Going Higher Than Ever Before!!

Evening everyone,

Here are a few magical memories of today from your lovely Scouts:-

..........ARGHH!The snow was so cold I thought I was going to freeze. I got to go on the button lift and we also got to go on the cablecars! During the free time I went on the cable cars and ... I, well let me just put me this in one word ... Fell (But I got back up and got along. 3 out of six days of skiing. Going to get tired later.
Tom

It was so hot today you would not believe we were skiing in the mountains.I had to put lots of suncream on. Also I did not fall over once.
Patrick

Today we went skiing again and I only fell over once. We started on the draglift and then after lunch we went on the seat lift. Mum and Dad I miss you so much and love you lots, love from Maisy xxxxxxx

We went on a chair lift today for the first time today, it was awsome!!! Then we went down a steep blue run traversing then we went plumiting down.I'm missing you lots mum and dad.
Archie.

Well we thought that Day 2 was a great step forward, Day 3 was a leap and a bound for everyone. The 'Kinder' Group moved rapidly through green runs to blue runs and got to go on the button/drag lift and the chair lift. Half way up the mountain they came down, without sticks, doing the parallel turns they had been taught so well by Eveline. Later in the day they came down the mountain with sticks but ignoring the parallel turns and just flying down as fast as possible. I have the video to prove it, if you can make them out as they move so fast. An incredible day of progress for the 'Kinder' Group.

The 'Adult/Junior' group under the instruction of Vernon (Donna swoons at this point - keep close to me Donna, follow my track, keep close) moved also quickly from green to blue. A triumph of skill over fear. By the end of the day (and it was a gloriously sunny, hot and blue sky day), everyone in the group was skiing freestyle down half a mountain. Nobody could quite believe how far they had come.

And finally the 'Teenage' Group (and yes I am somehow still clinging on in this group) took the next big step by taking the full cable car (6 abreast - all fun and games 'skiing off' at the top) to the very top of the mountain at 2044 metres. From here the black, red and blue runs stretch off in all directions. Erik, our instructor, lulled us all into a false sense of security by taking us on Blue 18, a lovely meandering run through spectacular mountain scenery. I was in awe!! It was stunning. Two runs and then he took us back to the top and Blue 4.

I have never been more terrified in my life as Blue 4 wound its way down the mountain side, with a narrow width, mountain on one side, drop on the other. Erik knew our skills were good enough to parallel turn our way down, but at one particularly narrow spot, most brought out their snow plough skills to slow themselves right down. It is not just the physical exhaustion but mental exhaustion too (full concentration needed at all times) and the relief when I got to the bottom was visible. Those who know me recognise my fear of heights so this was a real triumph personally.

When everyone returned from games in the park, the stories of today continued to flow. Everyone has had their fears and challenges but also their triumphs like me. This is what Scouting is all about - pushing, challenging but ultimately something they will never forget and with everyone climbing their own mountains and succeeding. The look of sheer exhaustion coupled with vistory is a wonderful sight.

Some photos to share. The two group photos are our favourites and show what fun we had today in the sun and snow. The heat was incredible, yet we sat in snow! Unreal.