The aim of the exercise was to take 24 Army Cadets to Bavaria for a progressive AT programme using the medium of Alpine skiing. It was planned to the UKCC Snow Sports Snow Life Awards course as the basis for the weeks training. This was supported with elements of snow/mountain survival lectures including weather and mountain hazards. All cadets and some CFAVs were assessed in line with the 9 Levels available in the Snow life awards scheme.
Accommodation, as in previous years, was at Outdoorzentrum, Allgau Marienbrucke, Bihlerdorf, Bavaria. The Lodge was clean and warm, all accommodation very well fitted out, with en-suit bathrooms, allowing the cadets and adults to be accommodated across 3 floors.
It provided breakfast, and evening meal. Breakfast was continental, with bread, cheese and cold meats available. Evening meal was a set menu with one choice each day. They were prepared to a good standard and were self-service. Lunch was a self-help packed lunch supplied by the lodge, put together by the individual for consumption throughout the day. As these were repetitive most individuals chose to buy lunch in the restaurant on the slopes.
Ski hire was from Sonthofen. All ski equipment was fitted by the team in the shop. The service was excellent and the equipment up to date and fit for purpose. All participants were issued and required to wear a helmet and any exchanges of hired kit were dealt with efficiently and without question through the week.
Four CFAV’s were tasked to look after the welfare of the cadets during skiing activities and leisure time. The four welfare adults participated in the skiing, so, whilst chaperoning the cadets with the freelance instructors, they were also able to work towards a Snow Life Award. Each was responsible for a group of 6 cadets for the week.
Day 1: The participants met at Shropshire ACF HQ at 2300hrs and after final checks were completed we travelled by coach to Stansted Airport, arriving at 0420hrs.
Day 2: At 0700hrs our flight to Memmingen Germany departed, arriving at 09.50hrs. We collected our five hired 9-seater minibuses and travelled for 45 minutes to the accommodation in Sonthofen. Once everyone had occupied their rooms and received a safety brief and tour of the building, we travelled down the road to a McDonalds for lunch, then, back at the accommodation, everyone was sent to their rooms to catch up on sleep, in preparation for the week ahead.
The ski instructors used the time to visit a number of possible ski slopes to identify a suitable location for the following day / week. Unfortunately, this year has been a bad season with very little snow on the slopes, so we were very limited on options and it was decided to travel 50 minutes into Austrial and use Kleinwalsertal Ifen.
The lodge provided a continental breakfast, and the evening meal. which was a set menu with one choice each day. Lunch was a self-help packed lunch supplied by the lodge put together by the individual for consumption throughout the day. As these were repetitive most individuals chose to buy lunch in the restaurant on the slopes.
At 1900, Â after the evening meal, we had the opening course address by Major Chwalinski to give the cadets an insight into the week and confirmed the aims and objectives. RSM Norton briefed the cadets on house rules and expected behaviour. Lt Col Lester gave a safety brief for when out on the slopes. The cadets were then split into four groups of 6. One of the groups was made up of those that had skied before. These groups were then briefed by their allocated ski instructor.
Day 3:  After breakfast the groups had another briefing and kit check with their instructors before traveling to Skiverleih Michael Jipp, the ski hire shop where  Michael and his team sized and fitted each participant with ski boots, skis, poles and a helmet very efficiently.  We then travelled the 50 minutes to Ifen in Austria, arriving at 1130hrs. On arrival the participants split into their 4 groups and started to learn the basics on the nursery slopes. The group of cadets with skiing experience had instructor Jim Oakley and quickly progressed from the flat area to skiing down the nursery slope using snow plough turns. The less experienced groups had Dave Phillips and Mike Goude and Lt Col Lester (lead instructor) had the lowest ability group.
All the groups progressed well during the day. The beginners were starting to move and the intermediates were getting their ski legs back. We started the return journey back to the accommodation when the slopes closed at 1600hrs. In the evening after evening meal each group had a de-brief with their instructors and had a lecture on the different ski positions and terminology.
Day 4:  The second days skiing was again at Ifen. All groups continued to progress although the beginners had a more challenging day and the skiers were instructed on how to use a button lift. The advanced group went up the mountain to use the blue slopes, whilst the remaining three  groups remained on the nursery slope perfecting their technique in order to control their speed and direction. At 1600hrs everyone travelled back to the accommodation, where they had their de-briefs and another lecture on weather.
Day 5: The third day was again at Ifen. The slopes were more challenging due to heavy rain at the bottom and snow at the top. Three of the four groups travelled up the mountain to ski the blue runs. The fourth group remained on the nursery slope, as there were still a number in the group struggling to control their speed, turn and stop. The advanced group moved on to skiing the red runs.
After a full day of skiing everyone travelled back to the accommodation, where they had individual feedback from their instructors and reviewed their skills according to the snow life award booklet. Later in the evening the participants had a lecture on avalanche and snow safety.
Day 6: The fourth day the advance group skied Kanzelwand-Fellhorn, where they did red and black runs. The other 3 groups returned to Ifen skiing the blue run and started to tackle red runs. The lowest ability group moved off from the nursery slopes and went up the mountain to ski the blue runs. Â
The weather was dry and warmer with clear with great visibility at the top. Â
Day 7: Today, a second group skied Kanzelwand-Fellhorn and the other three  groups returned to Ifen. The weather was a lot colder with rain in the morning. This was snow at the top where the groups were skiing causing reduced visibility. All four groups were now skiing blue and red runs confidently. The previous days was now starting to take their toll on some of the cadets with low fitness levels. As a result,three cadets returned to the safety vehicle to rest in the afternoon.
Day 8: This was the last day of skiing and as Ifen had the best conditions we returned for the final day. The cadets completed the final assessment and had the opportunity to ski some challenging terrain from the top of the mountain to the bottom. The weather was warm again with clear sky. All groups skied until 1600hrs, when we then travelled back to the ski hire to return our equipment. After the evening meal the cadets had their final one-to-one de-brief and were given their snow life award level and badge.
The accommodation was cleaned and then everyone packed ready for the return home and our We early start of 0500hrs the next morning.
Day 8: After early wakeup call at 0500hrs, we had breakfast and loaded the vehicles ready to depart for Memmingen Airport for our 1005hrs flight. Our  coach was waiting for us at Stanstead and brought us back to Shropshire at 1600hrs where the parents were waiting for their cadets.
“I loved this trip so much. The ski instructors were excellent building my confidence to ski down red runs.” – Cdt L Hunter, Market Drayton Detachment.
“This was a brilliant week. I got to learn what I’m capable of and to push through when things get hard or scary. I also got to use my German through the week.” – Cdt LCpl Taylor, Donnington Detachment
“So grateful for the for the opportunities the ACF give to cadets. Its been a life changer for Cadet Daniels to have these opportunities and help build him to who he is now. Thank you” – Ms Daniels, parent of Cdt LCpl Daniels, Pontesbury Detachment.
“Would just like to say, a massive thank you for giving your time and patience, and the wonderful opportunity for all the cadets on this trip. Something they will remember always. Many thanks” – Mr Lowry, parent of Cdt LCpl Lowry, Market Drayton Detachment.
