Top tips from returning SkiBound Party Leaders when planning a school ski trip

We love hearing first-hand feedback from our SkiBound Party Leaders. We caught up with Gavin Bruce from Tonbridge school and Ian Anderson at Crosfields school, to chat about why they keep coming back to SkiBound year after year. Don't just take our word for it, hear from our customers as to why you should book with SkiBound!

Tell me about your recent ski trips with SkiBound

Gavin: "I've used SkiBound for so long! Last year we went to Les Deux Alpes for the first time with SkiBound, but normally we go to Les Menuires. SkiBound's Clubhotel Le Skilt is kind of our go to because it's doorstep skiing and I take a lot of beginner skiers there, plus it's guaranteed snow. Even when Easter is late in the season, it's still got a lot of snow. I've also taken groups to the Clubhotel Vallee Blanche in Alpe d'Huez. Essentially, I've used most of our Clubhotels over the years."

Ian: "Last year in Alpe d'Huez was actually my first time as a Party Leader, but I have been on several SkiBound school ski trips. We had such a great time, with fantastic après options and great ski instructors."

Were you always the Party Leader, or did you ever just go as a staff member?

Gavin: "I've been the Party Leader for the majority of the ski trips over the last 15 to 20 years. Sometimes though, I do join other groups simply as a member of staff. This December just gone, we went to the Clubhotel Vallee Blanche just before Christmas, and I wasn't the Party Leader, which was a nice change."

Ian: "I've been on two SkiBound ski trips with Crosfields; last year I was the Party Leader in Alpe d'Huez. I also went out last Easter with one of my colleagues as a member of support staff."

When you first started organising ski trips for your schools, did you always use SkiBound? How did you find out about us?

Ian: "Since I arrived at Crosfields, SkiBound has been the default ski company. The previous Head of Enrichment who looked after the trips always used SkiBound. When I took over the Head of Enrichment role, I did actually explore other companies as part of due diligence. However, I found that it was much easier to use SkiBound. They were a known company for us and could always deliver what we wanted."

Gavin: "I actually found SkiBound through my last school. I can't remember the exact year of my first SkiBound ski trip, but it was at least 25 years ago. I did try some other companies, but SkiBound was always the one I returned to. The customer service, the Clubhotels, ski fit being in-house, the use of a rep, and the fact that British staff served British pupils, it made it all so easy."

And Gavin, you've run trips with both mixed and single-sex schools?

Gavin: "Yes. My previous school was mixed, and I used to run two SkiBound ski trips a year, sometimes with up to 100 pupils. In fact, my last trip was to Serre Chevalier at the Clubhotel Frejus, and we filled the whole hotel. When I moved to Tonbridge, I introduced SkiBound to the school, This year we've got multiple trips planned, including Alpe d'Huez, Les Deux Alpes and Tignes."

So you run trips for different year groups?

Gavin: "Exactly. My big trip is for Year 9, but the school has 12 houses and they run their own trips with mixed year groups."

What do you look for in a ski resort when planning a trip? Which would you say is your favourite SkiBound resort?

Gavin: "All SkiBound resorts are good for different reasons. For example, I recently helped a colleague plan his first ski trip. He booked Les Deux Alpes on my recommendation because it works well for older pupils. The resort guarantees early season snow, has a glacier for beginners to ski high up the mountain, and good apres ski options."

Have you ever faced any challenges in organising or running your ski trips?

Gavin: "Risk assessments and pre-inspections are really important, especially when trying new resorts. SkiBound are very helpful with this, as well as paperwork such as ATOL and ABTA requirements."

SkiBound run inspection visits. Explore how they support your planning as a Party Leader.

Ian: "Organising a ski trip takes time, even with a supportive company like SkiBound. The biggest challenge is managing parents' expectations. Some parents want things run differently but ultimately, it's a school trip and I have to set clear boundaries. Having trip meetings beforehand helps everyone to be on the same page."

Gavin: "The admin involved has improved in recent years. Previously, I created my own Microsoft Form for parents to complete and then I had to input all the data. Now, SkiBound provides an online system for parents to enter their details directly, which saves a huge amount of time and avoids errors with things like passport numbers. There are always potential issues abroad. Once, an airline had overbooked a flight but SkiBound's rep sorted it with perfect French, and got the whole group on the plane."

Do pupils develop friendships and confidence through the ski trips?

Ian: "Absolutely. Because it's a mixed-age trip, younger and older pupils bond. Last year we only had one Year 7 pupil, and she shared a room with Year 10s and 11s. I knew they were responsible students, and they looked after her. Experiences like that help pupils form relationships across year groups, which is invaluable."

Do you think ski trips benefit pupils beyond the skiing itself?

Gavin: "Definitely. At Tonbridge, the best skiers from the trip are invited onto the ski team who compete at the British Boys' Races. For big group trips, it means bonding across year groups which you can't always get from the classroom. I also strongly believe in skiing as a 'sport for life'. I played rugby at school and university but not since then. I learnt to ski in sixth form and I'm still skiing at 55. Skiing keeps you fit, gives you a lifelong passion, and can be enjoyed at any age."

Ian: "Yes. Some of our students often talk to the SkiBound Clubhotel staff about how they became ski reps, and to other Clubhotel staff members. Seeing younger reps like yourself and Dom last year was also inspiring for them: you brought energy, enthusiasm, and relatability, which showed the pupils that working in the industry can be fun and rewarding."

Find out about life and rewards of a SkiBound rep

Thanks Ian, ski repping is definitely rewarding, especially when you're with brilliant teachers and excited students! Why did you choose to head to the Clubhotel Vallee Blanche?

Ian: "We love the layout, the ski lifts, the bar area and the food. The space available for our students is also great. There's a reassurance in knowing exactly what to expect. It's a reliable resort, which suits our budget, and has suitable slopes for all levels."

What advice would you give to new part leaders?

Gavin: "Look after your beginner students. Pair them with experienced skiers for support with kit and boots. Small mistakes, like tucking trousers into boots or wearing two pairs of socks, can ruin a week with blisters. It is also a great opportunity for the older students to have a bit of responsibility too."

Ian: "I've run many trips, not just ski trips, so my perspective has developed over time. For me, the most important factor is the support from the company you work with, in this case SkiBound. I've used companies where everything was well organised with clear itineraries and support in place. But I've also had poor experiences, where things went wrong and there was no real help. That's why I value SkiBound: their reps are on the ground in resort, they know what's happening, and can resolve issues immediately. It makes all the difference compared to dealing with an abstract voice on the phone."

Gavin: "I would also say, plan the week carefully. We do five hours of lessons per day. By day three pupils are usually exhausted, so we plan a quieter evening to help them recover before the final days of skiing."

With these party leaders trusting SkiBound for over 25 years, you know you'll be in expert hands. Find out more from our friendly team and how they can help you start planning your next school ski trip.