The Royal School Ski Trip, Sestriere, December 2025
It was an early alarm call on the first day of the Christmas holiday, but it was one which would lead to an amazing week of snow, fantastic food and an alpine experience which was incredible from start to finish.
Cases were packed and loaded, Stansted was expertly navigated with just the one lost passport (quickly recovered) and our flight over the alps hinted at the spectacular snow conditions we would discover once we arrived safely in the beautiful resort of Sestriere. The first evening was a blur of ski-fitting, unpacking and dining as 70 pupils and eleven staff became accustomed to their equipment and surroundings for the week. With skis safely stored and bellies finally full, we all keenly awaited sunrise on the first full day in resort.
Sestriere was the host resort for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Our arrival point was at the foot of the Olympic slalom course, which was being used by a number of different countries who were preparing for the upcoming games in Milan-Cortina. We were in illustrious company (or they were!) Pupils were divided into groups, with plenty learning the basics in the beginner group and a small number setting off to explore the upper-reaches of the Vialattea.
It didn't take long for ski-basics to be learnt and by day three almost everybody was comfortable skiing a basic blue piste and using a ski lift. Progress was rapid and it was pleasing to see so many of our party pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone. One of the joys of skiing is the surrounding scenery, which you cannot help but admire. The frustration is that the higher you go, the better the scenery, but the better you need to be to access the view.
What delights me is that everybody got up a ski-lift and bettered their view during the week. This suggests progress, which comes from effort and resilience and means that all of our pupils gained more than just the ability to ski.
Our hosts at the hotel catered for us well and the Italian food certainly lived up to its excellent reputation. Our après ski activities of tobogganing, a disco evening in one of the alps most salubrious nightclubs (which was the most incredible of evenings) and the now-traditional pizza evening at a local restaurant were thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Our pupils were a credit to each other and the school. We were proud of their efforts throughout the week, even when times got tough - which they did, especially with a long walk to ski school. Feedback has been provided regarding this and we have been heard!
Trips like this do not run without an enormous amount of support and goodwill along the way. I am indebted to my ten colleagues who provided assistance and encouragement throughout the months of planning, and especially during the week. Thank you to all of them, who each provided a unique skill to make this week work. Some of them learned to ski, others ripped up the mountain with our advanced skiers, and some played nurse. All were fantastic.
I am also grateful to the work of our parents, both for supporting the trip and for making sure all of the correct ski gear was packed into suitcases and was kept below the 20kg Ryanair limit. Thanks for that - you made things so much easier for us all.
It is our pupils that make the trip though. They were amazing and it is because of them that we always ask 'would we do this again?' The answer, of course is yes. There is always more to learn regarding this lifelong skill and five days of skiing is never enough. Although winter shall soon turn to spring and snow will inevitably melt, thoughts will quickly turn back to the alps and future trips away.
Click here to see a short video of the week!
Mr J Whitehead