Ski 2014 - All change...

Ski 2014 Location Change

What happened?

Well as far as we know our company assessed Brian Head last summer for the final safety and risk assessment report. Unfortunately they found only 2 lifts in total had safety bars. This resulted in the resort being pulled from their program. As a result no more flights were booked by the flights department. The February 2014 flights had already been sorted but the Easter flights never got booked by the company last autumn. For some reason this information only materialized just over 2 weeks ago. Since then I have spent in excess of 15 hours on calls at all times of the day, even Skype to New Zealand! Our schools are committed to ensuring everyone gets value for money and an excellent trip like all the others that have preceded this one.

What's next?

We are very close to sorting an excellent package with one of 3 companies. We have had several options but due to the timing of this news many of the options ended up way over budget. So we have the following options we are considering:-

Ski Safari Maine

This would see the group fly into Boston and then drive up to Maine. We would stay in the Jordan Grand Hotel in Sunday River for 3 nights. Here we would ski for 2 days and then 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. After this we would then travel down the coast to the Big Apple! Yes we would be staying in Manhattan. We would naturally stop on route for some retail therapy. Our hotel is in 57th Street and is the Holiday Inn. After a nights sleep we would then have much more shopping to do after a hearty New York breakfast. On ofer could be the Circle Line Statue of Liberty Cruise and a ride to the top of of the Empire State building viewing deck. Finally we would fly out from New York on a late flight that evening, returning to QMHS the following day.

Ski Sugarloaf

We could do much of the above and ski 5 days at Sugarloaf with either the same hotel or the condominiums at Sugarloaf.

We have 2 other possibilities that could be just as excellent as above; however in one case we can not as yet get the accommodation sorted and in te other only 35 seats on a flight to San Francisco! We will not accept any package that is not at least equal to the original package that we booked.

What if we do not want to go anymore? 

Well that would be a real shame after all the hard work I have put into negotiating and getting the best deal for the group. You are however, entitled to get a refund of the monies you paid for the trip. We do need to know with a matter of urgency though. Please rest assured what ever package we have, it will have to be special and appropriate for our group. Please email me with your son or daughters name if you do not want to take part anymore so that I can adjust the flight seats required. All monies are now safely back in each schools bank account. Email Mr. Hinks or Mrs. Wood. After the 17th February I will assume the whole group is happy to continue.

Will the dates change?

Most likely yes. The first option above is identical to our original, that is flying out on Saturday 12th April and returning to school on Easter Sunday, 20th April. Other options could have us travelling out on the 13th, 14th or 15th. All of the holidays will be the same duration.

What about my ESTA form?

This is still valid if you have done it; however if you want to update it when we know the new details you can. This does not cost anything to do. If you have not done it, then please wait until we have everything confirmed. 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.

Pure Sugar!