Day 8: Feelin' Great!
Our final day on the Mountain was a pearler! The skies were blue, free of cloud and the temperatures were high. With 1.30pm lessons scheduled, the kids eagerly took to the slopes, looking to perfect their Broadway run in preparation for the afternoon's 'summer run'. The last of our skiers moved from Highway 72 and tackled their first blue run before lunch. In fact, all skiers in the group made it to the summit, with Alex Poletto and Sachin taking advantage of Mr Ward's offer for a guided tour down Morning Glory. Janice and Roong on the other hand opted to see the summit as foot passengers, making their way off the Summit Six chairlift and out onto the lookout for some spectacular photo opportunities before catching the lift back down, a unique experience in itself. In other summit action, Emily Chambers, assisted by Makenzie attempted Fascination, a red run. She held it together at first before her board slipped from beneath her, resulting in a butt-slide that lasted three quarters of the track and winning her the biggest slide award for the trip. To her credit she didn't let it defeat her, getting up and navigating her way down the other tracks to the bottom successfully. An instructor later told Mr Melchiori that he had never seen so many students progress from the Magic Carpet to the advanced runs in such a short period of time. This is certainly a credit to our kids and their persistence.
Lessons concluded at 2.30pm and students rushed back to the bus to collect their summer kit for the last run of the trip. Dressed in shorts and T-shirts, the crew assembled at the Quad chair lift, drawing some confused looks from members of the general public. After a quick group photo, they loaded onto the chairlifts, heading to the top of Broadway. Being strapped into a chairlift really does make you a sitting duck, and as the students began their journey up the mountain Niki, assisted by Ms Watson and Ms Adams ambushed them with snowballs. As if this wasn't bad enough, the lifties got in on the action and thought slowing and stopping the lifts, leaving our kids hanging in the breeze was hilarious. Once everyone had unloaded, it was officially time to start the 'summer run'. Down the mountain they went, some foregoing speed to avoid falling, whilst others threw caution to the wind, smashing their way down the slopes in two degree temperatures. Those that finished early joined the ranks at the base, building and throwing snowballs as their buddies crossed the 'finish' line. Dripping in snow, and feeling the cold, the real race began; the race to return boards, skis and boots and make it back to the warmth of the bus! Lucy was seen flying through the car park in her shorts screaming "I'm freezing!"
This evening's activities saw other traditions carried on, with the annual Methven Table Tennis Open being held. Doubles partnerships were formed and they paired off in a knock-out comp. Warm up matches saw Jacob and Cooper shaping up as early favourites, only to have them knocked out in the second round. The longest rally played out in a game was between Izzy, Tara, Claire and Annie, but alas, their skills did not see them progress to the finals. The grand final match saw Cohen and Ryan defeat Sachin and Kyle, who couldn't seem to return Ryan's killer serve. Well done, boys. In a play off between the early round losers, Priscilla and Zac defeated Annie and Claire to take out the runners up division.
