Activity Week - Ski Trip to Japan

Each week Dhanara will share a few Activity Week reports and galleries of photos, this week. Skiing in Japan.

During Activity Week, 24 Year 12 students embarked on a ski trip to Hakuba, Japan. This has been one of the most memorable experiences so far at AISHK. Despite some of us having no prior ski experience at all, we were all able to acquire a level of confidence in skiing or snowboarding by the end of the trip. The first day was a hectic and tiring one to say the least. We met at the airport 5:30 in the morning with just 2 hours of sleep from the night before departing for Tokyo. After arriving in Tokyo, we picked up some snacks from the convenience store before setting off for another 5-hour bus ride into Hakuba. The moment we first saw snow as we moved into rural Japan, we could foresee engaging in a snowball fight when we arrived at the ski resort. Mr. Allante was caught in the crossfire as we made efficient use of the 10 minutes we were allowed in the snow. A construction project of 2 snow trenches was also started by the boys, which would serve as our snowball fight battleground throughout the trip and to commemorate our visit. 

Skiing and snowboarding were the focal points of this trip. With our instructors, we learnt crucial techniques such as the "pizza" (snowplow) and parallel turning to navigate the slopes. I was surprised at how difficult and heavy it first felt to walk in ski boots. Despite it being a bumpy beginning with many falls and collisions, especially beginners, we all persevered and conquered increasingly difficult trails, including some red runs. Those more experienced were able to show off their expertise and mentor the beginners. We were also fortunate to have Miss Craig and her exceptional video commentary documenting our growth as skiers. As we grew more confident with our skills, we could also engage in snowball fights while moving, talk about multitasking. This is all thanks to the instructors for being patient and supportive of us all throughout. Of course, skiing was not the only experience we enjoyed, from taking in the spectacular snowy scenery, struggling to make okonomiyaki, venturing into town, snowshoeing at night, and more.

Overall, this trip has been extremely rewarding and enjoyable for us. Personally, I am pleased with how much I have progressed with skiing in just 5 days. It is all about giving it a go and to trust in your own skills. As a group, we gained a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and traditions. We established new friendships while fostering deeper connections with others. The company of Mr. Allante and Miss Craig was special, with both former and current heads of year being part of the experience with us in the final year of high school. We are very grateful to all the staff involved in making this trip as fun and safe as possible for everyone.

Report by Liam Pang, Year 12 student