Off-piste on the glacier

The advanced group enjoyed a session off-piste on the glacier at Pic Blanc, which is the highest point at 3300m.

Prize giving on the piste

The beginners after their final session. More amazing was the news that they'd skied two black pistes in their first week. A wonderful achievement, well done!

The Intermediate group made so much progress this week, most of them only had one week's experience. Great work!

The Advanced group. Having skied with them during the week, I found it tough work on the legs to keep up. They were fantastic and very talented skiers.

Our ESF instructors, thank you all so much for an unforgettable week. They were so kind to all the pupils and made us all feel relaxed.

Frederic (Beginners), Philippe (Advanced), Bouli (Intermediates)

Group photo  -  what a lovely way to finish off a brilliant week. 

Travel update

Boarded plane, all on time so far.

13.40 just landed.

Pizzas at Pinocchio's

Having discovered Pinocchio's pizza restaurant last year, we made a very welcome return last night for another pizza evening.

OSA on ice

Whilst ice skating the other evening, we were pleased to come across Tom Pownall, his magnificent beard and Tom Kistruck:

Messrs Pownall and Kistruck

Comparing beards ...

Wish you were here?

I have some shots from yesterday yet to post, but I thought I'd just show you what it's like on the piste at the moment.

Not bad ...

Ice skating

Wednesday evening saw us return to the ice rink. The rink had been swept, but the snow was falling quite heavily, which made the experience "interesting".

Our Year 11 ice skaters

The whole ice skating group

Head boy and head girl on ice

Lottie survived intact this year

Maia and Lydia

Progress from the beginners

The first photo is one that Mr Edlin took earlier in the week when the beginners were still practising on the very gentle beginners' piste:

By this morning, I had to chase them all over the mountain. The second photo shows us stepping sideways up the steep approach to a bubble lift. From the top, the beginners decided that they would like to try to ski a red, which they all accomplished. Mrs Liley joined us and was most impressed, deciding that Ashleigh was Queen of the red run.

This afternoon, Mr Edlin skied with them and took this photo at the top of a red run:

Wednesday afternoon's snowfall

The forecast was for about 5cm, but at least twice that fell.

Wednesday afternoon's snowfall, as seen from room 101

It's actually been very warm on Thursday, so most of it has now melted, but the pistes had a nice covering of powder today.

Weather report

White stuff is falling. This is good news.

"Onesie Wednesday" and a birthday

This year's onesies weren't perhaps quite as spectacular as last year's panda, zebra and dinosaur, but Tom's giant Christmas jumper and Robert's raccoon are nonetheless pretty good.  Birthday boy Harry is sporting the reindeer helmet cover that the staff bought for him.

More photos from Tuesday

Here are some more of Mr Edlin's photos from Tuesday:

Adam, ready to go ...

Harrison and George relaxing on the balcony in the sunshine

A particularly nice panoramic shot captured up at the top by Mr Edlin

The girls admire the scenery

I know he also took a nice shot of the beginners' group, which I don't seem to have, so I'll post it later if I can get hold of it.

Skiing above the clouds

There was a good deal of cloud filling the valleys on Tuesday and most of our skiers escaped up above it.  Here are some photos:

Tuesday's intermediate group (it varies!)

Mr Edlin and Georgina

Looking dashing in my new sunglasses ...
(I was about to hurtle down a run too flat even to be classified as a green)

Monday: intermediate and advanced skiers

Mr Edlin spent Monday skiing in the sunshine with the intermediate and advanced groups:

Henry has a few issues getting the boot on the right foot ...

The intermediates at dizzying heights, 2700m

Panoramic shot in the bubble

Girls on top

The advanced group after a rollercoaster black

Mrs Liley's photos from day 1

After the first day

An excellent first day's skiing on Sunday, and I have some more photos from Mr Edlin and Mrs Liley that I hope to post later.

Beginners beginning ...

Fantastic progress on the first morning from our beginners.

Arrived at the hotel.

Pupils just settling in to their rooms. Ski fit later.

All is well.

Everything running to time, currently on the coach to the resort.

Alpe d'Huez Ski Trip 2014: TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS & FINAL DETAILS

STAFF: MR COURT, MR EDLIN AND MRS LILEY

OUT BOUND:  SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2014

To meet at the Departures drop off point at Gatwick Airport  NORTH Terminal at 0445.

CHECK IN: 0525

FLIGHT NUMBER FROM LONDON GATWICK: BA2736 British Airways             
FLIGHT TIME: 0725
ARRIVAL TIME AT GENEVA: 1010
ARRIVAL AT CLUBHOTEL BELLE AURORE: 1500 (approx depending on baggage handling, passport control & traffic)
Due to the arrival time at the Hotel please would you supply your child with a packed lunch as their first meal at the Hotel will be dinner. Please also read the information below on Airport restrictions with regards to hand luggage (volume of fluids).

INBOUND:  SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2014

FLIGHT NUMBER FROM GENEVA: BA2743 British Airways         

FLIGHT TIME: 1255

ARRIVAL TIME AT LONDON GATWICK: 1340
PLEASE COLLECT YOUR CHILD FROM ARRIVALS  (inside the airport) AT 1415

Please note that the airport/airlines have very tight restrictions on liquids and creams/pastes in hand luggage, so please pack any such items into the suitcase and also make sure there are no scissors or pointed objects in the hand luggage or pockets. It is a good idea to have a pair of ski socks in hand luggage as sometimes we have a ski fit on arrival before unpacking suitcases.

Skibound state that pupils are permitted one medium sized case and one item of hand luggage with a combined weight of 20kgs.  Excess baggage charges are very high, so please be careful. We are currently waiting on Skibound to confirm luggage allowances for the British Airway flight and if this information differs from above we will let you know. 

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER: 07854 983257

This will be manned 24hrs.

HOTEL ADDRESS:

Belle Aurore Clubhotel

Route du Signal

Alpe d’Huez 38750

France

Contact Number : 0033476803317

Alpe d'Huez Ski Trip 2014: Kit List

This is the basic list that has been emailed to parents.  We are expecting the resort to be snowy and the weather when skiing will be cold, so the thermal base layers and really good gloves will be important.

We don't recommend taking mobile phones and other expensive electronic paraphernalia as some of it always gets lost.  The staff will not have time to look for lost gadgets, so please only bring things that are heavily insured or that you are prepared to risk losing.  If pupils do bring mobile phones, we will be asking for their numbers.  If parents want to speak to a member of staff during the trip, one of us will have the College mobile phone, the number of which is 07854 983257.

General:

Normal everyday clothes for wearing around the hotel
Normal washing equipment for use in the hotel
Nightwear
Towel
Swimming kit (in case a visit to the local pool is arranged)
Outdoor clothes and suitable footwear for use in snowy conditions
Hats, scarves, gloves etc.

For the skiing:

Thermal base layers
T-shirts, sweatshirts
Salopettes or ski trousers
Ski socks (several pairs)
Ski jacket
Ski gloves
Ski goggles
Balaclava or thermal face protection would be useful
(We will be wearing helmets, so most hats will not fit inside)
Ski goggles (normal sunglasses are not appropriate)
Sun cream, lip balm

We will have medical kit with us, but if pupils require us to look after any medical requirements whilst away, please clearly name and hand to a member of staff.  Mr Edlin and Mrs Liley both hold current first aid certificates.

Equipment provided at Alpe d'Huez:

Ski boots
Ski poles
Skis
Helmet

Happy packing and please remember that there are airline restrictions on luggage. You may find this link to the British Airways website useful (please copy & paste into your browser):

http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/checked-baggage-allowances