From the 14–21 December 2025, 53 Army Reservists and instructors deployed with 3 MI Bn to the Trois Vallées ski area in the French Alps for an overseas winter adventurous training exercise – Ex Cockney Skadi X. Flying from Gatwick to Lyon, the team transferred to Les Allues in the Méribel Valley, ready to tackle the Joint Services Adventurous Training (JSAT) Ski Scheme. Over the week, participants completed their Ski Foundation course, either: SF1 for beginners, SF2 for intermediates, and SF3 for advanced skiers. These demanding courses progress from the basics and learning to ski, to off-piste skiing and ski touring. Eight syndicates were formed: three SF1, four SF2, and one SF3, each supported by a skilled military ski instructor.
The objectives of the exercise included: to develop resilience through controlled exposure to risk, enhance courage, and leadership skills and reinforce Service Core Values (Courage, Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Loyalty, Selfless Commitment). This would translate to increased confidence and operational capability.
A pre-deployment day on 6 December covered essential learning which included avalanche awareness, winter hazards and weather briefs as well as the JSAT Adventurous Leadership and Resilience Training (ALeRT) learning techniques – centred on three pillars: Resilience, Leadership and Core Values. Those on SF2 and SF3 courses also had their ski touring kit fitted and loaded onto vans. A great way to get to know everyone and maximise time on the mountain while in France. Spirits were high, and many left dreaming of “chocolat viennois”.
Our Advance Party departed at the sociable hour of 03:00, one day ahead of the main body, driving across the continent via Folkstone and Calais to ensure our ski touring equipment arrived safely. Though some claimed they were misled over the departure time when volunteering, they did a sterling job arriving in good order.
The main body took a more leisurely approach, opting for a lie in instead and meeting at Gatwick at 04:00 for their 06:15 flight to Lyon. A smooth transfer from Lyon to Les Allues in minibuses, and the early morning was more than rewarded by the splendid chalet accommodation. A quick orientation, trip to the ski-hire shop for SF1 and a recce of the Gondola lift to Méribel and we were ready for day two and some skiing.
The first ski day. This would be an opportunity for Ski Instructors to gauge the abilities within their groups, and for individuals to learn, relearn or in a few cases unlearn how to ski. Most groups spent the day in the Courchevel Valley, which hosts some great blue and red pistes, great for learning. The SF1 groups were introduced to the snowplough while some of the SF2 and SF3 groups were already being chased down red and black slopes and venturing off-piste. Clearly this would be a demanding week for all. By the end of the day everyone had found their feet (and, more often than not, the floor). And there were plenty of experiences over which the groups had bonded, including one broken ski-binding, a few ski fashion ‘faux pas’ and one syndicate receiving an escort off the mountain, having overstayed – slightly.
Groups spent the next four days progressing their training, branching out across all three (and a half) valleys. SF1 perfected their bouncebackability, working on their turns and gradually moving from plough to parallel skiing. One SF1 syndicate successfully skiing from Méribel to Val Thorens and back. SF2 were taken down progressively more challenging pistes, including some gnarly blacks – steep and full of moguls, before being introduced to off-piste skiing, avalanche and rescue drills, snowpack tests and ski-touring. SF3 having refreshed many of these skills early in the week, practiced advanced touring skills and were intent on skiing across all the valleys in a day. Risk assessment and navigation tasks kept minds sharp and leadership skills engaged.
Unfortunately, snowpack conditions meant that opportunities for off-piste skiing were limited, with snow having been 10 days old at the time of our arrival, and avalanche risk at the higher levels increasing with the sunshine. A few areas were found and used, especially around Orelle, which was located two valleys across – some great skiing and a stunning view of Mt Blanc from the ski-lift.
By day 6 there were many tired legs, but a profound sense of achievement by all. Confidence soared, as participants tested their resilience again and again. Students noted:
“It definitely put me into a stretch mindset over 70% of the time skiing. I pushed myself beyond what I thought were my limits of stress.”
“Days 1,2 &3 were learning days, getting comfortable on skis, then from day 4+ I was confident and keen enough to stretch and push from blues to reds and go beyond the requirements for passing SF1.”
“Going from not having ever skied on a mountain or real snow, to standing at the top of a steep incline with the required learning but not a lot of experience really tests your courage.”
SF1 had made some great progress with many having confidently advanced to parallel skiing, including on red slopes. SF2 and SF3 had also made significant progress enhancing their skiing, testing their endurance and successfully practicing emergency avalanche and rescue drills. Course completed, the instructors would make their course assessments.
The last day of skiing saw students rewarded with a free-ski day: they were able to form their own groups and roamed according to their ability, practicing their acquired skills and leading themselves independently – some chasing powder, others chasing hot chocolate – or in one case a short one-horse-open-sleigh ride. It was a fitting finale to a week of challenge, growth, and laughter.
Before leaving students received individual feedback and were informed of their course outcome, with most having achieved the next qualification in their Ski-Foundation training. Muscle aches, big smiles, and a shared sense of achievement. From snowplough struggles to black-run bravado, every participant faced challenges that stretched their abilities helping them grow.
We returned the way we came, but of-course nothing is perfect. One of the returning vehicles broke down 100kms from Calais – steam hissing from its radiator, but all’s well ends well, and recovery was organised in the same efficient manner as the rest of the expedition.
The support provided by the Ulysses Trust has been fundamental in enabling Exercise Cockney Skadi X, ensuring that it was truly open to all. The exercise is one of the very few opportunities for the Bn to deploy as a large, formed body. It has supported operational effectiveness by generating group coherence and developing individual’s abilities. The expedition provided a challenging, developmental environment that fostered confidence, resilience, and leadership. It has provided opportunity for individuals to do something they may have otherwise not tried, and progress towards a Ski Leader qualification.
We remain grateful to the Ulysses Trust and its backers for their support.
