Thursday, 5 March 2015

QMHS Snow Patrol 2016 is a go



Since 2002 when the QM Snow Patrol last skied the slopes of Canada we have been dreaming of going back. We almost got to Fernie out in British Columbia; however it wasn't to be and that year we returned to Lake Tahoe in California, which is also a QM favorite.

We are teaming up once again with Activ4 who have always delivered an outstanding package and was also the company that put together our bespoke package in 2012 to Washington state to ski the epic mountain named Crystal Mountain. Activ4 have a limited offer that will enable us to go to Canada and ski the super snow and hopefully powder too during February half term 2016.

We will be staying slope side at:-

Stoneham mountain is in the Quebec region of Canada. Our trip will depart London Heathrow(LHR) on Saturday 13th February 2016 our arrival airport will be Montreal(YUL) and will return on Saturday 20th February 2016.

Our slope side accommodation is the Stoneham hotel. (Stoneham Hotel)

The trip will allow students from complete beginnners to expert skiers or snowboarders to join the group and enjoy 5 days on the snow with professional instruction. This is the first opportunity for sometime that we are able to offer Snowboarding should we get 8 similar ability students that want to learn or improve their Snowboard skills.



The package will also allow us to do some night skiing and therefore take an afternoon out to explore the old city of Quebec. It is possible that we can experience the Winter Carnival on one evening as well as the thrills of Village Vacances Valcartier, North Americas largest winter playground.




The trip is being launched now to years 7 to 12 and is on a first come first served basis. To ensure we get this deal we need a quick turn around on the deposits so please do not delay in getting in your initial paper work into the finance office.

Trip letters are available from Mr. Hinks in S13 from Thursday 5th March 2015.




Centre de jeux d'hiver - Village Vacances Valcartier


Here is a great promotional video of the amazing winter playground, a short bus ride away from Stoneham Mountain.


Village Vacances Valcartier

Sunday, 22 February 2015

QMHS Snow Patrol Awards

This years awards are as follows:-

 
Most Wipeouts - Gabrielle Butler

Stylish skier - Sophie Manion

Poser of the week - Abigail Phillips


A selifie whilst skiing really!
 
Best Hat - Steve Hill
 
Most spectacular wipeout - Benny (Rebecca-Toni Walsh)
 
Most Punctual - Year 10s
 
Most Outfits - Ebbie Daniels (Fashionista)
 
Biggest Bruise - Celeste Lewis
 
Reddest Nose - Emma Joyce
 
The Lift Master - Ellie Mitchell
 
Best Beginner - Mica Corden
 
Most Improved - Jasraj Bhachu
 
Pyrenean Speed Demon - Kayleigh Hill (60 + mph)
 
The Andorran Snail - Simran Johal
 
Most Psychedelic - Nathan Williams
 
Best Helmet Artwork - Jasraj Bhachu
 
Best Helmet - Emily Dawkins
 
Most likely to hulk out and pet a sheep - Lauren Dewbery
 
Best and fastest backwards skier - Victoria Smith
 
Most resilient skier - Hannah Poole
 
Most likely to cause a crash and blame the maid - Lauren DJ
 
Panda eyes - Molly Woodcock
 

Fancy Dress

The best overall fancy dress costume went to Lauren Dewsbery for her Alice in Wonderland White Rabit. Her handmade pocket watch was awesome.
 
 
The whole Y8 Alice in Wonderland team were commended
 
 
 
The runners up were the dynamic duo - Batman and Robin aka Kayleigh and Steve
 

 
Well done to all those that took part it gave a real energy to our last day on the mountain. The locals were certainly impressed with several of the group as many requests of selfies with them were taken up. The bar has yet again been raised.

A trip to Pal

Gasper's top group of skiers were given a treat to experience more of the Vallnord area with a trip to our adjacent resort Pal which is connected to the top of Arinsal by a 50 person cable car.


This is a view from the top of Arinsal looking down into the resort of Pal, the cable car tower can be seen to the right.



 
Cable car going down to Pal
 



On the way down the gondola
 
 
The first sign we saw in Pal
 
 
The red back to the bottom of Pal
 

On the way back to Arinsal
 
 
Becky and Nathan
 
 


Saturday, 21 February 2015

QMHS bound

We have just left Reading services and we should be back at school for no later than 8.00pm. Can I please ask all parents to be there on time so that we can all get home after a fantastic week together. After numerous bits of petting, Sophie, we said goodbye to the Taunton School after switching all luggage over; hopefully!

 
 

The next picture is that of the QM Snow Patrol 2015 + 1 - Nathan Williams. It is blurred because the driver must be in on our joke, or is he from Wales! Thanks to the fabulous team from Thomas of Rhondda, Wayne and Rob you were brilliant.

Come on all say... SHEEEEEP


QM Coach sing along...



 
 
 We made up some time and arrived 45 minutes ahead of our original anticipated arrival time of 21.00 GMT.
Thank you to all parents for collecting your daughter's on time after our epic week. The girls have done themselves, school and families proud.
 
This is the QM Snow Patrol signing off for another year. Let's hope that we see you here again this time next year and remember "if you don't ski this year you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller.
 

Reading M4 Service

We are about 15 minutes away but some of are not counting sheep but wishing they were skiing. I think Miss Fleck has the skiing bug!


 

Land Ahoy

It is 15.00 GMT and we will be docking shortly.
We will update our progress once we get on the road.