Organising Memorable School Ski Trip Like a Pro!

Posted by activskt on March 5th, 2016

Congratulations on being selected as school ski trip organiser. If you had been organizing school ski trips in the past, then this time also it should not be a problem. But if it is your first time, then fret not. This guide can prove to be a great help in organizing such trips step by step and help you make the trip an unforgettable one.

Planning for the trip: The planning for the trip involves choosing the right ski resort and booking for the trip.

1. You can hire a specialist ski tour operator having past experience of organizing school ski trips. Remember to ask for details of the guarantee, group insurance, meals and activities that they cover so that there is no space for confusion.
2. Choosing a ski resort is of utmost importance. As a thumb rule, the ski resort should be ideally situated at an altitude of about 2000 m above the sea level and the time of the trip should be around last week of January to mid of February. The ski resort should be able to provide easy-to-use ski lifts, an in-house ski trainer who can work with children of the intended age group, and slopes which are comfortable for group with mixed abilities.

1. Though journey can be made by coach or flight. We recommend taking flight so that young guys do not get tired and the trip does not eat up into trip duration, though going by a coach may give you better control over the group.
2. Assess the risk and safety issues for the group. And check up with the local authorities. You may even be required to complete a certification for snow-sports.
3. Assess the abilities of the group. If the group is going for the first time, expect most of the people to fall in category of the beginners.
4. Hold a meeting with the parents, and ensure the presence of the representative of the ski tour operator. This is to detail the parents about the budget, equipments and clothing to be packed for the trip. The presence of the ski tour operator representative will help alleviate doubts of the parents.

Before the Trip: You need to plan in such a way so that:

1. The parents are kept engaged during the entire pre-trip period and help their wards with packing clothing, equipments, and even ski lessons (some local authorities might want the students to have minimum qualifications before coming to ski resort).
2. The plan is flexible. This is to allow for last-minute plan changes and weather changes. The snow-clad mountains are very unpredictable during inclement weather conditions.
3. The paper-work is completed well before the time. Proper paper-work is very important to prevent your run-in with the local authorities.
4. Established and accepted behaviour and discipline norms are followed by every student to the word.
5. Re-assessment of safety measures is done.

During the Trip: During the entire duration of the trip, you should remember the following to avert any unfortuitous event.

1. Ensure the identification of each person in the group.
2. Frequent head-count should be done during every report-back time.
3. Ensure that the students are well-fed before skiing routines as skiing can prove to be very tiring.
4. Ensure that the students also get proper rest amidst all the excitement.
5. Reinforce discipline with rewards and punishments so that the trip runs smooth despite some exceptions. Here and there.

Wish you all the luck in organizing your school ski trips. Bon Voyage!

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