Bishopston CS Ski Trip 2014

Valloire , France

Valloirewww.valloire.com

Travel Information

Depart on Saturday 14th of February at approx 10am from Bishopston Comprehensive School. Load coaches at 9.30am

Arrive at Valloire at the UCPA centre on Sunday 15th around 8am

Leave Valloire on Friday 20th at approx 8pm

Arrive at school on Saturday 21st at 5pm There will be 134 pupils, 16 staff on the trip.

Ratio of 1:8 in accordance with Snowsports Wales Guidelines

The Journey It is a long time on the coach. No singing is allowed before the Severn

bridge. We arrive at Dover in the afternoon to

travel across the channel 12 hours of driving across France plus an

evening stop for food and arrive at Valloire at approximately 8am.

There is a DVD player on the bus Things to bring: Packed lunch or money for food in

services Personal Entertainment (pupils

responsibility) A pillow Plenty of sweets for staff.

On Arrival

Rooms will be allocated and pupils will be briefed by the staff at the centre.

Pupils are reminded that they have to carry their own case and some will have to climb a flight of stairs, be warned.

Accommodation Accommodation is based at

the UCPA Centre – these are licensed by the French govt to promote activities in the mountains

The centre is a short ski from the nearest lifts. Some beginner pupils may jump on the bus!

Rooms are of 6 persons. Breakfast, Lunch, and

dinner are provided. A wide range of food is on

offer and is of an excellent standard. *

There is an entertainment room containing a pool table, table tennis ,sound system and games console.

Valloire Village

NurserySlope

Medical Centre and Pharmacy

UCPA Nearest Lift

Ice Rink

Town Centre

The Skiing Valloire has plenty of skiing

to suit skiers of all abilities. It is linked to a resort called

Valmeinier to create a ski area with 150km of pistes.

70% of the skiing is above 2000m making it a snowsure resort.

The slopes are ideally suited for the beginner and intermediate with a large variety of wide open green and blue runs.

For the advanced there are plenty of testing reds and blacks and a snow park.

Ski Lessons

Ski lessons are taken by the very experienced UCPA Ski school based at our centre.

There will be two 2 ½ hour sessions one in the morning and one after Lunch.

All abilities are catered for with a Giant Slalom course at the end of the week with prize ceremony and certificates.

Groups are ability based and of no more than 10-12 pupils.

There is one instructor with each group, and a teacher will be allocated to each group to ensure they get to lessons on time!

Movement between groups will only be done by the instructors.

UCPA

Ski Clothing The mountains are an unpredictable environment and you

should dress appropriately. The key to being comfortable is in the layers that you wear. 1st layer – thermal layer, close to the skin and close fitting

designed to wick away sweat and still keep you warm. 2nd layer – middle layer designed primarily for warmth. You

can have a couple of thin middle layers or just have one thicker one.

3rd layer – outer layer designed for protection from the elements, wind, snow and the cold.

It is recommended you wear socks designed for skiing it will help with your comfort levels. Gloves and eye wear are also vital. As is sun cream.

ALL pupils will wear helmets for safety reasons. Pupils should also bring a hat for the village.

Important Info

You will make lots of friendships on the holiday, new and old but your best friend for the week will be your lift pass.

Without it you do not ski and more importantly you will annoy your instructor, group and staff so do not forget it.

Remember your gloves, hat and sun cream – altitude has an intensifying effect on the sun’s rays and temperature decreases the higher you go.

Any spending money (no more than 200 euros) will be kept by staff in the centre’s safe and there will be regular banking sessions.

Any valuables you bring with you are your responsibility and yours alone, no blame will be given if it is lost or damaged.

Entertainment

There is a disco room, pool room and bar area where various activities will take place.

There is a sound system used for disco’s and karaoke, so get your all singing and all dancing hats on.

Talent show. A fancy dress evening with prizes. (everyone involved) Music quiz – testing your musical knowledge, can you beat

the staff. There is an ice skating rink and bowling alley in the village

(extra cost) this will be an organised event. And a whole lot more, you will just have to wait and see.

Spare Time

• There will be times where pupils will be allowed to look around the shops in the village.

• This will be unsupervised and it is important that pupils behave in a responsible manner at all times.

• There is a free bus service to take the pupils into the town centre or they may walk which takes around 15 minutes.

• Poor behaviour by pupils will be dealt with as it would if it took place within a school environment.

• Pupils should not go into other pupils’ rooms. There are communal areas for the pupils to socialise.

• Pupils should not take part in any organised activity (ice skating, bowling etc) without supervision.

Return Journey

•Leave Valloire on Friday night and head up through France

•Travel through the night and arrive at Calais by 8.00 am

• If we are there earlier there is a chance we can catch an earlier ferry.

•Return to Bishopston by approximately 5pm (if booked ferry times are used)

Check List Hat, gloves and goggles/sun glasses. Sun Cream and lip cream. Layers of clothing: Thermal layer – underwear , base layers and long-johns. Mid-layer – polo neck t-shirt and jumper/fleece. Outer-layer – salopettes & ski Jacket. Ski socks Passport EU health card Currency 200 Euros max sealed in named envelope. Money for the journey (pounds and euros) Water Bottle Casual wear Sleep wear Towel and Toiletries Footwear Rucksack

You are a guest in France, respect the people, their culture and their country. Try to speak the lingo, practise your French, Miss Jones will be pleased.

Ground Rules

Pupils must wear seatbelts on the bus and remain seated at all times

Pupils must respect staff and each other at all times

Inappropriate items must not be purchased from shops not even as presents

Have a good time!