SKI TRIP 2009

This year's ski trip will feature an on-line diary and photo journal with some of the best photos of the day and comments from the students and staff members about those highlights. Family members from all over Australia, including Tasmania, will be able to log on to the college website and view the tour as it unfolds.

Day 1

Well we are about 10 hours into our journey. We have arrived safely in New Zealand, cleared customs and we are now sitting in the domestic airport in Auckland waiting for our connecting flight to Queenstown.

Well I say we, I am sitting here writing to you the students are off exploring and the teachers and instructors are tucking into a very nice looking breakfast.

There was plenty of room on the flight with quite a few empty seats. There was only a little bit of turbulence and some of the students managed to sleep on the plane but mostly they are all excited and seem to have boundless energy.

I shall try to update the site with some photos soon.

Wade.

These Photos were taken by Rhiannan

Day 2

Day 2 was an early start for everyone. Breakfast was 6am. And onto the bus for 6:45. This was essentially so we could get up the mountain early enough to get the hire gear, but it had the added advantage of a most spectacular sunrise over the mountains as we were above the clouds.

There was a mad atmosphere of energy as students and adults were fitted out for ski boots, skis, ski poles, snowboard boots, snowboards, wrist guards and instructors. Then we all marshaled at the base of the slopes to receive instructions in either snowboarding or skiing.

After classes had ended students continued to board or ski in groups. Before meeting back at the main lodge for lunch. In the afternoon staff members gave additional instruction to the students in their various fields along with encouragement.

By the end of Day one most first time skiers could snow plow and turn in both directions on flat stable ground. The first time snowboarders could perform leafing (sliding down the hill from side to side without turning) a few had mastered turning in both directions.

More experienced boarders and skiers had pick-up a lot of their old skill and in all cases some new bruisers to show of. I like to think of them as markers on the road to success. I say this because after 5 years experience on the board the first thing I did was taste the snow face first.

Wade

Day 3

Day three saw some more intense action on the snow. Mr. Rowberry graced as all with an extra half hour sleep in. Breakfast not being till 6:30am. I would love to tell you how nice it was but myself I had to skip it as I may have slept in a little longer than intended.

Again the views were fantastic and we were blessed with clear skies in the morning. We all got off to our various lessons. And continued the education into the world of snow.

After Lunch a new story was being told.

The Story of the Blue Jays

Seven brave girls in matching blue jackets (as pointed out by the chairlift worker… derrrr) decided to take it up a notch with great persistence from Mr Rowberry, Stef and Alice. We tried to move on from ploughing and traverse with parallel skis down, around and through ‘the bowl’ and down Captain’s.  I spent a lot of time close up with the snow while others became one with their skis. There was much relief when the blue jays reached Captain’s Café and filled their bellies with hot chocolates.

Back on the chairlift to do an easy trail run back to McDougalls… NOT! The clouds had moved in and the trail was closed, due to a lack of visibility. Down Captain’s again with visibility down to 20 meters but still a good challenge for all. Finished with a run down McDougalls with everyone smiling and icicles in their hair. Nice work blue jays and a big thank you to all the helpers J

Miss Southgate

As a Snowboarder I was allowed to witness this rite of passage for the brave skiers. Even I was impressed with the terrain Mr Rowberry had them on. But he proved that skiing is not about how steep the mountain is it is about how you pick your path down it. There was a lot of across slope skiing, using edges and I think every student was amazed at the mountain they had skied down when they turned around and saw it from the bottom.

And so Day 3 came to a close and we were left with a lot of tired students on a bus trip home of the 26 students on board I think 23 of them were asleep with in the first 15 minutes of the journey home. I have included the photos for your enjoyment…

Wade

Day 4

Well again it was an early start, but by now everyone is getting used to them. Today we traveled to a different mountain to try out our skills on brand new terrain at the Remarkables.

We were all taken through an early warm up session by Tim and Andy and then a nice easy Green run to start the day. It is worth mentioning that by our 3^rd day of skiing we were all able to go up the chairlift and ski down in about 20 minutes. The skill development is really starting to come along. We are now starting to see students and staff members alike ski routes across the mountain with grace and style. Of course the snowboarders already had style, it just looks cooler. But we were also becoming more graceful in the turns.

Then it was lesson time and it was a slightly new system. We were given levels based on our skill. 1 being the absolute beginner never seen snow before and 6 being “this is how you do a back flip”. We were all located between levels 4 and 2 with the vast majority of students being in level 3.

I cant tell you exactly what the other lessons involved but Jirrah and I learned hard carving on a board for steep terrain, how to do an olly and riding the board in switch (riding backwards) Level 3 students were perfecting their turning and stopping. For the skiers this meant turning using parallel skis.

