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.