Ski Trips

Each year Balcarras runs a ski trip during February half-term.

The trip is open to pupils in Year 8 and above at the time of the trip.

Information for 2024 ski trip

Ski Trip 2024 (February Half-Term) FULL

Due to unprecedented demand all 80 spaces on next year’s ski trip have been applied for. Over the past week we have been inundated with requests for a place on the trip, so I have asked Mrs Davis (Finance Office) to create a reserve list.

Confirmed places

The assumption can be made that a deposit secures a place on the ski trip. However due to the extreme nature of skiing, the suitability of all applicants will be discussed with pastoral heads and staff accompanying the trip.

Should there be any concerns about behaviour or the ability to cope with the demands of skiing either now, or in the months leading up to the trip, then participation will be reviewed.

Pupils currently in Year 11 (now on study leave) … Year 12 from September

Since there is no space left on the half-term trip I know that there will be many in year 11 who will be disappointed at not being able to go when they are in Year 12.

New 6^th Form entrants in September will have the opportunity to apply for a place on an exclusive Year 12 Easter trip next year potentially from:

Monday 1st to Sunday 7th April

or Sunday March 31^st to Saturday 6^th April

depending on flight availability.

This is due to anticipated demand from Year 12 who will not have any immediate exam commitments after the Easter break in 2024.

Since returning from this year’s half-term trip, I have kept an eye on the live webcams at Myrkdalen. The conditions over Easter were, again, remarkable. Perfect slopes and lots of sunshine and historically this is normal.

The benefits of a Year 12 only Easter trip would involve a £100 discount on the February price, less extreme temperatures, more sunshine, longer daylight hours and everyone involved being in the same peer group.

In order to find out how many want to participate next Easter, please complete the following questionnaire … https://forms.office.com/e/Dtejus2ubh

At least 30 need to indicate that they want to participate before I start making arrangements with Myrkdalen and Norwegian Air.

Kind regards

Malcolm Dean (Ski Party Leader)

2023 Ski trip review

2023 Ski Trip took place in Norway

The Balcarras Ski trip to Norway saw record numbers take to the slopes

Another trip to beautiful Myrkdalen is over. It’s a pity that half-terms cannot be two-week affairs because many did not want to come home!

73 pupils (our highest ever ski party size) got up early on Sunday morning for our transfer to Gatwick. Our transition though check-in, security, and boarding was exceptionally smooth due to well-drilled youngsters being chaperoned by teachers with a wealth of experience in accompanying such trips.

Our flight to Bergen was 20 minutes shorter than normal owing to a strong tail wind. The coach transfer from Flesland Airport along the picturesque E-16 fjord road took about 2½ hours. Our hotel welcomed us back with open arms and everyone settled in to their 5* accommodation very swiftly.

Day 1 involved getting kitted up at ski fit. It was amazing how the whole party was dealt with in less than an hour. The strong winds on Monday meant that the chair lift was closed but everyone was able to brace the arctic like conditions using the button and T-bar lifts. The challenge caused by the weather did not deter our resilient pupils.

For the rest of the week the weather calmed down and we skied on virtually deserted pistes in (mostly) glorious sunshine.

Certificates were distributed to everyone. For the first time, two of our party got 4½ stars out of 5. It is tough to accept that any pupil is better at skiing than Dr Sharp & Mr Critchley!

The ‘pupils’ were a credit to the school, their parents and themselves. This was our 5^th successive visit to Myrkdalen. The hotel staff, ski instructors & ski-fit personnel have run out of superlatives to describe our children.

Roll-on February half-term 2024!

Mr M Dean (Ski Party Leader)