Ski Camp

This year, Ski Camp held true to its adventurous and exhilarating nature. Despite the snow not being in the best of conditions, we certainly made the most of the clear, bluebird days on the mammoth mountain that is Perisher (the largest skiable area in the Southern Hemisphere). 

Personally, I was able to improve significantly by surrounding myself with skilled and audacious skiers who pushed me to my limits, whether it was on steep, icy runs or daunting jumps in the terrain park. 

Throughout this experience, I met people from a variety of different year levels while exploring the resort, making new friends through this thrill-seeking sport. 

One standout moment was being able to land a 180-degree jump on skis. Wanting to impress our instructor, my peers and I practised this trick intently throughout the day, eventually reaching the point where we could achieve it the majority of the time. 

This gave me immense pride, as a feat of this nature would have seemed scarily impossible at the beginning of the trip, yet with dedication and encouragement I was able to overcome my fears and accomplish something previously unimaginable. This is why I strongly recommend this camp to other students, regardless of their skiing ability. It teaches you to persist in the face of adversity and, most importantly, it’s a really fun time with your friends.

Bt Manny Annason

This is the second year I have been on Preshil’s Snow camp, last year being the first time I had ever seen snow, let alone skiied! I ended the last camp with the ability to ski relatively confidently even going on my first black run by the final day. This year I began the first lesson in the beginners class out of fear that I had completely forgotten how to ski but I was pleasantly surprised! 

The next day I moved into the intermediate group, when asking Kris if that was okay he was more than confident that that was the group for me. Throughout the camp I challenged myself immensely, skiing with groups of a higher skill level yet managing to do the same runs as them. My worst enemy was definitely my own brain, I was able to do everything despite telling myself it was too hard or too scary. 

The highlight of this trip for me was the second last day where I went on a series of runs through the trees. I loved exploring with the group I was with and thinking of new routes to take. We were surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery and had fresh snow under our skis. Even on the bits where I felt scared I was constantly encouraged by my group and ended up doing things I never thought I could! These snow camps constantly push me to believe in myself and challenge myself despite the preconceived expectations I have of my ability.   

By Aimee Smith

Going to mount perisher for ski camp was an exhilarating and memorable encounter for most. The heavy views and getting lost on the many runs created the perfect backdrop for lasting memories. Learning to navigate the slopes and improving skiing skills was both challenging and rewarding. It also came with a lot of relief at the end of the day. We shared triumphs, falls, injuries, and wins. From dropping snowboards down the mountain to falling off t-bars and chairlifts, we grew a soft sense of camaraderie and resilience. 

We found ourselves leaving early and coming back late in the afternoon, and although the pain was very much real, it opened an awareness of gratefulness for ugg boots and hot food. I would definitely say most of us would have felt somewhat accomplished after coming home at the end, whether to your body for withstanding such strenuous activity, or for trekking on when things didn’t come so easily. I believe everyone would agree with me when I say I have developed a greater sense of value for the teachers since experiencing their unwavering dedication to making sure we all have a good time and jumping in to run the show when needed. 

By Mia Laguna-Purcell