Ski ya later Pinzolo!

PUPILS at Holy Cross have slalomed their way back home following a recent trip to the pistes of Italy as part of a school skiing programme.

Renowned ski specialists Topflight 4 Schools, which recently set up home at City of Derry airport, took 59 students and six staff members from Holy Cross along with forty pupils and staff from Loreto Convent in Omagh to the skiing village of Pinzolo in the Dolomite Mountains for six days of sun, fun and skiing.

Head of the PE department in Holy Cross Brian Gormley was one of the main organisers of the trip.

He remarked, “We went as part of the Ski Gruppone Programme which is a group of schools encompassing Tyrone, Derry and Fermanagh on the trip, aimed at allowing pupils the chance to learn how to ski and hone their skills over the six days.

“We went to Pinzolo in the northern Italian Alps where it was wall-to-wall beautiful weather; sunshine and blue skies for the entire week.

“Four hours a day was spent in lessons and the pupils progressed through the various ranks of ski runs, beginning with green through blues and reds, and each one providing an increased level of difficulty.

“Some of the group were, by the end, even able to conquer a black run which is the hardest run available.

“In the evenings, we enjoyed a range of activities which included soaking up the charm of the picturesque town of Pinzolo and other areas of Italian culture.

“Everyone had an amazing time, making wonderful progress in their skiing as well as lifelong memories of a wonderful trip.”