Co-Op Priesthorpe Academy's school ski trip to Italy, Bardonecchia

Situated in Northwestern Italy, Bardonecchia is set at around 1,300 metres. Ideal for beginner and intermediate skiiers, the resort is situated in the upper Susa Valley, near the French border and has beautiful mountain views. With everything in the resort within walking distance, it’s perfect for school groups who are introducing skiing to their students. After a beautiful week in Bardonecchia, we sat down with English teacher and Ski trip Party Leader Danny Martin, to chat about their weeks’ successes. Danny and his group from Co-Op Priesthorpe Academy travelled by coach from West Leeds to Bardonecchia in Italy.

Hear why this week was a standout for both students and staff…

Setting the scene

What made you choose Italy, and Bardonecchia specifically, for your school’s ski trip this year?

"My first consideration was a budget which made the ski trip accessible to students who wouldn’t necessarily otherwise have this opportunity. I wanted the “classic” Alpine ski experience for the group, ideally in Italy or France, so contacted Skibound with these criteria. Skibound suggested a few destinations, and some quick research showed Bardonecchia as not only budget-friendly but perfect for our needs with its accessible location and beginner to intermediate slopes.

I saw that the nursery slopes were only a short walk from the hotel, most importantly with no lifts to navigate. With easy access to the mountain and it’s intermediate slopes, which was right there next to the learner slopes, it was perfect. The slope set up meant that I could easily get to all ski groups wherever they were on the mountain."

Can you describe your first impressions when your coach arrived in Bardonecchia? What stood out immediately?

"The first thing that stood out when we pulled into Bardonecchia was how quickly we were in the resort. Just a quick right turn from the main road, there are none of the winding mountain lanes for the coach to navigate.

Another noticeable feature was the size of the hotel. The Olympic Village in Bardonecchia is vast, but this means it is full of facilities and activities which keep the students entertained when not in their ski boots. As for location, the hotel is a perfect 5–10 minute stroll from the nursery slopes, ski lifts, and ski equipment hire. This means that getting ready for the slopes is such a smooth process, as everything is in the same place. Students leave their ski equipment, including their ski boots, in the ski lockers instead of having to walk to and from the hotel in their heavy gear."

Planning & Preparation

What were your main priorities when selecting a ski tour provider, and how were these met?

"I had travelled with SkiBound on a previous trip, so made sure to get a quote from them when I started planning this trip. SkiBound’s quote came in competitively compared with other operators. SkiBound’s planning process was well supported by their admin systems which helped to remove barriers and obstacles for trip leaders, such as gathering group’s information easily.

There were also options to upgrade the trip with additional après ski activities, personalised merchandise etc, but these were not forced and I often prefer to organise my own activities with my budget in mind. When we were in resort, Skibound’s rep supported our budget needs and personal requirements, making any necessary liaison with resort staff, to make the whole process plain sailing."

Student Experience

What moment during the week really captured the joy or excitement of your students? Can you paint the scene for us?

"Our students were excited for the ski trip from the outset, but the true sign of this came towards the end of the week. The progress made by all, whether novice skiers or those with some prior experience, was fantastic. The instructors motivated the students and formed bonds with them over their week on the slopes, getting almost all students up on the lifts where they gasped at the views and experience of skiing down a “proper” mountain. Those needing additional support were cared for and encouraged on the nursery slopes, with huge smiles on their faces. One moment that stands out is when one of our students finally managed to stay on his feet from top to bottom independently, it was a fantastic moment!"

Can you describe a moment when the group bonded, in a way that felt really special?

"A great moment to witness was when the more advanced group, who until arriving in Italy had only had some introductory lessons on an indoor slope, made it to the “Bardo” viewpoint at the top of the mountain for a group photo. Struck silent by the breathtaking scenery as they surveyed the valleys and mountaintops, they shared a moment which will last a lifetime. Watching them line up to follow their instructor down a steep red run, I knew the trip was a success."

Skiing & Instruction

How would you describe the slopes and terrain to another teacher considering Italy for the first time?

