Carving it up in Val Thorens

By this point most people will have just about recovered from the best week of skiing and partying yet. This was Imperial’s biggest ski trip by a long way and did not disappoint!

On the last Friday of term over 200 Imperial students gathered at the Union in eager anticipation of the perfect conditions that awaited them in Val Thorens. Boarding the four coaches, we headed on the short trip to the French Alps; across the channel by ferry and through France. Stopping at the supermarket at the bottom of the mountain to make provisions for the week we were shocked at the ridiculously low drinks prices. Stocking up on five litre petrol canisters of wine, we were set for the week!

Arriving in Val T we were greeted with metres of fresh powder. Snow conditions were amazing throughout the week with so much off-piste on offer. Several of the days had perfect blue skies allowing everyone to make the most of the less accessible powder. Freestyle Captain and self-confessed gangster, Mikkel, demonstrated the proper way to do a cliff drop, landing straight on his ass from 20 foot up. For those more akin to staying on piste, we had a dual slalom race day between ourselves and the other London universities on our trip – ULU, UAL, Greenwich, Ravensbourne and Westminster – needless to say, a team from Imperial took first prize.

On top of the great snow there was the crazy après-ski. Bar 360 was the place to be after a day’s skiing or snowboarding with students partying there from all of the London SnowOperative universities (the group of snowsports clubs who went on this trip). This was also the venue for the Mountain Meal of meat fondue and plenty of wine. Skiing down from the Mountain Meal allowed people to do funny challenges, such as Michael Parkes riding down on one ski. The après didn’t stop there with a different nightclub each night. The highlight has to be the Wednesday night when Danny Byrd of Hospital Records played to a crowd of almost 2000 students.

After such a week, it was sad to say goodbye – to new found love, to new friends and old, and most of all to the unique beauty that is a university ski trip. Aftera rough head count, we were on our way, exhausted, but in equally high spirits knowing that we had just bared witness to an incredible trip.

A big thank you is needed to Vlad, our trip organiser who worked tirelessly on putting this trip together as well as the rest of the Snowsports committee. Also thanks to travel company NUCO for helping us through it. Lastly, if you came on the trip, thank you for making it the best one yet! If you missed out or have been left gagging for more, do not fear as we have our Easter Trip to Alpe D’Huez from 22nd-30th March. This is BUSC Main Event with 2500+ UK university students in one resort – with competitions all week if you want another sensational holiday. To book on, visit www.buscevents.com and select Imperial as your university. As well as this, next year’s winter trip should be just as big and so don’t leave it to the last minute to book! Any questions – email us at ski@ic.ac.uk. As always, Snow Love!