It snowed all night last night and it has snowed all day today: heavy wet rain which soaks to the skin but which is anything but pleasurable to ski on. Combined with the driving wind, it has produced another day of challenging skiing conditions.
The pupils have skied without a break all week because we have never been confident that conditions would improve or even stay the same. Considering that it is their last day today, we offered them a break this afternoon. Seven opted to ski anyway, though they were driven off the slopes by wind and wet snow before their lessons were finished. Those who decided to stay in the hotel rested or played games with Mrs Seddon and Mrs Young.
Our instructors: Rudi (Spiderman), Stephane and Paul came to the hotel at 4.00pm to present the ski awards. Whilst they felt that, in better conditions, the pupils would have had a better opportunity to show what they can do, they were very impressed by our pupils’ tenacity and desire to learn a new skill. As it is, pupils seemed to be content with their awards and badges. At least one badge was being worn on pyjamas as pupils prepared for bed tonight.
Between the awards and dinner we squeezed in a bit of souvenir shopping and after dinner Mrs Young presented the teachers’ awards. These included bin bags for pupils whose rooms seem to have been visited by tornados; buttons and thread for those who have not always stayed on button lifts this week; ear plugs for those who have been kept awake by their room-mates; and so forth… We also enforced fines and silly forfeits for a variety of misdemeanours and, typically, this became one of the most entertaining evenings we have spent in Les Deux Alpes.
Pupils then had an early night to prepare for our departure tomorrow. We should be pulling into the school car park at about 8.30 pm tomorrow evening. If we are likely to be earlier or later, we will ring and let you know. You will be picking up some tired kids who have challenged themselves and whose self- confidence has grown over the past week…. and a suitcase full of dirty ski clothes, of course.
Pupils wanting to continue to ski can opt into our skiing ‘extra’ at Sheffield Ski Village every Thursday afternoon next term. We are already planning our ski trip for next year and details will be published early in the new term.
Merry Christmas
Mr Carr, Mrs Young, Mr Tadman, Mrs Seddon and Mr Wood.
Posted on
Fri, December 16, 2011
by DEY