The annual Oaklands ski trip is a major event on the calendar for Year 12,13 and 9 students.

Ski letters

Subsequent letters will be put on the ‘Ski Trip Team’ that will be created once the students involved are finalised) – Initial 2023 trip letter – click here

Insurance documents for the 2023 trip

• Covid guarantee (Equity ski – the company we use) – click here
• Insurance policy provided by Equity (we also will have the Hampshire CC Education trips policy too) – click here

Where?

The trip was run for many years under the leadership of the Head of the 6th Form Mrs. Hoar, but is now organised by Mr. Bamford. Originally, the intention was to go to the French Alps, but due to unforseen circumstances the trip was switched to Villach in Austria over fifteen years ago and the school went there until 2010. In 2011, the hotel closed and we were forced to go nearby to Bad Kleinkircheim. In 2013 we visited the French Pyrenees at the resort of St. Lary and in 2014 we travelled to Andalo in Italy. We were so impressed with Andalo that we have been going there ever since. http://www.paganella.net/index.php?language=E provides further information on the ski resort.

When?

The trip takes place during the February half term with the students leaving school on Friday and arriving back on the following Saturday. The school has always used coach travel as the means of transport and although this results in a journey of approximately 20 hours, it does provide the students the opportunity to experience other activities away from the ski slopes.

The Resort

Andalo in Italy (in the Trentino-Alto Adige region) is a large resort with 19 lifts (16 chair lifts, 1 surface lifts) that offers skiers an incredible 1083 metres (3553 feet) of vertical descent. Andalo has 32 pistes with a total length of 50km kilometers (19 miles). The ski resort is suitable for all skiing levels and offers easy and intermediate level slopes as well as a black slope for more advanced skiers. Four ski school runs are available for beginners, which also include fun attractions for the children. Two of the ski school runs are on the mountain and the other two are in the village.

For more information on the ski resort click here (external link).

Skiing

The students are split into groups of 10-12 and are given professional tuition from ski instructors employed by the ski school. Members of Oaklands staff also accompany the groups and some of the staff are also qualified to instruct students on the slopes.

Why go?

There are many reasons, but the trip gives students the opportunity to experience a different country and a sport that can only be truly appreciated in the majestic European Alps. Many students enjoy the challenge of skiing and the conquering of the resort summit is the aim for all of our students!

Further information is available from Mr. Bamford.