Daily Blog from the slopes

(most recent post first)

Sunday 14th February, 7.30pm

Final post from Dr Madden – mainly for the parents of the group of girls who took part in this trip …

It was difficult to get up when the alarm went off at 5.15 this morning but by 5.30 all the girls were up and about and completing their final packing. They were all a little bleary eyed but cheerful as always and the rooms were all cleared and tidy by 5.45. The hotel had provided a ‘help yourself packed breakfast’ and we were soon on our way when the coach was loaded at 6.00am. We left as we arrived, to a gentle fall of snow.

The journey down the mountain to Turin was smooth and uneventful and once at the airport we were immediately checked in and waved through security; there was then plenty of time for shopping before we boarded the plane. The flight passed very quickly and it seemed no time at all that we were passing back through passport control at Manchester and collecting our bags and skis. At Turin it had taken over an hour for the skis to come through, but at Manchester it was at least a little faster – merely 10 minutes after all the luggage! By the time I emerged from collecting my skis most of the girls had been collected.

On behalf of Mrs Ferrol and myself I would very much like to thank you for sending your delightful daughters away with us for this ski trip. We have thoroughly enjoyed their company, laughed with them, and laughed at them.The hotel staff, the instructors, the Equity rep and the teachers from the other school in the hotel have all complemented the girls on their maturity and their excellent manners and behaviour on this trip – all that we would expect from a Withington Girl.

We hope to be able to make all the photographs available to you tomorrow so that you will be able to share some delightful memories of our week in Italy.

We very much hope to run a further ski trip to the same resort again next year and details will follow shortly, should you and your daughter be interested.

Saturday 13th February, 8.30pm

The final day dawned bright, clear and sunny and the girls all thoroughly enjoyed their last two hours with Fabio and Matteo. Great fun was had jumping through the deep snow and exploring all the pistes for one final time. The beginners embarked on their final challenge of the week which was the dreaded button lift up to the very top of the mountain. Although there was much prevaricating at the bottom, all the girls successfully made the ascent and were able to enjoy the stunning views from the top.

After many photographs and hugs, the girls said farewell to the instructors and enjoyed an hour on Baby Sansicario with Mrs Ferrol and Dr Madden. This afternoon most of the girls decided to shop and relax whilst four hardy souls chose to come out for a final ski with the Withington staff. We had a fabulous afternoon in the blazing sun and finished off meeting the other girls in the village to return skis and boots.

After a final three course dinner, presentations and the final divvy hat awards, there was just time for packing and a DVD. It is a 5.30 wake up call in the morning so the girls may be a little bleary eyed when we arrive at the airport!

Today we have skiied all day in the snow and the limited visibility has meant that we have stayed relatively low on the mountain and close to the hotel. Both groups tried their hand at skiing in the fresh powder and more jumps and runs between the trees in the woods. The groups stayed close together which meant that the girls could enjoy skiing with their friends and not just in ability groups. The groups all stopped off mid morning for a hot chocolate at a mountain restaurant and a chance to warm up and get out of the snow for a short time. After another three course hot lunch it was time to venture back out into the cold.

The afternoon was spent playing in the deep drifts on the beginners’ blue run. Many of the girls and Tom, our holiday rep, seemed to spend a great deal of their time falling over and shrieking with laughter. Even though at times the group were hidden from sight, it was always possible to track them down by following the howls of laughter!

As always at the end of the lesson all the girls were able to ski right up to the back door of the hotel. This evening, Fabio and Matteo came to the hotel to award certificates of achievement to all the girls and in turn to receive small gifts in appreciation of all their efforts this week. We are finishing this evening with a disco in the bar area with the other school with whom we are sharing the hotel. All seem to be in great spirits after five days skiing with one final day to go tomorrow.

Thursday 11th February, 9.00pm

The girls have all had a stunning day today skiing across and into France. A gondola ride down from the hotel then three chairs through Monte Della Luna brought us to the top of the mountain overlooking Claviere. Here we split into three groups and headed down. The beginners enjoyed the undivided attention of Alberto who had them skiing confidently around the resort, popping over little jumps and playing in the deep snow. They attempted to master button lifts with rather mixed success!

