Location and Itenerary
We will be going to Gerlitzen in Austria after many extremely successful trips there. This is an excellent mountain for a mixed ability school party as it offers relatively safe skiing and snowboarding. We deal directly with Holiday Shuttle (Holiday Services) in Austria. The overall cost of the trip does include an enhanced staff to student ratio, as we value the benefit of the increased supervision, support and care. The hotel that we will be using is called the ‘Post Hotel’ in Ossiach, Austria. We had a very pleasant stay in 2020 and the owner is keen for us to return next year.
Complete beginners are welcome, but when selecting skiing or boarding, we would recommend skiing for the first trip. Please confirm your choice on the expression of interest form; it will be possible to change between skiing and boarding later.
Please be aware as per current European rules of travel, each person over the age of 12 visiting mainland Europe will have to be double vaccinated against Covid-19 and will be required to complete a form before entry. The guidelines change regularly and we will update you if required, on any changes – but it is advised that you check the rules of travel.
The trip will be organised so that the price will include the following as a minimum:
- Travel from Wirksworth to Ossiach, Austria and return by coach with a ferry transfer
- Accommodation with full board (including hot lunch on the mountain)
- Hire of helmet with skis, boots and poles, or boots and snowboard
- Six days of five-hour lessons given by instructors from the Austrian Ski School
- Full, comprehensive insurance cover via the school’s trip insurance policy
- Additional COVID cover insurance
- Appropriate adult supervision
- Gratuities
- Evening activities such as a Pizza night in Italy, bowling, swimming, cinema and disco
Estimated Costs
We anticipate the trip cost to be around £1,200 (this is a rough estimate at this time).
We will be able to supply a more accurate figure once we know student numbers, along with a payment plan to follow. This price has increased from previous years due to an increase in the cost of insurance, fuel and coach drivers’ wages. Options to fly or use the Eurotunnel have been considered but this increases the cost further. In addition to the trip cost, it is advised to take spending money to cover drinks and any extras (in the range of £80 to £90). Students will also need suitable clothing for the skiing or boarding. Specific advice on clothing will be given at the first parents’ meeting later in the year.
We have decided to open the 2023 trip up to all AGS students in our current Year 7 through to Year 12 (next year’s Year 8 to Year 13 students). Please be aware, this applies only to the 2023 trip, as Year 11 and Year 13 students are usually not able to participate in the ski trip due to the timing of the trip and the proximity of their final exams.
As we have not been able to run a ski trip for the last two years, students in Year 11 or Year 13 will be able to attend the trip in 2023, on the understanding that each student is on track with their work. The Year 11 and 13 students will also be required to bring schoolwork/revision with them, as supervised and supported time will be set aside during the trip for the Year 11 and 13s to work.
Please also note, students who will join AGS in September 2022 will not be able to be included in the 2023 ski trip. These students will have the opportunity to join the ski trips which we hope to organise for 2024 and beyond.
Within the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988, this trip is an optional extra organised by a third party. Participation in this trip will be on the basis of choice and a willingness to meet the charges, in accordance with the school’s charging and remissions policy.
