** AMAZING END TO THE DAY **

Elisa, the granddaughter of the Hotel owner, daughter of the Hotel manager, came to see us after dinner.  Elisa is the current Olympic Gold and Silver medal holder for Speed Skating at the recent (home) Milano Cortina.  Elisa brought her two Olympic medals and three World Championship medals for the pupils to hold, wear and see.  This was an amazing surprise for us all and we are extremely grateful to Elisa and the Hotel Villa Rina family.

I have been running the ski course for a number of years now and today had the best snow conditions we have ever had in Italy during Easter.  The sun was shining, the air was cold and the snow... just WOW!!

Our Advanced group headed off with their instructor and disappeared to go and explore the mountain.  The two Intermediate groups started slowly but by the afternoon sessions they were heading up towards 3000m.

The beginners all started in one big group with three instructors and school staff.  They were quickly on their skis and showing off their snowplough (with varied success!!).  Those that were on skis for the first time had a go on one ski first... always a giggle.  By the afternoon session, so much progress was being made that the magic carpet and the butt lift were being accessed as the mountain opened up to all the pupils.  As always, on the first day there were some epic falls, crashes and hysterical body positions!!

Tonight is a chilled evening, a chance to unpack properly, rest up, share stories and for those that need it, catch up on some much needed sleep!!