Departing February 12th at midday from Pate’s, the CCF ski trip encompassed a wide range of Cadets from 13 to 17 as well as adult staff and instructors. Flying from Birmingham meant the time spent travelling was relatively short, arriving in Stuttgart at around 19:30 and at the lodge just a little later at 21:30. After a quick cup of tea and snack, everyone resigned to bed excited for what was to come the next day.
On the first day we collected boots, then ski passes (all surprisingly quickly for a group of about 36) and then skiing began. Having been able to bring our very own all-star English Ski instructors meant the language barrier was no issue, all be it; it was debated whether German or our instructor David’s Northern accent would be harder to understand… In the top group we found our feet soon enough and began some proper skiing. With so many different styles and techniques David certainly had his work cut out, however no one will disagree that he made huge improvements to everyone’s skiing, I felt I learned more in just one week with him than over 10 Years in France! Heading back to the accommodation after that we had soup prepared for all and then some down time, which was greatly valued before dinner. The accommodation we stayed in was lovely, and the hosts were incredibly kind and another relatively early night meant we were all prepared for the next day’s skiing.
Using different areas of the same resort for the next three days as well as video analysis and loads of different exercises meant the whole group further and further improved our skiing; however, the group also acquired a very special mission, of tasting and rating the German strudel at each restaurant we visited in our lunch break! I have no doubt that in the coming weeks Pranav’s review videos as “The Strudel Connoisseur” will go viral, and you will be able to see exactly what I mean!
Wednesdays Swimming pool trip was the highlight of the evenings activities, despite lost Trunks, Bags and a Wallet (all of which were eventually found), it proved an excellent evening, in a fantastic area and was a great chance to bond as a group. The evening meal and skittles evening only furthered bonding as a group of cadets and adults at a nearby restaurant on the Thursday, which, amidst fatigue and some minor bruises, everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday saw a change of resorts and thus the need for a change in skiing, some more challenging runs pushed our group further and further on, and a dump of fresh snow could not have been better timed to facilitate this.
My personal highlight had to be watching some of the FIS Men’s Slalom in Oberstdorf on the Saturday, it really gave me something to look up to and aim for.
Ending the trip with a visit to the zoo then our flight home, all were disappointed to be leaving, although talks of next year’s trip were kindling new excitement.
All of us on the trip would like to thank all those staff who organised, ran and even daringly learnt to ski themselves, for making the trip happen. We would also like to thank all the donors; Charities and the MOD, for the support they gave, in essentially making what was a hopeful thought a reality for those of us at Pate’s Grammar School CCF.
SGT HARRY FOLKARD
Our first skiing exercise was a huge success with the 28 Cadets achieving a good standard of Ski Awards ranging between 4 Star – 7 Star. I was hugely impressed by their standard of behaviour, enthusiasm and sense of camaraderie throughout the exercise.
