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Ski Trip - Alp d'Huez - Easter 2011
The Party - Paul Gillam; Lynne Palmer; Max Baldwin; David Bamber; Lucas Bamber; Ethan Bradd; Scott Bradd; Sophie Bignall-Edwards; Steve Dominy; Clare Edwards; Morgan Edwards; Jonno Foster; Tom Gray; Will Gray; Dave Henry; Jasper Kelly; Trevor Kelly; Hamid Lawal; Matthew Meikle; Maria Mikhaylenko; Lewis Riddell; Avan Wright; Jon Wright; Lucky Zhang. With Easter falling so late after a poor year for skiing in the Alps, the snow reports had not been promising in the days leading up to departure, but the party left Eagle House in good spirits. The travel arrangements ran smoothly and we arrived at our hotel in baking sunshine with crocus and primroses flourishing where once there had been winter snow. However, Alp d'Huez is a huge resort and, with glacier skiing near the top of the mountain and sheltered valleys safe from the afternoon sun, we were always going to find enough skiing to keep us busy for the week. After supper the party found their rooms and had their ski equipment fitted in the hotel (very convenient) and all was ready for skiing in the morning. With three instructors booked to guide our fourteen children, they were able to benefit from learning in small groups at a level most suited to their ability. The weather and the visibility was glorious all week with just one misty morning - it is fabulous being high up in the pure air of the mountains in this Isere region of France and, while you have to cope with a variety of snow conditions at this time of year, you don't have to worry too much about getting cold and wet - sitting out on the veranda was a joy all week.
Our two beginners - Lucky and Maria made rapid progress over the first few days and the other students soon found a level they were comfortable with. Lewis, Jono, Will, Jasper and Max proved to be very accomplished skiers with the first three named achieving the highest 'Gold Star' award. Lucas, another accomplished skier, joined the party at lunchtime on Monday and headed straiight out on to the slopes. Tom, Ethan, Sophie and Hamid were also very capable and they made good progress this Easter. It was good to see Hamid, who only started last year, looking so confident - I remember watching him trying to 'deforest' New England single-handedly on his first visit to the slopes. Matt is a very sensible skier and, along with Morgan, and Avan, he opted to work in the beginner group and to concentrate on his control.
Meanwhile, the adults were also flying over the hills. David Bamber was alarmed to find himself snowboarding for a full two hours before anyone had even hinted at a 'coffee / cognac' stop - Lynne quickly seconded the motion and a cafe in Montfrais soon benefitted from our custom. The Hotel served us very well (apart from the evening when the cook had his day off!) and the children enjoyed a variety of engaging evening entertainments. These ranged from bingo, orienteering, a 'high ropes' activity and an egg challenge to swimming in the heated outdoor pool. The parents indulged in a 'busking' session with Gilly, Steve and Jon providing the guitar work to back the enthusiastic bar singers - there were some very competitive pool and table football fixtures and one search through the town to find a screen that was showing the 1st half of the champions league fixture. This was a very happy party. The children were sensible and co-operative and they made life very easy for me as an organiser. The whole group gelled together very quickly and there was a good blend of independence and camaradie. Eagle House families are brilliant at responding to a need for help and this spirit was tested when Ethan had his accident. Everyone knows that these things happen on the ski slopes, but it doesn't make it any less painful and you really need to feel that you are not left to cope on your own. Many thanks go to Dave for driving me down to Grenoble to bring Scott and Ethan a few of the essentials you don't always (ever) carry when you are out skiing. Thanks also to Scott and Ethan who continued to add so much to the party despite the pain and disruption they had experienced.
I'm particularly grateful to Dave Henry, who was able to keep some of the more ambitious skiers entertained by guiding them the tougher trails and the popular 'water jump'. I would also like to thank Trevor Kelly who, while managing to keep one ski ahead of Jasper (Yr3), took a lot of video footage that we hope to use to create a short memento for the party members and their families. Clare and Lynne bravely brought a feminine balance to the group, Jon was my ski partner most days and witnessed the 10 minute, desperate, non-stop descent of the mountain to make the presentation ceremony on Friday afternoon. Lynne was an invaluable member of the party, specifically in looking after the unaccompanied girls , but helping in so many ways to make this a trip a success.
. . . . and what we don't know about marmots!
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