O
n the scorching day of the
Grand National, the King's
College 2011 ski group set
off on the 24-hour journey
to Alp D'Huez. Although
sleeping on a bus is never
ideal, Dom Bracher was certainly content with
the quality of the coach, its spacious aisle used
to good advantage for a sleep. Easter being
late this year meant we arrived in Alp D'Huez
at the end of the ski season. Although this did
somewhat restrict the pistes for our skiing, it
also meant we were greeted with daily
sunshine (much to the horror of those who only
brought their winter wardrobes - some of
whom had to go out and buy flip flops!) but it
did enable fabulous goggle marks to be sported
throughout the group. Undeterred, we skied
each day.
After our 'one croissant' breakfasts (there was
conflict with the meal portions at the hotel, the
one croissant rule simply wouldn't work), we
were up for the first lift each day - the unusual
mechanism which was the lift certainly proved
a challenge and helped wake us up in the
morning to be ready for our day ahead! Met
late in true French style by our instructors, we
were able to fit in a decent amount of skiing
before lunchtime. The partakers of the trip
embraced a huge range in skiing ability, from
annual skiers to beginners. However, the
difference in ability did not keep us wholly
separate, with the advanced helping to teach
the beginners in the afternoon - 'dare devil'
(beginner) Dom Bracher even managed, with
the help of Dave McNeill and Nick Mason, to
do parallel turns and a 180 jump on the last
day (ask Nick Mason for video proof).
There was flexibility for the afternoon skiing,
and so people came down from the mountain
after lunch, where they enjoyed, within walking
distance from the hotel, crazy golf, ice skating,
go-karting and swimming. However, much to
the dismay of Olly Mason and Chris Griffiths,
we discovered that the swimming pool had a
policy of male swimwear being 'skimpies' only,
and so became to some a no-go area. The
evenings consisted of a group supper, and on
occasions an après-ski chocolate crêpe before
coming back to chill in the hotel, as well as
revision time for those who wanted it.
The trip provided a nice break from revision
and the intensity of A Levels for the 20 or so
6th formers who attended. It was a lovely last
time for me to spend with my friends before we
all left school and parted each other's
company. An enjoyable trip for all reasons,
I would really recommend going! Aluredian
19
Ski trip
by Virginia
Nash