2025 Ski Trip Update #1
On a beautiful spring day on Sunday we departed Berlin for 10 relaxing hours sequestered with… your charming children. Did you enjoy the quiet? Wish we could say the same.
Actually, it wasn’t bad at all and the bus trip seemed to fly by this year with short stops by our wonderfully efficient bus drivers. Did we nevertheless find ways to amuse ourselves? Of course.
In a tradition dating back several years now, students on buses one and two have gone head-to-head, with increasing performative enthusiasm. This year’s challenge revolved around a song performance, and resulted in an overwhelming victory for Bus Two, according to the teacher judging panel. Although I cannot help but suspect a bribe was involved, it was nevertheless a devastating blow, not to mention fuel for much trash-talking. To add insult to injury, our plan of a “flash mob” performance at the next rest stop failed miserably in execution. The good news is we have many candidates for my Leadership Seminar activity next year – because our Bus One kids have much to learn in the discipline. But lest we forget, there is also a bus ride home. And revenge can be so sweet…
We arrived ahead of schedule and soon the excitement of new rooms, fun roommates and the stunning alpine scenery provided reason for exhilaration as the sun set over the Three Sisters that tower at the end of our valley. We were greeted by a four-course dinner highlighted by a delicious pasta bar and topped off by a delectable Tiramisu treat.
Surprisingly, the kids made a valiant effort to keep their tables clean – at least in most cases. Did word get out somehow that they were being carefully watched? In any case, our first meal together was pleasant, and the next night’s dinner of traditional Austrian fare including Leberkäse was equally delicious, and kids have learned very quickly how to serve and clear their tables. You’ve taught them well!
We are, however, here for skiing and we’re off to a strong start. Our advanced groups have already spent hours exploring the slopes with some topflight instructors, while the beginners have labored through the first painful lessons of putting on equipment, negotiating the first sloped hills and enduring a couple of harmless falls. However, Hr. Mueller just notified me that seventeen beginners have already experienced their first lift rides and thus skiing from higher altitudes. That is an extraordinarily fast start for those young people and we’re very hopeful for many more tomorrow – in fact, it’s almost assured..
Currently I write in the teacher’s lounge, gratified by the teachers’ gossip, praising how “this (child) is SO polite – he asked me (Mr. Lang) how MY day was on the slopes.” Mr. Weiss reported experiencing a first in his twenty years in the mountains: at the top of the gondola as the students exited, one of his group members had grabbed both his own skis and those of Mr. Weiss, saying “Here you go, Mr. Weiss.” Talk about making a good impression!
So, have we reached ‘ski trip nirvana’? Well, not exactly. There are aching muscles, a couple of sniffles, a few slammed doors and perhaps even a disagreement or two. But we’ll do our best to keep an eye out and help them have a great experience, like so many before them. However, if they want to grab my skis for me from the gondola, I’m not going to complain!
C. Felt
