Perse skiers savour snowy slopes of Austria

Molly (Year 9) provides her reflections on the Perse ski trip to Austria.

From the bleary 1.30am meet to the eventual relief of stepping into the fresh snow, this was a trip of firsts for me – the first time flying on a plane, the first time skiing – and throughout every moment, I felt supported to allow me to have the best time possible.

The first day when I joined the beginners’ group, after the real challenge of carrying the skis to the slope, the apprehension of falling was replaced by an excitement for the next slope felt by all.

The sunlight bouncing on the glittering snow and clouds made ideal weather conditions. With skills developing, confidence growing and the occasional fall, our encouraging and patient instructor, Emma, stretched us to our limits.

After dreaming for many months, my first time in the vast mountains did not disappoint! Whether it was the first day on the green slope attempting not to fall after Miss Bareham had just helped me up, or the last day attempting parallel turns down the terrifying red slopes, every moment felt surreal. The breathtaking mountains kept challenging my confidence and the chairlifts providing panoramic views stretching the length of the Katschberg Pass.

As the days passed, I noticed my dramatic improvement from trying to determine which way round the skis went! The immense sense of achievement after a long day skiing was recognised amongst the whole group.

Both on the slopes, with snowcapped mountains leaving me in awe, and off the slopes attending activities with friends, some of the most memorable moments included the stunning views, skiing with my friends and the sudden progress in such a short time.

By the end of the week, my sense of achievement was higher than ever before. I had built lots of confidence and progressed further than ever felt possible on the first day. The trip provided me my first experience of skiing with its beautiful views, endless fun, and enough memories to last a lifetime.