Disney Goes Swiss
 
After months and months of planning, fundraising and paying, it was eventually time to embark on what would be the most exciting and memorable adventure of our lives. 12 girls and 2 nutty leaders from all over the Midlands were armed with huge rucksacks, salopettes, ski jackets, ski gloves and warm clothing. Yes, we were setting off on a skiing trip to Switzerland. For the majority of the group it was the first time any of us had ever skied on snow. With at least one practice session tucked under our belts we were set and raring to go.
 
The group had only met twice, the first time being at an initial meeting at the county headquarters on 19th June 2010. At the meeting we got to know each other and discussed what sort of activities we would like to do. The second meeting was an over-night stay at YHA Moira, Swadlincote. We spent the evening socialising with each other and the following day skiing on the local dry ski slope.
 
On the first day of our epic adventure we had an early start; we had to be at Birmingham airport for 5.30 in the morning for me that meant a 3am rise from my bed. After two aeroplanes (we travelled to Switzerland via Amsterdam) and two trains we eventually arrived at the Kandersteg Scout Centre in Switzerland, and there was snow! The kind member of staff that drove our bags from the train station to the centre informed us that this was the first snow in months!
 
The following morning after a peaceful and much needed sleep, we were all extremely excited about the week ahead of us and in particular our skiing.
 
To get to the ski slopes we had to take a 10 minute gondola ride to the top, this was a perfect photo opportunity as the views were amazing!
 
Everyday we always seemed to find time for a hot chocolate at the top of the slopes (made with real Swiss chocolate!) and some photos.
 
On the fist day our instructor Winz, tested us out on a small slope, to see who could do all of the basics which included turning and a snow plough (stopping). He then decided that we were all good enough to go onto the slopes. After many 
falls and many picks up from some very kind people on the slopes we were almost at the bottom. But, to get there we had to go down the steepest drop that I have ever seen aptly nick named by me by me as the suicide drop! After some skilful side stepping I decided I had had enough and went down the slope, fell and carried on down on my back with my arms thrown out to the side (a funny sight for the other girls no doubt).  


For the rest of the week the group split into two for our skiing lessons. The ‘more able’ group and the rest of us. I was in the other group who were mastering the basics. We had two instructors Alfred and Paul.  


Over the week we grew in confidence managing to accomplish things that we never though we would be able to do. We took on some very windy paths that tested our turning and stopping. Also we all managed to get to the bottom of the suicide drop! The one thing I never managed to do was get off the ‘t’ lift (a bar that drags you to the top of the mountain) every time I seemed to fall off it at the top no matter who I went with! 

Throughout the week we took part in many other activities such as igloo building, snow shoeing, a winter quiz and sledging. All of these activities were run by the Kandersteg staff and they were a true credit to the centre. They joined in with our jokes and had a really good laugh with us.   


On Wednesday we visited Interlaken for the day to do some shopping. We also managed to give the locals a good laugh when we managed to fit 12 people around a table that was only meant for 4! We all brought lots of souvenirs and chocolate to take back home.
 
On the final night we had a fondue evening with all of the staff at the centre. But it wasn’t any old fondue evening, it had a twist… if the piece of bread that you were dipping in the cheese fell in then you had to go and kiss someone! As you can imagine all of the male scouts loved this with a group a girls. 


On the Sunday it was time to go home. We were all leaving with memories and friendship that would last a lifetime. 


Thank you to all of the other girls that made this week so amazing and thank you to Hannah and Penny for coping with us all and finally to all of the others that supported us, helped to organise the week, planned activities for us and helped with our fundraising. 

Emily Shallcross