Over half term 46 pupils from Balcarras flew to Norway for some winter skiing. The resort was the Myrkdalen resort, 2 hours from Bergen. The pupils were Year 10 and Year 12, and ranged from complete beginners to students with over 40 weeks of ski experience. The hotel was right next to the slopes and was luxury accommodation with spectacular views.

The first day of skiing saw the pupils go into one of five groups based on ability and experience. The beginner group had 9 skiers who all started off on the green slopes learning the 'pizza turn' and using the ski's in a fish bone pattern (or 'Fiskebein' in Norwegian) to walk up hill. The fact that the resort is on the slopes meant that lunch involved taking off the skis and walking a few steps in the restaurant. The food was amazing; 3 hot meals a day, with students able to help themselves to as much as they wanted. (In fact the record stood at one pupil eating 23 chicken nuggets in one meal). That evening the group went to a games room that had bowling, shuffleboard and darts for pupils to enjoy. 

Day two saw groups work on their skills from the previous day. The beginner group took on the chair lift and headed up to the top of the resort. There are 22 runs and 9 lifts at Myrkdalen, so a variety to explore. The weather was sunny and cold, with temperatures down to -20C. However, the pupils enjoyed being active and exploring the slopes. By the end of the day everyone had saved a bit of energy and the whole group went night skiing, where the runs and forest were lit up with colourful lights. 

Day three and four there was a bit of snow overnight. However, as the days went on the weather was sunny with good visibility. Some of the more advance groups took the opportunity to go off piste with their instructors, or try out the snow parks where there were jumps and ramps. On the evening of day four we had a quiz which saw the 'ginger shots' team win a close tie-breaker.

Before we knew it we had got to the fifth and final day of skiing. There was around 30cm of powder snow that had fallen and the conditions were perfect for a final epic day of skiing. Despite the piste bashers having been out that night this was the first day of the Norwegian school holidays, and the slopes were busier. It meant that by the afternoon the snow had turned into moguls, lumpy skiing, that is tough on your knees. This gave a new challenge for going up the T-bar lifts with snow drifts, and descending safely.

The final evening we had an awards ceremony to recognise the efforts of the pupils. Tiffany Zikayo was awarded the 'Ian Davidson award for the most improved skiier', at the start of the week she was a beginner, but had mastered controlled parallel turns and starting to do some carving turns by the end of the week.

Abi Lythgoe was awarded the 'Gill Dean perseverance award' for taking some big crashes and knocks throughout the week, but still coming back smiling and full of encouragement and positivity with her group.

Finally the 'Malcolm Dean skier of the week' went to Noah Roscoe, whose effortless skiing was above and beyond anyone else in our group. Noah was also a great model helping give advice and support to all of the other pupils and staff on the trip.

All in all it was a great experience, the pupils were a credit to the school and gained a lot from the week. "It has been one of the best half terms I have had" said Noah Rigby in Year 12.

To see more images of the trip click here