Cirencester Kingshill School's Ski Trip to Sestriere

This trip was primarily for students to learn to ski who had never had the opportunity to experience the joy of skiing before. A handful of selected students were fine skiers, and they provided role models for the beginners to aspire to.

As the week moved forward, the progress of our beginner groups was unparalleled in over 20 years of leading school ski trips. 

Sestriere ticked all the boxes - a high-altitude village which almost guaranteed great conditions (and they were!), a village with good local après-ski activities (we used the cinema and the crêperie), and a hotel right on the piste which organised all ski hire and storage within the hotel.

And the food. Oh my, the best choice and quality cuisine we as a school have ever experienced. 

By day 4, four of the five groups were competently skiing black runs. I could not believe the progress some of our beginners made. From not knowing how to put ski boots and skis on on day 1, to traversing black runs on days 4 and 5 is testament to the volume of skiing and high-quality teaching our students received. 

The cinema night was perfect - a 10-minute walk into town, a film in English and popcorn as part of the deal. The students and staff enjoyed the film and the rest after a hard day of skiing. 

The man who ran the crêperie could not have been kinder. Students who did not like crêpes were offered ice creams or sorbets. A thoroughly enjoyable event!

Thursday - a fresh foot of powder and perfect blue skies. Undoubtedly the best skiing conditions I have ever experienced!

For me, seeing our students thrive in this environment while having fun, making new friends and perfecting their technique is what a ski trip is all about. If heaven is a piste in Italy, then we definitely found our way to the pearly gates. 

Halsbury have provided skiing to various locations for us as a school in previous years and never let us down. The trip was affordable for the students, offered great value, and the in-resort representative went the extra mile to ensure everyone in our party was looked after. 

Halsbury have been first class from the start - from Olly who booked the trip, to Lisa who worked closely with me on the finer details, through to Cherry who made the experience in resort the best it could be.

One member of my team commented to me during lunch one day, "Mr Edwards - we are living like kings!". Can't wait to go back again next year!

100% yes. They provide excellent service, are quick to resolve any queries and, from leaving school to arriving back one week later, did everything expected of them. I'll be travelling with Halsbury for all school trips in the future.