The 2010 De La Salle ski trip took the 25 pupils, along with principal Mr Barry Sharvin and teachers Mr Brady and Mr McEvoy to Valloire in the French Alps.

Mr Brady was called in as a late replacement for Mrs Lennon and another late addition to the party was Ryan Fitzpatrick (P9).  Ryan’s mum surprised him just 2 weeks before the trip and this was perhaps the best birthday present that Ryan has ever had!

Pupils from years 9 to 11 set off at the hour of 4.45am on Sunday 7^th March in order to be at Belfast International Airport to catch their flight to Grenoble, France and then make the onward bus journey to their ski resort in Valloire.  The scenery on the bus journey was breathe taking and as we made our way further up the mountains the blanket of snow became thicker and thicker, while the mountains became all the more majestic.

On arrival pupils were allocated rooms in the hotel and had ski boots and skis fitted almost immediately.  Pupils and teachers took a well earned rest on the Sunday night as they had been travelling for some twelve hours.  On Monday morning after a huge breakfast, pupils were spilt into their groups and introduced to their ski instructors.  Morning lessons began at 9.00am and finished at 11.00am.  All groups came together for lunch and returned to the slopes from 1.00pm to 3.00pm for their afternoon lesson.

The De La Salle pupils were split into two groups.  The 1^st group was for the more able skiers (mostly boys who had been on the previous De La Salle ski trip, but also some beginners).  They took to the slopes like they had never been away and were soon the red and black slopes which are the most difficult runs on the mountain.

The other group was for the beginners and after a few days of finding their feet they too were soon skiing down the mountains like pro’s!!  At the end of each day the entire party of teachers and pupils would ski down the mountain and walk the short distance to their hotel and prepare for dinner.

Each night after dinner pupils were free to take part in the après ski activities which ranged from bum boarding, ice skating, ten pin bowling and table quizzes.  There was also a pool table in the hotel and Sky Sports to watch the Champions League.

Unfortunately all the fun had to come to an end sometime.  Presentations of certificates were made on Friday night and the pupils had one more day of skiing before returning home. Everyone arrived home safely on 14^th March to be greeted by their parents at the airport.

A great time was had by all with some of the pupils already enquiring as to when the next trip will be.  The answer to that is hopefully 2012, so anyone hoping to go should listen out for further details.