Ski trip - April 2005
A group of CSSC members, and their families faced a week of hill-walking
in April this year when lack of snow jeopardised their ski trip
to Bardonecchia, Italy. With a bit of imagination and a few hours
spent on the telephone to the tour company, the group were re-directed
at the last minute to the premium resort, Val d’Isere, France
for a holiday of a lifetime, courtesy of a generous subsidy from
CSSC London.
The group consisted of both skiers and snowboarders of mixed ability.
I was one of the absolute novices from within the group, having
never been on the piste before, however, by the end of the week
I was completely hooked on the sport and am definitely going to
do it again – although I did have a few bruises for my troubles!
Sunshine on the slopes
Our first four days on the slopes brought glorious sunshine and
a few members of the party were slightly red faced as a result.
Personally, I think that this may have been due to embarrassment
after a few comical incidents involving getting off chairlifts,
but that’s another matter! Towards the end of the week,
the snow began to fall, making the surrounding scenery even more
breathtaking.
Although this made visibility on the slopes more difficult, the
fresh snow was quite comforting for some of the party who seemed
to spend a lot of their time on their backsides!
Daytime activities
took the CSSC members to the top of La Grande Mott, 3656m, where
hot-chocolate and mulled wine was on tap to
keep their energy levels up. Under the careful watch of our
ski / snowboard instructors, we were safely guided down the different
coloured runs and, surprisingly enough, none of the group sustained
any serious injuries!
Accommodation
We stayed in a fully catered chalet where we spent evenings eating
delicious three course meals and sipping complimentary vin rouge.
To relax after the meals, we played board games and chatted about
our exploits on the slopes, and we were also entertained by the
children’s ‘mini-productions’ that were staged
in the communal lounge. Some of the more adventurous in the group
even ventured out to taste a bit of the ‘apres ski’ and
mix in on the dance floor with Val D’Isere’s finest!
Despite
the last minute scare, the trip was a huge success and CSSC will
certainly be looking to arrange a repeat excursion in
2006. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact
us.
Comments
Mel Johnson, Chief
Immigration Officer Portsmouth said: “It
was my first time skiing and I surprised how easy I found it. We
spent most evening socialising in the chalet. It was a very child-friendly
holiday.”
Ian Jackson, Chief Immigration Officer Portsmouth said: “It
was good to see the kids learn to ski and on occasion finding themselves
skiing backwards down blue runs. I’d advise anyone to give
skiing a go – it adds a new dimension to the word ‘fun’.”
Hannah Johnson, age 8 said: "I skied all the way down the
way down the mountain with my sister, Ella. We started from the
very top and I thought it would be hard – but it wasn’t.
My mum fell off the drag lift, the chair lift and the magic carpet,
but it was really funny and she wasn’t hurt."
George Gibson, age 8 said: “I tried out a red run, drank
loads of hot chocolate and had loads of snowball fights with my
brother Frazer. I’m probably a professional now.”
Paul McLaughlin, Presenting Officers Unit Pre-Hearing team, Feltham
said: "I learnt new skills on this holiday but I wish I taken tuition
which would have meant I’d have fallen over less, but I’ll
definitely go again next year.”
Viv Donkin, Immigration Officer, Poole said: “I’ve
skied in Austria, USA and Italy but Val D’Isere has to be
among one of the best resorts I’ve been to. The views were
breathtaking and the runs were fantastic. It was my first stay
in a chalet with a mixed group and it was great being with all
the children, watching them enjoying the thrill of learning a new
sport.”
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