Ski Trip 2014
Maine Ski Safari
Departure
Saturday 12th April 2014
We shall depart Queen Mary's High School at approximately 02.30am BST (tbc) and travel down to London Heathrow (LHR). We shall be flying with Delta Airlines on a scheduled flight direct into Boston Logan International airport (BOS).
Flight No. DL187 09.40 Arriving 12.22 EDT [LHR-BOS]
(We shall still be 5 hours behind the UK for the duration of the holiday)
We shall then drive up to Maine. Here we will be staying in the Jordan Grand Hotel in Sunday River for 3 nights. Here we will ski for 2 day; after our 3rd night and breakfast we will take all our equipment over to Sugarloaf which is about a 1 hour 30 minute transfer. Here we will stay at the Sugarloaf Mountain Inn for 3 more nights and ski a further 3 days with the same instructors from Sunday River.
Our package includes the full use of the facilities at both mountains including the pools so please bring swimwear. Our ski package also includes 5 days of ski instruction for 4 hours per day. The lift tickets, skis, boots, poles and helmet hire is included. It is however better to have your own helmet but this is your choice.
Our last ski day will be at Sugarloaf and will be on 17th April and as always it will be in fancy dress. Prizes for the best but everyones a winner when the locals comment on the excellent costumes. Look at our last 3 trips to gather some inspiration.
Friday 18th April 2014
After a good breakfast we will depart the mountains and set off for the Big Apple! This is a long drive so we will stop off for a 3 hour lunch break and some retail therapy at one of the outlet centres!
We will be staying in Manhattan and our hotel is in 57th Street and is the Holiday Inn. Once checked in we will head off to the Hard Rock Cafe for an evening meal together. After a good nights sleep we would then have much more shopping to do after a hearty New York breakfast at Mama Sbarro's. On offer could be the Circle Line Statue of Liberty Cruise and a ride to the top of of the Empire State building viewing deck. After a final round of shopping we will then pick up our coach and head off to John F Kennedy airport. Our overnight flight will give us all an opportunity to dream about our experiences of the week before landing back at London Heathrow early on Easter morning, 20th April.
Saturday 19th April 2014
Flight No. DL402 20.30 EDT Arriving 08.45 BST [JFK-LHR]
We would then be back at Queen Mary's High School at around 14.00 BST (tbc) depending on customs and traffic.
Trip Hoodies
As you all know this has become a tradition and we often use WavePrint of Birmingham for our excellent hoodies and T-shirts. However as part of your package Equity has offered to include them for all trip members. Details will follow shortly.
Updating your ESTA form
This is still valid if you have done it; however if you want to update it, then the above details will help. This does not cost anything to do. If you have not done it, then please do so since everything is now confirmed as above. Click here to reach the ESTA site.
Parents information evening
This will now be rescheduled to take place shortly after half term, probably in the 2nd week back. In the meantime please feel free to email into school if you have any questions.
Ski lessons
All of this upset and stress has put my plans completely out of order. It is best if students have had two 2 hour lessons and best done on the dry slope. The best two local slopes are The Telford Ski Centre and The Ackers Adventure centre Small Heath. I would recommend doing the lessons during half term if possible. At present I cannot guarantee that we can fit it in early next half term. The Snowdome can be used but it is not as good value for money.
Check out the latest from Sunday River - http://vimeo.com/86736422
Check out the latest from Sugarloaf - http://vimeo.com/87030293
A Big Thank you to many...
It has to be said the past three and a half weeks have been very stressful. The day to day job of a teacher is busy enough but on top of this you all know we have had a lot to organise in a short amount of time. Several companies have tried to help us out in efforts to correct a problem that was not our fault. Due to the lateness of the problem many just could not accommodate our big group nor match the price we had paid. I have always ensured that whoever is on a Snowsports QM trip they get the best value and experience possible. After careful consideration the above package together with consideration of flight times is the best for our group. I want to take this small amount of time to thank all those who have helped but a special mention to Activ4, who we have travelled with before, who almost came up with the perfect package. If any prospective leader is reading this then I have no hesitation but to whole heartedly recommend them for complete peace of mind and attention to detail. You will not be disappointed by them.
No comments:
Post a Comment