Ski Course - France

Ski Course 2008
Alpe d’Huez

We have forgotten how many times Northwood Prep has visited Alpe d’Huez but it is must be nearly ten years now.
This year 38 boys and six staff departed from school at the unearthly hour of 2am. We flew from Gatwick to Grenoble in our sleep! At midday we arrived at our hotel which was positioned perfectly at the bottom of the slopes, next to the main lifts. After eating a welcome lunch we checked into our rooms. Ski fit took place throughout the afternoon and when completed, we went to explored the village. Finally dinner and early to bed.

Saturday –
First day skiing, the weather was lovely and the conditions could not have been better. We were met by four ski school instructors who put the boys into groups - Beginners, Lower Intermediates, Upper Intermediates and Advanced. The boys spent the day settling into their groups and refreshing or starting to learn their skills which took them through the week. Evening entertainment was a quiz.

Sunday –
Another fine day of skiing, excellent weather conditions, however, in their desire to make the most of the day 15 boys were up at 5 am local time which was 4 am GMT! Poor Mrs Lee was quite tired when she spoke to Mr Newton with her report that night.
Beginners group progressing well on nursery slopes.
Lower Intermediate unfortunately lost three of their group... they have been moved to Upper Intermediate because of their excellent progress.  All of their work has been on green runs today.
Upper Intermediates:  Work on blue runs and an expedition to a local village, coped well with icy conditions.
Top group have been dashing about everywhere all over the mountain, Mr Johnson with his short blades bombing after them, Mr Crook joined in hot pursuit this afternoon.
Kyan Karashah nominated skier of the day yesterday because of the progress he made.
Dr. Lee had happy birthday sung to him by the boys at breakfast, received lots of presents and cards from the boys, thoroughly spoilt!
Tonight's activity is Mini Olympics, lots of activities, games, charades etc. (The noise on the phone was deafening!)
Evening meal was fish and chips, followed by tart au citron. Boys have been really good company today.

Monday –
Change of weather today, snow all day, so visibility not good.... but hey, snow is what we want!
Yesterday's Skier of the Day: Teshan Wijesuriya, for the enormous progress and gain in confidence from the first day.
Beginners: Chairlift today higher up the nursey slopes, and slalom!
Low Intermediates: Green and Blue runs.
Upper Intermediates: Red runs.
Top Group: Never still for very long, practically used up the whole mountain!  Phrases like the best Top group ever are being mentioned.
Evening meal tonight turkey, roast vegetables and chocolate mousse.
Tonight's activity: trip to the 'Fun Cafe', or arcade in common parlance, armed with 5 euros from Dr. Lee....fun..fun..fun!
On our way back from 'Fun Cafe' started snowing again, village looks really picturesque,... and fresh powder snow for tomorrow!

Tuesday -
Snow throughout the night, about 8cm, but unfortunately did not stop there, it proceeded to snow the same throughout the day, semi blizzard conditions.
Powder snow great for skiing but -4 degrees C and snow in the face is not ideal.
However, it has to be said, our boys were magnificent, just carried on regardless and just enjoying every minute.
They have coped with the conditions amazingly well.
Beginners group have continued their excellent progress.
Lower Intermediates: Parallel turns on Green and Blue runs.
Upper Intermediates: More experience on different Red runs.
Top group: Jumps, Red runs and ambushing every other group at speed!
Skier of the day yesterday was Henry Douch, only been skiing three days and already promoted to Red runs, what a star.
Evening meal tonight was leek and potato soup, followed by spaghetti bolognese, with crepes to follow. 
Tonight's activity, KARAOKE!!! Not sure who to blame/give credit to, parents or Mr. Griffiths, all I know is that Mrs. Lee had to find a quiet place to make a phone call, then to lie down!

Wednesday -
Anne has had a day off as reporter as it is her birthday, boys have been very kind to her.
A challenging day for all groups, very cold and high winds, exceeding 85 mph in gusts, closed many of the high lifts.
Beginner group: more confidence and showing good control in turns.
Lower Intermediates: More practice on fresh Blues and Greens.
Upper Intermediates: Trying conditions, but managed steep Red including a mogul field.
Top group: Weather conditions did curtail some of the higher exploration of the mountain, but revelled in the sheer challenge of the conditions.

All groups came to terms with the difficult conditions, demonstrating great confidence and perseverance.  It is good to experience adverse weather, to realise that skiing isn't always blue skies.
The boys are staying in the same hotel as the English Schools Skiing Association, they are taking part in European championships in Alpe d'Huez this year.  The boys have enjoyed chatting to the competitors.
Also today they saw six husky teams at work, running and running.... just for the love of it!
Also a round of the European Nordic (cross-country) Skiing Championship took place, (Its all action in Alpe d'Huez this week!), great to see a different type of skiing, and some seriously fit men and women.
Skier of the day yesterday was Sevir Mandair, real determination to achieve success.
The honour of skier of today goes to Niall Sharma, the Instructors commented on his excellent technique.  (This is a rare accolade, French ski instructors rarely pay compliments of this nature.)  Also mentioned how helpful Niall was to others.
Congratulations to both boys.
Aprez ski tonight was ice skating.
Weather forecast for tomorrow is very good, with clear skies, let's hope so.

Thursday –
Hello London. Alpe d’huez calling
Relayed by Mr. Crook
At last - the sun again.
A beautiful day, a day in which the groups demonstrated all the confidence they have developed over the days of adversity, yes Northwood Prep boys were swarming all over the mountains, making the most of their final day.
All groups up to the top of Pic Blanc, some to just view, some to ski down.
Upper Intermediates completed their first Black run, a truly remarkable achievement.
Skier of the day was Zohaib Arain.
Skier of the Week and winner of the Peters Cup, a really talented skier, Adam Green (or should it be Adam Black Run!).
The boys have dined, packed, and are now showering, washing hair and generally scrubbing up to meet you tomorrow.
So home beckons, final farewells, shopping in the village, then the 21 hairpin bends down the mountain, made famous by the Tour de France stage.
You will receive a text to advise you of our progress after we have left the airport (UK).
Au revoir!
Mr S Newton
(Thank you Mr Newton on behalf of the boys and staff for emailing parents each evening with our news.)