During February 2026, thirty nine pupils and five members of staff travelled across Europe to embark on the annual ski trip. The long journey across Europe was smooth and made more comfortable and entertaining due to the accommodating service of Delta Coaches and their drivers, Denny and particularly Dave and Shaun.

A very meandering twenty four hour bus journey took us to the very picturesque Austrian province of Kitzbuhel. The pleasant climate (a feature for the whole week) and fresh mountain air was exhilarating, as pupils and staff began to feel the buzz of being around the snow and experiencing the local culture of Austria.

A good night’s sleep in our Hotel, some continental breakfast and after a quick ‘Guten Morgen’ to our hosts, the party travelled by bus to the ski resort to be fitted up and kitted out for the week, with skis, helmets, poles and boots. Our ski rep for the week was Leanne, a former downhill ski racer from Austria.

The peaks were covered with over a metre of snow and the valley had a good half metre of snow cover, ensuring perfect skiing conditions (even though it had not snowed since before Christmas!). We donned our equipment and headed out to meet our Ski Reps for the week. It was a beautiful, crisp, sunny morning, as in small groups of varying experience, we made our way to different starting points in the resort. Chair lifts took the more experienced skiers and staff to the higher slopes.

As confidence increased over the week, great progress was made by all participants, with all pupils making it up on the chair lifts to the top of the mountain. All 39 pupils had an amazing experience on the slopes and at all times they were fantastic ambassadors for Woodchurch High School.

The top group experienced a ski down the famous Streif ski run, the most feared downhill course in alpine skiing.with our ski instructor, Ben. Each January during the Hahnenkammrennen, the world’s best racers hurl themselves down this frozen gauntlet. The run begins with the Mausefalle—“the Mousetrap.” From the start gate the slope suddenly vanishes beneath the skis. Racers plunge over a blind lip onto a pitch so steep it feels like falling off a roof, accelerating instantly past 100 km/h as they land in a violent compression. From there the Streif becomes a relentless test of nerve. The ice is polished to glass. Turns arrive faster than thought. It took us about forty minutes to descend, with top skiiers conquering the course in ninety seconds!
Back at base, the views from the hotel were exhilarating, overlooking the valley, with snow filled peaks, acting as an amazing backdrop. The stars at night were also a regular feature for pupils and staff.

The hotel staff were lovely and meal times were always a great opportunity for everyone to catch up on the day’s events. Early nights and late mornings ensured we were always prepared for what the mountains had to offer. The exception being the traditional pizza night!

Before we knew it we were being whisked off by coach to start our journey home. During the overnight rain filled drive through Europe, pupils were able to reflect on those instant memories, as thoughts started to shift to the excitement of seeing their friends and family, to share what was a memorable experience for all. We hope this trip has ignited a passion for skiing in our pupils and built up their aspiration to ski again and enjoy the delights of Europe in the future, after this brief taste of life on the piste!

The teaching staff were also able to reminisce on the homeward journey, stating that this group of pupils were fantastic and an absolute pleasure to take on such a culturally active life experience!