The intermediates and advanced groups made their way straight down and across the French border heading for the top of Montgenevre. Here a long steep black or easier blue awaited. The views were stunning from here in the bright but cold sunshine. Great hilarity was had as the advanced group attempted a snow filled gulley then later the snow cross course. Most of us spent some of our day lying in a snow heap having taken a gentle tumble whilst the rest of the group laughed, pointed and took photographs.

All the groups met for a late lunch at La Coche, a mountain restaurant that we had visited the night before on the skidoo. Fully replete we all then skiied around Claviere spending more time playing in deep snow and trying jumps.

Before dinner we held a room inspection and were impressed by the ambient music, immaculate rooms and perfectly arranged bathroom products. The room prize was finally awarded to a LIV room who even offered us a welcome drink (water) and canapes ( bowls of Haribo sweets). Most girls have spent the evening playing cards or chatting in their rooms. The forecast is cloudy in the morning tomorrow and snow in the afternoon. It is snowing heavily now so we hope for good skiing conditions tomorrow.

Wednesday 10th February, 9.00pm

We were delighted that the weather forecast from yesterday was incorrect and we have enjoyed a full day in the sunshine today with more promised for tomorrow. The beginners/intermediates have made superb progress and have confidently skiied several red runs today. They enjoyed jumps and deep snow and all we could hear through the trees were shrieks of laughter as they made their way down!

The advanced group showed their flying skills with some fabulous jumping, but the landings often left much to be desired. Then, after a three course lunch and a three course dinner, the girls still found space for chocolate crepes and hot chocolate at a mountain restaurant in Clavier. To get to the restaurant we all rode up on skidoos, with more shrieking and laughing, and the girls thanked the staff with the traditional snowball bombardment. Tomorrow we are off on a ski safari across the Vialatea, skiing through Clavier and into France hoping to make it to Montgenevre and then home again. I suspect we may all need an early night tomorrow!

Tuesday 9th February, 7.30pm

All three groups have enjoyed the fresh snow on the slopes today. Steady snowfall since lunchtime has certainly improved the quality of the runs. The beginners are skiing now with real confidence and are ready to face the longer runs from higher up the mountain.

The intermediates explored the resort today sking most of the runs that were open. The advanced group enjoyed the thrills of the racing black runs of Sestriere this morning and exercises to improve technique this afternoon.

Our most serious injury so far was a cut on the hand sustained during a vigorous game of snap! All are now having a ‘girl’s night in’ watching a DVD and eating chocolate and sweets. Looking forward to another great day tomorrow in the snow.

Monday 8th February, 7.00pm

Here is a report on Day Two from Dr Madden:

The first day of skiing has gone really well in the sunshine. The advanced group were delighted to be reunited with Fabio who toured the resort with them today, even skiing a black run this morning.

A wide range of ability in the beginners group led us to source a third instructor. All the girls in the beginners and intermediates enjoyed a fun afternoon. Looking forward to dinner and a quiz tonight and another day of fun in the snow tomorrow.

Sunday 7th February 8.30pm [UK time]

We are going to attempt to blog our ski trip to Sansicario, Italy, Wi-Fi permitting. Nineteen girls from Years 8-10 have arrived there today accompanied by Mrs Ferrol and Dr Madden. Here is the first report from Mrs Ferrol:

After a very early start to Sunday morning at Manchester airport, most of us snoozed through the uneventful flight to Turin. The heavy rain turned to snow as we drove up to the resort.

Arriving to mounds of fresh snow the hotel was just as we remembered it, and we were greeted as old friends by the staff.

A three course lunch, followed by ski fit and a hot chocolate in the village, was topped off with an excellent dinner. As the snow continued to fall an early night beckoned and we look forward to an excellent day on the slopes tomorrow.