After lunch we were all herded up the mountain to look at the view. We took the chair lift to the top of one section and then it was time to walk uphill. It was a short walk really but it was in snow and up a mountain. The view was worth it. Afterwards all the students got to experience the fun of sliding back down to the bottom. I on the other hand bravely……foolishly……decided to strap on the board ( a feat which took some considerable time since I had to first make a flat surface in the mountain to put the board on so it did not slide down the hill) and try to follow Tim and Andy down the very steep and icy black run. Tim and Andy made it look easy and majestic. I feel that I managed to represent the true terror of the experience. This was of course for the benefit of the students so they would see how dangerous these runs can be. Lesson Learned.

Then we split up into two groups, the advanced skiers and boarders who again followed Tim and Andy on their first black run of the trip and the students who were taking the chairlift back down to the bottom. The black run involved a short track to start over the crest of the mountain and then it opened up into a wide steep bowl with plenty of slope to ski and also a rather large angle. It was challenging and exhilarating and all agreed it would not be their last black run of the trip.

However while we were skiing this amazing terrain, I believe one of the largest snowball fights in New Zealand’s history was taking place back at the top of the mountain. Now I am not sure who instigated it as I was not an observer to this fight. However Mr. Beurs came of second best. I believe that at one stage they all ganged up on him while Miss Southgate stood on the side lines and took photos with everyone’s camera. A smart idea as journalists are always allowed free passage in war zones.

And so a few more green and blue runs were done and with that our third day of skiing came to an end and it was time to head for home. However one of the most amazing sites was still to come. The snowboard and ski gear had to come off the bus for storage that night as we would not be using it the next day. So all the students jumped in and formed a chain gang about 30 meters long and all of the stuff was transported from the bus to the storage locker in about 10 minutes. A great example of teamwork, especially from a group that were worn out from a hard days skiing and boarding.

And with that day 4 had come to a close.

Wade

Day 5

Hi Everyone. Just a quick update to let you know we are still all here. Yesterday was the adventure day. The students went heli rafting. I didn't go so not much I can tell you about it other than they enjoyed it and returned safely. In the afternoon the students were scouring queenstown looking for clues. There was a treasure hunt on and some found the clues easier than others. The we rode the gondolas up the top of one of the mountains near Queenstown. There were Luge rides and then a Haka preformence and then dinner all togeth at a resteraunt that overlooked Queenstown.

I shall try to get photos up later tonight and get a student to write about their day for you.

Wade

It was a cold morning, normal for Queenstown, and as we awaited the helicopters landing we braced ourselves for the gust of wind that would come with it. Once landed we took our chance and ran towards so as to get the best seat, which wasn’t made easy considering we had a wetsuit, jacket, vest, gloves and windcheater on. Then the helicopter was off and we were soaking in the amazing views of Queenstown and surrounding regions. All across the valley were majestic views of mountains, farmland and the river. The enjoyment was only heightened by the fact that there were friendly and exciting pilots.

Upon landing at the river we were greeted by our amazing raft leaders who would be guiding us over the treacherous level one to four rapids. As we put on our helmet and jacket then grouped up and got a boat. All that was holding us in as we sat on the sides were our feet wedged in between the seats in front and behind. The natural beauty of the place was enough to take the breath away of even the toughest. Only one person fell out along the way (Mr. Beurs) but a few jumped out to enjoy the seven degree water. Mr Rowberry and Andy decided not to join us on our Adventure Day and did paperwork instead because they had ‘done it before’ but we know the real reason is that they weren’t manly enough to take on the challenging rapids.

Tasha

Day 6

Well again it was a nice and early start. For those paying attention this may start to form a pattern. We used the chain gang again to get everything out of the shed and into the bus in a very orderly manner. Then it was off to Coranet Peak our third and final mountain for the trip.

Day 7

 Well today was the last day of skiing and boarding and by the end of the day everyone is ready for a rest. Many of us are worn out physically and emotionally, there have been some injuries on the tour David Hudson with a broken arm was the first casualty of the tour on the second day of snowboarding. As David tells it he was trying a backside 920 from switch when he was distracted.

Ms Southgate in a valiant attempt to avoid hitting a kid crashed, she failed to miss the kid and he was winded however in her attempt she tore something in her knee and will need at least one full knee reconstruction maybe two.

There were a few other injuries and a lot have come down with a cold or a chest cough. But mainly everyone is just tired. I know I will be having a holiday to recover from my holiday when I get back. It was still a great day skiing and snowboarding and the sun came out for a while to send us off.

Wade

Exhausted Snowboarder