Ski Trip 2006
HOME - EXTRA CURRICULAR - SKI TRIPS - 2006
Leysin, Switzerland
If you mention Switzerland many people think of the cuckoo clock and chocolates, but for 47 in the college it conjures images of power strewn slopes and sunny days high in the Alps. Having departed from the College via Belfast for Geneva a short transfer found the powder hounds in Leysin. The hotel accommodation was excellent as was the hire equipment. Leysin is a smallish resort perched high up on the Alpes Vaudoises overlooking Lake Geneva, with spectacular views of Mt Blanc and the Matterhorn and it is home to one of three revolving restaurants in the country.
Having started early on the first morning to collect our skis and boots the excited group made their way to the nursery slopes to meet our instructors. Standing there resplendent in their red uniforms were Cakes, Gio, Harold and Ced – “Welcome to Leysin, my home are we ready to go?” was the question from Ced. The smiles of the instructors seemed to warm the frosty alpine air and they immediately began warm ups and grading the group into beginners, intermediates and advanced. The beginners and intermediates were learning the snowplough and parallel respectively, while the more advanced group followed Ced like clones so as to make the cut for the premier group. Over the next 6 days it will be their job to teach the basic ski techniques to the boys and guide them through the maze of lifts and chairs around Leysin.
With perfect snow conditions the beginners and intermediates made very quick progress with every one heading for the top of the mountain to tackle the 4.5 km long blue by the afternoon of the second day. The intermediates were already sampling the powder trails through the forest trying hard to keep up with Cakes!! The advanced group were more than a little excited as they boarded the chair for the top of their first black of the week trying hard to look cool their words were running into each other and making little sense! At the top of the slope it was easy to see why the adrenaline was running high, a slope similar to coming down Errigal covered in a blanket of snow. As the sun was shining down on lake Geneva far below us the group followed Ced’s line down slope cutting powerful turns in the powder, once at the bottom we followed, chasing him from lift to lift. At the end of the day everyone was worn out but delighted with the day’s events. That second evening we went to the Tobogganing park (the only one of its kind in the world) owned by the Swiss double Olympic medal bobsledding legend. The shrieks and screams audible far and wide were testament to the great excitement experienced. Arriving back at our Hotel we were in for a surprise as another Group were booking in, The Swiss U-18 international Soccer team. They were staying using the hotel as a base for a training camp. Despite several efforts to arrange a game with them they declined, the Name of St Eunan’s must have travelled far.
On the Final day of the trip the Staff and Students made a presentation to the ski instructors who were delighted with their gifts, Ryan McElhinney also received a special presentation for having gone on each of the last five years ski trips. Deposits are being collected for next years Ski Trip.
Ski Trips
- Ski 1997
- Ski 1999
- Ski 2000
- Ski 2001
- Ski 2002
- Ski 2003
- Ski 2004
- Ski 2005
- Ski 2006
- Ski 2007