School Ski Course: A varied program featuring hands-on activities, theory, and fun at the mountain huts

At the end of the third week of January, the annual school ski trip for 8th-grade classes began. With a total of 72 students and 11 teachers, the group set off by bus for Mayrhofen in the Zillertal.

After overcoming the initial organizational challenge of transferring all the luggage from the bus to the Penkenbahn in no time at all, everyone was then able to enjoy the Alpine panorama to the fullest. Upon arriving at the Gschösswandhaus, run by the Mitterer family, everyone settled into their rooms and enjoyed their first hearty dinner.

For the following days, everyone was divided into three skill-level groups—from beginners to advanced—to improve their skiing skills or learn to ski with the help of the instructors.

The days began with a wake-up call at 7:30 a.m. and ended with bedtime at 10:00 p.m. We hit the slopes for two hours each morning and afternoon. Everything went smoothly, and aside from a few minor scrapes, everyone had a great time—especially in the bright sunshine starting on the second day.

 

About slope rules and Alpine Hazards

There was also a varied program at the lodge, and the theoretical side wasn’t neglected: the instructors presented a lecture on international slope rules, skiing adapted to external conditions, and information about alpine hazards. In addition, there was always plenty of entertainment. There was a moonlight disco; at night, participants could marvel at the clear starry sky on a night hike; and on the ski-free afternoon, they could even tour the Penkenbahn or head down to Mayrhofen for some shopping. Highlights included the final afternoon on the slopes, when students were allowed to ski in mixed groups; a fire alarm accidentally triggered by deodorant spray; and the elaborately and creatively designed “rocket” in the room decoration contest. On the day of departure, everyone headed back to beautiful Marburg with mixed feelings.
The WU Student Newspaper