Final Day - day seven

Well, the final day has arrived. It has been quite busy with breakfast at 9am followed by a trip to Pike Place Market. Everyone was really keen to visit the original Pike Place Starbucks where it all began in 1971.

The market was fascinating with a large variety of gifts and fresh foods available.

After a browse around the market, students and staff continued sight-seeing and shopping. There was a really old-fashioned magic shop below the market. Around the city was some impressive architecture and alternative coffee houses.

We are now in the airport waiting for our flight, which has given us chance to try Tully's coffee. Opinion is divided - some actually preferring Tully's to the more famous world renowned brand.

'Remember, if you don't ski this year, you will be one year older when you do.' Warren Miller.

Day 6

Well we awoke this morning to mid winter conditions -'blower'. Miss Briggs thought she might miss her shopping extravaganza. After our last breakfast at the Alpine Inn we loaded the coach and set off for Seattle at 9.10 am.

We arrived at the Quality Inn & Suites shortly after 11.00 am. We quickly dropped our bags and set off for the monorail just around the corner. Having arrived in Westlake Central we all parted different ways ready to bag a bargain.

On the cards were places like Abercrombie & Fitch, Urban Outfitters, Juicy Couture, Macy's and of course Starbucks and the Cheesecake Factory.

Fully laden with bags we returned to check-in and have an evening meal before our sunset experience at Space Needle. Here are some photos from our exhausting day!

Day Five

Final ski day and fancy dress. The weather changed again - winter snow flurries and wind. The snow was very firm and crispy first thing, providing a new challenge for the skiers.

All students had an easy day skiing their favourite runs - Discovery, Tinkerbell, Queens and Lucky Shot.

Fancy dress drew many comments and here is a selection of todays photos.

Minnie Mouse - fancy dress winner

In the evening, after dinner, there was a presentation of awards.

Best Hat                                                          Sophie M            

Biggest Bruise                                                 Aa’ishah

Poser of the Week                                          Sophie G

Most Spectacular Wipeout                              Eleanor W

Most Wipeouts                                                Lauren W

Lift Master                                                       Grace A

Reddest Nose                                                 Poppy

American Speed Demon                                 Kayleigh

American Snail                                                Aqsa

Bum-Board Queen                                          Sandi

Most Psychedelic                                            Simran

Best Helmet                                                    Sophie G

Most Entertaining and Likeable                      Ella P

Most Resilient All-Rounder                             Jenny

Best Panda Eyes                                            Panida

Most Punctual                                                 Lauren P

Strength and Perseverance                            Ana

Tinkerbell Queen                                            Isabel

Best Beginner                                                 Maya

Most Improved Skier                                       Grace C

Most Improved in One Week                          Lauren W

Stylish Skier                                                    Emily

Best Fancy Dress                                           Courteney

Most Truly Involved                                        Kayleigh

Great Determination                                       Olivia W

Day Four

Day four got off to a bright start with the sun peeking through the clouds. As it was the weekend, it was much busier and lots of people arrived for the end of season bikini and boardshorts downhill race. Mr Hinks queued up at 8.30am to register for the race.

Classes started at 10am and all groups progressed onto new runs today. Groups 1 and 2 skied a long green run called Queen's while groups 3 and 4 skied from the top of the mountain to the base on blue runs. Group 5 worked on moguls on Sunnyside.

The splat hat was out again.

Several groups had lunch at the top of the mountain and then gathered to watch to downhill racing. The students loudly cheered as their hero Mr Hinks crossed the finishing line a very respectable third.

After the racing, groups fitted in a few quick runs before the end of lessons.

Students took off their boots and then gathered at the gondola for an apres ski hot chocolate.

The views were spectacular.

 

Staff and students gathered for photos.

 We all travelled back down in the gondola, watching the sun setting through the clouds.

After dinner, some students hadn't had enough snow and chose to go out on the bumboards.

Sandi was the sled master. Please wait for the video to load.

As it grew dark, everyone returned to the hotel for shower and bed.

Day Three

A brighter day today. The sun was breaking through the clouds so we were hopeful of good views of Mt Rainier from the top of the gondola. After breakfast, we made an early start up the mountain, meeting ski instructors at 9.00am. All groups went to the top of the mountain in the gondola and managed to see some of the Cascade Mountain Range peeking through the clouds.

The faint white peaks were all we managed to see.... maybe we'll be more lucky later in the week.

The heavy snowfall yesterday had been groomed to perfection and all groups skied on fresh corduroy at the start of the day.

Beginner group refined their skills ready for a new challenge tomorrow.

Intermediate skiers had a challenging day and progressed onto 'Downhill' - their first blue run.

Advanced skiers did a lot of powder skiing and worked on their freestyle technique and spent a little time in the glades.
 

Courteney decided she loved the trees so much she had to hug a few

Skiers proudly wore the splat and dude hat all day.

Groups finished skiing early in order to visit the local high school for a baseball game and collected a packed meal. Mrs Rees-Boughton was given a huge chocolate brownie for her birthday.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, the game was cancelled but this provided a rare chance to experience snowshoeing up Gold Hills, led by Mr Hinks.

Other students were allowed free time to relax before the DVD and pizza evening later.

Unfortunately, it all proved too much for Mr Curry who was spotted having a quick snooze on the sofa.

We did get a picture but it was censored due to his unfortunate choice of clothing - a West Bromwich Albion shirt was just not appropriate for public viewing.

Day Two

We woke to an even snowier day today. At least 5 inches had fallen overnight, meaning that everyone would be skiing on fresh powder.

After a good breakfast, ski groups met at 10am and made their way to the lifts as the snow began to fall again.

All groups found the conditions a challenge but enjoyed the soft snow. As these students show...

The fresh snow gave a soft landing for all today as the Hinkanator, Briggsy and Reecy-B all found out!

After a hard day's skiing, students returned to their evening meal of stir fried vegetables, spring rolls, chilli beef and teriyaki chicken.

The evening event was a relay race across a field of snow followed by a snowy melee. All of the students and staff had a great time playing and sliding in the deep snow.

The students had a wonderful time as this picture of Maya buried in snow shows then went back to the lodge tired but happy.

Day One

QM Snow patrol woke to a very snowy morning. Everyone had a good breakfast and was dressed ready for skiing by 10am. The beginner groups have all mastered the lifts and skied on green runs. Intermediate groups skied green runs and quickly progressed onto blue runs. A couple even moved up to higher level ski groups.  The advanced groups have skied on fresh powder for most of the day and had an awesome time skiing a wide variety of terrains. Some groups went up on the gondola.

Here is a picture of some of the advanced group on the gondola. Do you recognise anyone?

After dinner we voted on splat hat and dude hat. Splat hat went to Ellie W and dude hat was shared equally between Becky and Courteney.

Everyone is tired and ready for an early night and we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow, probably with more fresh snow.