On a cold, snowy and very early Sunday morning on January 31
st 2010, eighteen students from Lisneal College and two somewhat mad teachers, Mrs Norris and Mr Wilson, braved blizzards and huddled in the school car park ready to embark on Lisneal’s fourth ski trip to Valloire, in the Savoie region of France.
It was bitterly cold as the school minibuses set off into the white abyss, which was once called the Crescent Link, and headed to Belfast International Airport.
My thoughts were focused on the dangers of Glenshane Pass but the students’ thoughts were concerned with sleep!
Mercifully, the snow cleared and we arrived safely at the airport and the excitement continued to build as we proceeded on our journey with no problems whatsoever. Could it be that this trip would be completely hassle free? This, we felt, was too much to hope for – no ski trip is ever ‘hassle free’!
On the Monday morning, after being cajoled and guldered at by Mr Wilson, all Lisneal students were assembled on time and with all equipment in place at the Gondola. That was a pleasant surprise – maybe this group of students are different! We lived in hope.
After picking up our two instructors, Paddy – who had been our instructor before -and Matt, we headed into the Gondola, split into groups and began our first, fraught ski lesson.
Two hours later, we emerged from the Gondola with aching limbs and white faces and mutterings of, “I can’t stop!” or “I can’t ski!” and “What’s a snow plough?”
As the week progressed these first desperate cries were replaced with a confidence which saw our students flying down mountains with speed and, in some cases, skill. Nevertheless, all progressed from where they had been on that first day.
As with all trips, après ski activities really allow students to show their personalities and Lisneal’s’ students were no exception.
Champion bum boarder was Kyle Henderson and not Malcolm Ross who had been given an advantageous push. However, Malcolm truly earned his colours as the best Mummy – don’t ask it wasn’t pretty. Peter McNutt amazed us with his ability to eat dried crackers. Again, this wasn’t pretty!
Bowling was won by Mr Wilson – and even though he was constantly being ribbed - he kept his focus.
The ice skating star was Thomas Rutherford who was able to skate backwards while others struggled to even stand up!
Perhaps the most surprising element of this year’s trip was the ‘Party Boys’. Eight male students – who shal remain nameless – paraded themselves at the Disco wearing only salopettes, braces and a smile much to the East Kilbride’s girls’ joy and to Mr Wilson and Mrs Norris’s shock!
The trip culminated in a meal in a restaurant where no student let themselves down.
Indeed, as we reflect back on the trip we agree that this was the best ski trip so far, thanks to the commitment and eagerness of all students to really go for it! And so, for the first time ever, we had ‘hassle free’ trip!