"The offer in Bardonecchia is great for students of various abilities, but for staff hoping to enjoy some skiing themselves, there is still plenty on offer. Although compact compared with other resorts, for the trip leader wanting to ski but stay accessible in case of an incident or need, it is perfectly sized. There is plenty of variation of red runs, with some steep, wide, fast pistes as well as gentler scenic runs through the trees. A couple of black runs are available, but these are short and the furthest distance from the main hub. For six days skiing, I found enough in Bardonecchia to keep me entertained while students were in their lessons, and even at the furthest point I could have reached any group within around 20 minutes."

Safety & Wellbeing

How did SkiBound handle things like supervision, medical needs, or general pastoral care during the week?

"The compact nature of the resort and ease of access to lifts and nursery slopes was reassuring from a safety and safeguarding perspective. SkiBound were sure to have any medical, allergy, and pastoral needs covered and the rep was well-informed of these prior to our arrival and prepared."

Accommodation, Food & Culture

What was the resort of Bardonecchia like for pupils and staff? What little touches made a difference?

"The town is never too busy, but has a good row of businesses including supermarkets, clothing stores, souvenir shops, and a pharmacy. Some lovely bars and cafes are also there along with classic Italian outlets for cured meats and baked goods.

As I mentioned earlier, the location of the ski lockers and ski fit being so close to the slopes was excellent. This was ideal for arrival day and ski return, as everything was so quick, and any changes which needed to be made regarding ski gear, was streamline."

Did the students embrace Italian food and culture? Any memorable meals or cultural experiences?

"The food offer at the Olympic Village in Bardonecchia is excellent. A fantastic breakfast is provided every morning, with hot food served alongside a good buffet of continental meats and cheeses as well as cereals, fruit and yoghurt. Both lunch and dinner are Italian-style four course affairs, with beautiful salad buffets, a pasta course, and freshly cooked meats, potatoes, and vegetables. There were no complaints from the teenagers apart from the usual longing for a McDonalds."

Logistics & Value

Your group travelled by coach instead of flying. Why did you decide on that, and would you recommend it to others?

"It’s honestly for peace of mind. I like to make sure all my students are in one place, with all their belongings, until we get to resort. There is less logistics to organise and means a simple journey from A to B. I also found that the quotes provided were lower, when travelling by coach instead of flying."

Impact on Students

After returning home, what feedback did you receive from students, parents, or colleagues?

"Feedback from parents and students has been brilliant. Students returned to talk their parents’ ears off with stories of the journey, the hotel, and the slopes. A mark of a good trip is when students who weren’t previously friends stop you as they walk down a corridor together to share a memory of their week away."

Did you notice any personal growth in students: confidence, independence, resilience, because of the trip?

"Absolutely. Often teachers think personal growth happens only on the slopes, but this isn’t the case. There was such a improvement in resilience and organisation from our students, it was unbelievable. Having the responsibility of looking after your own lift pass, gloves and ski equipment, can seem a lot at first, but the students really improved in terms of their independence.

It was also lovely to see them grow in confidence, with their peers but also with other students from different schools. The Olympic Village hotel holds a lot of school groups at one time, which was an excellent opportunity for our kids to get to know other students."

Tips for future Party Leaders

What would you say to another teacher who feels unsure about organising a ski trip abroad, especially to Italy.

"My mantra for trips has always been 'if you book it, they will come'. Sometimes our best intentions in school around progress and outcomes become a barrier to the time and space needed to truly nurture a love of learning about the world. Trips are teaching distilled. They have the potential to fulfill the Utopian vision we all probably had as we filled in our applications to work in schools. Ski trips are ambitious projects, but the rewards are huge. They encourage resilience, self-reliance, physical exercise, and a sense of adventure. Book one. Choose a travel operator, and they will help you break down the task into manageable chunks. Before you know it, you’ll be commuting by ski lift rather than in rush-hour traffic."

Want to speak to a SkiBound expert about a ski trip to Italy?