The Accessibiity of Skiing
Is skiing elitist? If so, how can we encourage and assist those from less affluent backgrounds to access a sport and a world we love
The last episode of the BBC’s Ski Sunday show aired on 20th February and a large part of the programme focussed on ethnic diversity within skiing. The social media response has been vociferous, many applauding the point being made, whilst others are at pains to say that skiing is for everyone and that any barrier to entry is economic rather than race related.
By the time you become an adult, I can understand why heading on a ski holiday might not be at the top of your list. It is expensive. Travel; accommodation; food; ski clothing; equipment hire; lift pass; lessons; après ski. It all adds up and if you’re not sure if you’ll like it, why take the chance and risk your money?
Yet a ski holiday is unlike any other. Spending time in one of nature’s extreme locations is an awe-inspiring experience. Thousands of metres above the sea, a crystalline world of snow and ice awaits you whilst the exhilaration of skiing itself is incredible: there is speed, adrenaline and a real sense of discovery. Afterwards, there is pleasure in returning indoors to hot showers and good food. Your body tingles and yearns for more.
So many people love skiing and yet it does need to be made more accessible. One answer lies in helping children to access the slopes and for schools to offer ski trips.
School ski trips provide an incredible opportunity for children to be introduced to winter sports. Children grow on such trips. They learn a new skill. They experience a new world. They make new friends. They start to understand that their teachers are people too. They have fun!
For a group of first-time skiers, a school ski trip also puts everyone back on the same level. It doesn’t matter if the captain of the football team is there alongside someone less athletic. On day one, everyone is in the same boat, it’s a level playing field in one important sense and it means that everyone will learn together and develop together. A school ski trip can be almost unique in this aspect.
The benefit of a school ski trip over a family trip is that the cost per person can be massively reduced. Sharing the fixed costs such as transport and tuition helps lower the price per person while travelling as a large group grants you access to improved rates and discounts.
The school ski trip is all-inclusive of transport, full board accommodation as well as the complete ski package including ski hire, ski tuition and lift pass. A school ski trip also includes evening activities and if planned correctly, it can be made accessible to all:
Here are some ideas:
- Book 18-24 months ahead – spread the cost and present the pupils/parents/carers with a clear payment plan.
- Choose an affordable location – the larger the ski area, often the more expensive the cost. Select a smaller resort with good learner ski areas.
- Travel by coach – Lower in cost than flying, two drivers will share the responsibility of transporting you to your resort and stay with you for the week.
- Travel in low season – Prices of hotels and ski passes are lower in certain periods. The ability to travel in December, January or April gets you access to these rates.
- The more the merrier – the coach and ferry costs are fixed. Taking 49 passengers on a 49-seater coach will lower the cost per person.
Let’s be candid. A school ski trip to the Alps taking in to account all these factors will still cost £600-700 per person. Add on the purchase of ski clothing, as well as spending money, and the total cost could easily be £800 for a child.
Yet spread this out over 20 months and for £40 a month, children of all backgrounds can be introduced to a sport that inspires awe and wonder. They will create memories that will live with them for a lifetime and a desire to return that will never fade.
The monetary cost of skiing may be high but its intrinsic value in terms of personal development is immeasurable. Plan your trip correctly and a school ski trip does not need to have any barriers.
Mike Varley