Ski trip days 3,4,5

We awoke today to a winter wonderland transformed by heavy snow falling from the sky. With temperatures predicted to be well below zero, we wrapped up warm, and after a hearty breakfast headed out to brave the elements. Yesterday’s plans to conquer the resort’s highest peaks were quickly shelved by our instructors with news of blizzard conditions and zero visibility at the top of the mountain.
The morning was spent gliding through powder snow with all the children showing massive improvement on yesterday. Lunch of chips and nuggets were wolfed down by the hungry troops and we set off for our afternoon lessons hopeful of heading to higher ground, only to be met by even heavier snow. Our instructors came into their own with hastily arranged ski jumping and slalom racing competitions enjoyed by all.
Again there are plenty of awards to give and what could be a better start than the best drag-lift improvers; Livi B-D, Lexi B-D, Mwela M. Unlike yesterday where the drag-lift literally meant ‘drag’ up the slope on knees or skis the children were easily able to get reach the top without falling (most of the time) Angus E has had a superb day really going for it and descending the slalom course with style and speed. Tom D won the ski jump competition with a tremendous 3 metre flight…and a perfect landing just beating Tom C demonstrating his usual ‘total commitment’ style of skiing. Grace (grace under pressure) T has been tenacious again and wins the award for the most positive and caring skier on the piste. Elliot T has adapted to skiing and already looks increasingly polished. Adam S is to be praised for his superb performance in the slalom, taking on some of our most experienced skiers and giving them a shock. Ella H was the first to take out an instructor, the six foot man-mountain Spiderman: it was impossible to guess who was the more surprised. Henry L continues to lead the rankings for good honest skiing ability and positive attitude. James C earns a mention for taking on all comers in the slalom and giving them a run for their money.
The French dept. will be pleased to hear that the shopping expedition into Les 2 Alpes after skiing today was a great success with most of the purchases being transacted in French.
Rest assured that many of these immortal moments have been captured by our team of photographers. Unfortunately, we do not have the technology to put them onto the website until we return to the UK.
As I write the happy but tired troops are enjoying dressing Mr Wood in a dress made of bin liners as part of their games evening(very attractive he looks too!)
The semi-official French Ski School weather forecast (courtesy of Spiderman and Stephan, our instructors) is for a sunnier day tomorrow, so plans to conquer our own Katchenjunga are once more to the fore.

Having wished for snow throughout November and December, we learned the true meaning of the old addage "Be careful what you wish for..." We have been inundated with snow today.  

Les 2 Alpes Day 4
Pupils were a little slower to get down for breakfast today as day three of skiing dawned and they realised that they had a few more muscles in their legs than they had previously used. Both groups went up the mountain first thing this morning on the red egg lift to discover a winter wonderland of snowy pistes and amazing panoramic views.

Mr T accompanied the beginners this morning and reported a big improvement in Arthur L's skiing and impressed us all not least because he carried his skis to and from the slopes for the first time. The group, as a whole, coped brilliantly with their first cable cars and chair lifts. They also negotiated their first green piste with increasing skill.

Mr C accompanied the more experienced skiers on the same slopes plus quite a tricky blue, which they skied magnificently.

In the afternoon we went back up the mountain and again real progress was made. Spiderman stretched the more experienced skiers and challenged them to push themselves harder. Some of the beginners were beginning to find the wind and the altitude tiring so after some impressive skiing on the green slope, Stephane brought them down on the white egg cable car and returned to the hotel by bus.

We had hot chocolate and madelaine cakes in the hotel before heading out for skating on the town rink. The skating group of seventeen had dwindled to seven by the time we came to depart, the rest choosing to rest in the hotel before dinner at seven.

Dinner was the traditional local speciality: bangers and mash. After cramming themselves with this, the pupils retired to bed for an early night and a room tidy. We had earlier cancelled our 'untidiest skier' competition because we could not afford to buy that many prizes.

As the week has gone on, we have become more aware of the range of abilties amongst our skiers. As a result of this, we have booked a third instructor for the rest of the week. This will mean smaller groups and more intensive tuition. Given the variable conditions, this will give the instructors more options of where to ski on the mountain. Most importantly, it will mean that every single pupil, be they experienced or beginner, will get the most out of their week on the slopes.

Today's prizes

Most impresssive gymnastic maneouvre - Mwela M for a double back somersault into deep powder: 5.9 for artistic merit and 6.0 for technical difficulty.

Ice skating coach of the day - Tom D (thank you Tom for your fantastic kindness and patience in helping Ella H learn to skate without holding on).

Confession of the day; Spiderman - "I don't know. I just found this ski school jacket lying on the ground and thought it looked good".

Most spectacular whipe out - Tom Cridland taking out TGV. When the snow settled, they were both unhurt.

Tomorrow, three S. Anselm's ski groups will head out into the snow before returning for a movie night in the hotel.

 Day 5 Ski Report
I would love to report that today was blessed with sun kissed slopes, but the weather was unkind to us today – high winds and low cloud prevented our groups from heading up the mountain. However, our skiers were rested and ready for actions, so we headed out at 9.30 to meet our instructors. As the upper slopes were closed, and the lifts were out of action, we had to ski on the slopes close to the village which used drag lifts.
Mr Tadman and Mr Wood, who had bravely volunteered to check out the conditions up the mountain, came back battered and bruised and reporting most lifts closed and white-out conditions.
Rudi (Spiderman), Stephane and Paul, our instructors did a heroic job of keeping our skiers amused in the restricted ski area. They worked on turns and technique before moving on to slalems, races and jumps. By the end of the day, the more able skiers had raced each other and the beginners had worked on their technique and were brimming with confidence. Most of them were performing parallel turns with ease by the end of the day, with even the beginners going from snow plough to parallel skiing after every turn.
It was a tired and happy group that gathered in their pyjamas, under their duvets, this evening in the TV room to watch ‘Miracle on 34th Street’. It was wonderful to see the whole group getting on so well, and what could be more fitting as the snow continued to fall outside.