On Saturday 29 March, 51 Lower School pupils and six members of staff woke early to start their adventure on the Lower School Ski Trip. Alongside Trip Leader Mr Buhagiar, accompanying the Epsom pupils were an extremely experienced staff team comprising Miss Farish, Mrs Skipper, Mrs Buhagiar, Mr Stephens and Mr Head.
Their kindness, enthusiasm and dedication did not go unnoticed as demonstrated in the end of week awards presentation with rapturous applause for each member of staff. The group arrived at the friendly Village Club Du Soleil resort hotel in Les Deux Alpes and were immediately kitted up with their equipment ready for the following morning lessons.
Each day the group ate a hearty breakfast before two hours of lessons with the world-renowned École Du Ski Français instructors. A hot buffet lunch followed, before another two hours of lessons in the afternoon. Après ski activities followed, with exciting outings to bowling, laser tag, and visits to Les Deux Alpes village itself for shopping and a treasure hunt. Finally, before socialising and bed-time, dinner was served, which was a highlight of each day (in particular the chocolate fountain for dessert on the last night).
With the surprise of mid-week fresh snow, the conditions in Les Deux Alpes were fantastic for skiing, especially at the highest point of the resort, on the glacier between 3,000-3,400m. With the help of the ESF instructors the skiers made marvellous progress, especially the beginners group.
There were five skiing groups in total, with a member of Epsom staff also accompanying each group. The staff rotated around the groups each day to witness the courage, determination and enjoyment on show by all. By the end of the week the skiers had a whole host of experiences under their belts, ranging from slalom runs to wide cruising blues and jumps in the snowpark, to completing challenging black mogul fields. The skiing culminated in a short awards presentation by the ESF instructors on the piste after the final lessons on Friday afternoon, with ESF booklets and badges presented to all.
The travellers represented Epsom to the highest of standards throughout the week. Their punctuality, kindness, efficiency and teamwork were all commented on by various members of the public, the tour operator representatives and the flight crew on both legs of the journey. The group arrived safely back at Epsom on Saturday 5 April full of memories, souvenirs and lots of photos.
Information about next year’s Lower School Ski Trip to Les Deux Alpes in March 2026 has been sent out to current Year 7 pupils and will be sent to next year’s Year 7s later in the summer term.
