Page 51 - LION YEAR MAG 2017_FS_R_Neat

ski

i t a l y It was not even light, the dawn chorus was still hours away, we were in the Minstrel
Hall waiting for a coach. This is just a typical start to a school ski trip, bags weighed,
labels attached and hoodies given out – we are ready to go. This year we fly into

Bergamo airport half way between Milan and Verona and ideal starting point for our
two and a half hour trip up into the Brenta Dolomites. The Italian autobahn changes to
a dual carriageway then gradually narrowing roads wind their way up in altitude, as
hairpin bends are coming more often we know we are getting near our destination. As

we wind our way up to resort the terrain becomes snowier, there is an air of
excitement from the students.

Arriving in the resort at Hotel Dolomiti is liking visiting a long term friend with the

beaming Steffano there to greet us. The group is fed watered and kitted out with
equipment for the next day’s adventures. We soon get settled into the pattern of
breakfast, getting suited and booted then heading over to the lifts for an hour so

practice with the staff before meeting the instructors. A break around midday sees us
heading back to the hotel for a well-earned hot meal and rest to recharge before the
afternoon sessions. Most of our students manage to ski around 6 hours every day.
Most evenings students chill in the hotel playing games, catching up on social media

and even exam revision. Trips to the village to stock up on tuck is also on the schedule.
Even though there had not been much snow this season there was a good base of
artificial and a dump of new snow the week before freshened up the pistes which were
all open. As an alternative this year some of us skied down to the Italian Dog Sled

School, we spent an hour or so with the dogs and talking to the mushers, learning
about the school and Dog Sled Racing. In addition to these daytime activities, we also
went night skiing on two occasions. It is always sad when the week comes to an end
Tonale and the students take their skis and boots back and they have to start packing.

Passo goodbye. I was really impressed this year by the way some of the beginners
The week closes with the instructors coming over to give out awards and say

progressed and really pushed their skills. We returned to the UK with

slightly stiff muscles, panda eyes and many happy memories. I would like
to thank my partners in crime Ann and John for their help and support
with the running of the trip and also the students for their energy drive

and commitment. Next year’s trip is already booked, if you are thinking
about 2019 please get in touch as the trip usually books up fast!

Jon Demery

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