Wednesday, 3 April 2024

Ski Day 3 - Mountains and bluebird

All ready to go. Team 2024, you are fabulous.

After tweaking the system the Snow Patrol were all ready to go having had another hearty breakfast at hotel Panorama. The weather is glorious. Bluebird, fresh air, mountains and great corduroy.





Group 1 hit the small magic carpet to do a couple of runs to warm up. They spent time practicing their snow ploughs and turns, going down one at a time so Jordy (their instructor) could give them tips and advice on what they were doing well and how to improve. It was then time to hit the bigger magic carpet to the longer run, El Planell II, where they steadily came down to practice their turning. It's hard work but they were all still smiling when we stopped for lunch. 

Group 2 spent most of the morning going up the bigger magic carpet and practiced their turns. They got lots of feedback from their instructor, who was giving them tips on how to improve. Some students found it harder than others, but they all finished the morning excited to go further up the mountain after lunch. 

This afternoon group 1 and 2 adventured up the bigger ski lift to Pla de la Cot for the first time. Although they were all a little nervous to go down a steep slope, they all tried their best and got up smiling when they fell. They had the opportunity to explore the woods on their skis and practice going a little faster. 

 Group 1 enjoying the rest and taking in the scenery


Action shot of group 2 



Group 1 practising their turns

Group 3 skied down El Besuet II, from Pla de la Cot multiple times, this afternoon. They had lots of fun exploring the woods on their skis and racing each other to the bottom of the slope. Throughout the afternoon, they worked on their parallel turns and and. now a lot more confident skiing down steeper blue slopes. 

Group 4 got off to a flyer this morning! They made their way up the mountain early this morning and got up to the peak. On the way down, the group hit the first red slope of the week, La Cot. Danny, the instructor, pushed the students hard and they have all improved in their parallel skiing, reaching the far end of the resort. They found out where Coll de la Botella got its name as we squeezed down the neck of the bottle. Many falls from all of the group, including Mr Lee but lots of laughs and smiles had by all.


 


Group 5 started this morning by travelling up to Pla de la Cot and skiing down Corpalanca. They then travelled to the top of the mountain via El Cubil and skied down the red slopes. 

Over lunch Mr Hinks and Miss Lippiatt took Molly and Chloe to conquer the black run, La Comellada. Absolutely fantastic skiing in a mix of power and slush conditions. The videos of them both at the end of the run are below:





After lunch it was absolutely fantastic to see all groups up at Pla de la Cot with groups 1, 2 and 3 coming down La Serra together. As already mentioned Group 1 and 2 did their first big blue run in full- well done to them. Group 3 had a great time with Mark (their instructor) who had lots of fun showing them how to flick snow with their ski and doing silly races:


Group 3 having a race........but their instructor decided to have some fun


Group 3 doing the moose!!

Group 4 and 5 had a great afternoon further exploring the higher area of Pic del Cubil before finishing off on La Serra. 

We have now perfected our routine when finishing our ski and so we were up to the lockers, skis in lockers, snow boots and shoes out of lockers and down the gondola to change out of our ski boots in record time. This evening we have had a lovely time at The Hard Rock Cafe, the staff there did well to serve all 49 of us and, whilst it was a wait, the food and atmosphere were fantastic. Topped off with a visit to the Hard Rock shop. Time to get our quality sleep in readiness for the day ahead tomorrow!














Tomorrow's Splat is jointly taken by: Mehrab in the morning and Chaniya in the afternoon
The dude has been awarded to Mrs Stafford



Tuesday, 2 April 2024

Ski Day 2 - Corduroy bliss

 


The Snow Patrol were a slick machine this morning. We were on the coach efficiently having a hearty breakfast and sorted out our dude of the day Molly and our Splat Alys.

Splat

Dude

All groups have had a great morning progressing well. 

Group 1 and 2 conquered the magic carpet in the El Planell area. They then did their very first chair lift La Caubella and skied the whole of El Planell; the longest slope on that side showing off their control. The afternoon was spent exploring further up the mountain and developing their skills and confidence; having a few laughs along the way. Lots of lovely chatter around the dinner table this evening. 





Group 3 started the day with a gentle run on the El Planell to warm up the legs before taking the La Serra one ski lift up to Pla de la Cot and took two beautiful blue runs down. Whilst on here they practised skiing in parallel and its worth noting there were very few falls- well done group 3. This afternoon they went down Transversal and raced to the finish; it was during this race that Sadie, who was taking the lead, felt one of the group approaching and in a bid to win upped the speed only to find herself face planting the snow! Oh dear Sadie. They then took the ski lift up to Pla de la Cot and came down the blue run El Besurt II revisiting their parallel skiing. The day ended on a run down La Serra.   

Group 4 had a skill focused morning with Danny (their instructor) learning how to parallel turn and skate on the snow whilst going up to Pla de la Cot and coming down La Serra a glorious Blue run, into El Bec and then doing it all over again. This afternoon they went up to Pic del Cubil (2364m) , which was very exciting and provided fantastic photo opportunities. From here they came down La Tossa, a lovely blue run, into Cami Inferior finishing on La Serra to end the day. Full of excitement and stories of the day, in particular of Montana who, after being told by the instructor that she had the most control in the group,  seemed to spend most of the afternoon throwing herself down the slopes.....but always with a smile on her face! 


