Exercise MONTY MERGER 25 (MM25) was Headquarters Home Command and Standing Joint Command (UK)’s annual skiing Adventurous Training (AT) expedition in Mayrhofen, Austria.
With access to an extensive range of pistes across several valleys, the location was ideal for catering for all abilities, from ‘bambies’ to aspiring instructors.
Over the fortnight-long expedition, 45 students deployed, complemented by 5 supreme instructors. 5 students achieved Ski Foundation (SF) 1, 14 students achieved the SF2, 6 completed SF3 and 14 students successfully completed SF2 continuation to prepare them for SF3 in the future. The expedition swapped over after week one to allow the new batch to arrive. This worked really well and enabled more people to attend from the same team.
Sadly, one member of the group sustained an injury and had to return to the UK prematurely.
Preparations for MM25 began in April 2024, with Lt Col Neil ‘Fitzy’ Fitzsimons and Maj Frank Culverwell working hard to ensure an excellent package whilst achieving great value for money.
Mayrhofen, in the Zillertal valley, was chosen for its large network of pistes, which cater for all abilities and ambitions, from beginners to cruisers and tourers. From the resort town, skiers ride up the mountain to access the ski areas between 2500 – 1500m. Once up the mountain there are some fantastic beginner areas, such as the gentle blues on the Ahorn. For intermediate skiers, most of the Penken area is suitable with some great cruising runs across the mountain that are fantastic for training and conducting drills to develop skiing ability. Adventurous intermediates also get the opportunity to explore the other resorts within in the Zillertal valley, especially the glacial slopes at Hintertux and the extensive network of linked reds of the Hochzillertal area and Kaltenbach.
Prior to deploying, participants attended comprehensive, mandatory ski briefs delivered by Fitzy. These ensured we all had a base level of knowledge on how to be safe on the mountain, rather than schussing down it like deranged toddlers, with little regard for the impact external elements could have on our ability to ski safely.
Having secured accommodation, transport, kit and equipment through loan pool stores, plus ski hire and passes, we were ready to deploy. Maj Culverwell and WO2 Lawrenson deployed as the advance party and drove to Mayrhofen on 3 Jan 25, followed by the instructors, who orientated themselves to the Zillertal ski area.
The students arrived on 4 and 11 January respectively and, after a smooth flight into Innsbruck and taxi transfers to the beautiful and homely hotel in Mayrhofen, which was to be our abode for the following week. After a hearty traditional Austrian meal of schnitzel mit kartoffeln (breaded chicken and potatoes), we settled in for the night, ready to lay skis on snow.
The following day, we split down into our groups and dispersed around the Zillertal area. SF1 was led by Cpl Euan Kick, who took the novice skiers from snow ploughs on gentle blue runs to parallel turns on piste 66 – a dauntingly steep red – all in the space of five days.
One lucky participant received 1-to-1 instruction with Lt Col Rachel Beszant leading SF1.5. Although not a recognised skiing qualification in the traditional sense of AT, this allowed a participant with limited skiing experience to gain more experience on the slopes before joining SF2 for their ski touring day.
SF2 students were guided by Lt Col Damian Gartland, who expertly catered for the wide range of experiences and abilities of those undertaking SF2. After several days of coaching the skiers on how to ski well, and look good whilst doing so, he took the group ski touring and introduced them to avalanche training and rescue – an invaluable lesson in trusting the kit and each other.
WO1 Simon Nicholson led the SF2 continuation course, developing skiers’ knowledge and skills, and allowing the skiers to gain greater experience on the mountain to prepare them for SF3.
Captain Nige Marsh took the SF3 group who were all about touring. They stayed out in the ‘back country’ most of the time including an overnight stay in a hut. During the week they were taught about living and operating safely in the mountains, safety equipment, snow pack tests, avalanche awareness and how to rescue each other. Although hard work all of the students loved it.
To complement participants’ practical knowledge of skiing, ski-related briefs were delivered over the first three evenings. These briefs consisted of: the reasons why we conduct AT and how to respond appropriately when operating outside our comfort zones; equipment care; what kit to invest in; and basic meteorology and how to use forecasts to decide where is best to ski. Most profound, and relatable, was a brief from Cpl Euan Kick (Great Britain skier), who shared how he overcame mental blocks, which were impeding his skiing, whilst he was competing at the highest level. He explained how a change in his mindset enabled him to unlock even greater potential, leading to him vastly improving his performance on the slopes.
Throughout the expedition, the instructors provided their students with video analysis of their techniques, which proved to be an essential ingredient in the skiers’ improvements.
Notably, the administration, from inception through to students arriving back at Montgomery House, was faultless. The accommodation lent itself perfectly to planning, instruction and analysis, with room for group presentations, and breakout areas for 1-to-1 feedback.
It would be a challenge to find a more smoothly executed expedition than MM25.
The benefits of such an expedition are not only seen on the mountains, but are readily felt in the workplace, whether in the office or on operations. It bonded regular soldiers with reserves, officers with soldiers, different teams within the building and created a fantastic comradeship between all participants that has already seen positive changes in the working environment. Skiing serves as an excellent activity to teach Service personnel skills they can utilise when outside their comfort zones, wherever they find themselves. Our thanks and gratitude go to the Ulysses Trust whose kind contribution maximised participation; we are very grateful.
And so, planning commences for the next iteration of MONTY MERGER in 2026, where more members of HQ SJC(UK) can embark upon a fantastic AT opportunity.
