“Oh, please don’t let it snow!”- Andalo Ski Trip 2009
At lunch time on Friday, two coaches set off for Italy and finally arrived at their destination an arduous thirty-six hours later! Despite the strenuous journey, everyone was eager to check out the facilities of our hotel, Arcobaleno.
Early the next morning, we all went for ski fit where we were given out boots, skis and poles before we rode the chair lift up the mountain to meet our instructors. The chair life provided hilarious entertainment as non-skiers decided to go on it with skis on and couldn’t get off. At one point, Mrs Beddard screamed, ‘Get down!’ and two year 8 girls quickly responded by lying flat to let the chairs pass over their heads- safely!
We had lessons with our instructors each morning and afternoon for four hours. Girls who stayed on the nursery slope, slowly began to traverse the mountain and progressed onto the long blue runs. The more experienced skiers were soon flying down the slopes and trying to stay upright when going off piste in the forest.
Every lunch, we had a long break where we sat sunning ourselves at the long tables; eating barbecued sandwiches and some even found a slide to play on. I think Mr Pickford enjoyed the slide more than the girls!
Our evening activities varied: ice-skating; shopping, swimming and talent shows. The town of Andalo was a typical Italian town with lots of boutique type shops for souvenirs. There were also some pleasant cafes to sit in and warm up in after the chilly days on the slopes. On the afternoon when we went to the pool, all manner of competitions took place: diving; underwater swimming; running in the water; dancing; synchronised swimming and even twirling!
The highlight of the evening entertainment was undoubtedly the talent show with three acts. First up were the teachers; the females dressed as school girls complete with school ties, orange faces and the headbands worn uncomfortably on the forehead and the male staff impersonating the female staff in their ski clobber. What a brilliant rendition of ‘we’re leaving on a jet plane’ adapted by Mrs Mansfield and Mr Jones! Then came the Year 8 dance troupe (not forgetting Dan and Sam) who choreographed and performed a brilliant routine. Last but not least were the Year 11s who won the prize for their dance.
After a brilliant week’s skiing, we were all sad to leave and get back on the coach for another thirty four hours.
