Ski Trip to Folgarida-Marilleva, Italy
On January 18th 2025, 28 students from Years 8 and 9, and 3 staff, headed off to the Dolomites in Italy for 5 days on the piste.
Hashir (Year 8) writes:
Our ski trip to Folgaria was an incredible experience filled with adventure, challenges and unforgettable moments. After an exhausting twelve-hour journey, including a one and a half hour drive to Manchester Airport, a two and a quarter hour Ryanair flight to Milan, and a further three-hour coach ride, we finally arrived at the resort on Saturday evening. The coach, although comfortable, lacked sufficient legroom, making the long journey quite tiring. Upon arrival, we were assigned rooms of two, which provided plenty of space. After settling in, we collected our ski equipment, had dinner, and prepared for the days ahead. Personally, as I eat halal, I found the vegetarian meal options were not very varied; we had been warned to expect plenty of pasta since we were in Italy! Overall, the hotel and the resort provided everything we needed.
Each morning, we were woken at around 7 a.m. by a knock on the door from our teacher. We then got ready, carried our skis and boots to the base of the mountain, and took a gondola lift to the top, where we were greeted with stunning, snow-covered landscapes. The first day was mainly focused on getting our equipment sorted and being placed into ability groups. While the more advanced skiers set off immediately, beginners, including myself, were split into two groups to allow for better instruction. At first, we practised basic snowplough technique, skiing only short distances, which felt repetitive, but I understood it was necessary to build a strong foundation. Fortunately, after the first day, we had a designated spot at the base of the mountain to store our skis, which meant we no longer had to carry them up each morning.
From the second day onwards, we began using ski lifts (chair and drag) to reach higher slopes and worked on improving our technique. We learned how to execute snowplough turns, which allowed us to navigate slopes more effectively. As we progressed, we moved onto blue slopes, where we practised parallel turns, skiing in a controlled zigzag motion by turning across the slope before repeating the process. The resort itself was enormous, with some lifts featuring heated seats, taking us even higher – sometimes above the clouds. By the fourth day, we had advanced to red slopes and began practising on race tracks, increasing our speed and control. Day five was particularly exciting as we continued racing but also embarked on a thrilling 45-minute continuous descent from the top of the mountain to the base. This was by far one of the most memorable moments of the trip, as it tested our endurance, fitness and skills while allowing us to fully appreciate the breathtaking scenery.
In the evenings, we took part in a variety of activities, which made the trip even more enjoyable. On Monday, we travelled 20 minutes by coach to a swimming pool, where we spent around two hours having fun. Tuesday evening was a quiz night before bed, while Wednesday was pizza night – a much-needed break from our usual meals. Thursday was one of the most exciting nights, as we had a karaoke evening at a restaurant, followed by arcade games like air hockey and pool. All these locations were conveniently situated near our hotel, making them easily accessible. These activities provided a great way to unwind after a long day of skiing and added to the overall enjoyment of the trip.
On Thursday evening, we packed our bags in preparation for our departure the next morning. Friday marked our final day in Italy. After breakfast, we loaded our luggage onto the coach and set off for a three-hour drive to the airport. Before our 9 p.m. flight, we spent two hours exploring a huge shopping mall just a short walk from the airport. This gave us time to eat, shop and relax before the journey home. The flight back was smooth, but unfortunately, as it was dark, we were unable to see the views of the Alps. Upon landing at Manchester Airport, we took our coach back to school, arriving at approximately 1 a.m.
Overall, the trip was an incredible experience. From learning new skills and tackling challenging slopes to enjoying the scenic beauty and evening activities, every aspect of the journey was memorable. The combination of thrilling skiing, breathtaking views and great company made this an unforgettable adventure.
