From Sunday 16th – Saturday 22nd February, 17 first year A level students went to Santa Caterina in Italy, accompanied by Nick Webb (Bursar) and Lindsay Jacobs (Vice Principal). Alongside five days of skiing, students also took part in sledging and visited a thermal spa. Below is an article by one of the students, Zahra.
Hello, I’m Zahra, and I’m excited to share this entry on behalf of the AS students who had the incredible opportunity to go on the ski trip to Santa Caterina Valfurva.
Skiing was never something I thought I would excel at — unless you count my remarkable ability to fall or accidentally ski into people. However, from the moment we arrived in Santa Caterina, it was clear that this trip would be more than just learning how to stay upright on the slopes. It was an opportunity to challenge ourselves, embrace the mountain and gain confidence in a sport that many of us had never tried before.
Each day brought new challenges, from mastering the basics like snowploughing to tackling more advanced techniques, including parallel skiing alongside trickier slopes. With the guidance of our instructors and the support of our friends, even those who started as complete beginners made significant progress. Despite the inevitable falls, every attempt was a step toward improvement, making the entire experience rewarding.
Beyond skiing, the trip offered a perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Santa Caterina’s stunning scenery with snow-capped peaks set against a crisp blue sky was utterly breath taking. Exploring the town allowed us to experience the local Italian culture, with its cosy cafés, rustic restaurants and, of course, the best hot chocolates we’ve ever had.
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Bormio Thermal Spa. Nestled in the heart of the Alps, the warm, misty waters provided a welcome escape after long days on the slopes. It was the perfect way to unwind and reflect on everything we had experienced throughout the trip.
What truly made this trip unforgettable was the sense of community it created. Whether we were skiing, playing cards in the evenings, or simply enjoying the surroundings, the shared experiences brought us closer together. We supported each other through challenges, celebrated small victories and created lasting memories that went far beyond the slopes.
In the end, this trip was everything we could have hoped for and more. It was an experience filled with adventure, personal growth and new friendships. On behalf of the entire group, we are incredibly grateful to Nick and Lindsay for organizing such a fantastic journey, giving us the opportunity to learn, explore and create memories that will stay with us for years to come.
I’d also like to share some experiences that my fellow ski trip attendees have written about their time in the mountains:
“I enjoyed the trip so much, so many memories were made that I’ll never forget. So grateful to experience it!” – Elena Pura
“The ski trip to Italy was an unforgettable experience, and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was my first time skiing, but I had so much fun learning, and everyone was incredibly kind and supportive. The facilities were excellent, making the whole trip even more enjoyable, and the activities were fantastic, keeping us entertained both on and off the slopes. I made so many amazing memories with friends, from skiing down the mountains to spending time together in the evenings. Overall, it was an incredible trip that I’ll always remember!” – Neal Patel
“I had an amazing time on the ski trip. The people were amazing. The Italians are hilarious. And the sledging was thrilling. I would recommend this trip to everyone.” – Ethan Jacobs
“I’m really glad I went as it was a great opportunity for me to try something new and allowed me to explore a new place. It was a lot of fun, especially since Lindsay and Nick organised extra activities for us, like sledging” – Sinead O’Shea
By Zahra Kafian, student
Editor: Elena Erceg
