a quiz at the hotel. More adventures to be had tomorrow…

Sunday 11th February

The WGS Ski Trip has arrived safely at the resort. Everyone is enjoying  the glorious sunshine and can’t wait to get started tomorrow.