Montana trying out for Splat





Group 5 spent the morning practising their carving and moving onto their edges whilst exploring the Pic del Cubil; tricks and jumps along the way. The sun has been out all day and so the conditions this afternoon were somewhat powdery ( Mr Hinks' favourite) which can make the slopes more challenging but very soft if tumbles happen......... which happened numerous times and even.......Mr Hinks himself took not just one but two tumbles. He actually claims 'they weren't tumbles' and that he had chosen to sit and record the students skiing, the video tells a different story. All in all a very good day for group 5 who had loads of fun today. 






After skiing today we took the opportunity to visit Andorra La Vella again for some retail therapy. Following our evening meal we had some great nominations for Splat and Dudes, some great stories and reenactments. Well done Snow Patrollers. We had two split winners for both awards for tomorrow.

Dudes will be worn by Mr Lee and Madiha

Splats will be worn by Stephanie and Mr Hinks!


Monday, 1 April 2024

Ski Day 1 - Powder prospecting



Having had a good first day in Andorra La Vella and a fine 1st meal at the Hotel Panorama the Snow Patrol headed for an early night to ensure they were ready for day 1.

After a recharging sleep Snow Patrol hit the breakfast buffet at 7:45am, all kitted out and ready to go. The Panorama put on a range of breakfast goodies from fresh fruit, yogurt and pastries to bacon, egg and sausages. Plenty of choice for all of the team. Then it was time to gather all our ski things and head on the coach to La Massana, the Pal sector of the Vallnord.

At 9:15am we arrived at Pic Negre our ski hire shop. It always takes time to get everyone booted up but we managed it and headed up the gondola to meet our instructors. Initial introductions were made however; due to the ski fit being this morning the lessons had been rearranged for groups to get an hour this morning and three this afternoon. 
Mia wearing the dude hat for being on this year's trip!

The focus for lesson one, due to time, was to meet the instructors and get our students on the slopes. The intermediates hit the chair lift and had a gentle warm up down El Planell the leisurely green slope by the La Coubella..
We stopped for a lunch of salad, lasagne, chicken and chips or burger and chips before it was time to get back out on the slopes. 

The weather is simply stunning out here, lovely conditions for our group's first day. Groups were assessed immediately after lunch and broken into 5 ski groups. 


Take a chair ride with us to the top of Pla de la Cot.


In progress.... To be updated later.

Group 5 shot off immediately, with their instructor Christian, and went on to explore a  number of reds and blues, getting to the top of the resort at Pic Del Cubil at 2364 metres. Well done team 5!

Group 4 had a fun afternoon exploring the blues up to the top of La Serra. Their instructor is Danny, she was excellent and the group have already taken to her. Lots of great coaching and brilliant instruction.

- Nicole wearing Splat Hat 3 (Wear is the key? In the room!)

Nicole wearing Splat Hat 3 (Wear is the key? In the room!)

Montana has joined the Snow Patrol for the first time this year and, having only skied a couple of days before, has swiftly progressed to join group 4 this afternoon.



Group 3

This is our group of skiers that have had a few lessons back in the UK. Today they have experienced real snow and have mastered two double chair lifts. They practised their speed control and turns on El Planell and managed La Serra before the end of the day.

La Serra


Group 2 and 1 got their bearings on the snow and have spent the day on the nursery slopes of El Planell.
(Pics and vids to come)

El Planell








Getting the balance


Par Sector Piste Map for your reference.


QMHS Bowling at Club Energy.





This evening after a hearty meal we have enjoyed a great time at Club Energy bowling. Our 7s, 8s and 9s took the earlier bowl time whilst the older students followed on and took a slightly later slot. A number of strikes, spares and near misses later, the contented students returned to the hotel to settle for the evening. Eleanor our bowling champ, showing off her skills with 105!! A great day all round for our Snow Patrol. 

Mountains in sight


Finlay and Kevin have worked through the night to get us now in sight of the snowy Pyrenees. Everyone has had a breakfast stop and are now relaxing. Everyone was treated to a visit from the Easter bunny too. 😁🐣
our current ETA for the hotel in Andorra is midday local time.

 


Saturday, 30 March 2024

Crossing the channel

We got down to Dover in good time having stopped off in Maidstone. We have our drivers Finley and Kevin, we managed to get through passport control in swiftly.

We have had a meal on the boat and some great views too.

Let the adventure begin

Day 1 

Andorra 2024

Ski Vallnord

Well the big day is here, in a short while we will all be meeting up to start our fun in the mountains of Andorra this year. I looks like the snow this season has been late and that is to the QMHS Snow Patrols advantage. 43 of our school group are in for a treat.
Taken this morning!

Please do check in with the WEBCAMS they are high quality and show what conditions we will be skiing. 

We are pleased that Wave Ed Birmingham have produced our hoodies once more. The array of colour is fabulous. Looking forward to seeing you all later this morning.