Kitted out in personalised hoodies, 35 excited children in Forms 4 to 6 travelled to the resort of Grandvalira in Andorra for the Interski ski trip over Easter. The resort of Grandvalira is a vast ski area offering over 200km of ski runs including 118 different slopes and its highest lift reaches 2640 metres and it is the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees.
The resort was first established in 2003 when two of the oldest ski areas in the Pyrenees combined to create one larger ski destination, which rivals some of the better known resorts elsewhere in Europe. The vast ski area, huge investment and forward thinking nature of Andorra meant this was the perfect location for our group of beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers on the school trip.
The hotel was within walking distance from the main gondola which allowed the group time to walk around this area of the resort, as well as time to relax and eat waffles and hot chocolate after a busy morning hitting the slopes. As well as ski school, the children also loved the bowling and karaoke night and the Alpine Coaster – Magic Gliss. The Coaster is a slide of 555 metres downhill and 180 uphill with speeds of up to 40 km/h. A Form 5 child said, ‘It was great fun and a chance to enjoy the best views and feel a real rush of adrenaline flying through nature.’
Trip organiser and Head of Maths, Mr Rob Carter, commented, ‘The ski trip encouraged the children to grow and thrive. Set in the stunning Pyrenees, in a beautiful resort, the accommodation provided opportunities for the children to take control of their kit, food, rooms and general organisation. There were individual moments of glory and triumph but most important was the demonstration of respect and care and support for each other.’
