Downsend Ski 2010

29 April 2010

Skiing, bum boarding, making snowmen, eating crêpes and living with 37 children—that was Downsend Ski 2010!

Ski 2010 was a resounding success.  For the third year in a row Mr Watts, ably supported by Mr & Mrs Keep and Mr Arnott departed from Gatwick with 37 excited children.  We flew to Grenoble and embarked upon a 4 hour coach journey to Risoul.  Risoul, a well kept secret (until now!) is a stunning under-used ski resort in the Forêt Blanche area of the French Alps.  It is a ski resort of charm and real, natural beauty. 

We arrived to a blanket of fresh snow and settled into generously sized rooms.  We fitted the children with skis and equipment and prepared for a week of fun and adventures.

The next day at 8.45 am we walked the 30 metres from the hotel to the piste and met our instructors who divided us into groups according to our skiing ability and experience.  We skied for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, returning home for lunch in between.  The progress made by the children over the week (particularly for the beginners) was staggering.

After skiing, the children showered and tidied their rooms, before venturing into town to spend their pocket money.  There was free time before supper at 6.00 pm and then a varied après ski programme took place each evening.  This varied from town trails, quiz nights, snowman building competitions, bum boarding, visits to crèpe restaurants and painful Karaoke—you don’t want to hear Mr Arnott or Mrs Keep sing!

This was a fun, humorous group.  The children mixed well, both older and younger ones alike, and knew how to enjoy themselves (their skiing wasn’t bad either!).

This ski team have decided to take a well earned break  from running the trip.  Ski 2011 will be led by Mr Temlett and details of the trip will be coming home shortly.  It will be available to children currently in Years 4, 5, 6 and 7.