The final video presentation from the St Anton Ski Trip 2012. Enjoy.

Day 7 So, our last proper blog of the first Austria Ski Trip 2012. We are pleased to report that the higher intermediates had a breakthrough with Walter, the instructor, who can speak English. He was immensely popular amongst the higher intermediates as he led them through lots of off piste and powder with Fred, Matt and Sean making their own routes. One slope turned into a rugby field as the boys tackled each other to end the day. To everyone's surprise, the beginners conquered a black run today, an event never before done on a DOY ski trip. The group is definitely the best beginner group we've ever seen!

Lower intermediates had a bit of a last day drama with lost objects. Alex dropped a pole from a lift therefore a search and rescue mission was launched, and the same thing happened when Lawrence dropped Mr Marsh's glove. RSM lead the advanced group all morning to show off how much he has improved since the first day, and took us on a series of red and black runs with a ten second head start. Eventually we got the better of him, and often had to leave him behind and meet him at the next chairlift as we were bombing the slope to make the most of our last hours.

Everyone was very upset to leave the mountains behind and we had one last stop to take in the scenery and reminisce about our favourite moments. Last night we had the presentation, when everyone received a certificate to commemorate their achievements. Along with the quiz winners, all the main prize winners received a small token: best beginner: Isobel, best lower intermediate: Keiran, best higher intermediate: Joe, best skier: Hugo, most improved: Charley, Endeavour: Bella.

The main purpose of the night was to thank everyone for the trip, especially Sam for being an amazing ski captain and instructor (receiving a Salomon jacket as a thank you), Katie for her entertainment, Mr Marsh for organising the whole trip, RSM for his alpine leading and video skills, Miss Ryder for looking after the lower intermediates and the girls, Matron for always smiling and raising morale, Mr K for his Canadian spirit and skiing techniques, and Mr Lynch who came on the trip as an honorary member of staff with amazing instructing skills. We're all really sad as we're getting on the bus soon, but Austria has not seen the last of us! Dukie pupils signing off for the last time. By Bryony, Charley and Sabana

Day 6  Despite the weather being better today, many runs were closed due to avalanche risk, with the board displaying many red crosses. We used the time waiting for the lift with the girls shopping for things like hats and key rings, whilst typical boys enjoyed a snow ball fight. We also witnessed a large party of skiers in fancy dress to brighten our day. Snow white, smurfs, Homer and Bart Simpson, Buzz Lightyear and other animals.

Eventually we hit the slopes allowing time for a few runs before lunch, making the most of the fresh powder. Beginners continued practising blue runs, but with more advanced skills and techniques to handle the different terrain. Lower Intermediates also enjoyed the new conditions with red runs, however Harriet navigated herself onto a black run, successfully getting stuck but rejoined the group after a mild panic.

There was also a slight domino effect as one member knocked another and soon there was a pile of skiers in the snow. The improvement in their technique was shown to be significant today as they handled the unpredictable slopes with ease. Jess and Dave were parted from the higher intermediates and decided to ski all the way to the bottom. The group was then taken off piste to learn how to glide with control which they accomplished spectacularly, testing their skills with a race to put on their skis and not be the last to the cafe.

The advanced group spent most of the day off-piste skiing in some very deep snow (waist high). The RSM joined the advanced again along with Walter (our guide), both providing a lot of amusement especially off-piste, where Charley informed him that he had a "wimpish attitude" after pausing at the top of a steep off-piste run. Taking up the challenge, he ended up sliding down and announced he had "snow where snow should not be". Everyone in the group loved the snow and were allowed to stay out an extra hour with the RSM leading us to make the most of our last full day of skiing. By Bry and Charley

Day 5 (White out day)

It is safe to say the weather conditions were not great; with strong winds and heavy snow closing most of the resort. The beginners, after a warm up, tackled a blue run bravely. Despite the conditions, they still managed to show Dukie spirit and promise for the future. The lower intermediates battled successfully through powder, mastering the basic techniques. The higher intermediates experienced off-piste skiing; taking advantage of the deep snow and practising the flexing of their knees. They drilled in a new instructor who gave them a master-class in how to deal with deep snow.

Due to the conditions, Ieuan managed (deliberately, of course) to get his tongue stuck to a metal bar (dumb and dumber), which led to a rather interesting departure of the chairlift while Sean 'cleverly' followed suit and managed to make his tongue bleed!

The advanced took full advantage of the conditions, putting into practise their powder techniques. With the RSM joining the group today, he picked up the nicknames 'stylish mannequin' and 'regimental scary monster'. Bella provided the entertainment for the group: a stylish stack resulting in a full face-plant and the loss of one ski. The RSM came to the rescue and led Bella to safety, gaining the Hero Award of the day.

Some interesting quotes came off today including a legendary, 'Are we in the Alps?' from Kelly, and James asking Ieuan to translate an English Menu. Most of the groups came in early as the conditions declined, apart from the intermediate groups who battled the conditions for some extra skiing. Let's hope the weather is better for tomorrow.
By Charley and proof read by Sabanna

Day 4

Well, it was definitely a dramatic day! The lower intermediates experienced a black run and mogules which they thoroughly enjoyed. Beginners also skied all kinds of slopes, traversing along a black to reach a blue, therefore can now say they have been on one!

St.Anton was treated to their loud singing on the chairlifts, singing songs from Justin Beiber to Jerusalem. Due to the language barrier between Walter the higher intermediate instructor and the group, some found themselves parted from their guide, however RSM (aka manikin) took control and managed to reunite the group again, with some stylish 'alpine leading' along the way.

