Thrill-seeking students hit the slopes for an action-packed Austrian adventure.
Highfields ran its largest ever ski trip during the half-term holiday, with a group of 69 students and eight staff travelling to Gerlitzen to take to the slopes under the guidance of professional instructors.
With a large proportion of students having only experienced Telford Dry Ski Slope for just two hours back in November, and a handful of students being lucky enough to have skied on snow several times before, Gerlitzen offered an ideal location to accommodate all abilities in the group.
Mrs R Coldicott, who organises the Highfields ski trip every two years, said: “Day One of skiing was certainly quite a daunting one for many of the beginners, as they were told that their first real experience of ‘proper’ skiing would be half way up the mountain, after a 2.7km ride in the Gondola that was then to be followed by a further 350m ascent on a two-man chair lift. It was certainly a lot different to their experience of the button lift at Telford!
“Luckily, the few anxious looks soon turned into relief as the beginners’ slopes came into view.
“Whilst the lovely blue skies overhead made for great visibility all week, the record temperatures in resort certainly didn’t make for easy skiing conditions underfoot.
“Luckily, however, the snow cannons were on hand throughout the resort to help keep the slopes open and the students very quickly realised that all those layers of clothing that we had dutifully warned them to make sure they packed, did not all have to be worn, every minute of every day!
“By days two and three on the slopes, students were certainly in the swing of things, and were quickly progressing up the slopes without even realising.”
After a day on the snow, students and staff enjoyed a number of other evening activities, including ice skating and bowling. They also enjoyed a quiz and challenge night, which saw students put their trivia to the test along with chopstick, cup stacking, and skittle sorting skills.
Mrs Coldicott added: “Highfields students were, as usual, an absolute credit to the school and staff were told on numerous occasions by the hoteliers, the reps, the instructors and the coach drivers, that the group were genuinely one of the best school groups they had come across, so well done to them all.
“In addition, I would like to thank the staff - Mrs Clowsley, Ms Stevenson, Mrs Frost, Miss Nearn, Mr Lee, Mr Brittle and Mr Hewett - who gave up their half-term holiday to make such a trip possible.
“Whilst is was without doubt an exhausting week for everyone, it will also be a trip we will look back on fondly for many years to come and, for some at least, we hope it will mark the start of a lifelong passion for skiing.”
