Expedition 2020 Daily Updates

Day 1

After a long but very comfortable flight we reached Geneva. A beautiful drive along the lake and up to our village. We are all here safe, will have dinner then go skiing tomorrow.

Day 2

After the marathon travel of the previous day, we all enjoyed a great night sleep due to a full belly, crisp fresh air and soundless surroundings, and woke up eagerly ready to conquer Villars. The 40-minute journey to the slopes was a highlight of its own with spectacular views of the snow topped Bex valley through windy country roads passing traditional swizz housing. After collecting our gear, and meeting our instructors, it wasn’t long before we hit the slopes for the first time of the trip. All of us enjoyed a wonderful day skiing and snowboarding and returned back happy, healthy and excited for the days to follow. Everyone is in great spirits and the perseverance, politeness and maturity shown by our students has been impressive.

Day 3

Today was another fantastic day in the mountains with half of us developing our skiing skills while the other half enjoyed snow shoeing across the mountain, enjoying breathtaking views in perfect alpine weather. Everyone has pushed themselves with great enthusiasm and we’re all looking forward to another snow filled day doing the reverse activities of today. With a good weather forecast for tomorrow, another fantastic day lies ahead!

Day 4.

Another beautiful sunny day in the Swiss Alps. The teams swapped today, with again half snowshoeing across the mountains and the other teams making progress in both skiing and snowboarding. The end of the second day's training is often a turning point in things 'coming together' and so it was today - everyone felt they had made great steps towards more graceful and accomplished manoeuvres. With two more days to go, and half way through, we all hope to make more great strides tomorrow.

As expedition leader I would also like to add to parents what a great attitude the whole group has: working hard, listening well and behaving impeccably - and in the main barely complaining about the aches and pains we all suffer a little in this sport :- ) As staff, it is a genuine privilege to have such an excellent group of students for the this challenging expedition.

Day 5

Yet again, our students excelled in another challenging yet fulfilling day with everyone, without exception, developing their skiing and snowboarding prowess and attempting trickier runs and skills. It is an interesting aspect of snow sports that after a couple of days, the many necessary skills just seem to 'click' together - what seemed impossible only a day ago is now pretty much mastered. Of course this foundation provides the springboard and confidence for continued further and faster progress.

To help this progression even more our Swiss Ski School instructors - some of the best trained in the world - have been fantastic and friendly. Moreover, it has been wonderful to see the mutual encouragement that our students are giving to one another to help them through the inevitable tougher times on the slopes. Now, all safely back at our base, Les Martinets, we are ready for another wholesome meal and a small celebration of this expedition's birthday boys- Finn and Matt. What a great place to remember turning 15!