The traditonal British bacon sandwich seemed appealing to Ieuan over lunch, however it turned out to have a slight Austrian twist. The grated cheese was actually horseradish, therefore Jess provided the entertainment by eating an interesting mix of jalapeno, egg and 'cheese'.

The advanced group got their adrenaline hit in the morning after getting air at the ski park, particularly Hugo and Alex, although Alex snapped his pole in the process. Lost in the fun, we realised we were late for lunch and had a fantastic time skiing full pelt down the mountain which worked up an appetite. There was a change of plan from trying off-piste skiing as we were hit with a white-out, and resorted to exploring the lower regions of the valley more.

To top off the day, Bryony, Hugo, and Matt managed to divert themselves away from the group and had to navigate - minus a map - to the correct chair lift. They concluded that the rest of the group got lost and they were in the right place the whole time....
By Bry and Charley

Day 3
A very promising second day for the beginners, showing lots of potential with their snow plough turns. Having only one day's experience, they successfully completed a descent of a series of blue runs, much to everyone's amazement.

They can now use a variety of lifts, under the coaching of our amazing ski captain Sam. Weather conditions have been very kind to us, although much colder than yesterday. All the groups had their ski legs back, and ventured out further afield to explore the many pistes across the valley. Advanced skied all the way to Stuben and St Christoph, aquiring nicknames along the way. Bryony adopted the nickname "Queen Control" being the sensible skiier of the group, whilst Alex dubbed himself "Colonel Chaos", but was demoted to "Captain" by the rest of the group. Charlie became "Mini Me" and Ruaidhri was simply named "Crazy" due to his complete lack of fear and judgement.

Although exhausted, our spirits were lifted by a discovery of the famous chalet starring in the film 'Chalet Girl', set in St.Anton. Higher intermediates got some air time with some impressive stories about falls, crashes and supposed temperature testing.

Joe was embarrassed over breakfast and dinner as he celebrated his birthday with a very loud Dukies chorus of happy birthday mit cake.   Everyone is looking forward to tomorrow, but as Matron said, "I need a massage!"
By Bryony, Charley and Sam

Day 2 and our first day of skiing, and what a brilliant day we had. The day started at 0600 for wake up, breakfast at 0700 and at the bus stop for 0815. Our bus ride took about 30 min to the St Anton resort and to meet our instructors for the day.

Each group was allowed a few minor runs to get their legs moving in sync with their skis before heading higher up.

The advanced group made its way to the top of the mountain and back down many times taking in nearly all of the black runs. The beginners spent the day learning the basic snow plough and the "how to land softly on your behind".

Lower intermediates progressed well and moved slowly up the mountain and the upper intermediates also made some great progress and made it up onto a few good red runs.

The weather was amazing, the sun shone all day and lifted the temperature up to -15 at the top.

Everybody had a great day and were all full of "did you see me do this and that" stories. The greatest story has to be a member of the advanced group, who will remain anonymous for his own protection, half way down a very steep black run and who decides to lean on a steel piste marker on the edge of another very steep drop. At this point the piste marker gives way... and he and the piste marker made their way very quickly down the piste in a large cloud of snow!! And, it was all caught on film.....

Tonight we all headed off to a local pizza parlour for some pizza and ice cream and now we are all a little heavier than we were earlier today. All good protein for tomorrow...

The videos are not uploading well so we will do this when we return for all to see. Each group will have a day with the cameras and we will upload a short section each night. Tomorrow is the beginners group.

Good morning From a -15 St Anton

Lunch with the Advanced Group half way up the mountain

Day 1 complete. All is quiet in the hotel. Most of the pupils have now got themselves to bed ready for their first day of skiing tomorrow. Everybody will be up at 0600 for breakfast at 0700. We will all then collect our skis, boots and poles and head out to the ski bus. We will have about a 30 minute bus ride to the resort of St Anton. Here we will meet our instructors for the week and be put into our groups. The first day will be mostly getting acclimatised to the snow, all of us will take a while to get used to the planks of wood strapped to our feet. Lunch will be on the piste every day and hopefully this will give us an opportunity to meet up and see how we are all doing. 2 head cams will be going out tomorrow with the groups, so hopefully we will have some great video footage for you tomorrow night. The sun was shining today and the forecast is "ok" for tomorrow, better pack the sun cream then!

Everybody now has their skis and are settled into their rooms. The hotel is quiet for now, 120 more school kids arriving tomorrow!

The view from our hotel.

Jess, Lottie, Bryony and Issi getting their boots and skis fitted.

Ieuan and Mathew in the morning sun/snow storm.

All in the hotel now. The sun is shining, still cold outside but at least it's shining. The hotel is great and rooms are a good size. Ski fitting soon then hopefully showers for all! Pictures will follow soon.

We have now arrived in Basel for breakfast. A quite uneventful journey. Temperature on route dropped to -11 and is -7 here in Basel. All the pupils seem to have had a sleep and are now enjoying their first Continental Breakfast, get used to it guys... About 4 hours drive now to the hotel. As soon as we arrive we will get some pictures uploaded.

On the train. Finally leaving good old England and heading off to cold but very white St Anton.

Still here...in Folkestone... The bus is starting to smell bad and we still have at least 12 hours to go. This could be emotional for all. Some are sleeping, some are reading but most are making a lot of noise. All have been warned about data roaming on their phones and have been shown how to switch it off, so hopefully no huge phone bills when we return.

We're moving.. On the next train and finally leaving Folkestone. It doesn't yet feel like we've started the ski trip....... Pictures and video footage will follow once we are settled in St Anton.

The bus is now surrounded by other children also off skiing, Ieuan said "it's like being on safari" ummm!

Oh dear! One and a half hour delay at the tunnel..... Everyones happy and noisy..... And eating.....