Day 6 Ski Report

As we look out over Les Deux Alpes this evening, it is continuing to snow heavily. Far more snow is forecast for overnight and tomorrow so that, once again, we can only guess whether we will be able to ski tomorrow.

S. Anselm's pupils have impressed and delighted us all day today. They have responded to having smaller groups, now that we have found an additional instructor. It was particularly pleasing that Liv B-D, Lexi B-D and GraceT were able to go up to the top of the mountain and ski with real confidence in some quite challenging conditions: they have come so far in just  five days. Adam S only skied this morning, due to a niggling knee problem. Arthur L wins the 'true grit award' today for facing up to his ear ache and his mixed feelings about skiing on top of the mountain this afternoon. He mastered his doubts and he has looked ten feet tall ever since. Mwela M also faced the challenge of skiing on a windy peak despite complaining of a sore leg.

Spiderman has led our most experienced skiers across the available pistes. Tom D and Henry L have been characteristically modest about their skiing. Henry T is now looking as if he will be able to challenge his brother on the slopes. George L has skied beautifully but the cold persuaded him to wait out the afternoon session so that he will be fresh tomorrow. Tom B is skiing with increasing confidence and fluency and this has led to him joining the more experienced group in the fast lane. TGV and Ella are skiing beautifully. In fact, they are elegant skiers who are only being held back, ironically, by their lack of weight. Tom C, Angus E and Elliot T fear nothing and they are becoming positive, energetic skiers who are increasingly skilled, though they do still occasionally fall out with a drag lift or take a minor tumble for no observable reason. James C takes the wipe out award for today after being swept onto a black run by an out of control skier. Mr Tadman leapt down to retrieve him and was impressed by calmness in a minor crisis.

We came back to the hotel feeling as if we had skied through a wind machine in the middle of a deep freeze. We were tired but triumphant so, after a hot chocolatre and a short break, we headed out to our evening activity: a swim in the town's outdoor (heated) pool. If we thought that the pupils would be tired, we had mis-read the situation. They took the place by storm. Picture a clientelle made up of rather stuffy and humourless swimmers of a certain age powdering their pampered bodies with the snow that surrounded the pool. Now picture Tom C doing a snow angel next to them in his speedos. Picture the boys playing 'Jackass' and competing to stuff increasingly large pieces of snow into their shorts before jumping into the pool. It was a loud and an energetic performance which was enjoyed by all who saw it.

The pupils all headed for bed early this evening, hoping for snowy slopes in the morning.